Photovoltaics
Solar Evolution-
by John Perlin
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e-Clips...solar
energy news from California 2001.09.04
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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 ************************************************ Solar News from around the State...
Solar Legislation
Update - Sacramento.- SBX2
17, the Solar Tax Credit Bill, will be heard in the Assembly
Energy Costs and Availability committee on Tuesday, September 4th upon
adjournment of session in room 437. Letters/faxes/calls should be sent
to the author, committee
and committee members. The Bill will provide a state tax credit for
both residential and commercial customers for PV and Wind systems up to
200 kW in size. Energy worries dim -- for now -[Tapan Munroe] GLOBAL VILLAGE -WHAT HAPPENED to the California electricity crisis? Between January and early May of 2001 there were six rotating blackouts, 38 stage 3 alerts (electricity reserves less than 1.5 percent), 61 stage 2 alerts (reserves less than 5 percent). Amazingly enough, since May 8 there has not been a single blackout. According to the state Independent Systems Operator, we were supposed to have been sweating it out in the dark through June, July and August with 260 hours of blackouts. The situation has changed dramatically. NBC-Wall Street Journal national polls taken in April 2001 and in June 2001 concluded that the number of people considering the energy situation to be a crisis declined from 35 percent to 25percent. However, 60 percent agree that the situation is problematic. Several factors have intervened in transforming what was a serious "crisis" only a few months ago into just a "problem." First, Mother Nature has helped by bestowing on us a cool summer (so far). Second, voluntary conservation efforts in the state have helped significantly. Third, several power plants have come on line in the past several months. Fourth, with the global economy in a slumber, natural gas (the fuel of choice for electricity generation) prices have come down by more than 50 percent in the last few months. Fifth, a slowdown in the California economy has resulted in subdued electricity demand. Even though wholesale electricity prices have come down to levels unthinkable only a few months ago and we have had no rolling blackouts this summer, there is no guarantee that the situation would not become a crisis again down the road. A crisis could be triggered via high temperatures later this summer or reversal of the current conservation trend or another international oil and gas crisis. How can we trust the current dysfunctional system to power the world's fifth-largest high-technology economy that is completely dependent on a reliable grid with sufficient electricity supply in the future?...more TAPAN MUNROE in CC Times 2001.08.26 Solar Power Replaces Diesel Generator for Water Pumping System in Joshua Tree National Park - SunWize Technologies designed and supervised the installation of one of the largest photovoltaic water pumping systems in the United States at the Cottonwood Campground for Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. The photovoltaic system replaces a diesel generator that was the sole power source for the water system. The 7.2kW photovoltaic array powers a 5hp, 230-volt, 3 phase standard submersible pump with a total dynamic head of 400 ft. to produce 10,000 gallons of water per day. The 80,000-gallon storage tank serves the campground with an average 2,500 gallons per day use. The solar pump controller runs during daylight hours pumping water into the storage tank - no batteries are needed. The water is gravity fed to the campground. A propane generator is used as backup in the event of a low water situation or for fire fighting needs...more Press Release 2001.08.28 California Water Agencies Look to PV and DG - SACRAMENTO- Water supply agencies in California are looking to solar photovoltaic and microturbines for on-site energy generation to help meet their needs. The Association of California Water Agencies set up a purchasing co-operative, ACWA-USA, which has arranged for water agencies to purchase microturbine generators and PV systems at reduced costs. The cooperative has also put together an energy consulting program to help water agencies evaluate their systems and analyze alternatives for reducing costs. "Water agencies account for 5 to 7 percent of the electricity consumed in the state - making them the number one user among the state's industries," says executive director Stephen Hall. "With energy costs representing up to 80 percent of a water supplier's operating costs, it's no wonder water agencies are motivated to find ways to lessen the impact on their operations and their customers." ... more solaraccess.com 2001.08.29 Solar Panels May Be Installed on (UC Berkeley) Student Union - In what could be the first step in a campuswide effort, ASUC may install solar panels on the roof of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union in order to dampen the effect of soaring energy costs. The examination of solar power comes as ASUC is looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption. "We'll do everything we can to conserve, but after that we then look at the financial viability of installing solar," said ASUC Auxiliary Director Thomas Cordi. "Solar is not cheap—solar's gonna cost $500,000 plus." Cordi said that although ASUC could never completely rely on solar energy, the alternative energy source could relieve energy costs. With the supply of solar energy, Cordi said, ASUC could either put the power in the university's grid and receive monetary credit for the excess power or distribute the energy among ASUC-managed buildings. ASUC will commission an energy audit to examine energy consumption, Cordi said. Preliminary information provided by Sun Light & Power Company, the company commissioned to evaluate the feasibility of installing solar power, suggests that ASUC buildings may be consuming an abnormally high amount of energy. "It did seem like an huge amount of energy, but until you can track it all down and where it's all going, it may seem like a lot," Gare Gerber, the president of Sun Light & Power Company said. Gerber said the student union is a good candidate for solar power. "It will definitely be feasible," he said. "It's just a question of how big the system can be compared to usage on the premises." ...more NATE TABAK in Daily Californian 2001.08.21 Xantrex Joins Green Power Partnership Aimed at Boosting Renewable Energy Alternatives - Xantrex Technology Inc., the leading manufacturer of power electronic products that work with solar, wind and renewable energy systems of all sizes, is joining 20 Fortune 500 companies, cities, universities, and others in the EPA's Green Power Partnership. This new voluntary program is meant to increase the market for power alternatives that reduce the environmental and health risks of conventional energy generation. Xantrex was honored for its leadership and commitment to green