2002 Consumer Education Subaccount Projects

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
2002 Consumer Education Subaccount
Program Opportunity Notice Grant Solicitation for
Renewable Energy Consumer Education Program
(Grants Approved August 28, 2002)

Project Descriptions Below

Company Name	Project Title (description)	Contact Name s Phone/Email	Funding Requested	Match Fund	Project Duration
Scott Alan Cronk	Sonny & Friends (School) — A children's educational video series for TV, the Internet and schools. The video will educate children ages 8 — 14 on renewable energy topics. It will be available in English and Spanish languages. Ten short (30 seconds to 2 minutes) educational videos will be produced and distributed.	Scott Cronk 707-546-6919 scott@ebike.net	$75,840	$88,740 (117%)	12 months
The Rahus Institute	Solar Schoolhouse (School) — Facilitate installation of PV systems at schools and provide hands-on curriculum through teacher training workshops.	Tor Allen 925-370-7262 tor@rahus.org	$99,500	$115,000 (116%)	October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003
American Wind Energy Association	Small Wind Turbine County Siting Outreach (Public Entity) — Develop and distribute a small wind siting handbook that focuses on educating county officials, staff and consumers about identifying appropriate locations for small wind turbines and addressing permitting and zoning issues to help overcome siting barriers.	Heather Rhoads-Weaver 206-328-2441 smallwind@awea.org	$49,696	$17,782 (36%)	October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003
Energy Solutions	ReNew Construction (New Construction) — Provide generic and customized information about renewable electricity options to developers, architects and engineers in the project planning or design stage. Develop a "Renewable Energy New Construction Tool Kit", two case studies, provide technical assistance to design projects, brochure and outreach campaign aimed at Green Building design professionals.	Terry O'Sullivan 510-482-4420 terry@energy-solution.com	$100,000	$126,991 (127%)	October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003
Real Goods Solar Living Institute	Solar Living Institute Installer Training Program (New Construction) — Educate electricians in solar installations focusing on contractors targeting those involved with affordable housing agencies and organizations and the development of low-income housing. Hold classes all over California.	Russell Sewell 707-744-1527 russell.sewell@rgisl.org	$85,167	$57,775 (68%)	September 1, 2002 to August 30, 2003
Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation	Reducing Energy Costs Roof By Roof: PV for the Non-profit and Cooperative Affordable Housing Industry (Events) — Produce a workshop and solar tours for non-profit housing industry professionals. Develop a booklet that will provide the attendees information on how to successfully include renewable technology in their development and redevelopment projects.	Cathy Murnighan 530-753-2667 murnighan@attbi.net	$14,803	$8,010 (54%)	November 1, 2002 to October 30, 2003
Global Possibilities	Solar Home Tour 2002 (Event) — Host the Solar Home Tour in Los Angeles area. Attendees include consumers, architects, designers, environmental organizations, builders, contractors and developers.	Carolyn Ward 310-656-1970 carolyn@globalpossibilities.org	$14,802	$14,350 (97%)	12 months
Scott Alan Cronk	CalEnergy.org (Advertising) — Enhancement of the established internet website. Develop new information and related tools. Modify Contractor database, enhance photo gallery, and improve navigation and graphics. The website will be advertised through Internet, television (FOX40) and media/public relations.	Scott Cronk 707-546-6919 scott@calenergy.org	$53,010	$57,040 (108%)	12 months
TOTAL			$492,818	$485,688 (99%)

Project Descriptions & Project Status

AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION

Updated: October 9, 2003

Project started in December 2002.

On February 4, 2003 a draft outline for the Small Wind Turbine Siting Handbook was circulated to team members.

On February 6th a team kick-off teleconference meeting was held to discuss the draft outline and to develop an outreach plan.

On February 18th a white paper was developed to present to participants at events for permitting officials.

On February 25th a targeted list of county officials and their contact information was developed.

On March 6 a preliminary list of targeted counties for the outreach program was developed.

