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SFPUC to implement GoSolar SF changes May 4; board asks for low‑income set‑aside guidance
Summary
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission heard a GoSolar SF update April 28: business incentives will require installers in the City's workforce program, nonprofit caps rise to $150,000 (up to $250,000 with matching funds), and staff seeks guidance on reserving roughly $500,000 for low‑income and nonprofit applicants from a proposed $4 million appropriation.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on April 28 heard staff outline administrative changes to the GoSolar SF incentive program and asked the commission for guidance on funding priorities ahead of the May 4 implementation date.
Barbara Hale, Assistant General Manager for Power, told commissioners the program changes respond to a recently passed ordinance that requires business applicants to contract with installers participating in the City’s workforce development program. The Department of Economic and Workforce Development will administer that workforce requirement in partnership with the utility; staff expects program rules for businesses to be in place by June 2009 and will accept applications under prior rules in the interim to avoid an implementation gap.
Hale also described new incentive caps for nonprofit and multi‑unit residential installations. The board raised the cap from $30,000 to $150,000 for a single installation, with up to $250,000 available where applicants provide matching funds. Staff recommended applying that cap on a per‑service‑site basis rather than per meter to reflect facilities with multiple electric meters. Hale said common‑area commercial meters in qualifying affordable multi‑unit facilities should be eligible at the higher nonprofit level.
On funding, Hale said the program’s original appropriation was $4 million, about $1.5 million has been paid out, and roughly $468,000 remains unreserved in the low‑income/nonprofit pool. Staff requested guidance on reserving a portion—roughly $500,000—of a proposed additional $4 million appropriation for next fiscal year to ensure continuity for low‑income and nonprofit applicants. Commissioners asked staff to return with more detail in May or June, and staff agreed to provide written recommendations and come back for direction prior to July 1.
Commissioners sought clarifications about the scope of meters at multi‑service sites and whether the Citibuild workforce program model would be applied; staff said the business workforce rule is modeled after Citibuild but is not identical. Commissioners and staff also confirmed the Solar Task Force had been consulted during development of the administrative approaches.
The update did not include a formal vote. Staff will post revised program materials to the GoSolar SF website the Friday following the meeting and return to the commission with budget and implementation details.
