San Francisco OKs California’s Largest Municipal Solar Project
Mayor Newsom Hails Approval of California’s Largest Solar Photovoltaic Installation at Sunset Reservoir
5 MW Project Will More than Triple San Francisco’s Total Solar Energy Output
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today lauded the Board of
Supervisors’ approval of a five megawatt (MW) solar installation for the
roof of the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco. When completed in 2010, the
project will be California’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) installation
and more than triple San Francisco’s total municipal solar energy output
from 2 MW today to 7 MW. The Board’s approval of a 25-year contract between
the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and San
Francisco-based Recurrent Energy will deliver clean, renewable solar power
for City municipal services and facilities, including public schools, San
Francisco International Airport, SF General Hospital, Muni and more. The
project will also create more than 70 local green jobs, including at least
21 jobs for individuals in the City’s workforce development programs.
“Today San Francisco took another major step towards achieving our
commitments to reduce greenhouse gases and grow our green economy,” said
Mayor Newsom, who sponsored the legislation. “With this single project, we
will more than triple San Francisco’s solar energy production, build
California’s largest photovoltaic system, and help lead the state towards a
future of clean, renewable energy.”
“I’m proud that my district will soon be home to California’s largest solar
PV installation,” said Supervisor Carmen Chu, who co-sponsored the
legislation with Mayor Newsom, and whose district includes the 8-square
block Sunset Reservoir, the City’s largest. “I want to thank the
environmental community, my colleagues on the Board, the SFPUC and
Recurrent Energy for forging this smart public-private partnership that
will rapidly expand our green power resources.”
The agreement between the SFPUC and Recurrent Energy leverages a 30%
federal tax credit available only to the private sector through a “Power
Purchase Agreement” (PPA) to dramatically lower project costs. Over the 25
year life of the contract, the City estimates that the power purchased from
the project will cost $50.3 million, $36 million less than the lifetime
cost of $86.3 million had the City built and financed the system
themselves. Under the agreement, Recurrent Energy also assumes all the risk
of financing, building and operating the project. The SFPUC is only
responsible for purchasing the solar power produced at a competitive rate.
The measure was also co-sponsored by Supervisors Bevan Dufty, Michela
Alioto-Pier, and Eric Mar.
“With this agreement San Francisco can continue to be a leader in
developing the solar energy markets while taking concrete steps towards
meeting our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said
SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington.
“Recurrent Energy is proud to partner with the City of San Francisco to
create local green jobs now and deliver clean solar public power for the
future,” said Recurrent Energy’s CEO, Arno Harris.
Structure looking really amazing!
Don’t think anyone can deny San Fran’s got their shit down and understands the importance of alternate energy. Continue to be a model for sustainability, and be aggressive in pursuing projects like these!
The Sunset District is fogged in most of the year.
The Sunset is one of the more foggy areas of the city. Why are they placing it there when there are more sunny areas in the Mission, Hunters Point, or Treasure Island?
Why not treat solar energy like water and put PV generation east of Pleasanton – the Altamont Pass wind turbines wound’t mind sharing energy generation duties, not to mention making better land use.
Knowing how expensive property is in SF, I am surprised they didn’t leave the land for residential development. They could have easily changed the zoning laws to require the installation of PV cells on the rooftops of all new development. Your energy production density would be less, but at least you’re getting multiple uses out of the land that’s already at a premium.
This makes little sense to me…I’m from sunny southern Nevada and lived in San Francisco last Summer. How many days a year of sunshine does SF get?
Awesome the city is up for doing this, but why the sunset district? That’s one of the foggiest places in SF.
dumb and dumber, just because it sounds good on paper does not mean it will work. How about some wave generators instead???
@hvmach: http://cleantechnica.com/2009/02/27/wave-energy-to-bring-power-and-jobs-to-san-francisco/
True about the fog. The decision to build a solar farm in the Sunset District is obviously a PR ploy by Newsome (who is supported by Senators Feinstein and Boxer) to gain popular votes for Newsome’s upcoming bid for Governor.
Wake-up California. With our budget and economy in turmoil, we need fiscally responsible leaders, not more of the same.
John G.