News for October 1, 2002
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Solar Decathlon team from Univ. Virginia

New energy plan urges conservation, renewables [Pleasanton]

Renewable Energy Alliance Formed by the California Energy Commission

Ventura County Turns to Alternative Energy

It Takes a Solar Village [Solar Decathlon]

Governor Davis signs Net Metering Bill

City Council candidate adopts 'Aggressive Sustainability' platform [Arcata]

EcoEnergies Helps Congregation Shir Hadash Go Solar [Los Gatos]

ARCO Sites Go Solar [Los Angeles]

BP's PowerView Wins "Oscar"

San Diego to test new solar system on a city building

Solar energy faces an economic test at Moscone Center [San Francisco]

LADWP Solar Program Increased, Extended and Expanded

IN BRIEF

Schott Applied Power closes Redway operation: Schott Applied Power, citing a strategic shift in focus, will close its Redway, California retail store, purchasing department and customer service operation over the next two months. Schott Applied Power (SAP) President Tom Starrs said that the 19 employees of the Redway operation will be phased out beginning September 30 with the facility closing by mid-November. "A strategic shift for Schott Applied Power really requires this change to be made but we're very sympathetic to meet the needs of our employees there," said Starrs. "The decision to get out of retail is driven in large part that our dealers have long expressed frustration with our involvement with direct sales." source: Solar Access

Rocky Mountain Institute publishes book on Distributed Generation SNOWMASS, Colo., September 4 — A new book called Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of Making Electrical Resources the Right Size shows the electric power industry why appropriately sizing (and siting) electrical production can be more profitable than building large, centrally located power plants. Small Is Profitable, released today by Rocky Mountain Institute, describes 207 ways in which the size of “electrical resources”—devices that make, save, or store electricity—affects their economic value. It finds that properly considering the economic benefits of “distributed” (decentralized) electrical resources typically raises their value by a large factor, often as much as tenfold. These gains are realized through improved system planning, utility construction and operation, and service quality, and by avoiding societal costs. You can download this book for free at http://www.smallisprofitable.org/ReadTheBook.html

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

October 2002

Solar Forums - San Diego (10/14), Sacramento (10/28), Los Angeles (10/29) - Hosted by California Solar Center, San Diego Regional Energy Office, SMUD, LADWP. The Solar Forum is open to all parties interested in learning about current issues regarding Solar Energy policy and development in California and an opportunity to network with others in the field. The forum will provide information on the recent California solar and renewable energy legislation, Solar Tax Credit, program updates (CEC, SELFGEN etc.), special projects, Title-24, installer certification, solar schools, challenges for the year ahead, and an opportunity to network with others involved in the solar industry. The event is FREE and lunch is provided. More information and online registration.

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

October Solar Home Tours - Throughout California. find a location near you. Starting 10/5

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

10/7 & 10/30 Solar Geometry & Designing Shading Devices [San Francisco/San Jose- Pacific Energy Center] - Instructors: Ryan Stroupe and Bill Burke
In San Francisco: Wednesday, October 30, from 9:00 am to 12 noon, and 1:30 to 4:30
In San Jose: Monday, October 7, from 9:00 am to 12 noon, and 1:30 to 4:30
Note: These two half-day programs take place in the morning and afternoon of the same day. In the morning program on Solar Geometry, learn the fundamental principles that explain the location of the sun in the sky at different times of day and year. During the afternoon session on Designing Shading Devices, learn how to design a shading device and know when it will and will not block direct sunlight. To register for the afternoon session you must have attended the morning program or have a thorough understanding of solar geometry. Directions and to register

10/14 & 10/15 Steve Strong Seminar - Integrating Renewable Energy With Environmentally Responsive Building Design [San Francisco/San Jose] Pacific Energy Center - Instructor: Steven Strong, San Francisco: Monday, October 14, 2002 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon San Jose: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 from 9:00 am to 12 noon. Note: This FREE program was added recently and is not listed on the Pacific Energy Center's printed calendar. Steven Strong of Solar Design Associates has been a pioneer in the integration of renewable energy systems - especially solar electricity - with environmentally responsive building design. Steven will offer examples of energy-efficient, solar-powered buildings that point the way towards more sustainable development and can serve as models for the integration of renewable power sources in buildings in California. If you are interested in an overview of the history of and latest global developments in the integration of photovoltaic materials in building design, including PV panels that serve as the building skin, as roofing materials, and as glazing materials, register for this program.

10/21 & 10/24 Photovoltaic Fundamentals: Residential Buildings & Non-Residential Buildings [SF/SJ - Pacific Energy Center] Instructor: Darren Bouton
San Francisco: Monday, October 21 from 9:00 am to 12 noon [Res] and 1:30- 4:30 [non-Res]
San Jose: Thursday, October 24 from 9:00 am to 12 noon [Res] and 1:30- 4:30 [non-Res]
Note: These two FREE half-day programs take place in the morning and afternoon of the same day. Darren Bouton will cover fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) systems, discuss benefits and costs associated with PV, describe current financial incentive programs, and offer case study examples of system siting, sizing, and design issues. As the program titles suggest, the morning session focuses on smaller, typically single-family residential applications of 10 KW or less. The afternoon session focuses on larger, typically non-residential and multi-family housing applications of more than 10 KW. You may register for one or both programs.

10/21 Steve Strong - Solar Electric Architecture Lecture Event [San Diego] - Solar architecture expert Steven Strong of Solar Design Associates Inc. will present a broad overview of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and discuss applications from across the U.S. and the world. The lecture is designed to give architects, design and energy professionals and the general public a basic understanding of how photovoltaics (PV) can be integrated into the design of commercial and residential buildings. The event is FREE and hors d'oeuvres will be served. This event is co-sponsored by Uni-Solar (www.uni-solar.com) and San Diego Gas & Electric. Space is limited so reserve your spot today! Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Place: Courtyard Marriott, 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123
For more information and to REGISTER for these events, please visit SDREO's event page at http://www.sdenergy.org/events/index.html

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