Our History of Cutting-Edge Solar Projects

Occidental Power's intallation appeared on a 1997 magazine cover from Northern California Sun displaying the first net-metered solar electric installation. The home is located in Noe Valley, San Francisco.

Occidental Power is the longest running and most experienced San Francisco solar power and cogeneration company. We design, install and maintain solar electric and solar hot water systems for Bay Area businesses, multi-family, non-profit, and homes. The city of San Francisco recognized us for installing the first permitted solar electric systems for both residential and commercial properties in 1996 and 1997. The San Francisco Business Times listed us as one of the Top 10 Largest Solar Installers in the Bay Area in 2010.

We were established in 1989 by Founder and General Manager, Greg Kennedy. Our first office was located just a few blocks from Ocean Beach, a place where many pelicans fly overhead with their silhouettes cast by the sun. This is why we came up with the name Occidental Power because the Latin name for pelican is pelecanus occidentalis—not to mention—Greg Kennedy attended Occidental College. It was meant to be!

Pioneering Projects for Business and Public Buildings

Some of our earlier projects were often considered cutting-edge for its time. We were designing and installing renewable energy systems when "renewable energy systems" wasn't even a common phrase in mainstream America as it now is today. Our pioneering projects included:

• The Rosebud Agency at Haight-Ashbury installed a 10kW solar electric system in 2000. It was our first commercial solar pv installation.
• Rainbow Grocery becomes an early adopter by having a solar electric system installed on their vaulted roof in 2001.They later followed by getting a solar thermal system installation.
• Commissioned to provide quality control for the 675 kilowatt project for San Francisco's Moscone Center in 2003
• Installation of the largest solar thermal system on University of San Francisco

Front cover of the Business section in the San Francisco Examiner. The picture displays the first net-metered solar pv installation for a home on Fair Oaks St. in the Mission District.. AP picked up the story and appeared in newspapers across the country.

Visit the San Francisco Solar Map for current businesses going solar. The Solar Map also features case studies of our innovative solar installations, including: a milestone project, St. Francis Square installed in 1982, JumpSlide Networks [PDF] installed in 2004, and Yoga Garden [PDF] installed in 2002.

Occidental Power Solar & Cogeneration Now

Our corporate office has recently moved to a building just across the street from our general office at 5982 Mission Street, while our general office still remains on 5983 Mission Street.

We continue to provide quality services including:

• Independent, emergency back-up, and grid-connected photovoltaic systems (solar electricity)
  
• Domestic solar hot water heating
• Pool and spa solar water heating
• Solar space heating
• Solar heat recovery systems for boilers and furnaces
• Natural gas-powered electric and hot water (also known as cogeneration)

Our general office at 5983 Mission Street

In addition, we provide:

• Energy cost analysis
• Site evaluations, engineering & permits
• System design, installation & repairs
• CA Rebate program paperwork & insurance claims
• Furnishing of service and maintenance agreements

We also have a friendly staff! Meet our team »