An outreach plan was delivered on March 17, 2003, which outlines a plan for mailing a copy of the handbook to select county officials and for presenting the handbook at numerous events throughout California.

On March 19, 2003 a survey was disseminated to permitting officials to better understand the barriers to permitting small wind turbines.

Sections of the Handbook were developed by various team members. Graphic design staff began developing design and layout ideas and collecting graphics for the Handbook.

The Handbook outline was re-designed on April 11, 2003.

A draft Handbook was distributed to team members and the review committee on April 16, and members were requested to provide feedback by April 30, 2003.

Six case studies were distributed to the review committee on May 9. These will be incorporated into the Handbook at a later date.

AWEA will premier a draft of the Handbook to attendees at Windpower 2003, an annual wind energy conference and exhibition held in Austin, Texas on May 18-21. AWEA will accept pre-publication requests for the Handbook.

The AWEA staff gave a presentation on AB 1207 and promoting its upcoming handbook to a workshop sponsored by the Local Government Commission on May 15 in Santa Monica and to a meeting of county planners on May 16 in Monterey.

AWEA submitted its first quarterly report to the Energy Commission on May 21.

The handbook, titled Permitting Small Wind Turbines: A Handbook. Learning from the California Experience, was finalized and printed in September 2003. The handbook can be found online at www.awea.org and hardcopies can be obtained by calling the Energy Commission's call center toll free at (800) 555-7794.

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Updated: July 21, 2003

Project started on September 24, 2002.

Energy Solutions, together with their subcontractor The Rahus Institute, made a presentation at the Buildex Expo at the Bill Graham Civic Center in San Francisco in November 2002 about the RE-New Construction program. The presentation was aimed at nonresidential developers and designers. The workshop addressed the benefits of designing an energy efficient commercial building in new construction and renovation including a topic on photovoltaic systems.

An Implementation Plan was developed for the program which includes an overview of the project process and a description of how the RE-New program interfaces with Oakland's Energy Efficiency Design Assistance (EEDA) and the Berkeley's Best Builder (BBB) program.

The Marketing Plan was delivered in December 2002 and included outreach strategies for bringing participants into the RE-New program and for publicizing the program's products.

A Quarterly Report was submitted which included tasks and products completed through December 2002.

During the first quarter of 2003, Energy Solutions enrolled five design projects, one in Berkeley, and the remainders in Oakland. All projects are new construction, which includes (4) multifamily and (1) education facilities. Four preliminary feasibility studies were provided and direct design assistance was conducted to four design projects. A fifth project team requested an analysis of pre-engineered photovoltaic kits for PV product comparison and evaluation of impacts of different roof orientation.

A marketing brochure was developed and printed. The design included about a dozen photos illustrating ways that PV systems can be incorporated into building design. It was distributed in January and February 2003 and was placed in Oakland's permit center and Oakland and Berkeley's Green Resource Center. It was mailed to 25 new construction projects of Oakland's City Planning. Oakland's EEDA program announced the RE-New Construction program in their new brochure and used direct mail to send it to 2200+ developers, property managers, architects and other local design team members.

In March 2003, a conference call meeting was conducted with Energy Commission and Energy Solutions' project manager and web design team and discussed the proposed development of a web-based RE-New Construction Tool Kit. The kit will be a collection of effective design tools to help designers, builders, developers, and contractors in incorporating renewable electricity systems into a construction design. This kit will be available from the Energy Commission website.

Energy Solutions continue to recruit strategic partners for their outreach list, which includes Green Clips and Green Affordable Housing. Partners will be asked to distribute brochures and install website links to the Tool Kit's web location.

A Quarterly Report was submitted which included program highlights, outreach efforts, and products and services completed for the period January to March 2003.

In April 2003, the RE-New Construction program developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a design-build PV system for a 90-unit housing development in Oakland. This proposal will provide PV systems for the 20-40 units that have the best solar access. The proposal's major features include individually metered systems, roof-mounted on south and west facing roofs, and preference for pre-engineered systems. This RFP will be a major feature of the RE-New Construction Tool Kit.

