33% of potential reductions
Energy that comes from renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and small hydroelectric, are the cleanest and most-environmentally friendly energy sources. Here in San Rafael, where there is an abundance of sunny days, solar energy is a particularly good energy source. According to Project Sunroof, 94% of San Rafael buildings have roofs that are solar-viable. These 14,700 roofs could generate over 470 million kWh per year, which is more than the total electricity usage in San Rafael in 2016. Solar system costs keep falling, too, which make them an attractive option for home and commercial building owners. Our Climate Change Action Plan projects that we can get about 24% of our electricity from locally produced solar energy systems by 2030, up from about 4% currently, just by maintaining the current growth rate.
Opt-up to 100% Renewable for Earth Day 2020! Learn more and take action here.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Switch to MCE Deep Green or PG&E Solar Choice 100% renewable electricity option.
- Visit the MCE website to learn more about making the switch.
- Visit PG&E Solar Choice website to learn more about your options.
2. Install a solar energy system on your home or business.
- Want to go solar? Here is a good place to get started
- I’m interested in financing for solar energy projects.
- Federal Tax Credits for Renewable Energy
- Some solar company listings with ratings on Solar Tribune (for informational purposes only; City of San Rafael does not endorse)
3. Replace appliances that use natural gas for ones that use electricity.
4. Investigate electric hot water heaters and heat pumps so you can swap out heaters and furnaces that use natural gas when it’s time to replace them.
What is the City of San Rafael Going to Do to Help?
Accelerate installation of residential and commercial solar and other renewable energy systems.
- Provide permit streamlining and reduce or eliminate fees, as feasible.
- Amend building codes, development codes, design guidelines, and zoning ordinances, as necessary, to facilitate small, medium, and large-scale installations.
- Encourage installation of solar panels on carports and over parking areas on commercial projects and large-scale residential developments through ordinance, engagement campaigns, or agency incentives.
- Participate and promote financing and loan programs for residential and non-residential projects such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs and California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) programs.
- Encourage installation of battery storage in conjunction with renewable energy generation projects through engagement campaigns and partner agency incentives.
Encourage residents and businesses to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity (MCE Deep Green, MCE Local Sol, and PG&E Solar Choice) through engagement campaigns and partner agency incentives and work with MCE Clean Energy to assure that it reaches its goal to provide electricity that is 100 percent GHG-free by 2025.
Promote electrification of building systems and appliances that currently use natural gas, including heating systems, hot water heaters, stoves, and clothes dryers.
Investigate and pursue innovative technologies such as micro-grids, battery storage, and demand-response programs that will improve the electric grid’s resiliency and help to balance demand and renewable energy production.
Install solar energy systems at municipal buildings and facilities where feasible and investigate and pursue innovative technologies such as battery storage and demand response programs.
Continue to purchase MCE Deep Green electricity for all City facilities.