CLEAResult teams up with City of Palo Alto Utilities to electrify one of its most notable downtown apartment complexes
Background
Our presence is steadily growing in Palo Alto, California thanks to the rapid pace of electric vehicle (EV) adoption that’s excited this community. We’ve been providing technical assistance for installing EV chargers to multi-family and mixed-use building owners since 2019 and helping residents access the EV charger rebates offered by the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU).
One notable example is the project we completed for the homeowner’s association of the apartment complex located at 365 Forest Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. Its prime location made it a unique opportunity to put Palo Alto on the map for best-in-class EV infrastructure.
What was the energy challenge?
Jim M, representative of the apartment’s HOA contacted our Electric Vehicle Charging Technical Assistance Program (EVTAP) for help with accessing EV charger rebates through CPAU. As the community’s project champion, he shared their goal of installing 17 level 2 EV chargers as well as their need for a deeper understanding of the entire process. Like many of our clients, Jim and his fellow residents were unsure which EV chargers to install, or if their building could even support EV charging.
How did we solve the problem?
Our Senior Practice Consultant, Peter Yeh, served as a complimentary and neutral third-party advisor, who answered questions, provided resources and helped resolve obstacles and delays. Peter began by coordinating a site visit with a CLEAResult engineer to take inventory of their existing electrical infrastructure and determine the project’s feasibility. Next, those findings were aligned with the scope of work to provide a variety of options and estimated costs. Peter presented multiple incentive programs and guided the HOA toward the program that best fit residents’ needs. He then helped the HOA find and hire a qualified installer, and submit permit applications, as well as assisting with the installation and commissioning, and ultimately, the receipt of rebates. All in all, Peter was integral to the success of this project, as echoed in Jim M.’s statement: “Peter stuck with us through an unexpectedly long project timeline – that really helped us stay with and finish the project.”
What did we accomplish?
We helped the HOA install 17 level 2 chargers and, in doing so, changed the landscape of downtown Palo Alto. The apartment passed their final building permit inspection and with our expertise, 365 Forest Avenue residents were able to capture $80,000 in total incentives.
Are there any next steps in the process?
The apartment complex at 365 Forest Avenue was one of our first projects to complete both the CPAU EV charger rebate and the EVTAP application processes. The input from its stakeholders and the lessons learned along the way have been invaluable. We’re committed to continually raising the bar of our energy transition consulting services and offerings.