Another program participant has committed to and fund-raised for a 10kW solar system. This participant used the results of a RE-New Construction evaluation to instigate a successful $50,000 fundraising effort to incorporate PV in a new campus for an independent school in Berkeley. The program team developed a design-build RFP and the school received three bids. The RE-New Construction team will provide review and assistance during the project's selection process. This will also appear as part of the RE-New Construction Tool kit on the Energy Commission website.

The sixth program participant was enrolled in April 2003. It's a 100,000 sq. ft. Commercial + possible housing project in Oakland. The RE-New Construction team gave a brief presentation on site and provided design assistance and tool kit.

Two case studies have been identified out of the 6 program participants enrolled. They are the 90-unit housing development in Oakland and the elementary/middle school in Berkeley. Both projects have agreed to be the subject of the case studies for the RE-New Construction program. The case studies will be posted on the Energy Commission website as part of the Tool Kit. The focus of the case studies will be on what their decision-making process was like and what tools they used. The projects will describe a broad range of issues on decision-making about PV in new construction setting.

The following table is the status of each of the program's participants:

	Project Description	Status
1	30-unit multifamily project with minor retail	Zoning permit approved with possible PV included. Project on hold; change in ownership negotiations underway
2	Elementary and middle school campus	$50K fundraising was completed for PV. Design build solicitation developed and sent out
3	90-unit Live+Work townhouses	Project schedule delayed while other issues resolved; Design build contractors hired; PV RFP under review
4	100-unit multifamily condominium project; seven buildings	Project contact has left developer company; unable to establish new contact to determine project status or attitude toward PV study
5	87-unit multifamily lofts project; seven buildings	Same project contact and developer as above
6	100,000 sq. ft. commercial + possible housing	Project is delayed; future status is uncertain

During the second quarter of 2003, the program's problem has been adjusting to the uncertainties of the current new construction market. Most projects enrolled have been slowed, delayed, or have drifted into uncertain status. Commercial sector has been particularly hard hit due to historic commercial real estate vacancy rates in some Bay Area locations. Although these changes will not impact the program's ability to develop key project deliverables, the project team expects to stay in touch with the slowed down but still active projects.

REAL GOODS SOLAR LIVING INSTITUTE

Updated: September 18, 2003

Project started on October 1, 2002

In December 2002, a list of instructors and 22 class locations were identified and confirmed for the solar installation classes. A draft copy of the curriculum and marketing materials were also submitted for review and comment.

A Quarterly Report for the months of October through December 2002 was submitted in January 2003.

In February 2003, the Institute's workshop catalog was mailed to approximately 54,000 people in the residential and businesses sectors including at least 20,000 names on the California Electrical Contractor's mailing list. The catalog was the primary marketing vehicle for the solar installation classes, which will be held all over California from March through August 2003. Other marketing materials include PSA announcements for print and radio media, and flyer templates advertising classes in specific areas. Information about the class was also available on the Institute's website. A press release was written and will be more widely circulated in the second quarter of 2003. An advertisement was created for Home Power Magazine and will run two times in the April/May and June/July 2003 issues. The goal of this program was to educate at least 330 contractors.

During the first quarter of 2003, approximately 225 students have registered for the Solar Installer training classes. 42 are affiliated with affordable housing. Demonstration equipment was designed and constructed for use in all classes. The equipment is comprised of materials and tools commonly used by installers for a PV installation; to further illustrate the course material and concepts covered in a class.

In March 2003, a total of 103 students attended the one-day training classes that took place in Hopland (34 students), San Jose (40 students), Lodi (12 students) and Sacramento (17 students). Excellent feedback was received on the instructor's level of knowledge and presentation style, as well as the course curriculum. Course evaluation forms were provided to each student at each class to assess the results of the program. Evaluations for the classes held in the first quarter of 2003 indicated that students were pleased with the course manual, the Solar Living Institute Sourcebook and other materials that students took home. Students were also pleased that the demonstration equipment was available as a visual learning tool.

