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City Solar Installations

Clean Energy Solar Panels Save Taxpayer Dollars

Sixteen 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 Policy Encourages Renewable Technologies, such as Solar!

All newly constructed facilities and major renovation projects regardless of square footage are encouraged to incorporate self-generation using renewable technologies to reduce environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use. Newly constructed City facilities shall generate a minimum of 10%, with a goal of 20% from renewable technologies including photovoltaic, wind and fuel cells. See the 2003 Sustainable Building Policy 900-14 for more information.

City facilities Produce 2.3 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.

City taxpayers will save about $1 million each year in energy costs with the City's two large solar systems; one at Otay and the other at the Alvarado water treatment plant.

16. Scripps Ranch Community Recreation Center

Scripps Ranch Community Recreation Center webpage

View image of Scripps Ranch Community Recreation Center  
  • The region’s first energy system using solar panels and batteries to power a city building is independent of the electrical grid and can act as a “stand alone” power source during an emergency.Read the fact sheet.
  • 30 kilowatt (AC) system
  • 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • 100 kilowatt-hour battery storage system
  • April 2012

15. Otay Water Treatment Plant

Otay Water Treatment Plant webpage

View image of Otay Mesa Water Treatment Plant
Photo Courtesy of Sun Edison

 

  • 804 kilowatt (AC) system
  • 1.5 million kilowatt-hours annually
  • April 2010

 

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14. Ocean Air Recreation Center

Ocean Air Recreation Center webpage

View image of Ocean Air Recreation Center

4770 Fairport Way, San Diego, CA 92130

  • 30 kilowatt (AC) system
  • 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • LEED Certified
  • December 2009

13. Fire Station 47

Fire Station 47 webpage

View image of Fire Station 47 (PDF)
Photo Courtesy of STK Architecture, Inc.

6041 Edgewood Bend Court, San Diego, CA 92130

  • 8 kilowatt (AC) system
  • 12,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • LEED Certified
  • February 2008

12. Nobel Athletic Park and Recreation Center

Nobel Athletic Park and Recreation Center webpage

View image of Nobel Athletic Park and Recreation Center

8810 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92122

  • 20 kilowatt (AC) system
  • 30,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • LEED Certified
  • September 2007

11. Northwestern Division Police Substation

View image of Northwestern Division Police Substation
Photo Courtesy of Safdie Rabines Architects

12592 El Camino Real, Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA 92130

  • 20 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 30,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • LEED Certified
  • Completed March 2007

10. Alvarado Water Treatment Plant

Alvarado Water Treatment Plant webpage

View image of Alvarado Water Treatment Plant
Photo Courtesy of Sun Edison

5530 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, CA 92120

  • 1.1 megawatt 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 2007

9. North Clairemont Branch Library

North Clairemont Branch Library webpage

View image of North Clairemont Branch Library

4616 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117

  • 16 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 22,500 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed May 2006

8. Oak Park Branch Library

Oak Park Branch Library webpage

View image of Oak Park Branch Library

2802 54th St, San Diego, CA 92105

  • 20 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 30,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed May 2006

7. Canyonside Recreation Center

7. Canyonside Recreation Center webpage

View image of Canyonside Recreation Center

12330 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92129

  • 29 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed May 2006

6. George L. Stevens Senior Center

George L. Stevens Senior Center webpage

View image of George L. Stevens Senior Center
Photo Courtesy of SDG&E Sustainable Communities

570 S. 65th St., San Diego, CA, 92114

  • 7 kilowatt (AC) rooftop array
  • 10,950 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed March 2006
  • LEED Certified
  • a private foundation pays utilities for this building

5. San Ysidro Fire Station 291

San Ysidro Fire Station 29 webpage

View image of San Ysidro Fire Station 29

179 W. San Ysidro Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92173

  • 7 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 10,500 kilowatt-hours annually
  • LEED Certified
  • completed July 2005

4. Police Headquarters

Police Headquarters webpage

View image of Police Headquarters

1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

  • 30 kilowatts (AC) rooftop system
  • 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed June 2004

3. Metropolitan Operation Center III

Metropolitan Operation Center III webpage

View image of MWWD Operation Complex

9191 Kearny Villa Court, San Diego, CA 92123

  • 30 kilowatt (AC) rooftop system
  • 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed 2003

2. Environmental Services Department's Ridgehaven "Green Building"

View image of Ridgehaven "Green Building"

9601 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123

  • 54 kilowatts (AC) rooftop and carport system
  • 82,500 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed May 2003

1. Environmental Service Department's Operations Station

Environmental Service Department's Operations Station webpage

View image of ESD's Operations Station

8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, CA 92121

  • 62 kilowatt (AC) "net zero" carport array
  • 93,000 kilowatt-hours annually
  • completed October 2003

Energy