News for October 28, 2003

Dutch team car Nuna II wins the World Solar Challenge in Australia

CSC November Solar Forum - Anaheim. November 20th - Information on recent California solar and renewable energy legislation (AB 1685), program updates (CEC, SelfGen etc.), special projects, installer certification, solar schools, challenges for the future, and an opportunity to network with others involved in the solar industry.. Hosted by The Rahus Institute/California Solar Center and Anaheim Public Utilities. time: 11-5:30. Pre-registration required

City pulls plug on man's solar venture [Redding]

LGC & Navigant Team to Assist Cities/Counties Implement Community Choice Law [AB 117]

Solar expert Howard Wenger spoke to a full house about
how to bring Photovoltaics into the Mainstream,
at the Pacific Energy Center (San Francisco) on Tuesday (10/28).

Shell Solar installs world's largest CIS PV array on own Manufacturing Facility [Camarillo, CA]

NABCEP Completes it's Inaugral National Certification Exam for Solar PV Installers

Governor Howard Dean Presents Renewable Energy Plan

New laws reshape, fuel solar power growth [Sacramento]

EMCORE Awarded Solar Panel Contract for Satellite Program [City of Industry, CA]

Dutch team wins solar car challenge [Australia]

La-Z-Boy Retail Store Sitting Pretty with New PV System [Rancho Cordova, CA]

Manteca's bright idea: Solar power

PowerLight Recognized on Inc. 500 List

IN BRIEF

Seen and Heard at the UPEx conference - The UPEx Solar Electric Conference was an intriguing place to be early in October. Here are a few of my notes...Spheral Solar (the descendant of the Texas Instruments endeavor of a decade ago) is near commercialization. Small silicon beads combine on a mesh fabric to make a flexible solar module. Several new inverters are coming on the market. The Sunvista from Sharp Solar, and PVI series from Solectria serve the residential market, while Ballard has a new 75kW inverter available for larger systems. Scott Sklar described the emerging market for Homeland Security infrastructure enhancement and how standalone solar systems can help power the critical communications and barriers devices for this $2-6Billion nationwide effort. RPS, Green tags, and production incentives were part of several discussions. In Massachusetts, a new incentive program pays per kWh over 3 years, while in Chelan County, Washington, PV systems owners receive between $1.20 to $1.50 per kWh! for their power. Never a dull moment, next year's conference will be in San Francisco. To learn more about SEPA visit their website. For California, be sure to attend the California Solar Center's Solar Forum in Anaheim on November 20th, 2003.

Community College to install 1 MW of PV- RFP issued [Ridgecrest, CA] - 2003.10.14 - Cerro Coso Community College of Ridgecrest, California is proud to announce the development of a one Megawatt Photovoltaic Field. The Addington Partnership of Bakersfield is the Project Architect and Project Designer. The field will be located on campus and will reduce campus electrical consumption via net-metering with Southern California Edison (SCE). SCE is graciously providing the seed incentive that makes the project financially feasible. The remainder of the project funds are from local bond sales. The project is situated to allow for a developing PV instruction program on campus. General project design consists of 6.5 acres of ground mounted modules and a free-standing concrete block building that will house the inverters, distribution equipment and allows for student laboratory space. The building is sized for a 50% PV future expansion. The project is currently out to bid to qualified contractors. The system is projected to begin operation early second quarter 2004. Contact: Kevin Cobb -The Addington Partnership, (661) 327-1690 3434 Truxtun Avenue, Suite #240 Bakersfield, CA 93301

San Franciso issues RFP for 2nd Solar Project - Following on the heels of a successful Mosone Center solar+efficiency project, Ed Smeloff announced, at the Pacific Energy Center on Tuesday (10/28) to a packed crowd celebrating the passage of AB 1685, a second project for ~ 260kW of Photovoltaics on a SF wastewater facility. The RFP is due to be posted online later this week.

CPUC Self Generation Program Impact Evaluation Report online - The CPUC Self Generation Program (administered by PG&E, SCE, SDREO and So Cal Gas), which provides rebates for PV systems larger than 30kW in California, has posted 2 program evaluation reports online.

