Mayor Jerry Brown said the panels underscore the city's commitment to easing its reliance on fossil fuel. Although the system cost Oakland $3.9 million -- after receiving a $3.8 million rebate from the state -- and it will take 15 years to pay back the loan that paid for it, city officials called it an investment in Oakland's environmental health.

"Solar has a long payback, but the city wants to walk its talk and we hope this will encourage private companies to follow by installing this technology," said Carol Misseldine, Brown's director of sustainability.

One of the systems was installed atop the city's public works building on Edgewater Drive. It will produce 760 kilowatts, providing 80 percent of the building's annual energy needs. The other was erected on the roof of the Oakland Ice Center downtown and will generate 372 kilowatts, about 31 percent of the center's yearly electricity needs, officials said.

Oakland joins San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Monica in embracing solar energy.

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