News for October 14, 2003

Educators attending the Solar Schoolhouse Summer Institute display their model solar homes, cookers, and cars.

[AB 1685]Self-Generation Program Extended through 2008!

Governor-elect Arnold vows to put PV on rooftops and accelerate Renewable Energy Path.

Solar Schoolhouse completes First Summer Institute [Santa Barbara]

Kristina Derhammer demonstrates solar cooking to her class. Rahus/Solar Schoolhouse
and Lodi Electric provided training and a solar toolkit for her one year assignment
teaching science to high school girls in Malawi, Africa.

Solar Schoolhouse Teacher in Malawi [Africa]

Lightly on the land - This solar-powered house is no soulless metal box. [Los Angeles]

Consider the alternatives [Los Angeles]

Arnold Unplugged - It's Hasta la Vista to $9 Billion if the Governator is Selected [Greg Palast]

Modern PreFab Design incorporates solar features

In Search of Savings, Companies Turn to the Sun

San Francisco State University Benefits from New Solar Photovoltaic Installation

IN BRIEF

CEC Solar Rebate Status - Approximately 5,900 rebate applications for the Emerging Renewables Program have been received since March 3, 2003. Of this number over 2,200 have been approved, representing nearly 10 more megawatts of renewable energy electric generation once installed. Since March 3, 2003, nearly 1,700 systems have been installed, representing $27 million in paid rebates and 6.8 megawatts of generation. Of the $118,125,000 allocated through 2006 (not including the $30 million from the Customer Credit Account) to the Emerging Renewables Program, over $98 million has been rebated for completed renewable energy installations. Remember that rebate amounts vary according to system size, technology and type of installation. Currently the Emerging Renewables Program (ERP) rebate level is $3.80 /watt for qualifying licensed contractor-installed solar photovoltaic, solar thermal electric and fuel cell (using a renewable fuel) systems (15% less for owner-installed systems). Wind energy systems sized 7.5 kW or less receive a rebate of $2.30/watt. For wind energy systems over 7.5 kW the rebate is $2.30 for the first 7.5 kW and $1.30/watt for increments above 7.5 kW up to 30 kW. Since the ERP rebate amount for licensed contractor-installed solar systems will be reduced to $3.60 (other renewable energy technologies such as wind will decline from the current rebate amounts) effective January 1, 2004, please check the California Energy Commission's website for current rebate levels, ERP updates and rebate application info: www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewable.

AstroPower vacates production facility as rumors of buyout grow - [photon-magazine] Amid speculation that all or part of AstroPower Inc. may be sold off, the PV cell and module manufacturer is vacating its new production facility in Newark, Delaware as a cost-saving measure. [Photo-Empty: The electricity from a 30 kW facade and 310 kW rooftop system is the only production taking place in this 14,280 m² facility since AstroPower decided to stop paying rent to save money.

The 14,280 m² building, once billed as having enough floor space to add 150 MW of production capacity, also served as the company's headquarters. Rent has been paid up through the end of September. According to Carl Young III, interim CEO of the cash-strapped cell and module manufacturer, the equipment and employees from its Executive Drive facility will be relocated to AstroPower's three other properties in Newark. Based on earlier AstroPower statements, the company had at least one cell and one module line in the building. Young, the managing director of Bridge Associates LLC, a crisis management firm brought in to turn AstroPower's fortunes around after it was delisted from the Nasdaq high-tech stock market in July for failure to file financial reports, did not comment on whether AstroPower still owned the equipment or if the lines would be put back into operation. He would only say that the relocation was one of the »critical steps« to »align the company with its current operations.«. more in Photon Magazine 2003.9.26

Events

Fall Course: Photovoltaic System Design and Installation - Diablo Valley College -Pleasant Hill, CA - Teacher Tom Chatagnier continues his very affordable classes on renewable energy. Fall Schedule: Oct 25 - Dec 13 Saturdays 8:30 am - 2:30 pm www.dvc.edu (search under Alt technologies) for info and registration or 925/685-1230 x 2522

10/23 Photovoltaics in San Francisco - Lecture & Moscone Center Tour -Fred Schwartz, Manager of Renewable and Advanced Generation for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, will talk about the city's goal to transform San Francisco into the country's largest municipal generator of solar power and other renewable energy. Fred will also talk about the permitting process. Wally McQuat, a consultant to the city, will talk about financing PV's. The event is Thursday, October 23rd. Meet at PG&E's Pacific Energy Center, 851 Howard Street, at 5:30 pm for a tour of Moscone's PV's, followed by Fred and Wally's lecture at 7:30.
Refreshments provided after the tour. This event is $4.00 for AIA members. Please RSVP by October 15, 2003 and send name, company, phone, email and AIA membership information to info@usgbc-ncc.org. Include PV RSVP in the subject line. This is a joint event by COTE, AEE, and USGBC. Two CEU credits are available.

10/21&10/22 Paul Gipe: Developing Wind Power [San Francisco] October 21 (Tuesday, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm) Author Paul Gipe presents a concise overview of worldwide wind development. He takes participants from the Great Plains to the shores of Galicia, and from Italy to Denmark. His presentation touches on how wind energy has come of age as a commercial generating technology, why it is growing so dramatically, where and how it is being used, its environmental benefits and impacts, and how wind energy is compatible with most existing land uses. Gipe also provides tips on how to design wind turbines and wind power plants to minimize their visual intrusion. A day-long workshop is offered on 10/22. Pacific Energy Center - San Francisco. register online or call 415-973-2277 Free.

10/23 Basics of Photovoltaic Electric Systems [San José] - Darren Bouton of Kema-Xenergy will cover the fundamentals of photovoltaic systems, including the benefits and costs associated with PV, financial incentive programs, and case-study examples for system siting, sizing, and design issues. He will discuss residential and commercial PV applications. Time: 9-3pm. Free. register online or call 415-973-2277

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