power through its purchase of Green Tags for renewable energy from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation in an amount equal to 100% of the electric energy consumed at their Arlington facility. Xantrex, the first company in the Pacific Northwest to commit to 100% green energy, was recognized as one of the Founding Partners in the Green Power Partnership at the sixth annual Green Power Marketing Conference, in Portland, Oregon, on July 31st. ... more Press Release 2001.08.31 Parking Meters Begin to Change - Powered by the Sun - You've packed the sun block and beach towels for your Labor Day weekend excursion. But did you remember to get a roll of quarters? A generous supply of coins, and a good watch, are sometimes vital to spending a day at one of Southern California's beaches, where the parking meters are notoriously expensive and tightly timed, and where parking lot attendants extract $5 or more from long lines of cars idling at an entrance. But now, thanks to improving technology, seaside parking soon may be getting almost as user-friendly as it is scarce on summer's last big weekend. From Santa Monica to Oceanside, beach cities are using automated pay systems aimed at making parking--and, of course, collections and enforcement--easier, while balancing the often conflicting needs of swimmers, surfers, merchants and residents. The latest generation of parking meters and automated pay boxes beginning to appear at beach parking lots and along seaside streets can accept bills and credit cards, make change, allow for greater flexibility in parking times and guard against fraud. Many run on solar power. Their manufacturers say they hold up well against the ravages of sand, salt air and vandals and, should trouble strike, can signal a malfunction to human monitors many miles away. They can even, in theory at least, force a parking space hog to move on when time is up...more . JEAN MERL in LATIMES 2001.09.02 Renewable Energy is Key to State's Independence from Energy Gougers, CALPIRG Report Finds - With the Right Incentives, California Could Produce One Quarter of its Electricity from Renewable Sources by 2010, Report Concludes - SACRAMENTO - California can protect itself from out-of-state energy generators and secure reliable sources of electricity at stable prices by investing in cheaper, more reliable andsustainable renewable energy sources, according a new report released by the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) Charitable Trust. The report, Affordable, Reliable Renewables: California's Pathway to a Sustainable Energy Future, finds that California could generate a quarter of its electricity from renewable sources - wind, solar and geothermal - in the next decade, without relying on uncertain imports from other states...more. CalPIRG 2001.07.03 [view other reports regarding California renewable and solar energy] Rancho Cucamonga considers energy options- City leaders evaluate costs, long-term benefits of projects discussed at workshop. RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- City leaders are exploring a number of innovative energy options, including using solar power, building one or more power plants and possibly even forming a municipal utility district, City Manager Jack Lam said Wednesday. City officials met for an energy workshop last week and discussed several scenarios, including the use of solar panels to generate power for the city yard, generating power for city buildings and drafting a resolution to become a municipal utility to protect city power options. The resolution couldcome before the City Council as soon as next month...more Selicia Kennedy-Ross in LA Times 2001.08.23 Events update - Building-Integrated PhotoVoltaics (Steve Strong at San Francisco & Sacramento - Greg Kiss in San Diego), Hands-On Solar roofing in Hopland, UPex, Solar Electric for your Home, PowerShift Rally in Sacramento, ...
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ISSUES ..........................
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Struggling
over power -PG&E/Adelman dispute continues-A
dispute between PG&E and a Corralitos resident could affect solar
generators in state SAN JOSE -- Ken Adelman's battle to sell solar-generated
electricity to the power grid without first paying for hundreds of thousands
of dollars in upgrades and studies may be headed to a courtroom. The Corralitos
resident's joy at finally hooking his $400,000 system to the grid on Aug.
2 -- with a PG&E safety inspector's blessing, he says -- lasted only
five days. On Aug. 7, the utility company disconnected his 31-kilowatt
solar system from the grid, citing safety concerns. Now Adelman, owner
of one of the largest solar arrays in the state, can't get PG&E power
for the outlets and lights in his house, four miles outside Watsonville,
because most of it has been rewired to his solar system. He has been forced
to use his expensive solar batteries at night and on overcast days, but
they contain limited power and will wear out fast. After he was tossed
off the grid, Adelman quickly filed a complaint with state regulators.
PG&E has until Wednesday to respond, and a pre-hearing conference
has been set for Friday, barring a settlement. The outcome of Adelman's
battle could affect the pace of solar power development in energy-hungry
California. PG&E said Adelman must pay for studies to learn how his
system can feed power to the grid safely. The primary concern, the company
said, is the safety of its linemen. If the grid goes down and Adelman's
solar system continues to feed the power lines, utility workers in his
neighborhood could be injured by falsely assuming the line is dead. The
company has estimated the cost at $605,000. Only after the studies are
completed -- again at Adelman's expense -- will the cost be known. And
PG&E says it's only fair for Adelman to pay those costs rather than
pass them on to ratepayers. Adelman insists there is no problem. He said
the equipment that feeds his power to the grid is the best available,
certified as complying with national standards accepted by the utility
industry. That equipment is designed with several layers of protection
to ensure that no power will flow to the power lines when there is a disruption
on the grid. ...
...Eye
on Hawaii - Army solar hot water project to reap big savings -
The Army will save $250,000 annually in electrical costs for water
heating under a massive new solar water heating project that is a joint
venture with Hawaiian Electric Co. The utility says it is the nation's
largest project involving the installation of solar water heating units.
The project will place 650 solar water heating units on the roofs of Helemano
military housing units and on buildings at the Wai'anae Recreational Center.
Water heating is usually the largest single cost item in an electric bill.
The savings after installation of the units, which cost between $3,000
and $3,500 apiece before rebates, should pay for the entire project within
about seven years. .
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