The California Solar Initiative
December 9, 2008 by admin
Filed under California Solar Initiative, Resources
A Decade of Support for Solar
The California Solar Initiative is part of the Go Solar California campaign and builds on 10 years of state solar rebates offered to customers in California’s investor-owned utility territories: Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E.) The California Solar Initiative is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Since 1998, rebates for small solar energy systems were managed under the Emerging Renewables Program (ERP) at the California Energy Commission. In 2001, a second program that covered rebates for larger systems–over 30 kW–was assigned to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).
In August 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger affirmed his support for solar energy, and announced the Million Solar Roofs program.
In January 2006, the CPUC collaborated with the Energy Commission to develop the framework of the California Solar Initiative Program through 2016.
In January 2007, the State of California launched Go Solar California, which included two new solar incentive programs, with slightly modified program requirements compared to the older programs. The Energy Commission provides incentives to energy efficient new home construction under the New Solar Homes Partnership. All other facilities in investor-owned utility territories receive rebates from the CPUC-administered program, the California Solar Initiative.
The new framework also included a major shift in the way solar incentives were calculated - away from a system that funded solar incentives based only on nameplate capacity and towards one where incentive levels are based on performance factors such as installation angle, tilt, and location. This performance framework ensures that California is generating clean solar energy and rewarding systems that can provide maximum solar generation.
New Federal Tax Credits For Solar Installations
November 29, 2008 by editor
Filed under Resources, Solar Tax Credits
On October 3, 2008 H.R.1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was passed. Division B of this bill includes the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. This landmark legislation extends critical Federal Investment Tax Credits for solar customers and other renewable energy projects. This bill contains $18 billion in incentives for clean and renewable energy technologies, as well as for energy efficiency improvements.
See the entire bill, including Division B: Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.
As part of this legislation, the solar investment tax credit (ITC) has been extended for 8 years through December 31, 2016. Here are the key provisions of the ITC: Read more
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Interconnects 25,000th Net Metered Solar Customer in Northern and Central California
October 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under Resources, Solar News
Utility’s 25,000 Solar Interconnections Make up Almost Half of Nation’s Customer-Owned Solar
SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas and Electric Company today celebrated the 25,000th net metered solar interconnection in its northern and central California service area, representing almost half of the nation’s customer-owned solar. Net energy metering allows eligible renewable customers to offset the cost of their electric usage with energy they export to the power grid. The 25,000th PG&E net metered solar customer, David Bower, is also part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) program. To encourage customer investment in solar, PG&E provides rebate incentives that will total $4,500 for a system that supplies 2.4 kilowatts (kW) of power to Bower’s home.
P. G. & E. Bright Ideas Grants for California Solar Schools Program
September 1, 2008 by editor
Filed under Resources, Solar Programs
The PG&E Solar Schools Program will award up to $250,000 in grants to schools with Bright Ideas. The program is designed to support the understanding of renewable energy in public schools throughout northern and central California.
- Qualifying schools may apply for grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to be used for innovative classroom and extracurricular programs that further the universe of solar science.
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Past winners have explored solar cooking projects and created solar gardens to harness the sun’s energy. This grant is limited only by one’s imagination!
Who Should Apply
- K-12 public schools in underserved communities, or those in rural communities that have limited access to solar curriculum.
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Community colleges are eligible to apply for Bright Ideas Grants.-new
Requirements
- Schools chosen to receive a “Bright Ideas Grant” are asked to designate who they would like to attend the solar teacher training workshop provided by the PG&E Solar Schools Program.
- A final report of grant activities, including photos and documentation, is due one year after the receipt of the grant.
Reports should be sent to:
Mary Spruill
NEED Project
8408 Kao Circle
Manassas, Virginia 20110
Grant Application
Register and submit grant application online
Or print and send application (.pdf 390k)
- Spring Entries: Applications are due March 20. Winners will be announced in April.
- Fall Entries: Applications are due September 20. Winners will be announced in October.
California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards Training 2008/2009
TITLE 24 / 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards Training
By clicking on the company names listed below, you will be linked directly to their website which lists training opportunities for the 2008/2009 Residential and Nonresidential Energy Efficiency Building Standards. The websites include dates, locations and contact information for classes offered. Please contact them directly for registration information.
Contact Nelson Peña at www.npena@energy.state.ca.us or Beverly Duffy at www.duffy@energy.state.ca.us at the Energy Commission if you have additional training opportunities you would like to have listed on this site.
Read more
S.F. Supervisors OK City Solar Incentive Program
June 4, 2008 by admin
Filed under Resources, Solar News
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an ordinance establishing a Solar Energy Incentive Program to encourage the addition of 35 megawatts of solar power in the city over the next ten years.
The program allocates $2 to $5 million of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission funds per year over the next 10 years that residents and builders can use toward installation of solar power on their homes and office buildings.
San Francisco’s program is designed to piggyback on other solar incentives available from the state and federal government.
