Finally, The City is installing the first four state-of-the-art wind and solar powered hybrid LED streetlights in Civic Center Plaza as part of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s greatly anticipated Civic Center Sustainability District.

The hybrid streetlight demonstration project will reduce energy consumption at Civic Center Plaza by 1400 kilowatt hours per year and offset the equivalent of 1516 lbs. of CO2 per year. The lights comprise a 600-watt vertical axis wind turbine, along with an 80-watt photovoltaic solar generation module, both of which are mounted on the light pole.

The power produced by the operation of the wind turbine and the solar module will be used to charge a battery pack, which will then power the streetlight during its dusk and nighttime operation. The renewable power is stored in a battery, with a 5- or 7-day storage capacity.

“The Civic Center Sustainability District seeks to showcase cutting-edge environmental technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects all within the context of our historic Civic Center Plaza,” Newsom said. “This new hybrid streetlight pilot project is another step towards achieving our vision of a model, sustainable public square that harnesses the power of the wind and sun to deliver an essential government service.”

esherbert@sfexaminer.com