Renewable Energy: Photovoltaics

Clean Energy Solar Panels Save Taxpayer Dollars

Twelve municipal facilities fitted with photovoltaics will help the City reach its goal to pursue energy independence, and become a model city in energy conservation with the use of renewable energy.

City facilities Produce 1.86 Megawatts of Electricity Annually

Solar technology, which converts sunlight into electricity, is environmentally friendly because it requires no fuel and produces no emissions. Photovoltaics have the potential to play a major role in climate change mitigation and pollution reduction.

Photovoltaics also provide economic savings for the City. The City's PV systems save almost $170,000 annually in energy costs and avoid significant greenhouse gases.

3. Alvarado Water Treatment Plant, 5530 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa
•	945 kilowatt (AC) system atop three water reservoirs (two meters: 495 and 450 kWh)
•	1.4 million kilowatt-hours annually (two meters: 742,500 and 675,000 kWh)
•	completed February 1, 2007

4. North Clairemont Branch Library, 4616 Clairemont Drive, San Diego 92117
•	16 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
•	22,500 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed May 2006

5. Oak Park Branch Library, 2802 54th St, San Diego 92105
•	20 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
•	30,000 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed May 2006

6. Canyonside Recreation Center, 12330 Black Mountain Road, San Diego 92129
•	29 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
•	45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed May 2006

9. Police Headquarters, 1401 Broadway, San Diego, 92101
•	30 kilowatts (AC) rooftop system
•	45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed June 2004

10. Metropolitan Wastewater Department's Operation Complex (MOC III), 9191 Kearny Villa Court, San Diego, 92123
•	30 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
•	45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed 2003

11. Environmental Services Department's Ridgehaven "Green Building" Demonstration Project, 9601 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, 92123
•	54 kilowatts (AC) rooftop and carport system
•	82,500 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed May 2003

12. Environmental Service Department's Operations Station, 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego 92121
•	62 kilowatt (AC) "net zero" carport array
•	93,000 kilowatt-hours annually
•	completed October 2003

City Facilities to Receive Photovoltaics:

How Grid-connected PV Systems Work

Grid-connected photovoltaic systems are the most common type as they make use of the existing electricity grid. The electricity produced during the daytime is either used, or sent back into the electricity grid and used by others, an arrangement called 'net metering.' At night, or on dark days when the panels do not produce sufficient power, electricity is bought in from the electrical grid.

Graphic courtesy San Diego Regional Energy Office

Power Purchase Agreement

Alvarado Water Treatment Plant

The City of San Diego took a step closer to energy self-sufficiency with a 1 – megawatt (AC) solar power system at the City's Alvarado Water Treatment Plant. The non-polluting system, which began producing electricity February 1, 2007, will generate about 20 percent of the plant's power, with annual savings estimated at $40,000.

The system was built under a power purchase agreement with SunEdison. Under the agreement, the company installed the photovoltaic system at no cost to the City, avoiding an estimated a $6.5 million installation cost. SunEdison owns and will maintain the solar system, and will sell solar energy to the City's Water Department at rates lower than market price.

• Mayor Sanders Unveils Solar Power System at Alvarado Water Treatment Plant (PDF: 37K)