News for January 22, 2002

State power authority's outlook bright

Anaheim's Electric Customers Encouraged to Capture the Sun's Rays and Save Money

SMUD Leads The Nation In Solar - reaches 10 MW mark

LADWP Incentives Make Solar Power More Affordable Than Ever

FSEC Photovoltaic Testing Laboratories Recommended for Accreditation

Standard Pacific - California Homebuilder Commits to Solar Electric Power

SEC halts trading in New Energy Corp. shares

Getting a charge out of learning - Burbank

IN BRIEF

PV Battery and Solar Hot Water Grant Program Launched - The California Energy Commission is now accepting applications for funding under its Solar Energy and Distributed Generation Grant Program (Program). This funding program was developed pursuant to Senate Bill 1345, as codified in Public Resources Code sections 25619 and 25620.10, and provides grants to California residents to help offset the cost of purchasing and installing new solar energy and distributed generation systems. The Energy Commission initially approved the Program Guidelines in April 2001. Minor changes to the Guidelines were subsequently approved on January 9, 2002. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are exhausted, drawing from previously unused Program funds and additional funding authorized for this Program in the State Budget Act for FY 2001/02. more info

CubaSolar Conference: Solar and Renewable Energy in Cuba Mar. 29 - Apr. 7, 2002 - Attend the Fifth International Conference on Renewable Energy in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, hosted by CubaSolar, a Cuban NGO promoting alternative, renewable energy production. CubaSolar is an internationally acclaimed association of over 500 Cuban scientists and engineers, that has received many awards, including the 2001 UNEP Global 500 Award. Learn about Cuba's efforts to raise energy awareness among the population and to electrify rural areas utilizing solar panels, wind farms, mini hydro projects, biomass conversion and biogas. As part of this conference, participants will visit CubaSolar projects and research facilities, as well as other sites of environmental interest, including UNESCO-recognized Bioreserves and organic agriculture cooperatives. The conference is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of Cuba’s renewable energy policies and programs, the significance of the Cuban model to other countries of the developing world, and how professionals from the developed world can work together with their Cuban counterparts to promote sustainability world wide. The conference will also be an opportunity to engage in interchange with renewable energy experts from many nations of Latin America and Europe as well as other regions of the world... more info

Introduction to Alternate Energy Systems , taught by Tom Chatagnier. This is a short, introductory course on alternate energy systems. The topics include solar water heating systems, solar photovoltaic systems, wind energy systems, small hydro-electric systems and information on fuel cells. This course includes the theory and design of these alternate energy systems as well as hands-on building assembling of these systems. No experience necessary. The course is offered on 9 Saturdays during the school year, and during the summer in the evening, at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA. It is in the schedule under "Alternate Energy Technologies". The DVC website is: http://www.dvc.edu [This course is highly recommended, but needs increased enrollment so it can continue to be offered at the school. The school is a community college, so the courses are only $12/unit for CA residents]

2/7 to 5/30 Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Systems - Cabrillo College - Aptos - Thursday Evenings 6-9pm. An introduction to solar based renewable energy systems. Taught by NASA scientist Joe Jordan, it will cover solar thermal and electric systems, windpower, biomass, small-hydro, geothermal, ocean (wave and tidal) power, and hydrogen/fuel cells. With hands-on projects, the basic math and science, field trips, and excellent guest speakers from the business world, emphasis will be on setting ourselves up with these technologies and/or promoting the expansion of renewable energy in our economy, as well as on employment or service opportunities, for those interested. The Cabrillo College website is < http://www.cabrillo.cc.ca.us > ; this course is part of the Construction and Energy Management program. One can also contact Joe Jordan (jjordan@sky-power.org) for more information.

PV Forums for Local and State Government Leaders - February 1st Sacramento - Local Government Commission SPIRE program read more here [More Events]

California Energy Summit - January 24, 2002 (Thursday) 5-9pm-2002 Sponsored by the Sustainable Business Institute (SBI) and De Anza College. Located at the Hinson Campus Center on De Anza's campus. Reception 5-6pm, Event 6-9pm. The recent energy crisis has brought to light the fact that businesses and consumers need to have longer term strategic plans for energy usage. In an effort to give tangible ways to manage energy plans and costs for Silicon Valley Stakeholders, we would like you to join us at the conference. Acterra's Business Environmental Network is a co-sponsor of this event. For more information, please call (408) 626-7626 [more events]

3/11-16 Women's PV Design and Installation Workshop SEI Cost:$550 - A PV Design and Installation workshop geared specifically towards women. Learn how to use photovoltaic technology to produce electricity from the sun through practical design and installation of PV systems. Participants learn system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification and component selection. The workshop covers typical applications and case study examples. Install an operational system in the field and learn the proper use of tools and safety precautions. For more information contact: Solar Energy International P.O. Box 715, Carbondale, CO 81623, Phone:(970) 963-8855, E-mail:sei@solarenergy.org, Website: www.solarenergy.org [Note: The Class will assist in the installation of a gridtied PV system on a school, facilitated by cosponsors The Rahus Institute and Alameda Power & Telecom]