Welcome to Solar e-Clips. A weekly summary of news and information about solar energy issues in California. Brought to you by The Rahus Institute and Californiasolarcenter.org

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Solar News from around the State...

Solar homes have bright future - IF LOCATION is so important to real estate, builder Don Bradley found a perfect spot for his demonstration solar house: The National Mall in Washington, halfway between the White House and the Washington Monument. While President Bush never came to see his new neighbor, Bradley had 15 U.S. representatives and senators among the 25,000 who walked through the house in late April, he said. Bradley, who is president of Solar Strategies Development Corp. and of Bradley Builders and Developers, both in Philadelphia, built his house to demonstrate the latest in solar technology at Forum 2001, a Washington conference sponsored by 14 national groups advocating the use of renewable energy. Alan J. Heavens in Contra Costa Times 6/10/01

In California, a demonstration home - The curving roof, shading trellises, slender windows, and colorful stucco walls of this 2,900-square-foot home create a distinctive, contemporary look that disguises the house's role as part-time power plant. It's also the greenest house in town, utilizing structural steel with recycled content, recycled cellulose insulation, and sustainably harvested lumber. Peter Whiteley in Sunset Magazine June 2001

Energy Crisis Prompts New Look at Solar Power -
Although the solar features that are part of Southampton Village in Benicia are still paying off for many homeowners, much of the technology used there is outmoded. Active systems like those used in Solar Village, as the development is known, were prototypes whose components wear out, said Terry Peterson, manager for solar and green power marketing at the Electric Power Research Institute. Based in Palo Alto, this nonprofit organization does research and development for the energy industry. Component failure in the active features in Solar Village caused some homeowners to disconnect or remove the system. Today's solar system purchased from and installed by reputable dealers works much better and is more economical, Peterson said. One way to find reputable dealers is through the California Solar Energy Industry Association, a trade group whose state-licensed members adhere to a code of ethics, said Les Nelson, executive director. The association has a list of member companies on its Web site (www.calseia.org). Nelson also advised looking for state-required certification by the Solar Rating & Certification Corp. (www.solar-rating.org), which gives solar systems the equivalent of the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. "The energy crisis has prompted huge interest in solar technology," said Nelson. "I get 70 to 80 calls a day" from people wanting to know more. He refers them to the California Energy Commission, (800) 555-7794, for information. Many callers are interested in the commission's Emerging Renewables Buy-Down Program. It offers a rebate of $3 a watt up to $3,000 per kilowatt or 50 percent of the cost of renewable electric- generating systems up to 10 kilowatts. These systems include the following: -- Photovoltaics: Solar cells that
convert sunlight directly to electricity. -- Small wind turbines: Wind turbines with an output of 10 kilowatts or less. -- Fuel cells: Devices that use a chemical process to convert renewable fuels into electricity. -- Solar thermal systems: Systems that use solar heat to generate electricity. The Energy Commission's Web site, www.energy.ca.gov, has more details, including companies that sell eligible systems and lenders that arrange financing. Some people are interested in generating their own electricity because they mistakenly believe they can sell the excess back to their local utility company, Nelson said. That's not the way it works. Only net metering is allowed. With net metering, excess electricity causes their meter to run backward,
making up for times when they use electricity from the utility company. At the end of the year, they owe the utility if they used more than they generated, but they don't get anything back if they generated more than they used, Nelson said. Therefore, he advises consumers to buy a system based on their own needs. Solar hot water systems cost about $2,500 to $3,000, he said. Photovoltaic systems cost about $5,000 to $6,000. Unlike Solar Village, which has an active system with pumps, most solar systems today are passive. Water in roof-mounted panels is heated by the sun and flows by gravity down to the water heater tank. Pressure from the city water system then allows the user to turn on the tap and get hot water as usual. Although the energy crisis has prompted renewed interest in solar power, Nelson said he knows of only one housing project using it. It's at Shea Homes' Scripps Highlands in San Diego, which company spokesman Ryan Green calls "the largest renewable energy and solar project in the United States today." Thirteen of the 306 single-family detached houses have the Energy Star program, which incorporates an array of energy-saving features like sealed air ducts and low-emissivity glass but no solar. The other 293 houses add a solar hot water system to the Energy Star program. These houses also have radiant roof barriers to prevent heat build- up in the attic. One hundred of them have a photovoltaic system for electricity, and the rest of them can upgrade to PV, Green said. The ocean view houses range from 2,400 to 4,000 square feet with three to six bedrooms. Prices range from $430,000 to $600,000. PowerMarketer 6/10/01

