The city of San Francisco has a goal to generate 100% of its electricity needs from clean and renewable energy by 2030. To achieve this goal, solar companies in San Francisco must play a huge role.
We're talking about a transition that divests entirely from fossil fuels. The urgency of the matter is keeping global temperatures from increasing more than 1.5°C.
With the combustion of fossil fuels emitting harmful greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, one of the most viable solutions is the transition to renewable energy.
Solar power, for example, is a clean and renewable source of energy with zero emissions. For many years solar technology and installation cost more than fossil fuels.
Therefore, it was not competitive enough to grow as a global energy source. However, thanks to innovation and strong federal policies, those prices have dropped significantly while increasing demand.
Since 1990, San Francisco has cut its emissions by 36 percent. That is partially due to the increase of new solar companies in the Bay Area. So far, the city generates up to 7.2 megawatts of solar energy, and it will only grow.
In the following sections, we will detail the grand mission of solar companies in San Francisco and the many benefits for both people and the environment.
Reduce the Effects of Climate Change
As mentioned, human-induced fossil fuel activity is causing global warming. But that's only one part of it. As a whole, it's causing climate change which refers to a plethora of environmental issues deriving from global warming.
These issues include air pollution, extreme weather events like droughts and intense hurricanes, and sea-level rise and flooding. All of which are harmful to the natural environment, wildlife, and people.
Reducing these effects is one of the main goals of solar companies. In California, climate change is fueling many wildfires because it exacerbates factors like higher temperatures and droughts, which create ideal fire conditions.
Not only do these ravaging wildfires kill wildlife, burn homes and even kill people, but they also cause smoke which is 10 times more harmful to people than air pollution from greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, hospitalizations in California were higher than ever for respiratory emergencies due to wildfire smoke. Put simply; more solar energy equals less air pollution.
In addition, climate change significantly threatens San Francisco Bay with sea-level rise. Sea level in this area is estimated to rise 36 inches by 2100.
If this is the case, more than 270,000 people are at risk of flooding. This can not only cause serious issues for coastal infrastructure but can damage wetland restoration efforts around the Bay.
Help Transition the Power Sector
While solar companies in San Francisco are part of a large initiative to help transition the city's power sector, they're also a building block for helping America make the transition as a whole.
This large-scale transition can greatly benefit the US economy and create new jobs. California ranks as the state with the most solar jobs in the country. There are more jobs in clean energy than in fossil fuels.
San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont are the metropolitan areas with the most solar jobs—reaching 20,815 in 2019. These are good-paying jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, trade and distribution, operations, and so forth.
Across the US, solar electricians make more than the average electrician makes. Even solar installers and construction managers make about the same amount or more than similar jobs in other energy industries.
The highest paying solar job in 2020 was that of general and operations managers, which made more than $140,000. The second highest was construction managers, with compensation of just over $120,000.
Many ask, but what about workers in the fossil fuel industry? Won't they lose jobs as solar grows and fossil fuels dwindle?
It's quite the contrary. First of all, solar jobs are not going anywhere and are estimated to continue growing.
Second, fossil fuel workers are excellent candidates for solar and other renewable energy jobs. Many are already technical workers who know how to safely power machinery.
Others have relevant managerial, maintenance and inspection skills, all of which can transfer over. And third, the renewable energy sector is also recruiting coal miners. It's a win-win situation!
Educate the Public on the Benefits of Solar
Switching to solar doesn't only benefit the environment and human health; it also saves you money. Homeowners who install rooftop solar can eventually eliminate their electricity bills, and solar companies are raving about it.
Nobody pays to generate solar power; it's free! What you do have to pay for, however, is the equipment that gives you the ability to harness power from the sun.
Installing solar panels on your home is an investment, but the return on investment, increasing your energy efficiency and decreasing your carbon footprint are all well worth it.
The price to install solar depends on your home's size and unique energy needs. Currently, the average price for solar panels in San Francisco is $16,100.
This amount does not include the 26% Federal Investment Tax Credit or the various local incentives and rebates California offers its residents.
Not to mention net metering which allows you to offset electricity costs and sell any excess energy back to the grid.
The benefits of solar don't end there. Many solar installers in Bay Area offer loans with little to no down payment and interest rates. Solar panels can last anywhere from 25-35 years.
The average payback period is about 7-9 years. Therefore after that period, you get to save on electricity for many years to come. Solar panels can even increase the value of your home by 4.1%.
Learn More About Solar Companies in San Francisco
Solar companies San Francisco work hard to help thousands of people make the switch to solar power.
If you're ready to learn how much you can save on your electric bill and live a more sustainable life, do so with the right solar company. Get in touch today; we're here to help!
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