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Subcommittee advances 5 MW Sunset Reservoir solar PPA after debate over waiver, financing and local hiring
Summary
The Budget & Finance Subcommittee voted to send a 25-year power purchase agreement for a 5-megawatt rooftop solar array at Sunset Reservoir to the full Board, after accepting contract language on buyout valuation and payment protections but amid continuing disagreement over waiving annual appropriation and controller certification requirements.
The Budget & Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday advanced a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that would place a 5-megawatt photovoltaic system on the rooftop of the Sunset Reservoir and sell the electricity to the city through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Supervisor Carmen Chu introduced the item and Laura Spanjian of the SFPUC summarized the project, saying, "Today, we are seeking your approval of 5 megawatts of solar power on Sunset Reservoir using a power purchase agreement." The SFPUC and the developer, Recurrent Energy, argued the PPA structure lets a private developer use federal tax incentives and pass savings to the city.
The PUC and project team said the model yields substantial savings compared with a city-built option, with PUC staff noting a roughly $12 million tax-related savings and a constructed capital estimate in the tens of millions. The budget analyst told the committee that city-built cost is estimated at $45.3 million and, when financing and interest are included, could…
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