Staff asks council direction on FPL's decommissioned solar trees and canopies

Elgin Hicks updated the council on options for several FPL-installed "solar trees" and canopies at city parks. FPL is winding down a solar-tree pilot and offered to transfer ownership of some units to the city for $1 with a net-metering application to place accounts under the city's name; that application requires proof of liability insurance and an application fee estimated between $400 and $1,000.

For Centennial Park the system has already been removed. For IMAG and the SCAT/Stars canopy, FPL offered to transfer the canopy and trees for $1 so the city could capture net-metering savings. At Roberto Clemente Park staff outlined three options: accept donation, have FPL manage and repair the canopy (estimated $31,000) or remove the units entirely (estimated about $39,900). Staff recommended the city evaluate modern replacement or retrofit options given that the solar technology is 14 years old and that newer panels could produce more power if repurposed into contemporary shade structures.

Council directed staff to return with a clear agenda item showing the costs and trade-offs (accept, repair, repurpose, remove) and to include an estimate for upgrading the panels where feasible; staff also agreed to examine whether construction work on the park severed wiring that must be corrected by the general contractor.