Solar and Other Renewable Generation
The Power Enterprise is researching and developing renewable electrical generation utilizing such resources as solar (which converts energy from the sun into electricity), geothermal, wind, and wave to provide clean, local generation. Currently the City has completed projects resulting in over 5 megawatts (MW) of PV solar and cogeneration installed in San Francisco plus several new projects that are in development at a variety of other facilities. Click here to see our diagram on How Solar Works.
The Power Enterprise has a district-by-district solar monitoring program that provides real-time solar data to assist in the design of these projects.
Published: 04/14/2010
| Updated: 04/29/2010
| Published By: Communications and Public Outreach
The proposed small hydro-electric project would capture clean renewable energy from Hetch Hetchy Water System pipelines that serve the University Mound Reservoirs. The water in these lines contains excess pressure that can help turn a small hydro-electric water turbine or water wheel that will power a generator to produce additional electricity for the City. The proposed project would include the construction of a small hydro-electric facility at the southeast corner of the South Basin Reservoir, adjacent to the existing McLaren Pumping Plant. Read more
Published: 07/30/2009
| Updated: 07/31/2009
| Published By: Power Enterprise
The SFPUC has installed 25 monitoring stations throughout the City of San Francisco and in outlying areas where the City may develop renewable energy projects. These stations measure the solar resource, as well as wind speed and direction to more fully understand the urban wind potential in San Francisco. Data from all the stations will be available in the Spring of 2010. The stations currently listed were installed prior to 2009 and the SFPUC has collected at least a year of data. Read more
Published: 06/23/2009
| Updated: 06/24/2009
| Published By: Communications and Public Outreach
A bill that allows San Francisco to supply its municipal power needs with the greenest energy possible passed the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee today with bipartisan support. Senate Bill 581, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), allows the City and County of San Francisco to expand a mechanism of financial credits with PG&E that are currently designated solely for solar energy generation. Read more
