News for May 28, 2002

California Solar Bills at Cross Roads - Need your Help!!

The Force Is Strong With Him [Todd Fisher]

Study: California's Dirty Air Kills 9,300 a Year

Parking Lot or Power Plant?

One Hundred Solar Roofs launched in San Diego

Anaheim Public Utilities to Put Solar Powered Golf Carts to the Test

A slight chill in the air -- Solar power is enjoying a boom, but advocates are cautious.

Garage Owner Sees the Light, lowers electric bill[Ventura]

Execs' bright ideas to fix California power mess

IN BRIEF

Solar (and Wind) Energy System Credit (SB17x2 Tax Credit) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2006, the California Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law allows a nonrefundable tax credit for certain approved photovoltaic and wind-driven solar energy systems. Forms, worksheets, certified equipment lists, and more here.

SF Environmental Justice Grant Program Update - The Department of the Environment (DoE)(City/County of San Francisco) has funded thirteen environmental justice projects in Bayview Hunters Point and Potrero Hill, in 2001. Grantees include: the Department of Public Health, Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, Tetra Tech, M.Cubed, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Housing Conservation and Development Corporation, Literacy for Environmental Justice, Arc Ecology, Young Community Developers, Health and Environmental Resource Center, Strybing Arboretum Society, Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates, and Trust for Public Land. Projects range from increasing access to health care to increasing energy efficiency. Solar panels and wind turbines are planned for several sites. All projects are underway. Read more on current status here.

New San Francisco Environmental Justice Grants [Energy] - The City and County of San Francisco - Department of the Environment - has issued the Environmental Justic Grant Program for 2002-03. Proposals of up to $50,000 each can be submitted for Energy, Climate Change, Economic Development, Air Quality, Environmental Health oriented projects on an ongoing basis, with deadlines of Aug.1st and Feb.1st.

Summer Solstice Parade in Santa Barbara - June 22- Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Santa Barbara on June 22 in the incredible Solstice Parade!

CEC to approve RE Project Funding on May 29th- Reflective Energies: Possible approval of Contract 500-00-013 Amendment 1 for $136,480 to develop an interconnection guidebook and provide active participation in the IEEE P-1547 Interconnection Standards Workgroup. The purpose of this project is to provide a program of monitoring, data collection and analysis and reporting for selected Distributed Generation systems. (PIER funded) Contact: Mark Rawson, (916) 654-4671./// Xenergy Incorporated: Possible approval of Contract 500-01-036 for $2,686,300 to provide technical support to the Renewable Energy Program for existing, new and emerging renewable energy projects, educating consumers about renewable energy and providing rebates to customers who purchase renewable energy. Contact: Madeline Meade, (916) 653-2645. ///Distributed Utility Associates: Possible approval of Contract 500-01-033 for $2,049,850 to determine the impact of large penetrations of distributed energy resources into the distribution system. (PIER Research) Contact: Mark Rawson, (916) 654-4671. More information about the May 29th CEC Business Meeting.

Solar Homebuilders on the Rise - Nearly 20 builders statewide are filling the alternative energy market niche by providing solar PV options in new residential subdivisions. The spectrum of builders includes entry-level to luxury homebuilders ranging from San Diego to Sacramento. Due to Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) pioneering efforts in the PV industry, 15 Sacramento-area builders offer PV systems on new residences. Sacramento builders have taken a liking to the more aesthetic Sun Slate roof tiles. Morrison Homes offers a 2.1 kW Sun Slate system that costs homeowners an additional $11,000. Beazer Homes offers entry-level homes, starting at just $150,000, with 3.2 kW Sun Slate PV systems. U.S. Home Corp. intends to offer solar panels as options on thousands of new homes in the greater Sacramento area over the next five to six years. In San Diego, Shea Homes is matching the demand for luxury homes with renewable energy systems. In partnership with Astro Power, they are building $400,000 to $600,000 homes with 1.2 kW PV systems. In Watsonville, Clarum Homes has partnered with BP Solar to offer Cherry Blossom – a green residential development featuring homes with one to two kilowatt PV systems. Monthly utility savings are expected to average $25-50 per home as a result of on-site energy generation. In Santa Barbara, Pardee Homes and Astro Power will offer a solar option on 97 new homes next year. The City of Petaluma is encouraging builders to include a solar option on 10% of new residential units. Contra Costa County and the City of Oakland are currently researching ways to incentivize new solar homes. [source: LGC Currents May/June 2002]