News for September 25, 2001

Watsonville development harnesses the sun - Green theme reigns supreme at Cherry Blossom

Something new skates under the sun - solar-powered skateboard

Homeowner reports solar system costs

Solar dryers banned in California

Grand Opening Celebration for Schott Applied Power Corporation - Rocklin, CA

Green Energy Mix Promises Big Savings and Greater Stability for California

Green Mountain Energy Company Responds to California PUC's Suspension Of Customer Choice in Electricity

IN BRIEF

New Publication Available - A Guide to Photovoltaic Design and Installation [download 365 kb pdf file]- written by Endecon Engineering and sponsored by the California Energy Commission. Primarily for grid-tied residential scale systems. other reports/guides

Events - Solar Home Tours October 13th throughout California . UPex conference 9/30 to 10/4 in Sacramento.

Legislation Update- Several Solar Bills have passed the Senate and Assembly and are headed to Governor Davis for signature..[follow the links for full bill language & analysis]
SBx2 17 the Solar Tax Credit -This bill would allow until January 1, 2006, a credit in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) either 15% or 71/2% of the net cost paid or incurred by a taxpayer during the taxable year for the purchase and installation on property in this state of a solar energy system for the production of electricity, or (b) the applicable dollar amount per rated watt of generating capacity of that same system, as provided.
ABx2 48 Solar Training, Education, and Certification Act of 2001 - a three prong program that fills in gaps of existing state programs designed to encourage the use of solar energy systems.
SB x2 82 This bill requires the State Department of General Services, in consultation with the Energy Resources, Conservation and Development Commission, to ensure that solar energy equipment is installed, no later than January 1, 2007, on all state buildings and state parking facilities where feasible, as specified. It also requires solar energy equipment to be installed as part of the construction of all state buildings and state parking facilities that commences after December 31, 2002.

Unfortunately, the Renewable Energy Investment Plan (and PIER- Research), which provides for the continuation of the CEC Emerging Renewable Buydown Program (ie. PV Rebates) past 2002.01.01, and requires legislative adoption - did NOT get out of the Senate/Assembly and will require a special session in October to approve or in the first of the year. It's not clear which Bill number this will be assigned to at this point. Without legislative approval, there will be a break in the program in 2002, with some uncertainty as to when the Renewable Program will go online again. The current program concludes on 12/31/2001.

photo:Solar e-Clips Editor Tor Allen gets recharged by the new "PV Pavlov conditioner"
courtesy of Steve Heckeroth of ECD Baekert Solar -
at the recent Solar Electric for Buildings Conference in San Mateo.