A Quarterly Report for the months of January through March 2003 was submitted in April 2003.

In April 2003, four one-day classes were held in Anaheim, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Oxnard.

In May 2003, three classes were conducted in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Hopland.

In June 2003, three classes were scheduled in San Francisco, San Bernardino and San Diego.

During the second quarter of 2003, about 149 have registered for the classes. Of those, 23 were affiliated with affordable housing.

A second catalog featuring the workshop classes which will be held from July through November 2003 was mailed out to approximately 50,000 people in June. Other ongoing PR efforts have included distribution of press releases and flyers, contact with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters throughout the state and outreach to building officials. Classes are featured on their website and newsletter and many energy-related websites and magazines.

Home Power Magazine will run an ad in its June/July 2003 issue about the classes. This was chosen as an especially appropriate marketing vehicle for these classes because of its primary focus on renewable energy topics and its "hands-on" clientele.

A Quarterly Report for the months of April through June 2003 was submitted in July 2003.

From July through August 2003, a total of eighty-nine students attended the class held in San Jose, Sacramento, Santa Monica, and Hopland.

Project is now complete and final. A total of 19 classes were held in the following cities: Hopland, San Francisco, San Jose, Lodi, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Oxnard, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Diego, with several locations hosting more than one class. Classes ran from March through August. A total of 413 students registered for one of the 19 classes held in various locations throughout California. More than half of all class attendees were either licensed contractors or electrical installers. Various groups collaborated with Real Goods Solar Living Institute including Bay Area Solar Consortium, Anaheim Public Utility, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, City of Lodi Electric Utility, Alameda County Waste Management Authority, Los Angeles Eco Village, City of Santa Monica Energy & Green Building Program, San Diego Regional Energy Office, Pacific Energy Center, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Due to the success and positive response of this project, the class has been added to the roster of classes held through the Institute's ongoing year-round Workshop Program.

A final report was submitted in September 2003. Project term ends October 1, 2003.

TWIN PINES COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION

Updated: February 17, 2004

Project started on November 1, 2002.

In November 2002, Twin Pines met with project team partners and created detailed work plan, assigned tasks, and identified resources available to reach the project objective. The project will produce a workshop and solar tour for non-profit housing industry professionals. Also, Twin Pines developed the promotion and publicity strategy. This strategy will be implemented through project partners.

In December 2002, project team developed the outline and content list for the PV Guide booklet. The goal of the booklet is to provide the knowledge needed for the non-profit housing industry to successfully include renewables technology in their development and redevelopment projects.

In February 2003, the draft booklet was completed and circulated for review and input among CEC project manager, non-profit housing industry and PV representatives. Also, a workshop outline was drafted and presenters are confirmed. Three tour locations were recruited for the conference.

A postcard was developed and 600 pieces were sent out in March 2003 to previous Housing Conference attendees in the PG&E territory.

A letter was mailed out in April 2003 to groups that have developments in northern California.

On April 17, 2003, copies of the deliverables including the booklet, housing workshop agenda, invitation letter, postcard and list of key contacts were submitted to CEC project manager.

On April 27, 2003, Twin Pines hosted a one-day workshop at the Sacramento Convention Center with solar tours in Davis in the afternoon. CEC staff spoke on the CEC rebate that applies to affordable housing industry. Solar tours included the Davis Food Co-op, Muir Commons Co-housing, and Homestead Affordable Cooperative Housing. Approximately 140 copies of the PV for Affordable and Cooperative Housing booklet were distributed to conference participants. About 430 copies were mailed to individuals and agencies who requested the booklet.

On April 29, 2003, an article titled "Davis cooperatives lead way in using alternative energy sources" appeared in the Davis Aggie News.

