The City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to sign on to a "power purchase agreement" with Santa Clara County which is giving dozens of city governments a way to afford solar power.

Santa Clara County is administering an arrangement for city governments in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to lease solar panels in large discounted quantities. If the effort is successful, solar panels could be installed on as many as 90 properties owned by cities in the two counties.

Joan Jenkins, transportation and policy manager, said it would be cheaper in the long run for the city to purchase its own solar panels, but the up-front cost is not affordable for the city. Under the plan the city's payments for the panels would be broken up over a 15 to 20-year lease, while keeping overall costs during the lease term lower than PG&E electrical rates, Jenkins said.

Mountain View resident Dave Paradise said he was pleased with the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and said his immediate reaction was "Why couldn't this be bigger?"

Jenkins said there would be a second "offering" from the county for a bulk purchase of solar power once cities are able to see how the first agreement pans out.

City staff listed three city properties that could be powered by solar panels in Mountain View, including the parking garage at 135 Bryant Street, the Shoreline Golf Links parking lot or pro shop, and the Shoreline maintenance facility and carport structures. City Hall was ruled out due to a lack of suitable roof space.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.