City Successes
Leadership on renewable energy is coming from the local level. Vote Solar was founded on the premise that the solar revolution could be jumpstarted by a succession of municipal-led initiatives. The premise proved itself in reality — cities across the country have risen to the challenge. This is by no means a comprehensive list; rather, it's meant to show some of the good company that solar cities keep. If your town has done something solar to be proud of, email us with a write-up.
The San Francisco Story
This was the one that got Vote Solar started. On November 6, 2001, San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved a landmark $100 million bond initiative that paid for solar panels, energy efficiency and wind turbines for public facilities. The measure paid for itself entirely from energy savings at no cost to taxpayers. With this model, San Francisco pioneered a path for funding the transition to renewable energy.
The mechanics are simple. The city borrows money for solar panels and energy efficiency measures for public buildings. The money that would have gone to buy electricity from power plants instead goes to pay down the debt.
The campaign for the solar revenue bond happened because San Francisco residents, like many other Californians, were plagued by blackouts, skyrocketing prices and dirty neighborhood power plants. Large-scale solar power represents an important way for people to take greater control over their future by making their own affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
The effort to pass the measure became a consensus campaign. The measure earned the endorsement of organizations spanning the political spectrum from the Chamber of Commerce to the Sierra Club and almost every elected leader representing San Francisco from City Hall to Capitol Hill. The measure, which moved from a mere idea to approved legislation in less than 10 months, passed by 73%. Implementation is being handled by the city's Public Utilities Commission. The first project to implemented was a 675 kW system on the roof of the Moscone Convention Center (PDF).
Update: GoSolarSF Incentive Program
On June 10, 2008, San Francisco authorized a 10-year solar incentive program for city residents and business. This $3 million a year program will compete with NYC for the largest municipal solar program in the country. The program is the brainchild of the SF Solar Task Force, created by City Assessor Phil Ting. Introduced at the City Board of Supervisors, the ordinance struggled through a grueling set of hearings before becoming law. SF Public Utilities Commission, who administers the program, predicts bringing solar to 10,000 rooftops and increasing city solar capacity from 5MW to 55MW.
San Francisco was spurred to solar action after a report revealed San Francisco last among Bay Area counties in per capita solar installations. Branded GoSolarSF, this program brings San Francisco closer to its goals of greater energy independence, fewer carbon emissions and green collar job creation.
The program GoSolarSF offers incentives ranging from $3,000-6,000 for residential installations and up to $10,000 for commercial installations. Program funding is generated by revenues from public power generation sales. Incentive levels favor local installers and labor in so promoting economic development and local green job creation. An additional $1.5 million is budgeted for low-income and non-profit housing in the first year. Information on the program here.
San Diego
San Diego has been a major focus of Vote Solar's efforts over the years. A blow-by-blow of the story can be found in Grist Magazine, but the digest goes like this: In 2003, Mayor Murphy and Councilmembers Frye and Zuchett passed resolution calling for 50 megawatts of renewable energy to be installed within city limits over the next 10 years. After a lot of work on the part of city staff, the city issued a Request for Proposals for 5 MW of solar on city facilities, and the final bid was accepted by the City Council Jan 30, 2006. Construction is taking place now — check back soon for pictures and progress updates.
Oakland
Vote Solar has been working since 2003 to encourage the City to make investments in solar energy. We helped the City prepare a Request for Proposals for nearly 1 MW of solar issued in November of 2003; we worked to educate the City Council on the benefits, and on July 20, 2004, the Council gave its unanimous approval of the contract. The first 1 MW is now installed, and Vote Solar is helping the City identify sites, apply for rebate reservations, and issue RFPs for a further 5 MW of solar.
Richmond
Vote Solar helped to initiate a new campaign in Richmond, California for a 5 MW solar commitment. Vote Solar made a presentation on municipal commitments to solar energy to a packed house of 60 people who came to the first "Solar Richmond" meeting; Vote Solar met with the Richmond City Manager, who gave his support; and on March 21st, the City Council voted unanimously to support a goal of developing 5 megawatts of solar photovoltaics on municipal, commercial and residential buildings by 2010.
New Mexico
In 2003, Vote Solar brought the idea of creating a state solar bond for New Mexico to the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (a group of New Mexico organizations including the Sierra Club, the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group, the New Mexico Solar Energy Association and others) and the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (NMEMNRD). Working with the state office, we researched and developed a cash-flow model showing how significant investment in solar and energy efficiency on state buildings could be done cost-effectively. With the support of Governor Richardson, a $20 million solar bond initiative was introduced during the state's one-month long legislative session in February 2004. Unfortunately, though the measure made it out of the House with an impressive 61-2 vote, a filibuster on an unrelated issue prevented the measure from being called for a vote on the Senate floor before the legislative session expired.
However, as the measure was structurally sound and politically popular, Governor Richardson announced that it remained one of his highest legislative priorities for the next session, beginning January 2005. Vote Solar again worked with local advocates to educate about the bill's impacts. Vote Solar also worked with the actor/director Robert Redford to publish an op-ed in the Albuquerque Tribune. Finally, in March of 2005 the state of New Mexico passed a $20 million bond for solar and energy efficiency technologies for state-owned buildings. We anticipate net savings of $18 million over the bond period.
Honolulu
The City sent a representative to our Solar Cities Summit, and in January of 2004, Mayor Jeremy Harris included a $10 million solar bond for city facilities in his budget request to the City Council. Vote Solar prepared an analysis of the fiscal and environmental impacts of the measure, and worked with local environmental organizations to help educate residents and City Council members of the benefits. Vote Solar also published an Op-Ed in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and got the actor/activist Robert Redford to send a letter of support. On June 4, 2004, the Council approved a $7.85 million bond for solar and energy efficiency efforts on city buildings.
California State University System
Vote Solar worked with student activist partners in the RenewCSU campaign to encourage the CSU Board of Trustees to pass a clean energy and green building resolution for all CSU campuses. The campaign came to a head on September 21, 2005, when the Board unanimously passed the resolution. The CSU is now committed to installing 10 MW of onsite renewable energy, such as solar, on its campuses. Vote Solar co-authored an article in Solar Today on the victory and will continue to assist the CSU as it develops procurement plans for solar systems.