SMUD selling solar power control to customers [Sacramento - PV Pioneers I 2005.5.4]
Customers are Pioneers in successful market transformation

source: press release 2005.5.4

SMUD is giving qualified customers who "loaned" their roofs to advance solar energy technology
the opportunity to buy the solar systems. These customers can also take pride in knowing they helped
develop the solar market with their commitment made more than 10 years ago.

In 1993, SMUD and these customers shared the vision of a future solar energy market available to
the average resident. At the time, costs were prohibitive and very few local businesses provided
maintenance for solar energy systems. More than 500 customers, dubbed "PV Pioneers" (PV means
Photovoltaic or voltage generated by radiant energy from the sun) joined the SMUD program to place
solar systems (Photovoltaic units) on rooftops. SMUD purchased, installed and maintained the systems,
and the customers loaned their roofs and paid a monthly fee to help pay administrative costs.

The PV Pioneer/SMUD mission has been accomplished. The industry learned more about the
technology, the costs dropped and a local service market has been developed. Now there are local
businesses qualified to sell, install and maintain solar power systems.

As the program concludes, the PV Pioneers will have two options from which to choose: They
may have the systems removed or purchase the systems and gain the benefits of the electricity generated
on their rooftops. Previously, the power generated flowed into the SMUD grid and was not credited to
the Pioneers. SMUD will contact all of the Pioneers in the first half of 2005 and plans to conclude the
program as soon as possible.

SMUD is now concentrating on its next solar frontier: working with builders to integrate solar
panels into the building design of new homes (examples include Treasure Homes, Premier Homes (article in Arch West Mar/April 2005) and Morrison Homes) further reducing costs of materials and labor and ultimately
customers' electric bills.

Solar power helps reduce the amount of electricity SMUD has to purchase, saving all customers
money. As a renewable energy source, solar power helps offset emissions from power plants that
generate electric power using fossil fuels. For more information about any of SMUD's renewable energy
programs, visit www.smud.org, or call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683).

additional information

Premier Homes Pro Energy

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