In May 2003, Twin Pines sent a letter and survey out to all the workshop and tour participants to request information about the impact of the program on their planning process. Results will be collected and tallied in July and shared in the final report in October.

A Quarterly Report for the months of April through June 2003 was submitted in July 2003.

A final report was submitted in February 2004. Work conducted during the third quarter of 2003 (July through September) was mostly administrative activity and assessment of the program. Several people requested more copies of the PV for Affordable Housing booklet during the third quarter. One attendee returned and completed the evaluation form. Three others provided feedback by phone. In general, the attendees appreciated the workshop and tour. They each requested further information about potential financing resources for their non-profit projects. They felt that the workshop and tour allowed them to expand their knowledge and promote PV.

SCOTT CRONK (ADVERTISING)

www.calenergy.org website
Updated: October 2003

Project began August 28, 2002; ended August 28, 2003. The intent of the project was to enhance the existing website:www.calenergy.org with a non-biased contractor database page developed for consumers in their selection process of experienced renewable energy contractor/installers. Other website features were added such as an online library and renewable energy education materials store. To advertise the new enhanced website: a Public Service Announcement (PSA) with Lee Iacocca (produced through a previous Consumer Education grant) was redistributed to California radio and TV stations; a :10 TV promo was produced and broadcast on a local Sacramento TV station; internet listings of the website using major search engines was expanded and more public/media relations efforts were heightened.

September-December 2002: Project team members and partners met to develop the content, database design and draft website maps for the website:

www.calenergy.org. The project team worked on development of criteria for screening and classifying installers and contractors of renewable energy systems. Various mechanisms and processes designed to administer customer satisfaction surveys were examined for establishing a customer rating system for renewable energy contractors. A website map and content outline were provided for Energy Commission review. The first Quarterly Status Report was submitted at the end of December.

January-April 2003: Website content and graphics developed and revised. Database programming completed. Customer Satisfaction Surveys designed and submitted for Energy Commission review. Pilot Survey tested by select group of contractors/installers. A "beta" version of the website produced for testing and feedback.

May 2003: Sacramento-based FOX-TV, Channel 40 produced a :10 second promo, advertising the website scheduled to air during Channel 40's news time for 6 weeks beginning May 26. Energy Commission reviewed "beta" version of website.

June 2003: Statewide 15 TV stations and 67 radio stations received a :15 second and :30 second PSA featuring Lee Iacocca (produced previously under a 2001 Consumer Education grant) and a self-addressed , stamped survey card requesting PSA broadcast information. The :10 second website promo began its 5 week run on FOX TV, Channel 40 on June 16 for a total of 99 run times. The webpages of the calenergy.org website continue to be submitted to major search engines to ensure ease of internet access. Four of 75 contractors who have accounts at Calenergy.org have achieved the ‘qualified’ status.

July-August 2003: Calenergy.org was one of the sponsors of the American Solar Energy Society's (ASES) solar home tour with a donation of 250 copies of the "This Renewable House" video distributed to the various event organizers nationwide. Eighty-two contractors (82) now are listed on the website with 9 of those having achieved "qualified" status. Twenty-four customer satisfaction surveys on the effectiveness of this enhanced website were received. From October 2002 through August 2003, the website experienced three times more the amount of website hits than generated by the previous website version in 2002.

SCOTT CRONK

"Sunny and Friends" educational video series
(SCHOOL OUTREACH)
Updated: October 2003

Project began August 28, 2002; extension approved for September 28, 2003 (original end date was August 28, 2003).

September-November 2002: Project team members and partners met to define the content, casting criteria and film locations for the renewable energy series of ten :30 videos produced in English and Spanish.

October-November 2002: Draft scripts and storyboards on 5 renewable energy sources: solar electric, solar thermal, wind, hydroelectric and biomass were developed, reviewed and finalized in the English version; Spanish version is in development. Animation of the Sunny and Friends characters is in the planning stage.

