In This Issue

Next California Solar Initiative Public Forum: January 17, 2008

Program Handbook Reissued; Streamlines Application, Establishes Non-PV

California Public Utilities Commission Establishes Incentives for Non-PV Technologies

January 2008 Opens with High Solar MW Reservations

Marketing Spotlight

FREE Statewide Solar Courses and Workshops Held Monthly

Rahus Institute Hosts Series of Solar Events

Call for Photos of CSI-Funded Solar Systems


Useful Links

California Center for Sustainable Energy

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Southern California Edison

California Public Utilities Commission 

California state solar incentive Web site

CSI Handbook

 Greetings Amy,

What a terrific new year for solar energy in California. Since the California Solar Initiative launched one year ago, the program has received over 7,000 applications representing about 185 MW of clean, renewable energy. The Program Administrators—CCSE, PG&E and SCE, as well as the CPUC—wish you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2008. Go solar!
 

Next California Solar Initiative Public Forum: January 17, 2008

PG&E will host the next quarterly California Solar Initiative Public Forum on January 17, 2008 from 10:00am-4:30pm at its San Francisco headquarters at 245 Market Street (click here for map and directions.) The Public Forums are designed to provide opportunities for interested parties to identify and discuss top-priority issues related to the California Public Utilities Commission’s portion of the California Solar Initiative program administration and implementation.
>> view the 1/17/08 Public Forum Agenda

Program Handbook Reissued; Streamlines Application, Establishes Non-PV

On January 11, 2008, The California Public Utilities Commission reissued the updated California Solar Initiative Program Handbook. The revised edition reflects numerous changes to the program as a result of Commission Decisions and advice letters filed by the Program Administrators, most notably in streamlining measures to the application process and the establishment of non-PV incentives. This edition of the Program Handbook is in effect as the only CPUC-approved Program Handbook until modified again by the CPUC.
>> view the current Program Handbook

California Public Utilities Commission Establishes Incentives for Non-PV Technologies

On December 20, 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission established California Solar Initiative incentives for eligible non-photovoltaic technologies. The Resolution approves revisions to the California Solar Initiative Program Handbook, establishing eligibility, estimation, measurement, and metering requirements for non-PV solar projects. Incentives are extended to two distinct types of technologies: electric generating solar thermal, including dish stirling, solar trough, and concentrating solar technologies, as well as non-photovoltaic technologies that displace electricity, including solar water heating, solar forced air heating, and solar cooling or air conditioning.
>> view the press release
>> view the Resolution

January 2008 Opens with High Solar MW Reservations

December, 2007 saw solid advances in all three California Solar Initiative territories.  In San Diego, CCSE broke the region's all-time CSI application record in December with just over 1/2 MW of residential solar system applications and reservations, moving from Step 2 to Step 3. The other two Program Administrators are moving close to Step 5 in their non-residential incentives. In December alone, PG&E customers applied for over 20 MW; SCE is quickly approaching a Step 5 advance as well, and like the other PAs, reports little or no backlog. “This says a lot about the high-quality of the applications themselves,” says CCSE’s CSI Project Manager John Supp. CCSE granted reservations to 90% of the applications it received for processing. Recent Program Handbook changes have streamlined the application process for the California Solar Initiative.
>> view the Statewide Trigger Tracker data in its entirety. 

Marketing Spotlight

Look for bill inserts from Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison that promote the California Solar Initiative. The California Center for Sustainable Energy sent out mailers in December to targeted customers in San Diego Gas & Electric territory.

FREE Statewide Solar Courses and Workshops Held Monthly

Each month, the Program Administrators host free training courses and workshops for installers and consumers interested in leaning more about solar systems and the California Solar Initiative program. The courses cover a range of topics and are taught by experienced and knowledgeable solar energy experts. For schedules and registration information, contact the Program Administrator in your region or utility service territory:
>> click here PG&E customers and regional installers
>> click here San Diego Gas and Electric customers and regional installers
>> click here Southern California Edison customers and installers

Rahus Institute Hosts Series of Solar Events

The Rahus Institute will host a series of solar forums on February 1, 2008 in Riverside and February 8, 2008 in Pleasant Hill. [Note, this is not the same as California Solar Initiative Public Forum.] 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. Topics to be presented include: Current status of statewide incentive programs, power purchase agreements, new performance assessment tools, solar hot water market development, training/education developments, K12 education, new gear for the new year, legislation review... and more. Admission is FREE, but registration is required.
>> click here to register

Call for Photos of CSI-Funded Solar Systems

Calling all shutterbugs! The CSI program is looking for photos of solar systems installed under the CSI program. The program may use the photos in the next newsletter or other CSI-related publicity.

When submitting solar PV system photos, please provide the following: name of photographer; name of installer, seller, or system owner; system size and location; and full permission to use photo in CSI related publicity.
>> submit your photos (or preferably a link to online photos) to the CPUC newsletter team

Mark Your Calendar

CSI Public Forum
January 17, 2008
PG&E Auditorium
245 Market St.,
San Francisco, CA
>> directions
>> click here to submit a topic suggestion you would like to have covered in the forum Q&A.

Rahus Institute Solar Forum
The Rahus Institute will host two forums covering a range of topics within the the private and public sectors, including new solar trends and technologies.

Feb 1, 2008
Riverside Convention Center
3443 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
>> directions

Feb 8, 2008
Diablo Valley College
200 Viking Drive.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(LOT3, Forum room in Library Building)
>> directions

>> click here to register

CADER Conference
January 30- February 1, 2008
San Diego, CA

The California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources (CADER) will hold its 2008 conference in San Diego Jan 30-Feb 1. This year’s theme is “Turning On Distributed Energy Resources” and will feature a headline address by State Senator Christine Kehoe as well as a diverse speaker lineup.
>> CADER Conference

Solar 2008
May 3-8, 2008
San Diego, CA

Catch the Clean Energy Wave! Come witness the growing movement towards renewable energy as a key component in climate recovery, a strong and healthy economy, and a secure energy future.
>> Solar 2008


Solar Power 2008
October 13-16, 2008
San Diego, CA

Heads-up: Booths are virtually sold out, so don’t wait to register your firm!
>> Solar Power 2008

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