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...

Unmanned experimental aircraft returns after successful test in Hawaii - The unmanned, solar-powered aircraft Helios soared to 76,000 feet on its first test flight before returning to the ground Sunday. "We accomplished all of our objectives," said John Hicks, program manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "The aircraft performed beautifully." The $15 million Helios aircraft was built by NASA and AeroVironment Inc. of Monrovia, Calif., which has produced many innovative aircraft including the human-powered Gossamer Albatross. Later this summer, researchers intend to send the long, thin flying wing to 100,000 feet -- more than three times higher than commercial jets fly -- whichwould be a record altitude for an unmanned aircraft. Researchers envision the aircraft as a surrogate satellite, or low-cost telecommunications platform. It also would provide the best way to measure the earth's atmosphere at 60,000 feet to 100,000 feet, and could be used for such things as tracking hurricanes. The 247-foot-long wing measures only 8 feet front to back and is controlled from the ground by two pilots using desktop computers. Its 14 propellers are driven by small electric motors powered by solar cells built into the wing. San Francisco Chronicle 2001.07.15

Neutrogena and LADWP Brighten Energy Outlook With City's Largest Corporate Solar Power System - State and City Officials Encourage Corporate Sector to Use Solar Power. Neutrogena Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced today, the completion of a 200-kilowatt $1.4 million solar power system at the company's headquarters, located near LAX. The system was made possible through the LADWP Solar Incentive Program that substantially lowers the purchase price of such systems for the municipally owned utility's customers. The solar system covers 24,000 square feet of roof area and will help reduce the company's energy consumption by approximately 20 percent monthly. "This is the type of leadership the people of California need from the corporate sector to successfully meet the energy consumption demands in the State," said Dr.Woodrow Clark, senior policy analyst, energy and reliability for California Governor Gray Davis. "I commend the LADWP for their promotion of solar energy, and strongly encourage other companies to follow Neutrogena's lead in using solar power." Neutrogena received a $1 million Solar Incentive or rebate from LADWP. Its system utilizes Siemens Solar panels and was designed and installed by the PowerLight Corporation. "This new solar power system is an example of the innovative ways the City and local businesses are working together to conserve energy," said Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn. "Using solar power will lead to a cleaner environment in Los Angeles, and I urge other corporations to follow suit." BusinessWire 2001.07.12

Construction of Watershed Resource Center Nears Completion - Unique solar power system to be installed; Building to generate all of its own electricity needs. The Community Environmental Council (CEC) will begin the final stages of construction next week on its new community education center as it replaces the building's old roof with a new solar power system. Converted from a former ranger residence at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park,the Watershed Resource Center will be the first building in Santa Barbara County - and only the second in Southern California - to use a system that integrates photovoltaics directly into the roof shingles. The technology is so new that its manufacturer, Atlantis SunSlates, will be working with local contractor Allen Associates and Pacific Coast Roofing Corporation, a major Southern California roofer, to train workers to install it. A press conference is set for the day of installation, Tuesday July 17, 2001 at 11 a.m. at Arroyo Burro Beach State Park. The Resource Center, which is slated to open to the public Monday, August 6, is designed to educate visitors about the value of healthy creek and ocean systems and ways that our community can actively protect these resources. It will also encourage "green building" techniques by serving as a model for the community - using drought-tolerant landscaping, natural lighting, water efficient appliances and irrigation systems, sustainably harvested and recycled lumber, and recycled content siding, decking and wall board products. One of the Center's central green building components is the use of the Atlantis SunSlates, which convert light energy into DC current, and then into AC current. The system will generate 6,000 kW hours of electricity a year - far more than the building's needs. As a result, the Center will be "selling" energy back to the power grid - an important aspect during times when electricity prices and availability are at a premium. "The Community Environmental Council has noticed a dramatic increase in the number of South Coast residents interested in learning more about solar power in the last few months," said CEC Community Programs Director Karen Feeney. "We hope that the system at the Watershed Resource Center will help people visualize a future of renewable, non-polluting energy sources." As with the more commonly-used photovoltaic panels, homeowners can apply for a rebate of $4.50 per watt of energy produced by SunSlate tiles. A tile system for the standard home typically produces 2.5 to 4 Kw. Contact: Sigrid Wright, (805) 963-0583, ext. 109 / CEC Press Release 2001.07.11

