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California Residential Solar Power: San Francisco Approves Solar Bill
http://www.getsolar.com/blog/california-residential-solar-power-san-francisco-approves-solar-bill
The San Francisco California Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the "Better Roofs Ordinance" that will require new construction in the city to install solar energy systems on the roof. The new ordinance includes requirements for both residential solar power systems and commercial solar power systems, including either photovoltaic electric or solar hot water systems, or both.
California already leads the country in residential home solar power systems installations, as well as commercial and utility solar systems. This new ordinance represents a strong commitment by a large city in the United States to make the transition to a low carbon, clean energy infrastructure. The San Francisco Examiner reports that beginning in January new buildings of up to 10 stories will have to install rooftop solar systems.
San Francisco has aggressive renewable energy and waste reduction goals in place to significantly lower the city's carbon footprint. This includes an ambitious goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2025. In order to reach a goal like that a lot of work will have to be done on grid infrastructure, demand response, energy efficiency, and smart power transmission. The city has also set in place goals for reduction in landfill use and recycling, along with transportation fuel type and ownership mix.
The requirement for new residential home solar power systems in the California city would mean that new rooftops would have to take into consideration space and accommodation for the systems. Solar electric systems would most likely take the lead, however solar thermal hot water systems are also included in the legislation, so new residential homes may see a combination of the two technologies on their roofs. Therefore, the solar electric system would offset fossil fuel generated electricity, and the solar thermal system would offset either natural gas or electrically heated hot water heaters. (See image above for Solar Thermal System).
According to the Examiner, Barry Hooper of the San Francisco Department of Environment, Green Building Coordinator, stated "that 100% renewable energy depends on both development of renewable energy resources and continued improvement in energy efficiency". Additionally as to the new solar ordinance he said "it's been demonstrated as being highly cost effective".
The Better Roofs Ordinance is forecast to install roughly 7 1/2 MW of solar electricity, and pull some 26,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. This is definitely a bold initiative, and some may bristle at the notion of being told what can and cannot be put on one's private property, however building codes and ordinances exist throughout the nation in an effort to set standards of safety and public health. Seen through that lens, the Better Roofs Legislation of San Francisco while ambitious could be seen as in-line with at least the spirit of existing building code tenets.
http://www.getsolar.com/blog/california-residential-solar-power-san-francisco-approves-solar-bill
The San Francisco California Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the "Better Roofs Ordinance" that will require new construction in the city to install solar energy systems on the roof. The new ordinance includes requirements for both residential solar power systems and commercial solar power systems, including either photovoltaic electric or solar hot water systems, or both.
California already leads the country in residential home solar power systems installations, as well as commercial and utility solar systems. This new ordinance represents a strong commitment by a large city in the United States to make the transition to a low carbon, clean energy infrastructure. The San Francisco Examiner reports that beginning in January new buildings of up to 10 stories will have to install rooftop solar systems.
San Francisco has aggressive renewable energy and waste reduction goals in place to significantly lower the city's carbon footprint. This includes an ambitious goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2025. In order to reach a goal like that a lot of work will have to be done on grid infrastructure, demand response, energy efficiency, and smart power transmission. The city has also set in place goals for reduction in landfill use and recycling, along with transportation fuel type and ownership mix.
The requirement for new residential home solar power systems in the California city would mean that new rooftops would have to take into consideration space and accommodation for the systems. Solar electric systems would most likely take the lead, however solar thermal hot water systems are also included in the legislation, so new residential homes may see a combination of the two technologies on their roofs. Therefore, the solar electric system would offset fossil fuel generated electricity, and the solar thermal system would offset either natural gas or electrically heated hot water heaters. (See image above for Solar Thermal System).
According to the Examiner, Barry Hooper of the San Francisco Department of Environment, Green Building Coordinator, stated "that 100% renewable energy depends on both development of renewable energy resources and continued improvement in energy efficiency". Additionally as to the new solar ordinance he said "it's been demonstrated as being highly cost effective".
The Better Roofs Ordinance is forecast to install roughly 7 1/2 MW of solar electricity, and pull some 26,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. This is definitely a bold initiative, and some may bristle at the notion of being told what can and cannot be put on one's private property, however building codes and ordinances exist throughout the nation in an effort to set standards of safety and public health. Seen through that lens, the Better Roofs Legislation of San Francisco while ambitious could be seen as in-line with at least the spirit of existing building code tenets.