Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director

From the Director's Desk:
An Electrifying Week for Solar Energy

It’s a little known fact that the application of solar energy has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2000, the region had just 125 kilowatts of solar generation connected to the grid. Today, that total is over 30 thousand kilowatts. That is a 250% increase!

Much progress has been made to utilize solar technology. Renewable power is a great way to decrease our dependency on volatile energy markets backed by unstable costs and supplies which have detrimental effects on the environment. The California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) is committed to raising awareness and increasing community support for solar energy.

We urge everyone to get involved in the adoption of clean, renewable energy. You have a wonderful opportunity to do so during CCSE’s Solar Energy Week. One of the highlights of the week’s events is the Solar Energy Conference. This conference will focus on the specific needs of Southern California with an emphasis on solar legislation, trends, economics, and the adoption of solar technologies.

The Solar Energy Conference, sponsored by IES, will take place on October 25, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley. In an effort to promote public transportation, the conference venue is located close to a trolley stop. This exciting event is free with pre-registration; walk-ins will be charged $30 to cover additional food costs. This gathering of solar energy enthusiasts will help foster the exchange of ideas and advance the adoption of solar technologies. Following the conference, please join us for the Solar Powered Cocktail Party, sponsored by Solar City. All of the wine being served is from wineries that use photovoltaic solar systems.

Simply go here to register. All are encouraged to join us for this extraordinary opportunity.

Another electrifying event during Solar Energy Week is Family Solar Energy Day, sponsored by Qualcomm, on October 21, 2007. It has been expanded in response to much-appreciated feedback from last year’s event. Family Solar Energy Day will include fun activities for the entire family and is specially designed to engage children in learning about the importance of a sustainable energy future. Bring your family to Family Solar Energy Day in San Dieguito Park from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.solarweek.energycenter.org.

This week-long event is very unique for our region. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these free opportunities.

$200,000 Solar Energy Grant Awarded to City of San Diego

The City of San Diego, partnered with the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE), was honored as one of the thirteen inaugural Solar America Cities by the U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE) on June, 20, 2007. The Solar America Initiative was designed to encourage cost-competitiveness for solar photovoltaic ( PV) technology by 2015 and to encourage the adoption of solar technologies on a local and national level.

The City of San Diego and CCSE were awarded $200,000 over a 2-year span with the intention of leveraging CCSE’s solar expertise and build on the City’s existing PV installations and long-term commitment to solar technology. With this grant, the City/ CCSE team plans to evaluate the economic impacts of photovoltaic systems, conduct performance evaluation of existing PV systems, apply Geographic Information Systems to the analysis of solar potential in the City, and finally to develop a long-term plan for solar energy in San Diego. CCSE's solar energy plan for San Diego will be designed with the intention of being a model for other cities to follow, potentially allowing for easier adoption of solar technologies throughout the region and beyond.

An important component of the award is the availability of active technical assistance from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ( NREL) and other DOE contractors. In addition to providing specific expertise for development of program activities, the NREL and DOE experts will ensure that lessons learned in other Solar America cities are considered for use right here in San Diego.

The winning cities for the 2007 Solar America Cities Awards include Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ.

Form more information, please visit www.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america.

Residents Open Their Doors for the 8th Solar Homes Tour!

The California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE), in partnership with Pardee Homes and SunPower, will host one of the largest solar homes tours in the United States. As part of CCSE’s Solar Energy Week, this self guided tour will take place on October 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The owners of 44 homes across San Diego County are welcoming visitors to view their solar systems, making this the biggest year yet! The Solar Homes will showcase solar electric (photovoltaics), solar water heating, solar pool heating, and even a solar hot tub. Many of the homes have additional energy efficiency measures including energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and grey water systems.

Admission is FREE and registration is not required. The first 15 visitors to each site will receive a free energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb courtesy of CCSE. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with technical solar representatives at each site to learn about the logistics and cost of installing solar. Attendees will also get to talk with homeowners to learn about their experiences with going solar.

Among the tour sites is the home of Chula Vista Council Member John McCann. Pardee Homes and SunPower will also offer new construction homes sites with building integrated photovoltaics ( BIPV). Tour sites are spread out at a variety of locations across San Diego County including South Bay, Central San Diego, North County Inland, North County Coastal and East County. You can view all the site locations here and select from the list of communities. Solar Homes sites can easily be identified by the Solar Homes Tour lawn signs. Please do not disturb residents outside of tour hours.

To learn more about the exciting opportunities during Solar Energy Week, visit www.solarweek.energycenter.org.

14th Border Energy Forum to be Held in San Diego

Government and private sector leaders from the U.S.-Mexico border region will gather in San Diego, California at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley for the Annual Border Energy Forum on October 18th and 19th, 2007. The annual forum alternates between U.S. and Mexican border states and this year will focus on renewable energy potential in the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico.

The Border Energy Forum brings together U.S. and Mexican leaders from industry, government, educational institutions and environmental organizations to develop cutting edge strategies grounded in economic reality. Keynote speakers include Irene M. Stillings of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, James D. Boyd of the California Energy Commission, and CP José Guadalupe Zamorano, of the Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana. The forum has gained a strong reputation as a neutral ground to discuss energy-related challenges common to both sides of the border.

The forum will begin with an opening reception on the evening of October 17th. A special energy tour of San Diego will be provided at the conclusion of the conference on October 19th. For more information or to register, visit www.borderenergyforum.org.

CSI Releases Inaugural Monthly Newsletter

The inaugural issue of the California Solar Initiative ( CSI) Monthly Newsletter was released on October 9, 2007. The newsletter is intended to ensure CSI stakeholders are well informed about the administrative advances in the CSI program with the guiding principal of supporting the administration of the program. The newsletter distribution will cycle every three months between each of the program administrators – California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and Southern California Edison ( SCE).

The first issue includes topics relating to the next CSI Public Forum, improvements to the CSI application process, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s ( CPUC) Progress Report.

CCSE’s Solar Water Heating Program Awards 1st Incentive

Richard Tenbroek is the first customer to be awarded an incentive from the California Center for Sustainable Energy Solar Water Heating Pilot Program ( SWHPP). The incentive, in the amount of $1,078, will go toward the new Solahart Thermosyphon system that replaced Tenbroek’s former solar water heating system, which was used for over 20 years. Tenbroek commented, “Our older solar water heating system always had economic value in terms of saving money on our gas bill; updating the system just made sense. There is also environmental value in using less energy.”

The new system was installed by Solar Services of San Diego on August 3, 2007. Tenbroek added, “Another great reason for upgrading the system was because of the positive history we’ve had with Solar Services and Solahart. Solar Services has been very helpful, and the existing Solahart system required very little maintenance.” This system will save Tenbroek an estimated 115 therms of natural gas each year. Customers like Tenbroek who install qualifying SWH systems can take advantage of a federal tax credit for 30% of the final system cost, capped at $2,000. In addition to the SWHPP incentive amount of $1,078, Tenbroek is eligible for a $1,146 federal tax credit.

By installing clean, renewable SWH systems, customers can reduce their use of natural gas or electricity, protecting them from potential shortages and price increases, as well as promote environmental preservation.