Mayor radiant over Solar Power Initiative funding increase

From the Mayor's Office of Communications

January 12, 2006

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and California Public Utilities
Commission President (CPUC) Michael Peevey joined local and state officials and solar energy advocates at City Hall to laud the CPUC's approval today of a multi-billion dollar increase in funding for the California Solar Initiative.

The expanded program - the nation's largest - will provide $3.2 billion in consumer incentives for deployment of solar technologies and strengthens San Francisco's position as a national leader in the emerging solar marketplace.

The goal of the initiative is to move California closer to a "Million-Solar-Roofs" goal by installing and developing 3,000 megawatts of solar energy on homes, businesses and public buildings over the next 11 years.

"The expanded funding for solar rebates will greatly strengthen San Francisco's position as a national leader in the emerging solar and clean technology marketplace," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

"The CPUC's decision today reaffirms California's commitment to providing cleaner energy for communities across the state."

With more than $3 billion now available to rebate consumers for the installation of solar technologies, the Solar Initiative is expected to help bring down the cost of solar through economies of scale and afford more residents and businesses the opportunity to receive financial incentives.

Benefiting from similar rebate programs in the past, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has so far qualified for nearly $2 million in rebates for its municipal solar deployments at the Moscone Center and Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"The expanded California Solar Initiative will empower state and local governments to make investments in solar technologies go even further," said SFPUC General Manager Susan Leal.

"With plans for our next installation at Pier 96 underway, our municipal deployments are gaining momentum and will continue to grow with these increased incentives from the state."

The City and County of San Francisco has been promoting the development of solar energy on municipal buildings served by the SFPUC.

In addition to Pier 96 the SFPUC has plans for further deployments at municipal sites, including Moscone Center West, the Northpoint Facility, Pier 50, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco Airport and public libraries, health clinics and schools.

Together, the solar installations at the Moscone Center, Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant and Pier 96 will generate 1,500 megawatt hours per year, roughly the energy needed to power approximately 500 homes for a year.

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