SMUD's solar program overflowing with takers

source: Pamela Martineau SacramentoBee 2001.12.17

Want solar panels on your roof? Be prepared to wait in line.

So many Sacramento-area residents have requested solar panels for their rooftops that
officials with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District must discontinue a popular solar
partnership with the city of Davis. SMUD officials say they just can't keep up with the
demand.

"There's no question that in Sacramento, Davis, California and even nationwide, the
interest in solar is continuing to grow dramatically," said Donald E. Osborn, a SMUD
superintendent for renewable generation. "People are recognizing that solar not only has
the clean and renewable energy benefits but can really help them in terms of their utility
bills."

Since May 2000, Davis and SMUD have partnered to provide low-cost photovoltaic systems
to Davis residents. The partnership was scheduled to run for two years and was expected
to be extended beyond that date.

But late last month, SMUD officials notified Davis officials that they have such a backlog of
requests from Sacramento residents for solar panels, they will not be able to extend their
contract with Davis.

Osborn said about 1,000 Sacramento residential and commercial customers are on a
waiting list for solar panels. The city of Davis has a waiting list of about 100 residents
seeking rooftop panels through SMUD's program.

SMUD officials said they plan to serve the 100 people on that list but are forced to freeze
any new applications because of the high demand.

Under the program, SMUD installs solar panels on residences and businesses, giving
customers a lower price for the panels because it buys them in bulk.

Customers also receive a rebate from the state per watt that the panels are expected to
reduce from their draw on the electric power grid.

Osborn said the installation of a 2-kilowatt system typically costs about $6,000. A private
company might charge as much as $9,000 for a similar-size system, he said.

Bob Weir, Davis' director of public works, said the city would seek another nonprofit group
to continue its program. SMUD still may be involved in the new program by allowing Davis
to buy panels through the utility. But SMUD would not install them.

"The city will look around and try to solve the question of how to keep the program alive,"
Weir said.

Osborn said SMUD had a goal to sell about 25 photovoltaic systems in Davis in the fiscal
year ending in 2001. Instead, the utility sold about 36 systems, he said.

SMUD didn't have the number of systems it had installed in Sacramento but calculated its
installations by the number of kilowatt hours of power the panels provide.

Osborn said the utility had planned to install about 100 to 200 kilowatts of solar power in
the calendar year 2001. Already, SMUD has installed 900 kilowatts of solar power this year.

Five home builders in the Sacramento area also are offering the solar systems in their new
developments, he said.

"We now have 15 new home communities in Sacramento in which you can buy a new home
which comes with a solar electric roof," Osborn said.

Osborn advised people wanting the solar systems to continue to apply for them despite the
backlog.

"We only ask people's indulgence in bearing with us as we find ways to respond to this
explosive growth in interest," he said. "There may be delays, but people will be able to get
these systems if they are patient."

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Pamela Martineau can be reached at (916) 321-1074 or pmartineau@sacbee.com.