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San José, CA
October 8, 2009: San José receives Recovery Act funding for Solar America Cities Special Projects.
The City of San José is committed to working together with its community partners to develop a sustainable solar infrastructure as a Solar America City—a city demonstrating to the world that responsible environmental stewardship, economic vitality and collaboration are all elements of achieving a sustainable future. The San Jose City Council adopted a Green Vision in October of 2007, setting explicit, aggressive and achievable city-wide goals to transform San Jose into one of the most environmentally sustainable communities in the world while creating substantial job growth and economic opportunity for residents.
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San José Mayor Chuck Reed (left) and DOE’s Charlie Hemmeline unveil San José’s Solar America City road sign at the Mayor’s Summer Solstice Solar Fair.
Solar companies share solar information with the community at the Mayor’s Summer Solstice Solar Fair on June 20, 2008. Companies in attendance responded to Mayor Reed’s challenge of providing solar energy systems to San Jose residents with no upfront cost.
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Activities
The objective of the City of San José’s Solar America Cities project is to support the City’s Green Vision, which is to ultimately ensure that 100% of the city’s electricity needs are met by renewable resources. Over a 24-month period, the city will implement strategies to achieve a 15% increase in solar installations in San José, a 50% increase in awareness and knowledge of solar in the community, and more opportunities to purchase or invest in green power.
To achieve its objectives, the City of San José will collaborate with business, educational, and citizen stakeholders to develop and implement a long-range plan to:- Develop and pilot local and regional financing, and incentive and regulatory strategies, to ensure that all elements of the community have effective opportunities to manufacture and install solar technologies.
- Develop and implement a coordinated outreach and education program.
- Identify strategies, opportunities, and challenges to achieving the City’s Green Vision goal of 100% electricity from renewable sources.
Partners
- California Energy Commission
- City of San Jose Environmental Services Department (Project Lead); Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement; General Services Department; Office of Economic Development; Redevelopment Agency; and Transportation Department
- Pacific Sustainable Silicon Valley
- Sierra Club/Cool Cities Project
- Silicon Valley Energy Watch
- SolarTech (collaborative organization creating a Solar Center of Excellence in Silicon Valley)
Property Assessed Solar Financing through Joint Powers AuthorityThe City will implement the CaliforniaFIRST financing structure to enable property owners to finance 100% of the upfront capital costs of clean energy projects and repay the loan through their property tax payments over 20 years.
Solar Loans for City StaffThe City will partner with the San Jose Credit Union to offer low interest loans and solar group buys for the City's 7,000 employees.
Qualified Energy Conservation Bond Financing for Revolving Solar Loan FundThe City will explore financing a revolving loan fund for solar projects through QECBs and convene internal and external stakeholders to determine target community recipients such as low-income households.
Streamlined Regional Solar Permitting ProcessThe city will coordinate permitting efforts with other jurisdictions in the region to minimize inconsistency and reduce the time and cost involved in the solar permitting process.
Solar Train the Trainer Internship ProgramThe City will collaborate with local education institutions, non-profit organizations, and labor unions to provide opportunities for students enrolled in various green workforce training programs to gain hands-on experience in conducting solar site evaluations, generating reports and communicating results to community members.
Solar Career Training for At-Risk YouthThe City will develop a program to connect disadvantaged youth with the prospects of green career pathways with a specific emphasis on the solar industry.
Green Vision Education and Demonstration CenterThe City will develop an Education and Demonstration Center across the street from City Hall that will act as a hub for the dissemination of information on solar technologies and innovative financing options, and allow the community to gain hands-on experience with solar technologies.
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