A solar eclipse: Logistics, expenses undermine L.A. subsidy program - One year ago this city announced its intent to become "the Solar Capital of the World," with 100,000 roofs covered with solar electric panels by the end of the decade, an audacious goal to transform the homes of this smoggy but sunny metropolis into miniature power plants. William Booth of The Washington Post in Seattle Times 6/08/01 [Ed. Note: this article contains a sidebar on the LADWP program and an image & caption of Palo Alto Hardware. Also the author corrects his misunderstanding on how net metering works as it appeared in the original article - solar e-clips 5/29/01]

County Jail Goes Solar -- The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has given the green light for PowerLight of Berkeley to install a 500kW solar electric installation -- believed to be the largest roof-mounted system in the United States -- at its Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, Calif. In addition, the supervisors approved the installation of several energy-efficiency projects by CMS Viron Energy Services as part of the county's aggressive efforts to reduce and stabilize future energy costs. Once the Santa Rita project is complete, it will reduce the facility's consumption of grid-generated electricity by 20%, through both solar power generation and energy conservation. "We estimate that Alameda County will save an average of $190,000 in electricity costs per year as a result of deploying solar power, leading to $5.5 million in overall savings," said county energy program manager Matt Muniz. "By installing PowerLight's PowerGuard system, we'll reduce costs, reduce pollution and conserve natural resources. The unique attributes of the solar installation will not only supply us with clean power, but will also deliver HVAC benefits as well." The Alameda County project will take a twofold approach to reducing Santa Rita jail's electric utility bill. First, clean energy will be generated through the giant 500kW solar installation consisting of 6,000 roof tiles. Second, the jail's energy efficiency will be dramatically improved through a combination of added insulation from the solar roof tiles and a comprehensive upgrade to the jail's central plant, including state-of-the-art cooling equipment and controls. The project will be finished by early summer and result in the annual generation of 650,000 kWh of clean energy, saving an additional 890,000 kWh. PowerMarketer 6/8/01

Evergreen Solar Ships New Product from New Factory ---Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR), a developer, marketer, and manufacturer of photovoltaic (solar power) products for the worldwide market, announced today that it has shipped its first new product from its 56,000 square foot manufacturing and headquarters facility in Marlboro, Massachusetts. The new product is the EC-51, a 51-watt panel that incorporates solar cells that are wider and have a higher conversion efficiency than those in the Company's existing products. The shift from 2.2-inch wide ribbon to 3.2-inch wide ribbon (both processed into 6-inch long wafers) represents a productivity increase of more than 40% in the wafer fabrication process. The increase in solar cell conversion efficiency from 10% to 12% represents a 20% increase in power per square inch, as compared with the Company's existing products. The shipment marks the first product made entirely in the Marlboro facility. Since initiating Marlboro production in mid-April, the Company has operated the facility in parallel with its original pilot production facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, in order to qualify the new plant's processes and equipment.The Company expects to move the last of its operations from Waltham to Marlboro by the end of June 2001. Soluz Honduras, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based SOLUZ, Inc., has purchased these panels. Soluz Honduras supplies solar power systems to rural residential and commercial customers in northwestern Honduras to provide energy for lighting, communications, and income-generating activities. "We are extremely pleased at the progress of our new plant startup," said Mark Farber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Solar. "The successful integration of new equipment, much of it custom, and the introduction of wider ribbon and higher efficiency solar cells represent important milestones in our commercial expansion. We appreciate our continued relationship with SOLUZ, an early adopter of Evergreen's products." The SOLUZ shipment incorporates the Company's proprietary and patented
String Ribbon(TM) process for manufacturing solar power wafers. String Ribbon avoids the waste and cost associated with conventional slicing of solid silicon ingots, as it can use approximately half of the silicon per unit area as conventional processes. PowerMarketer 6/8/01

PBS Shines Light on Energy Crisis - Frontline Documentary 'Blackout' to air June 12 10 pm in San Francisco (kqed). To check your local station, check pbs - frontline. read about the film here in Contra Costa Times 6/11/01

Solar Trendsetter - EVERY PROBLEM CARRIES THE SEED OF opportunity. So, given the fact that electric rates in San Diego tripled last year, Shea Homes' recent announcement that its San Diego division would indude photovoltaic roof panels as a standard feature on zoo homes comes at an opportune time. According to community development manager Ryan Green, the standard blue panels won't supply all of the 2,400- to 4,000-square-foot homes' energy needs-the homes still need a grid connection-but they will supply one-third to one-half A solar-charged battery backup system can be added if users are worried about power outages. While San Diego Gas & Electric isn't offering any incentives to help new owners with the additional $6,000 to $8,000 cost of the solar system, which adds $45 to $50 to the monthly mortgage payment, the utility will buy back any extra power they generate, using net metering-a reversible electricity meter. And of the 2o homes Shea had sold by early March, three customers had opted to double the size of the PV system. Green doesn't expect the solar program to bring more sales. "It's more a matter of differentiation in the marketplace," he says. "Its best value is demonstrating to the public that we're not just developers; we're good citizens." Power Marketer 6/6/01