Final Hearing on SF Solar Bond Issue - July 18 - The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is holding a final hearing on the Solar Energy Bond on Wednesday, July 18. The bond, which will provide $100 million to put solar panels on the rooftops of city facilities (schools, libraries, reservoir surfaces etc.), has fallen victim to some unfortunate politics. Public support at this hearing is absolutely critical in order for it to get put on the November ballot. This hearing is the only opportunity for the public to speak on this measure before the Board votes. Membersof the public have three minutes to speak at the hearing. What: Finance Committee Hearing on the Solar Bond When: Wednesday July 18 at 10:00 AM Where: Room 263 in SF City Hall / A large turnout for the public hearing will go a long way towards securing the bond's placement on the November ballot. Your presence and support is greatly appreciated. Fact sheets and talking points will be provided. Adam Browning (415- 744-1121) 2001.07.14

Berkeley spotlights solar power - Berkeley, the nation's first nuclear-free city, wants to become the nation's first solar-powered city. Mayor Shirley Dean wants the city to embark on the path of cost-efficient solar power. But just as in the adage, the journey of 1,000 watts begins with asingle lighting. Chip Johnson in SF Chronicle 2001.07.10

Honda Opens First Los Angeles-Area Hydrogen Fuel Station; Fuel Station of the Future Uses Solar Power - The first hydrogen production and fueling station in the Los Angeles area has started operation at Honda's research and development center in Torrance, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The state-of-the-art station is part of Honda's ongoing research into renewable energy. It will support the Company's fuel cell vehicle development program and will be used for hydrogen production, storage and fueling. The station uses solar power to extract hydrogen from water, and also has back-up electrical power to increase the hydrogen production capacity. Available solar power can produce enough hydrogen to drive a single fuel cell vehicle for a year. "Fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel have tremendous potential to contribute to the goals of sustainable transportation systems and the use of renewable energy," said Ben Knight, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. vice president. "The development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure is as important as the development of the vehicles themselves," Knight said. "This is the first hydrogen station established by an auto maker to use solar energy to extract hydrogen from water and it will help verify more efficient hydrogen production methods as well as help us solve the challenges involved with hydrogen production and fueling stations for the future." PRNewsWire 2001.07.10

An Overview of State Financial Support for Renewable Energy -A newly-released report [downloadable pdf] from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) summarizes and analyzes the 14 state systems-benefits charges (SBC) that support renewable energy programs, finding that the funds could encourage more than 1,000 MW of new renewable capacity in the next few years.The report is titled "Clean Energy Funds: An Overview of State Support for Renewable Energy". The report was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Power Technologies, and was authored by Mark Bolinger and Ryan Wiser at LBNL, Lew Milford and Michael Stoddard with the Clean Energy Funds Network, and Kevin Porter, formerly with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.The report finds that between 1998 and 2012, roughly $3.5 billion will be collected by the 14 states with renewable energy funds that currently exist and are included in the report: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Only eight of the 14–California, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Montana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin–have spent funds on renewable energy projects and programs. Roughly half of the funds follow what the report describes as a "project development model," using financial incentives such as production incentives and grants to directly subsidize and stimulate renewable energy projects. Others follow an investment model," using loans and equity investments to support renewable energy companies and projects. Still others use an "industry and infrastructure development model," using business development grants, marketing support, technical assistance, education and resource assessments aimed at building renewable energy industry infrastructure. The authors praised the diversity of approaches to encouraging renewable power development. Since states are still in the very early stages of obligating program funds, the report stops short of assessing which methodology will be the most productive in encouraging new development. "The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of SBC-funded renewable energy support to date, with an eye towards drawing out early observations and lessons learned that can help state fund managers develop and enhance their renewable energy programs," said Bolinger, adding that "Because many of these funds face similar challenges, perhaps the most relevant and valuable lessons are those that can be learned from each other's experiences." The report may also be of use to renewable energy firms interested in leveraging state SBC funds dollars. 2001.04

Renewable Energy Annual 2000 Published by EIA - Energy Information Agency has released the “Renewable Energy Annual 2000”, summarizing U.S. renewable energy production. The report contains information on U.S. renewable energy consumption, capacity, and electricity generation, as well as U.S. solar thermal, photovoltaic collector, and U.S. geothermal heat pump manufacturing activities. EIA 2001.06

PV Training Classes - Several Classes are scheduled to learn more about Photovoltaics for grid-tied applications. Available for different levels of interest - from an introduction, to building integrated PV applications, to installing code compliant systems...check here for more details - californiasolarcenter.org

Southern California Gas Offers Incentives for On-Site Power - Southern California Gas Company announced Monday that it has launched a $13.6-million-per-year rebate program for customers that install on-site power generators. Aimed at businesses and large residential complexes, the program offers an incentive of $4.50 per watt (up to half the project cost) for large renewable power installations, $2.50 per watt for fuel cells and $1.00 per watt for microturbines, gas turbines, and internal combustion engines. So Cal Gas press release 2001.07.09

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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