Twenty years ago, a behind the scenes collaboration between the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the George R. Moscone Convention Center resulted in a groundbreaking rooftop solar project. The installation, covering over 2,600 photovoltaic modules, is the largest of its kind in San Francisco and has helped reduce the Center’s carbon footprint. Combined with the clean energy provided by the SFPUC’s Hetch Hetchy Power system, Moscone Center now boasts a lower carbon emissions per visitor than any other major North American convention center.

The Beginning: Initiation of a Green Vision (2003-2004)

The story began in 2003 when the SFPUC approached Moscone Center, the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco, with a forward-looking proposal: to install solar panels on the Convention Center's rooftop and upgrade the lighting system for better energy efficiency. At that time, the idea of solar power on such a large scale was still relatively new, and Moscone Center, managed by SMG (now ASM Global), hadn't planned for such an endeavor.

Yet, recognizing the potential benefits, Moscone Center embraced the proposal. The initial project focused on installing solar panels atop existing roof pavers on the Esplanade Ballroom and South Lobby, a strategy that avoided the need for extensive roof modifications. This innovative approach allowed Moscone Center to take a significant step toward sustainability without disrupting its operations. 

Navigating Challenges: Upgrades and Improvements (2008-2010)

As with any pioneering project, challenges were inevitable. By 2008, some of the original solar panels were not performing as expected. However, this challenge turned into an opportunity for improvement.

Between 2008 and 2010, the original panels were replaced with newer, smaller, and more efficient models. While the footprint of the solar array slightly decreased during this process, the increased efficiency of the new panels helped to maintain, and even enhance, the system's overall performance.

Growth and Future Endeavors (2009-Present)

The partnership continued to evolve, especially during the Moscone Center's major expansion efforts that took place between 2015 and 2018. The expansion required the removal of the solar array that was on the roof of the South Lobby. Although the current solar array in that location is smaller than the original, the efficiency of the newer panels ensures that the difference in size does not significantly impact energy production.

Looking ahead, the future remains bright. A new solar panel project for Moscone West is on the horizon, overseen by the SFPUC once again. The ongoing roof refurbishment, a joint venture between the SFPUC and Moscone Center, is set to be completed by 2025, when new solar panels will be installed on the upgraded roof.

Lessons from the Journey

The journey has provided valuable lessons, particularly in coordinating solar panel installations around the complex schedule of events at Moscone Center—a challenge that public buildings with more predictable occupancy schedules do not typically face. Moscone Center also served as a great proof of concept for rooftop solar on municipal buildings in San Francisco. Since Moscone’s first array was installed in 2004, the SFPUC has completed 28 rooftop solar projects on municipal buildings and that number continues to grow. 

The 20-year partnership between Moscone Center and SFPUC stands as a model for successful collaboration in implementing and maintaining a large-scale solar project. This collaboration has not only contributed to Moscone Center's LEED Platinum certification for existing buildings but has also helped position the Convention Center as a leader in sustainability. The use of clean energy from Hetch Hetchy Power has further bolstered Moscone Center's green credentials, making it an attractive venue for national, and even international, events focused on sustainability. As San Francisco recovers from the pandemic, the Moscone Center is once again a hub of activity. While visitors and conference goers are breathing new energy into the Convention halls, they might not know that 2,600 solar modules overhead are helping to bring a different kind of energy to one of the greenest convention centers in America.