Anonymous
Source: City of Santa Barbara
The City is always looking for opportunities to implement energy efficiency measures and to install renewable energy systems at its facilities. Currently, the City is installing three new solar arrays at Fire Station 4, Fire Station 5, and the Eastside Library.
These sites were selected because they are simultaneously undergoing facility-wide renewals to address deferred maintenance, including complete roof replacements. This makes it an ideal time to add energy efficiency measures as part of the overall renewal.
Benefits of solar arrays include lowering energy costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing local renewable energy production. The installations will improve energy resiliency and reliability by readying these facilities to become micro- grids, or self-sustaining buildings.
The expansion of renewable, carbon-free energy use is in direct support of the City’s 100 percent Renewable Electricity Resolution as well as its Climate Action Plan goals.
To find out more, visit: http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Energy
Renewable energy does not always conflate as efficient or even cost efficient energy. Terms should not be used interchangeably. City needs to be more candid about the extra costs these “energy efficient” changes also create, including increased maintenance , limited life span, difficulty in repairing, and high replacement costs. The city does not need to be a mindless press release. Please come clean all the information, if you want to only brag about “clean energy”.
They are welcome to add solar panels to my house. But I forgot, I only pay for their solar panels, I don’t get to benefit from them. There is a reason that government buildings are able to add panels whenever they want, because the panels don’t cost them anything. It’s free money! Except to me.
Electricity is a very small part of the city budget. Get serious about real cost cutting; not symbolic window dressing. Learn where the city spends most of its money and stop cheering these petty PR releases.
so what if its a small part, or a large part. its still a part. Im not parading a window dressing. I am “Serious” for all for solar and renewable energies. I will cheer it where ever I see it. you need to open your mind and eyes to the fact that just because you arent going to save billions doesnt mean it isnt a viable option, or the right one.
It’s not a petty PR release. Solar is the future. Costs are down, ROI is down, and it is becoming profitable. City’s pursuing solar provide validity for other communities, residents, and businesses. Believe it or not, not everything is an ideological issue.
We have a home photo-voltaic system. I know of what I speak. You talk only about the panels, not the converter system which is the huge component of the ongoing “solar” costs, repair and maintenance issues. As well a built in obsolescence. Solar panels getting coated with ash and dust and waiting for the rains to finally come is not a cost-efficient option. Solar is not what it is cracked up to be, and the city is merely green-washing their virtuous cheerleading for political effect; not for actual beneficial ROI to the taxpayers supporting this 200 million dollar plus city operation. Just like the all-electric city bus system. Nice for bragging rights but does it meet actual bus riders practical needs? Declining bus ridership is your answer. We need a new city council.