Currents Digital Currents January/February 2019

Reading, Writing, and Solar Power As you walk around San Francisco, you might not notice that high up on building rooftops are solar panels generating power for the City. San Francisco owns and operates 22 solar arrays (an installation of several solar panels in an integrated unit) that generate approximately 8.1 megawatts of power! These solar arrays are located on top of buildings across San Francisco, including City Hall, the Chinatown Public Library, Alvarado Elementary School and more. In 2018, the SFPUC has been busy expanding the number of solar arrays in the city. Three recent projects have included sites in Potrero Hill, Visitation Valley, and Diamond Heights. The SFPUC completed rooftop solar installations on Starr King Elementary School, Burton High School and the Police Academy. The solar arrays at Starr King Elementary and Burton High School will supply 25 - 30 percent of each schools’ energy. The Police Academy will be the first combined carport and shade structure solar project operated by the SFPUC. It will also be the first to include battery storage for energy on site. There are currently three solar projects slated for installation next year— Visitation Valley Middle School, Marina Middle School and the Opera House in Civic Center. Upon completion, San Francisco will have a total of 27 solar arrays and 8.6 megawatts of solar power being generated right here in our City! Sewer Improvement Updates Flowing through 2019 Upgrading and modernizing the City’s combined sewer system will continue in 2019. This work will make San Francisco more resilient while ensuring we can continue to protect public health and the environment now and for generations to come. In the first half of 2019, SFPUC crews will start replacing late-1800s sewer pipes and water mains under Geary Boulevard between Stanyan Street and Van Ness Avenue. We will begin upgrading pump stations that serve Mission Bay and the westside of the City. We will take another step toward our goal of managing one billion gallons of stormwater by 2050 with the start of our Baker Beach Green Infrastructure project. In addition, we will be ramping up our modernization program for the Southeast Treatment Plant, our workhorse facility in the Bayview that treats 80 percent of the City’s wastewater. Thanks for your patience as we invest in the City’s critical infrastructure. Visit sfwater.org/ssip to learn more. Currents is brought to you by SFPUC Commission Vince Courtney, President Ann Moller Caen, Vice President Francesca Vietor, Commissioner General Manager Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. Anson Moran, Commissioner Ike Kwon, Commissioner The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission meets at 1:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in Room 400 of San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. All Commission meetings are open to the public. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 | sfwater.org Contact Customer Services 415-551-3000 TDD Hearing/Speech Impaired 415-551-3052 Citywide Customer Service 311

Currents Digital Currents January/February 2019 | Page 3