December 2002: All 5 renewable energy topics featuring project activities were filmed on location at La Jolla Elementary - (4^th graders) in La Jolla; West Marin Elementary School - (6^th graders) in Point Reyes and SMUD Energy Technology Center (6^th graders). First Quarterly Report submitted at the end of December.

January-February 2003: most of the English and Spanish voices are recorded. First
invoice submitted for expenses of pre-production and production of the videos.

March-April 2003: All voice-overs in English and Spanish have been recorded; animation for all 5 videos in post-production. Second invoice submitted.

May-June 2003: Energy Commission staff reviewed all 5 draft English versions of the videos. Spanish versions scheduled for completion in August. Samples of the video series presented at the American Solar Energy Society Forum in Austin, Texas in June.

July-August 2003: Spanish versions of the 5 videos are completed. Copies of the video series distributed at a National Energy Education Development (NEED) teacher workshop in August in Long Beach. During the workshop, a sample group of teachers were surveyed about the effectiveness and quality of the video series.

August 2003: Subcontractor Abuzz Media moved its offices to New Mexico prompting a request for a one month extension.

THE RAHUS INSTITUTE (SCHOOL OUTREACH))

Updated: October 2003

Project began October 1, 2002.

October-December 2002: In contact with schools about future fundraising opportunities through local government and other community-based organizations; and facilitating potential grant applications through the CEC's Solar Schools Program. Planned teacher training workshops and conducted 14. Participated in the "Growing Greener Schools Grounds Conference" sponsored by SF coalition of Green Schools with a booth and teacher packets of CEC information on renewable energy topics. Exhibited at the California State Teacher Association conference.

January-March 2003: First Quarterly Status Report submitted. Teacher workshops conducted: March 14 San Diego -"Solar Schools: PV as a Learning Tool" and March 15 Holtville - Teacher Training at Holtville High School. Continued to develop regional-based energy curriculum: Provided classroom instruction for solar-powered mural built by Emery High juniors and seniors which was on display at the Emeryville City Hall from March 4 - May 31, 2003. Instructed 3^rd graders at a Lodi elementary school on solar energy which resulted in incorporating solar energy power into the annual classroom activity of building a small community, EcoVillage. Worked with 5 Outdoor Environmental Education schools to test solar equipment and solar energy exercises designed for visiting 4-6 graders. Outfitted a Lodi schoolteacher with a solar toolkit for teaching science to schoolchildren in Malawi, Africa. Assisted in facilitating installation of 1.5 kW PV system at Walden West Outdoor school in Saratoga. Implemented equipment and operational improvements to solar technology Kit. Completed some elements of the new look of the website: www.solarschoolhouse.org. Work scheduled for an online solar energy tutorials with flash animation delayed until late summer. Integration of real-time data posting almost complete due to continued development on the manual upload feature for the Real-Time PV Performance Data Online Logging device. A new solar energy poster customizable for school usage at no charge is being developed for online usage.

April 2003: Conducted more teacher workshops in solar energy basics and utilization in science and other school curriculum - April 1 San Francisco - "Solar Schools: PV as a Learning Tool"; April 2 San Jose - Solar Schools: PV as a Learning Tool. Conducted written survey as well as debriefing of pilot Outdoor Environmental Education schools which tested solar energy education materials/activities. Also gave presentation to California Outdoor School Administrators (COSA) group which elicited rave reviews by Walden West and San Mateo schools. April 8 Million Solar Roofs (Seattle) - met to discuss creating a California partnership focused on Solar Schools.

May - June 2003: In May, exhibited at the Utility Energy Forum (Tahoe) with focus on creating partnering opportunities. Initiated contacts with other national and regional energy education programs in June as result of presentation " An Integrated Approach to Solar Energy Education" at the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) 2003 conference held in Austin, Texas.

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION 2002 Consumer Education Subaccount Program Opportunity Notice Grant Solicitation for Renewable Energy Consumer Education Program (Grants Approved August 28, 2002)