ADD2589 Developing solar support proposals

1.1.    The Mayor is committed to making London net zero by 2030. The Mayor’s Solar Action Plan sets out a series of actions to increase the deployment of solar in London including by helping Londoners install solar on their homes and workplaces through Mayoral programmes and funding. Under the 2030 net zero modelling it was suggested a 1.5 GW target is needed for solar PV by 2030, along with increased action to support rooftop solar. 

1.2.    To support the Mayor’s goals, Solar Together London has tested a collective purchasing approach to increase domestic rooftop solar in London. Currently Solar Together London is in its fifth phase and the second operating on a pan-London basis. Solar Together London involves working with London boroughs and a service provider to promote the scheme through marketing and identifying properties to target. Interested able-to-pay households within the private sector register their interest in having solar PV installed to secure a better price through collective purchasing. A ‘reverse auction’ day is then held where pre-approved solar PV suppliers bid to deliver solar installations at the lowest price possible whilst agreeing to meet certain quality standards.

1.3.    The Mayor is keen to increase deployment of solar and the fifth phase of Solar Together London has had even higher take-up than previous rounds, which shows residents are interested in this measure. To date Solar Together London has resulted in an estimated 4.5MW of installed solar capacity – this excludes potential installations under the fifth round where around 3,500 have signed up. Despite the cost-of-living crisis many households are still able to afford solar PV, and for those households rising energy prices can act as a trigger to consider it. 

1.4.    To date each phase of the programme has been delivered by a contracted service provider. The GLA wants to explore whether this is the best approach for such programmes. The current phase of Solar Together London is delivered through a Concession Agreement which has had some benefits but also some limitations from a management perspective. Another delivery approach for future programmes could potentially give the GLA more management control, as well as greater flexibility in the technologies deployed.

1.5.    It is therefore proposed that the GLA commissions consultants to develop options for further Mayoral solar support programmes. This Assistant Director Decision seeks approval for the procurement of an organisation to conduct research to develop options for future support. 

1.6.    Given the competitive nature of the decarbonisation consultancy sector, a market testing exercise is being undertaken to understand costs and capability. The amount requested is currently considered to be higher than required but will allow flexibility to respond to the market. Other procurement exercises for consultancy support have struggled to appoint organisations because of increased demand. 
 

2.1.    The overall goal of the piece of work would be to develop some options for further Mayoral support programmes for solar in the able to pay sector.

2.2.    Objectives

2.3.    Specific tasks identified as part of the work include:

•    horizon scanning to identify examples of other mechanisms and programmes used to support the take-up of solar
•    identifying potential mechanisms the Mayor could use to encourage the deployment of solar in the able-to-pay sector
•    scoping out other carbon reduction measures which could be complementary and be included in any offers
•    assessing whether options which support deployment of solar in the able-to-pay sector can also be used in other sectors – e.g. social housing or the privately rented sector
•    providing options for future Mayoral support programmes to increase the deployment of solar in the able to pay sector
•    considering how equality and diversity considerations can be integrated into the design of options

2.3    The outcomes of the work are intended to:

•    provide some options to identify how the Mayor can further support the deployment of solar in the domestic sector through his programmes
•    inform the procurement approach to further solar support programmes
•    support delivery of Mayoral ambitions for solar deployment and delivery of net zero
 

3.1.    The public sector equality duty requires the identification and evaluation of the likely potential impacts, both Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (the “Equality Act”) as public authorities, the Mayor and the GLA must have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. Protected characteristics under the Equality Act comprise age, disability, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership status.

3.2.    This piece of work will explicitly ask consultants to consider how programmes could be developed to integrate equality and diversity considerations in to design and delivery.
 

a)    Key risks and issues

Link to Mayoral Strategies and Priorities

b)    This work is designed to support delivery of the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy, Solar Action Plan and target for London to be zero carbon by 2030.

c)    Green New Deal and London Recovery work:

The Green New Deal Mission has been designed in collaboration with London Councils, taking account of the views of Londoners and stakeholders. The mission has set the challenge of tackling the climate and ecological emergencies and improving air quality by doubling the size of London's green economy by 2030 to accelerate job creation for all. The mission identifies the opportunity to support London’s recovery through tackling huge city challenges like improving London’s homes and workplaces to reduce their energy demand and carbon emissions.

4.1.    There are no conflicts of interest to note for any of the officers involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision form.
 

5.1.    Approval is being sought for expenditure of up to £49,000 to procure specialist consultancy services to provide a series of options for Mayoral support for solar through programmes and funding. 

5.2.    This expenditure will be funded from the approved 2022-23 Environment Programme budget, specifically from the budget allocation earmarked for the ‘Solar & Community Grants’ Programme.

5.3.    All appropriate budget adjustments will be made.