PV Installation Protocols for New Home Builders - A new resource authored by Consol and Endecon Engineering, - is now available online at californiasolarcenter.org under 'Resources' 6/9/01

California Renewable Energy Investment Plan - As part of its regularly scheduled Business Meeting on June 13, 2001, the California Energy Commission will consider adoption of Investing in Renewable Electricity Generation in California, the renewable investment plan required by Senate Bill 1194 (SB 1194) and Assembly Bill 995 (AB 995). These bills extend the collection of a public benefit charge to support various public goods programs, including renewables, through January 1, 2012. The bills require the Energy Commission to create an investment plan with the long-term goal of a fully competitive and self-sustaining California renewable energy supply. Notice 6/1/01 Download the plan here

Green Groups Get White House's Ear- After four months of open warfare between the White House and environmental groups, Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday solicited their leaders' advice on how to incorporate more green ideas into the administration's comprehensive energy plan. Elizabeth Shogren in LATimes 6/6/01

Wineries opt for alternative energy sources - With the wine-grape harvest just a few months off, the $33 billion California wine industry is busily working on ways to deal with the continuing energy problems that plague the state. To offset the possibility of blackouts at any time, but especially during the crucial harvest period, some wineries are turning to alternative energy sources. Davis Bynum Winery in Sonoma County is converting its offices to solar energy. Gerald D. Boyd in San Francisco Chronicle 6/6/01

Richmond Power Plant Plan Yanked / City to explore Wind & Solar -
Richmond officials pulled the plug yesterday on a 500-megawatt power plant that would be built next to the Chevron refinery, saying they would explore wind and solar power alternatives to cut the city's energy costs. City Manager Isiah Turner said he was approached by a consultant in February about the city teaming with the refinery to operate the plant -- an idea that Turner welcomed then as a chance to boost the city's revenues as well as meet its energy needs. But just as a City Council energy committee was to consider whether to authorize a $3 million study of the oil-fired plant yesterday, Turner asked that the proposal be abandoned. "I recommend we put this plant on the back burner," he told the four-member committee, to the cheers of dozens of Richmond residents who came to oppose the plant. Committee members -- Vice Mayor Nathaniel Bates and Councilmen Tom Butt, Gary Bell, and Richard Griffin -- agreed with Turner to drop the power plant idea and redirect their attention to alternatives such as wind and solar power, as well as energy conservation measures. "It sounds dead to me," said Butt, who along with the rest of the committee voted to reject the power plant proposal. A 500-megawatt plant would provide enough electricity to supply 500,000 customers. Much of the power could be sold, generating $3 million to $20 million in revenue for the city, according to a city staff report. Richmond residents, who showed up at the meeting ready to battle it out with the committee, ended up praising the city for backing off. "I'm very glad to hear the proposal's been withdrawn," said resident Virginia Harrison. Despite yesterday's vote, residents lined up one by one with their prepared speeches and protest signs to remind officials to be wary of any proposal that could pump pollutants into the air. "It's time to take the air quality in Richmond seriously," said resident Michelle McGuire. "We need to take care of our children." Turner said that he has already told Bill Roth, the consultant who approached him about the project, that Richmond will not move forward with the power plant. "I've done my homework in and outside my community and I thought it wasn't appropriate to go down this road," Turner said. Bates said he is still open to talking to other residents about all possibilities. "We have 100,000 residents in Richmond, and many of them were not here today," he said. Butt said that he had been skeptical about the power plant from the very beginning. "There were a lot of questions and none of them were answered," he said, but added, "I'm glad to see this put to rest." PowerMarketer 6/5/01

Note regarding dead links: Most publications move stories into their archive after one or two weeks. Use the date provided here with individual stories to help find them after they have been moved. The articles originating from PowerMarketer are presented here in entirety, due to poor links for the full story.

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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
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ABOUT THE EDITOR
Tor Allen is the President of The Rahus Institute, a non-profit organization. Tor has 10 years experience in the renewable energy field including: design, research, marketing, program and policy development, and installation work. He is currently the coordinator of the California PV Alliance, a collaborative group working to accelerate the market for photovoltaics in California.

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