News for July 23, 2002

[Muir Commons in Davis - 10 kW PV system. photo: Eric R. Wahl, Colorado Solar Electric]

Sun power dims in California [Peter Asmus]

AstroPower partners with Clarum Homes to provide Solar Electricity as standard feature [Nor Cal]

Barstow looks at ‘startling’ solar-powered arch

Co-housing group goes solar [Davis - Muir Commons]

In hot water? Try out solar heater kit

Energy and good sense [California Renewable Portfolio Standard - SB 1524]

Alternative energy has its hurdles [RE Portfolio Standard]

California High School Team competes in Texas Solar Car Race

Project Maps Western Renewables Energy Resources

State's natural gas reliance a risk, report says

Development near Blackhawk stirs vigorous debate [Smart Growth?]

EBMUD votes down power plan

'Green building' grows in stature

IN BRIEF

SOLAR TAX CREDIT RESCUED: (from David Hochschild of Vote Solar) "Three weeks ago, we asked you to contact Governor Davis about his misguided decision to remove the 15% solar tax credit as a way to make up the California’s budget deficit – a budget mess created largely by our over-dependence on fossil fueled energy generation. Thanks to your calls and emails, the solar tax credit is now back in the legislature’s budget proposal. Please email the governor and thank him for preserving the tax credit. And urge him to support the strongest possible net metering laws to help make it possible for large solar systems to be connected to the grid. Many states look to California for leadership on this question and the legislature will take this up immediately when they reconvene on August 5th."

Solar Legislative Process in California - Several important legislative bills are up for consideration when the legislature returns from summer recess on August 5th. Tops on the list is AB 58, the net metering bill which allows for continued net metering of large (>10kW) systems. This bill is currently flawed (Read Peter Asmus's article above) with recent amendments. Look for further information about what to include in letter writing in the next issue of Solar e-Clips. Next is SB 530 (SB 1524?) which will enable the California Energy Commission to continue with the Renewable Energy Buydown (Rebate) program and the PIER (Research) program for the next 10 years. These are two most critical bills that will allow the solar industry to continue on it's development path here in California. The legislature returns on August 5th. Bills are approved by either house (Assembly/Senate) by August 31, then the Governor has until September 30th to sign, veto, or amend bills into law.

PG&E to launch ENOS - PG&E's E-NET (net metering) program will launch ENOS (E-NET On-Line System) in August, increasing the efficiency in processing net metering applications. Read more here.

PG&E Self-Generation Seminar well attended - Pacific Gas and Electric Company hosted a Self- Generation Incentive Program seminar in San Francisco on June 25, attended by 225 contractors, business owners, power engineers and building management professionals from around the state. Pacific Gas and Electric Company has a CPUC- authorized annual budget of $60 million to administer the incentive plan, including $48 million for incentive payments. Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric Company also offer the program. "We received extremely positive comments from the
workshop participants,"said Steve Knaebel, manager in energy program services. "Because of the positive response we are already planning to offer another work-
shop later this year." Handouts and Powerpoint slides from the workshop are available here

CEC Quarterly Renewable Energy Report online - Information on the status of, and activities of the California Energy Commission's Renewable Energy Program are available for download online. For 2nd quarter of 2002.

Solar Living Institute (Hopland) offers wide range of Solar/Renewable Energy Workshops - The summer/Fall 2002 workshop schedule includes workshops on solar cooking, hot water, photovoltaics, strawbale construction, biodeisel, solar business, hydrogen, energy efficiency retrofits, and more. Read here for the full schedule and details of each workshop.

BP Statiscal Review of World Energy 2002 now online

LADWP padlocks PV power - Los Angeles Dept of Water Power Solar Program is ironing out some wrinkles in their solar program as noted in this message; "IMPORTANT NOTE: Thank you for your interest in solar power systems and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Solar Power Incentive Program. Solar power systems help reduce air pollution and are paving the way for a future based on renewable energy. The Solar Incentive Program has grown very rapidly in the last six months. As a result, the Department is in the process of enhancing both training for electrical workers and updating internal procedures pertaining to the interconnection of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to our power grid. As a result of this process, residential PV systems installed now and through approximately August 15 of this year will be temporarily padlocked, so electricity generated by these systems will not be fed into the homes and/or the power grid. The Department anticipates that the above-mentioned processes will be completed by August 15, 2002, and will notify both homeowners and PV system installers on or shortly after that date regarding the reconnection of PV systems. The Department will credit those customers whose systems were padlocked in order to compensate for the PV system-generated electricity that was not fed into the home and/or the grid. We appreciate your support of solar power. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mr. Darryl Gordon at 213/367-3250".

City of Glendale offers up to $5.00 per watt or 50% of installed system cost. PV Systems are limited 10 KW. Call 818-548-2750 for details. GWP website