Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

The Dual-Axis Solar Carport in Burlingame supports up to 600 solar panels.

Conventional fossil-fuel energy sources such as coal and natural gas are huge contributors to climate change. Non-renewable electricity and power generation use large amounts of scarce energy and water resources and pollute both the air and water, greatly harming our health and environment. On the other hand, renewable energy generated from sources including sun, wind and tides provides substantial benefits for mitigating climate change and restoring our health and environment. Last year, Sustainable San Mateo County’s annual Key Indicator report explored climate change with a focus on actions and responses by key agencies and businesses located in San Mateo County.

In 2020 the annual Key Indicator focuses on renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in San Mateo County as they apply to buildings, water use and waste management, land use and transportation, financing and community outreach efforts. The county’s roadmap to decarbonization includes leveraging the passive design and smart building technologies to optimize energy use in existing buildings while promoting policy and high-efficiency design approaches for zero net carbon in new constructions. The roadmap further incorporates rapidly shifting to 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity, electrifying transportation and buildings, increasing countywide electric vehicle infrastructure, and fostering innovative local energy sources and carbon offset projects.

The greenhouse gas reduction targets and pathways set by cities in their Climate Action Plans are a huge driver to achieve overall county targets. Modernizing the grid to build energy resilience, prioritizing social equity while expanding clean energy access, and developing innovative financing models for advanced energy community solutions are also integral parts of SMC’s roadmap to decarbonization and clean energy.

Explore by topic:

Improving Building Efficiency

Water Use and Water Conservation

Transportation and Clean Energy

Renewable Energy Financing

Energy and Land use

Waste to Energy and Waste Management

Community Education and Outreach Efforts on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Please note: All rebates, incentives, financing options mentioned throughout the report are correct as of October 2020.