Long considered a hot bed of progressive public policy - no, that's not a euphemism for gay marriage - San Francisco has recently taken the lead on one of the most pressing issues of the last century: renewable energy.
Mayor Gavin Newsom has enlisted the California Energy Commission, local businesses, and engineering giant CH2M Hill in an effort to make the City by the Bay a national example on how to go green in a way that's a potential win for environmentalists, good government and businesses alike.
This past March, Newsom and Assessor-Recorder, (it's a bad government title for real estate guru), Phil Ting announced GoSolarSF, an incentive program whose aim is to make the switch to renewable energy more affordable for residents, businesses and nonprofits. Ting claims that this initiative, coupled with a statewide effort called the California Solar Initiative, will "make San Francisco the solar capital of the United States."
Developed by the San Francisco Solar Task Force with the intent of being the nation's largest municipal incentive program, Ting promises that GoSolarSF "will ensure that solar is a real, clean energy alternative for consumers in the city."
Currently, the average cost of solar installation for a San Francisco home ranges from $20,000-25,000, likely a major reason that only 744 of the 195,000 rooftops in San Francisco currently utilize solar energy systems.
While GoSolarSF projects slow progress-with an increase to 15,000 rooftops in 10 years-the initiative promises that any private resident on a meter and paying an electricity bill will be eligible for an incentive payment from the City between $3,000 and $6,000. Low-income residents can qualify for an additional $5,000, while businesses will be eligible for up to $10,000. And for the first year of the program, non-profit entities can also qualify for payments that can reach as high as $30,000.
In addition to GoSolarSF, Mayor Newsom recently announced the creation of the Solar Founders' Circle, a group of the largest 1,500 companies in the city that will receive free energy audits and solar assessments in return for maintaining solar-friendly businesses. The program is funded by a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Cities initiative and the San Francisco's own Energy Watch Program.
The Mayor's Office projects that SF businesses have the potential to generate 170 megawatts of solar power from their rooftops alone, enough to power 42,000 households. In just a few months since the program's launch in July, the city has already received four times the number of applications for new solar installations. And because of GoSolarSF, 16 solar installation companies have hired or will hire graduates of local workforce development programs for solar installation jobs.
Newsom's initiatives are well timed to receive a vote of confidence from Washington. To make its recent $700 billion bailout package politically palatable this election season, Congress tacked $18 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy, including an eight-year extension of the investment tax credit (ITC) for solar energy. That will also help speed up solar installation in the Bay Area.
Yet, no matter how well timed or thought out his plan may be, the Mayor will face some challenges in convincing other cities that solar energy is a panacea. Problems with solar energy still include difficulties with storing the energy produced; a cost that would be prohibitive without government incentives; and the space needed to house the panels. Due to the inefficiency of solar panels in converting light into energy, large surface areas are needed to generate solar power. These areas arent always available, especially in cities where skyscrapers with minimized roof space dominate.
Regardless of the hurdles in its path, GoSolarSF is paving the way for businesses and homeowners to move towards sustainable energy. And as the number of solar panels manufactured increases, the cost of production will be driven down, allowing more interested buyers and developers into the market.
Related Videos:
SF bans plastic bags
Also Interesting:
Most Read