Indicator ES.1.f Proportion of renewable electricity produced in San Francisco
| Electricity production for SF by energy source, in kilowatt-hours (kWh), 2007 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Energy Source | kWh | % |
| Solar (PV) | 3,243 | 0.34% |
| Bio-gas | 3,000 | 0.31% |
| Wind | N/A | N/A |
| Hydro-electric | N/A | N/A |
| Other (Non-renewable) | 944,000 | 99% |
| Total / Peak Usage | 950,000 | 100% |
Data Source
PV installations, bio-gas, and peak energy figures provided by San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and San Francisco Department of Environment. For more information, visit: http://sfwater.org/msc_main.cfm/MC_ID/12/MSC_ID/139
Explanation and Limitations
The data illustrate the contributions from renewable and non-renewable energy sources to San Francisco's electricity consumption during peak usage. While solar cell installations account for less than 1% of total energy production, according to SF Environment, this amount translates into $405,514 in annual energy savings for San Francisco. Carbon dioxide savings from this amount of solar power equals about 2,646,659 lbs. annually.
Bio-gas generated electricity refers to the process of harvesting methane and other gases from solid waste to be used as combustible fuel. Data for wind energy and hydro-electric contributions are currently unavailable. Data are currently being gathered to describe the complete distribution of San Francisco's renewable and non-renewable energy sources (coal, hydro-electric, wind, etc).
In 2001, San Francisco voters passed Proposition B to provide $100 million in bonds to finance energy efficiency programs on City-owned facilities. In the report "Choosing San Francisco's Energy Future", The Public Utilities Commission and the San Francisco Department of the Environment note that both energy efficiency and developing renewable energy were two of the eight goals that emerged from a series of public hearings on the future of energy in San Francisco. In 2002, the Mayor and Board of Supervisors set a goal to reduce San Francisco's greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2012. Actions to achieve this goal include ramping up renewable energy sources and energy-efficiency efforts.
In May 2004, Mayor Newsom signed the City's Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) ordinance. CCA allows local government to buy electric power from sources such as solar and wind power and then sell that power to local residents and businesses (http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_page.asp?id=39117). The ordinance laid out a path to implementing CCA, stating that the goal of this legislation is to ensure the "provision of clean, reasonably priced and reliable electricity under local control." Community Choice Aggregation allows the City of SF to become an electricity purchaser for residents and businesses served by PG&E. Customers have the option to remain PG&E costumers directly if they choose.