The city of Independence is taking steps toward a solar energy farm that, with added wind power, could more than double the city's share of power from renewable sources.

Also, a consultant recommends considering solar energy panels for several city buildings, better publicity for programs to encourage renewable energy and a review of electric rates to make sure those participating in energy-saving or alternative-energy programs are not subsidized by those who don't participate.

In July, the City Council ordered city officials to step up their efforts on several energy issues, including looking at renewables, and the council ordered an interim report on progress by the end of this month.

This week, a memo from Independence Power and Light Director Leon Daggett to City Manager Robert Heacock summarized progress and pointed out that IPL earlier this month put out a “request for proposal,” soliciting plans for a three- to 10-megawatt solar farm on IPL property. Companies have until Dec. 10 to get their ideas to the city.

Also, Daggett wrote, staff is looking over three wind-power proposals that have been submitted.

“If the City were to move forward with both the wind and solar purchase power agreements,” Daggett wrote, “the percentage of renewable energy to serve the City load would increase from the current 5 percent to over 10 percent.”

Most of IPL's electricity - 60 percent - is generated at two plants, both fired by coal. One is KCP&L's plant near Weston, Missouri, and the other is in Nebraska. IPL's Missouri City coal-fired plant is closing in about a year, and the Blue Valley plant on Truman Road is switching from coal to natural gas in 2016. About 5 percent of IPL's power comes from a wind farm in Kansas. IPL officials have said their plan has been to get to 10 percent renewables by 2018.

Daggett's memo also mentions a recommendation that the city consider a “community solar program” under which customers could buy, for the long-term, a share of the power produced at a solar facility.

A solar farm could make a dent in demand for power from coal. For example, the city of Butler recently opened a 17-acre solar farm to produce 3.2 megawatts of power, toward the low end of what Independence is looking at. That's enough power for about 1,500 homes. IPL has 51,000 customers.

The city also is being encouraged to look at solar photovoltaic units for some city buildings. Engineering firm Burns & McDonnell looked at 29 city buildings and said four are worth a close look:

-- The Water Pollution Control Department's Rock Creek plant on Norledge.

-- IPL's service center at the Blue Valley plant.

-- The Public Works Department's maintenance facility on Crysler just north of 23rd Street.

-- Fire Station No. 7 on Hub Drive near Missouri 291 and 23rd Street.

Those four stood out because they have the space for solar arrays on the ground, and that's assumed to be cheaper than putting them on rooftops or on carports.

Burns & McDonnell said wind and geothermal power aren't good options but suggested keeping an eye on wind power as costs continue to come down.

Separately, a Kansas City company called Brightergy looked at roof-top solar and identified a dozen buildings on which the city would recoup its costs in 13 to 19 years. The quickest payback was at the Independence Events Center, followed by the IPL service center, the Water Pollution Control maintenance facility on Truman Road, the Rock Creek sewer plant, police headquarters, the Health Department on Liberty Street, fire stations 2, 3, 4 and 7, City Hall and the National Frontier Trails Center.

Burns & McDonnell also recommended improving the city's Home Energy Loan Program, or HELP, and getting the word out more about such programs. It also suggests a program under which IPL would buy LED bulbs in bulk and sell them to residents at a reduced cost.

Independence Power and Light is moving its offices to the medical building on the east side of the old Medical Center of Independence property. (The hospital building itself has been torn down.)

The city is aiming for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification for the building, meaning the use of best practices in producing and conserving power. For example, the city is looking at solar and wind power at the site. Daggett's memo say gold certification is possible but it's too soon to know if a platinum rating - the highest of four levels - is within reach.

About 150 LEED-certified buildings in Missouri are listed at greenbuildingwire.com, and about one-third are gold. Eight are platinum, including the headquarters and plant for Posty Cards in Kansas City.