News for September 17, 2002
[***Help us make California Solar Center even better. Click here to take Calfornia Solar Center survey and win some cool prizes***]

Solar Decathlon team from Auburn U. study model home

Solar woes shock SMUD [Sacramento Bee]

SMUD's PV Program: What does the future hold? [a Solar e-Clips interview with Bob Parkins]

Renewable Energy for the 21st Century [World Watch Inst - C. Flavin]

Franchise Tax Board Deploys Largest State-Owned Solar Electric Rooftop

City of Gold vies to become Solar City [Oroville, CA]

Solar Call boxes due to be cut short along freeways

Governor Davis Signs Environmental Legislation to Mandate Cleaner, Affordable Energy[SB 1038, SB 1078]

Alternatives to internal combustion slow starters [Hydrogen, EV, Hybrids]

Dentist to appeal for solar panels denied by Design Commission [La Canada Flintridge]

Schools boost efforts to conserve energy and save millions

Fairfield renews its commitment to renewable energy

IN BRIEF

CEC to update Buydown Program at next Biz Meeting. The Energy Commission will be considering changes to the Guidebooks for the Emerging Renewable Resources Account and the Existing Renewable Resources Account at its September 25, 2002, business meeting. Please refer to the Notice of Proposed Changes[470kb pdf] to the Guidelines for the Existing and Emerging Renewable Resources Account and the accompanying attachments for details of the specific changes. Key issues addressed include: shifting additional funds into the buydown account (currently 'dry'), and adoption of a new Solar Schools program that provides up to 90% of system costs.

Solar Decathlon Begins 9/13 in Wash. DC. Beginning on September 19, the Solar Decathlon's unique village of homes powered only by solar energy will be erected on the National Mall. The competition itself will run from September 27 through October 5 and the homes must be off the Mall on October 9. Fourteen teams have designed, engineered and built solar-powered houses on campus and will transport them to the contest site. Similar to its athletic namesake, the Solar Decathlon consists of ten contests ranging from design and livability to energy balance to interior comfort. Some teams -- the University of Maryland, University of Delaware, Virginia Tech and University of Virginia - will bring their homes from this region. Others, like the University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of Puerto Rico face significant obstacles just transporting their entries to Washington. News articles about the teams.

Fall Events...Workshops/Conferences/classes...

9/21 Bonnie Raitt -VoteSolar Benefit concert (San Diego) - Support the VoteSolar initiative and see a great concert. @ San Diego State University. more info or call 800-728-6223

9/21 Sustainable Cooking - Building & Using Solar Cookers: (Santa Rosa) - Environmental Technology Center @ Sonoma State University. more information

Fall Schedule - Pacific Energy Center (San Francisco & San Jose) - The Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco traditionally hosts a great set of workshops targeting architects & designers. The Fall schedule includes: Solar Geometry, Designing Shading Devices, Turning Green to Gold, Photovoltaic Fundamentals - Non-residential & Residential, Advanced Daylighting, Skylighting Design, High Performance Schools (CHPS). Most workshops are FREE. For more information on dates, workshop descriptions, & to register.

Fall Schedule - 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.

9/28 Residential Solar Electricity Workshop with Tour (Berkeley - Ecology Center) - This workshop is intended for those who are considering a solar electric system for their homes or who are generally interested in such systems. We will cover how solar electric systems work, how to size a system, the types of systems to choose from (pros and cons of each), and siting considerations. We will also go over costs, California subsidies, and answer questions on permits and other "paper work." The workshop will conclude with a tour of an actual solar electric system that one of the instructors installed on his own place of residence (within walking distance of the Ecology Center). In class portion of workshop will last 3-4 hours followed by the tour. Students are encouraged to bring a lunch. Participants will be provided with an information packet. Instructors: Hal Aronson Ph.D., a.k.a. "Solar Man," directs the Solar Energy Education Program for Berkeley EcoHouse and develops curriculum and technology and trains teachers for the Solar Schoolhouse (Rahus Institute). Aronson has also built solar homes. Bruce Gardiner has worked as a licensed electrical contractor since 1989. His business is now solely dedicated to installing solar electric systems. In the last few years he has installed 25 systems totaling over 75 killowatts of power. Class fills quickly, pre-registration is required. Location: Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Avenue, near Dwight Way, Berkeley. Time: 9 am - 2 pm. Cost: $30 Ecology Center members, $40 others, call: Beck, 510-548-2220 x233. www.ecologycenter.org

October 2002

10/3 THE NEXT FRONTIER: SPEEDING THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY A panel discussion sponsored by Clean-Edge and Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. Which are the most promising clean energy technologies and what are the national, commercial, environmental implications of their development? Join us for a special morning panel discussion with leaders from the fields of energy policy research, environmental advocacy, venture capital, and business as we address these and other questions in our exploration of the "Next Frontier" of Clean and Renewable Energy technology. more info & register

10/5 Solar Home Tour (Northern California)- Nor Cal Solar Energy Association is organizing tours in the following cities: Arcata, East Bay, Marin, Davis, Silicon Valley. Pre-registration is encouraged. Other tours include: Benicia, Concord, Grass Valley/Nevada City, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Francisco. more info.

10/5 Solar Cooking Contest (San Diego County)- The second annual boiling water recipe contest. A Solar Cooking Summit. Sharing information, technical innovations and lots of good food this day of sunny serendipity will be held at the Lindo Lake Pavillion near the Lakeside Community Center in San Diego County. It's Free! more information

10/6 Solar Home Tour (Hidden Villa)- Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills. Tours are first Sunday of every month.

10/19-20 Homes for the Future Tour (Los Angeles)- Homes for the Future Tour 2002 offers a comprehensive look at eco-friendly living in Los Angeles. The sixth annual tour showcases local sites that feature the diversity of ”green” architecture, renewable energy technologies and eco-renovation. Hosted by EcoHome Network. more information

10/26 Solar Home Tour (Palo Alto)- 1:00 to 4:00 pm. View solar electric systems at work at Palo Alto homes and businesses. Learn from the owners and hear about their experiences with this clean, renewable power source. The tour will also feature a solar vendor fair. For more information, click here. Tours begin every 30 minutes and pre-registration is required by October 14, call Utility Marketing Services at 329-2241 to register.

10/26 to 12/14 PV System Design and Installation- Saturdays at Diablo Valley College, taught by Tom Chatagnier. AET-150B Introductory course on Photovoltaic system design and installation. Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA. It is in the schedule under "Alternate Energy Technologies". The DVC website is: http://www.dvc.edu The school is a community college, so the courses are only $12/unit for CA residents

This listing is maintained on the Events page. Check here for updates