DROUGHT LEAVES GOSOLARSF GONE WITH CITY’S BUDGET CUTS

Solar Advocates Concerned About Severe Funding Cuts To Popular Program

Angela Beniwal, 31 July 2012 (Solar Industry)

“…[D]eep funding cuts - by $3 million - to [the popular the GoSolarSF incentive program was implemented in 2008] have solar advocates in the city worried about future progress. By all accounts, the GoSolarSF program has been very effective…[It] offers a one-time payment for 95% of the total project cost of solar projects located at homes and businesses. Funds are allocated on a quarterly basis in four categories, including nonprofit and nonprofit residential; business and residential, excluding low-income; low-income residential; and low-income residential single-family affordable solar homes…

“As a result of the incentive, the number of solar-powered buildings has jumped to more than 2,300, with 6 MW of solar power installed since 2008. Approximately 89 jobs have been created as well…Historically, the GoSolarSF program has been funded at $5 million per year. For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, the program was slashed to $2 million per year for the next two years. Revenue comes from the sale of hydropower generated from the SFPUC's Hetch Hetchy Water & Power system…[so that solar was not funded at the expense of] social services…”

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“…[B]udget priorities have shifted because of a lack of water and operational maintenance needs. The commission…receives most of its revenue from [the sale of hydroelectric power], which relies heavily on weather conditions…[Revenues are down] because it has been a dry year…Maintenance issues are at the forefront for now…Incentives for other renewable energy and energy efficiency programs have also been cut…

“…[R]epresentatives from several companies, including Sunrun, Suntech North America, First Solar and SunEdison, sent a letter to Mayor Lee citing the benefits of the program and urging that funds be restored…[T]he success of [those companies] in the San Francisco area can be directly attributed to the GoSolarSF program…The program includes a provision that applicants contract with an installer who participates in San Francisco's workforce development program…[creating a workforce from] individuals or populations who have traditionally had barriers to employment…”

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