The San Francisco board of supervisors has approved a plan from Recurrent Energy to construct a 5 MW solar array in the city, according to reports. The photovoltaic project, called the San Francisco Sunset Reservoir Solar Project, will be located on the roof of the city's largest reservoir, located at 24th and Ortega streets in the Sunset district.
The project will include nearly 25,000 solar panels. It will be California's largest photovoltaic system and the nation's largest municipal solar project, according to Recurrent Energy. This project also will more than triple the municipal solar generation in San Francisco.
The plant will be developed and operated under a power purchase agreement between the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and Recurrent Energy. Construction is expected to begin immediately.
Four of the 11 San Francisco supervisors voted against the San Francisco Sunset Reservoir Solar Project, the New York Times notes. Opponents were concerned that the deal does not provide an opportunity for an annual contract review by the board and that the city may waste excess money if the prices of solar modules drop significantly.
SOURCES: New York Times, Recurrent Energy
