California Public Utilities Commission reopens statewide program to help lower energy use and achieve reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2011) - A program that rewards businesses, building owners, industry and homeowners for installing clean energy systems is taking applications for more than $10 million in rebates for the San Diego region, according to the California Center for Sustainable Energy. The Self-Generation Incentive Program, or SGIP, provides cash for a wide range of sustainable energy technologies that can save energy, shrink utility costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CCSE has announced the reopening of a program that rewards utility customers for installing clean energy systems with funding for more than $10 million in projects for the San Diego region. The Self-Generation Incentive Program, or SGIP, provides rebates for a wide range of sustainable energy technologies that can save energy, shrink utility costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

East San Diego County is home to one of the premier wind resource areas in California, according to the Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative. Four wind energy projects are currently in various stages of planning or consideration near McCain Valley in San Diego County, and if approved, will have a tremendous impact on the region’s ability to successfully meet renewable energy goals and improve air quality.

San Diego headquarters now on clean energy

Cox Communications has completed construction of two fuel cells at its corporate headquarters in San Diego that will generate enough onsite power to reduce the company’s dependence on the local power grid and decrease its carbon footprint. Totaling 800 kilowatts, the installations qualified for a $3.6 million Self-Generation Incentive Program award from CCSE.

$23.5 million secured to fund nation’s largest fuel cell project

Companies involved in a clean energy venture that will provide an additional 4.5 megawatts of generating capacity to San Diego by mid-2011 announced securing the $23.5 million financing needed for the project in November. Billed as the nation’s largest integrated fuel cell project, it will receive an additional $14.4 million incentive award from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) administered by CCSE in San Diego.

Clean energy technology scaled down

It was standing room only when more than 300 people attended two workshops on combined heat and power fuel cells held at CCSE on March 8. The learning center was packed with architects, building contractors, facility managers and homeowners who were eager to learn about how fuel cell technology has been scaled down to fit homes and small businesses.