Regional Dashboard
1. Energy - Renewable Energy
2. Energy - Residential Electricity Consumption
photo: Sullivan Solar Power
Renewable Energy
How are we doing?
In 2011, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the region’s energy utility, reached its goal of increasing renewable energy sources to 20 percent of total sales. Compared to the previous year, solar installations per 100 residents in the county increased on average by 46 percent, due to substantial expansion of both residential and non-residential installations.
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Why is it important?
- Increasing renewable energy improves air quality, reduces public health costs, and increases energy security for the region by diversifying our energy portfolio.
- The State of California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) currently requires electric utilities to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 33 percent by 2020.
- Distributed renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic systems can produce energy during peak energy usage times (for example during hot, sunny weather when there is high demand for air conditioning) and thus help mitigate the need for rolling blackouts due to excess demand on the grid.
What is the measure?
Percent of total electricity supply generated from renewable sources for SDG&E’s service area.
Ideas for Change
Policy Makers
- Streamline the permitting systems across the region and revise housing and zoning codes to make it easier for residents, businesses, and utilities to install renewable energy sources.
- Provide a greater diversity of financing options such as on-bill financing, for homeowners and businesses to initiate renewable projects.
- Consider supporting a fairly structured Net Energy Metering (NEM) program to provide greater incentive for consumers to invest in renewables.
- Encourage research into innovative solar technologies that can take advantage of Department of Energy's "SunShot Initiative" to lower the cost of solar technology by 75%.
Bright Spots
The County Board of Supervisors approved the Tule Wind Project to be constructed in McCain Valley, consisting of 128 wind turbines which generate enough energy to power 60,000 homes. The project brings more local renewable energy to San Diego, helps the region meet renewable energy and climate goals, and creates 39 permanent jobs.
photo: SDG&E
Residential Energy Consumption
How are we doing?
Average per capita electricity consumption essentially stayed flat from 2010 to 2011. San Diego County residents consume around 10 percent less electricity per capita when compared to the state of California average, and slightly less than three comparable Southern California counties.
Why is it important?
- Meeting our energy needs through efficiency and conservation is 3 to 5 times less expensive than deriving energy from fossil fuels or renewable sources.
- Using less energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves regional air quality and reduces public health spending resulting from air pollution.
- According to the Department of Defense, increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy will improve energy security by lessening the impacts of energy price fluctuations, conflicts abroad, and natural disasters.
- Supporting programs and policies for energy retrofits bolsters the local clean tech economy and creates jobs that can’t be outsourced.
- In 2013 the state of California will update the Building Energy and Efficiency standards to reach a goal of zero net energy for residential buildings by 2020.
What is the measure?
Total per capita per day residential electricity use (does not include self generated energy, for example, rooftop solar on residences).
Ideas for Change
Policy Makers
- Cities can promote energy efficiency financing programs such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and invest in collaborative efforts between different sectors to make installations and retrofits easier on the homeowner.
- Offer free or low cost energy and water efficiency evaluations to save residents and businesses money and to reduce energy consumption
Bright Spots
Sudberry Properties and SDG&E partnered to create a plan for Civita, a new mixed-use development in Mission Valley, to surpass current state efficiency standards by 15 percent. The project’s 4,800 residences will feature highly efficient fixtures and appliances.
Chula Vista has incorporated new building standards in energy efficiency, such as cool roofs, which can account for 10-20% energy savings.