Energy Commission Letterhead with Governor Schwarzenegger's name


July 9, 2008


Re: Required Manufacturer Submittal of PV Module Performance Information


Dear Interested Party:

This letter is to inform you of forthcoming changes to the California Energy Commission's eligibility requirements for photovoltaic (PV) modules to receive incentives through the following solar electric incentive programs in California:

  • California Solar Initiative
  • New Solar Homes Partnership
  • All programs administered by publicly owned utilities

December 31, 2008, is the deadline for PV module manufacturers to submit laboratory-tested PV module performance data, for their products, to the Energy Commission. The Energy Commission is engaged in communication with PV module manufacturers, and the manufacturers are aware of the requirements and of the deadline.

The laboratory-tested data requirement was established in the Energy Commission's Guidelines for California's Solar Electric Incentive Programs Pursuant to Senate Bill 1 (Murray, Chapter 132, Statutes of 2006). The current version of these Guidelines: www.energy.ca.gov/2007publications/CEC-300-2007-012/CEC-300-2007-012-CMF.PDF (Acrobat PDF file) requires the submission of detailed performance data for each eligible listed module. The specific requirements are contained in Appendix 1 of the Guidelines.

After December 31, 2008, PV modules that have not fully complied with the Appendix 1 data requirements will be removed from eligibility for incentive from the following solar electric incentive programs in California:

  • California Solar Initiative
  • New Solar Homes Partnership
  • All programs administered by publicly owned utilities

The Energy Commission maintains a listing of PV modules that have already complied with the laboratory tested PV module performance data requirements. That listing is frequently updated and is currently available at: www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/builders/equipment.html.


Specific questions about the changes to PV module eligibility should be directed to:

Patrick Saxton
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth St, MS-25
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: psaxton@energy.state.ca.us



Sincerely,

MARK HUTCHISON
Renewable Energy Program
Office Manager



Date Posted: July 21, 2008

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