For immediate release: December 19, 2001
Media Contact: Percy Della -
916-654-4989
California Puts Power into the Hands of People, Announces 1,000th
Installation
of Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Sacramento -- The California Energy Commission has announced the 1,000th
solar photovoltaic (PV) system purchased and installed under a rebate
program benefiting Californians who want to generate their own
electricity from renewable sources.
The Commission's Renewable Energy Program reached the milestone on
October 23, 2001, when a rebate was processed for a 3,300-watt solar PV
system placed on the roof of Scott Horton's home in Sonora. Mr. Horton
received a State rebate of over $15,000, slashing his net total cost for
the PV project to about $18,000.
Mr. Horton invested in a PV system for his home to cut his electricity
bill. "One of the nicest things about having this PV system is that my
electricity bill dropped from $130 a month to about $5 in the first
month," he said.
Horton said his dad's eyes light up each time he watches the meter run
backwards when the system produces more electricity than the home needs.
Rebates for Californians wishing to literally put power into their own
hands are available from the Energy Commission's Emerging Renewables
Buydown Program. The rebates apply to solar photovoltaics, small wind
systems (10 kilowatt or less), fuel cells using renewable fuels and
solar thermal electric generation systems. All types of electricity
customers of PG&E, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric
and Bear Valley Electric Co. are eligible. Participating systems must
remain connected to the electric grid.
People wanting to produce their own "green" electricity receive rebates
of $4.50 a watt, or up to 50 percent off an eligible renewable system's
purchase price, whichever is lower. System owners also can apply for
state and federal tax credits for their systems.
While funding for larger systems has run out, about $27 million is still
available for smaller systems, primarily residential or small commercial
projects.
"We hope that in January the Legislature will enact legislation to
continue with this valuable program for at least another five years,"
said Energy Commissioner Michal (spelling correct) Moore. Dr. Moore
presides over the Commission's Electricity and Natural Gas Committee and
is the overseer for the Renewable Energy Program.
The Program started in 1998. The 1,000 solar systems installed since
then are capable of producing over 4,000 kilowatts (or four megawatts)
of electricity from clean, renewable sources like the sun. Combined with
other renewable energy technologies like fuel cells and small wind
systems installed under the Program, total installed capacity is now
almost five megawatts.
The Commission has approved an additional 2,000 rebate reservations for
projects that can generate 11 megawatts of electricity. The majority of
the systems are solar photovoltaic, but small wind and fuel cell systems
are also installed under the Program. A megawatt is enough electricity
to power 1,000 average California homes.
A typical PV system converts the sun's energy into direct current (DC),
runs it through an inverter, and turns it into alternating current (AC),
used by the majority of household appliances and electrical systems. The
AC power either flows into the house or, if not needed, into the
electric utility's transmission lines.
The system generally produces an excess amount of power on summer days,
which is passed on to the grid under a Ônet metering' agreement with the
utility, and turning an electricity meter backwards. Electricity is
drawn from the grid in the evening and often during wintertime days when
the system does not produce as much electricity as the home or business
needs.
During 2001 when California faced its current electricity crisis,
Program activity increased over ten-fold, from about 30 to 500 rebate
reservations every month.
For more information, contact the Energy Commission at 1-800-555-7794 or click on:
www.consumerenergycenter.org
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