California Center for Sustainable Energy

Kyocera Solar plans San Diego-based manufacturing

News cameras were rolling as Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced plans to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego during a press conference held March 3 at CCSE. Production will be at Kyocera’s Balboa Avenue facility, which is directly across the street from CCSE and was unavailable for the media event because of defense contract agreements.

CCSE has reached half of its allotted Residential megawatts in Step 6. As of today, March 1 2010, CCSE has reserved 3.58 MW out of the 6.58 MW allotted*, with approximately 0.50 MW under review, leaving 2.49 MW of Step 6 incentives remaining.

CSI now accepts paperless applications

Applying for a California Solar Initiative ( CSI) rebate for a household or commercial photovoltaic ( PV) system became a little easier and a lot faster with the ability to now submit application attachments online via CSI’s PowerClerk website.

Ceremony marks launching of PV system at Aztec Aquaplex

The Associated Students of San Diego State University extended their commitment to a more sustainable campus by installing a solar photovoltaic ( PV) system to power the Aztec Aquaplex swim center. CCSE rewarded the students with a $286,116 rebate check from the California Solar Initiative during a ceremony held in December 2009.

CCSE joins in statewide community college program
A program providing professional development and curricular support for instructors of solar installation technologies in California has received nearly $3.5 million in funding from the Department of Energy ( DOE). The California Community Colleges, comprised of 110 colleges serving some three million students, will work with CCSE, California Energy Commission and  the Labor Management Cooperation Committee (IBEW-NECA) to use the award for creating a statewide standardized training curriculum and certification program for solar photovoltaic ( PV) and solar  thermal (both heating and cooling). CCSE will lead  the Solar Thermal portion of this program.

Guard against rooftop robberies with simple steps

As proof that thieves will steal anything not locked down (and some things that are), solar panels have become the theft du jour in California with reports of rooftop robberies from homes and commercial buildings to public schools and wineries. In Napa County alone, at least 10 wineries have fallen prey to panel thieves during the past 16 months.