One Progressive City’s Quest to Think Outside the Box

Until recently, only a small percentage of Americans were very focused on promoting alternative energy. Now, however, this awareness is widespread and mainstream, with consumers demanding alternatives to the high fuel and energy prices they are faced with. Before all of this attention came about, however, there was one innovative city leading the way with a progressive solar and eco-friendly attitude: San Francisco.

Now, San Francisco’s come up with a creative, new way to reduce the time, energy, and fuel expended to find a parking space. 6000 sensors have been installed in parking spaces that will notify parking officials as to the status of the parking space. Eventually, this information will be available city-wide to everyone via their cell phones, allowing drivers to quickly and easily identify a free spot. Just imagine how much time and fuel this could save you!

This is just one example of the typical “thinking outside of the box” philosophy in this city. In addition to implementing more eco-friendly practices and polices within the city operations and city agencies, San Francisco has the largest urban solar incentive package in the whole United States. In an attempt to encourage more homeowners to switch to solar energy, the city offers large rebates, loans, and other incentives to homes and businesses. A solar task force that was formed in February 2007 to help the city reach a goal of 10,000 rooftop solar systems by the year 2010.

Other states, cities, and local governments could stand to learn from the practices that San Francisco has implemented to help further this movement. If you are motivated to take action in your life, even without the encouragement of government, then request free estimates from prescreened solar contractors in your area today.

Posted on July 23rd in Solar Information by Anna.