Pasadena Launches Two Clean Energy Plans for 2030 Goal

Pasadena is turning its libraries, recreation centers, and parking lots into clean energy hubs, and inviting residents to join the transformation.

Pasadena Water and Power released two major partnership opportunities this week, designed to accelerate the city's ambitious goal of running entirely on carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030. The utility is asking solar and energy storage developers to help turn vision into reality.

The first program targets 13 city-owned properties for solar and battery installations. These sites will generate about 2.6 megawatts of clean energy, with construction finishing by June 2028. Think solar panels on library roofs and energy storage at community centers, all working together to power the city.

But Pasadena isn't stopping there. A second phase already in the works will add solar and storage to 14 more city properties, bringing an additional 6.1 megawatts online by 2029. More proposals are expected in 2027.

The second program, called Clean Power Pasadena Partnership, opens opportunities beyond government buildings. Large property owners can now install renewable energy systems and sell the electricity directly back to the utility. To make participation easier, Pasadena Water and Power will cover the interconnection costs, removing a major financial barrier.

Projects must generate at least 200 kilowatts and connect directly to the city's electric grid. That means warehouses, office complexes, and larger commercial properties can become mini power plants for their community.

David Reyes, general manager of Pasadena Water and Power, emphasized that hitting the 2030 carbon-free target requires teamwork and infrastructure upgrades. These partnerships represent both.

The Ripple Effect

Adding local clean energy does more than reduce carbon emissions. When Pasadena generates more of its own electricity, the city becomes less dependent on power imported from distant sources. That means stronger reliability during heat waves or grid emergencies, exactly when communities need electricity most.

The approach also creates a model other California cities can follow. By funding interconnection work and streamlining the proposal process, Pasadena is proving that ambitious climate goals don't require choosing between government action and private innovation. Both can work together.

Meanwhile, Pasadena Water and Power earned recognition for another kind of excellence: workplace safety. The utility received the American Public Power Association's Diamond-level Safety Award, the highest distinction possible, announced during OSHA Safe and Sound Week.

Pasadena is building a cleaner, more resilient energy future one rooftop and parking lot at a time.