NST Awarded Contract for 150 Solar Powered Bus Stops [San Diego] - National Solar Technologies (NST), a renewable lighting and power systems manufacturer from Upstate New York, has been awarded a contract with North San Diego County Transportation District to manufacture and install 150 solar powered bus stop lighting systems at bus stops across the Northern portion of San Diego County. The award came after a very competitive bid process between other nationally known solar lighting manufacturers. The solar powered bus stop lighting systems will be installed over the next 8 months at both sheltered and non-shelter bus stops. "Keeping the solar lighting systems easy to operate, maintain and most of all built to last, are the key guidelines for a product that will meet the requirements of our customers and also meet the needs of their customers that utilize the bus stop lighting systems," said Paul Vargovich, Jr., Sales Engineer at National Solar Technologies. National Solar Technologies manufactures renewable lighting and power systems for a multitude of applications. These include portable power systems, commercial power systems, street lighting, parking lot lighting, area/walkway lighting, flood lighting and custom-engineered lighting and power systems. NST is a GSA Contractor that provides its products and services throughout the US Federal Government. [source: press release 2003.10.20]

Xantrex Offers SunTie XR/AEI Inverter Exchange Program - Xantrex Technology Inc. says that it is offering a product exchange program for home owners and renewable energy (RE) dealers unable to obtain warranty and repair support for the Advanced Energy Inc. (AEI) GC1000 inverter. AEI filed for bankruptcy in 2002. For $1,250 US, qualified homeowners and RE dealers can exchange a AEI GC 1000 inverter in any condition for a new Xantrex SunTie XR 5.0. The package includes a rain shield, a five-year warranty and shipping. The package has a retail value of $2,884 US. The exchange program represents savings of approximately $1,600 US for qualified participants and is being offered to homeowners with installed AEI GC1000s and dealers with AEI GC1000 inverters in stock. "When installed equipment breaks and the original manufacturer is unable to provide warranty and repair support it puts everyone in a tough spot," said Lloyd Gomm, Xantrex director of marketing operations. "We feel that offering this product exchange program is a way to support homeowners, RE dealers and our industry's reputation." Retrofitting a SunTie XR 5.0 for an AEI GC 1000 inverter will be relatively straightforward for installers since both products are 48-volt nominal input inverters. In addition, the SunTie XR 5.0 has a significantly higher power level and provides homeowners with flexibility to expand their system by installing additional modules. Further information about: The Exchange Program or Xantrex Customer Service at 1-800-670-0707 [source: press release 2003.10.21]

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

11/20 Solar Forum - California Solar Center [Anaheim] - Information on recent California solar and renewable energy legislation (AB 1685), program updates (CEC, SelfGen etc.), special projects, installer certification, solar schools, challenges for the future, and an opportunity to network with others involved in the solar industry. Learn about new products developed through the PIER (CEC Research progam), GIS analysis tools for identifying prime customers, Powerful new custom quote tool for your clients, A new Consumers Report type of evaulate of PV systems, new activities of the Solar Schoolhouse program, and a discussion about bringing solar into the mainstream. Co-sponsored by The Rahus Institute/California Solar Center and Anaheim Public Utilities -Time: 11-5:30pm. Pre-registration required.

11/3 to 12/12/03 PV Design Online Education - Solar Energy International (SEI) has been teaching a Photovoltaic Design Online course as a part of it’s RENEWABLE ENERGY EDUCATION PROGRAM for over 5 years. This course has been a great success in teaching individuals about PV Design and continues to evolve each year. We have recently added additional webpages, video and audio clips, and have expanded our grid-tie section to include both battery-less and battery backed up systems. The course is comprehensive, challenging and comparable to the classroom portion of our on-site workshops. The PV Design Online course allows people to learn about this technology at their own pace, without having to travel to an on-site workshop. In this way, SEI hopes to reach more people seeking to make practical use of the planet’s abundant renewable energy resources. This six-week Internet course focuses on the practical and economical design of photovoltaic power systems which are independent of the utility grid and those that ! are grid-tied. This course will be useful to the person seeking employment in the solar energy industry as well as the person seeking to apply solar electricity for his or her own use. Instructor: Justine Sanchez Pre-registration is required. 970.963.8855.

11/22 Solar Electric Info & Payback [Campbell] - 10am to noon. Campbell Library, Community Room, 77 Harrison Ave, Campbell. A free class on Solar Electric Information for persons wishing to learn the practical realities of modern solar electric systems. The latest economic analysis will be presented to demonstrate the financial payback of PV systems for PG&E utility users. Install tips will be shared. Time will be alotted to answer your PV solar questions! RSVP recommended. For more info contact Kurt Newick, 408-370-9636, KurtNewick@yahoo.com. Presented by Kurt Newick, Solar Advocate, and Andy Black, Solar Financial Specialist & Educator.

More Events