California Center for Sustainable Energy

Solar Toolbox

CSI Program Administrators

California Center for Sustainable Energy

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Southern California Edison

California Public Utilities Commission

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Cross Promotion

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Solar Thermal by the Seashore – A recently installed Solar Thermal system at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego is offsetting some 2,450 therms a year. The college received a $31,345 CSI-Thermal rebate from the California Center for Sustainable Energy. Adroit Solar built the system. . . . Read on for more solar news and important updates from CSI Program Administrators.

CSI Program Forum
Jan. 25, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pacific Energy Center
851 Howard St., San Francisco

The CSI Quarterly Program Forum provides a venue for public stakeholders to identify and discuss top-priority issues related to the administration and implementation of the CSI program components and to suggest consensus-based revisions to the CSI Program Handbook. Topics will be presented and discussed, with time at the end of each session for Q&A. Solar Thermal professionals are encouraged to attend this forum.

Webcast and call-in available here.

Performance Data Provider Workshop
Jan. 24, 2012 – 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Pacific Energy Center
851 Howard St., San Francisco

Review current processes and discuss best practices and challenges surrounding performance data submittal and validation for the CSI program. Performance Data Providers are encouraged to attend.

Webcast available here. Enter meeting number 4159730770.
Call-in at (866) 234-4460. Enter number *4159730770*.

In This Issue

• New Year Brings New Tax Questions
  
  
• Electronic Signature Guidelines Help Streamline Incentive Process
  
  
• PG&E Moves to Step 10 for Nonresidential Applications
  
  
• SASH Program Promotes Employment in Solar
  
  
• Look for New Solar-Thermal Program Marketing Campaign this Spring
  
  

New Year Brings New Tax Questions

As 2012 gets under way, many homeowners and business owners in California will be looking for information on how to save money on their taxes through sustainability investments.

In order to help interpret this complex and often confusing landscape of tax rules and regulations, the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) has scheduled a workshop with tax professional Walter Wang, founder and managing director of Sunflower Tax, on Jan. 31. Wang will provide information on federal and state tax codes and how they could impact consumer decisions regarding renewable energy and other clean-tech investments. For information on the workshop or to register, click here.

Electronic Signature Guidelines Help Streamline Incentive Process

The California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) has published guidelines for the acceptance of electronic signatures used on California Solar Initiative documentation. Electronic signatures can greatly improve the speed and efficiency at which contractors can complete the CSI incentive process and potentially save significant time and money for these companies. For a copy of the guidelines, click here.

CCSE plans to hold a series of workshops to introduce contractors to the electronic signature technology and to answer any questions regarding the guidelines and take feedback from the industry.

PG&E Moves to Step 10 for Nonresidential Applications

As a result of the California Public Utilities Commission decision in December to approve the increase in the California Solar Initiative budget, Pacific Gas & Electric ( PG&E) removed all previously waitlisted projects to the CSI reservation queue. Due to the large number of reservation requests, PG&E has enough reservations in our nonresidential reservation queue to meet our Step 8 and Step 9 megawatt capacities and move to Step 10. Please note that our current step may change due to cancellations. In order to maximize our Step 8 and 9 capacities, we ask that applicants contact us immediately if a project is not moving forward. For current step information, please visit the Trigger Tracker. PG&E thanks customers for their patience as we work through the extensive list of projects.

SASH Program Promotes Employment in Solar

Norm Graham found himself looking for a new career path after his job in the biotech industry was downsized with the shifting economy. He drew upon his memories of traveling the world as a U.S. Navy chief, recalling how other countries embraced renewable energy systems.

"Living in Japan, you see how everything they do is based on saving something, whether it's energy, water or other resources," Graham said. "Every other house in Japan had solar panels. I thought 'why can't we have that here in America?'" Seeing the growth forecasts for solar jobs by The Solar Foundation and other sources, he enrolled in solar energy classes to learn new skills.

However, Graham encountered the dilemma of many new solar installers – it's challenging to get a first job without experience, and getting experience is difficult without that first job.

Graham volunteer with GRID Alternatives to gain hands-on experience and broadened his knowledge of photovoltaic systems. He trained to become a GRID Alternatives team leader and gained 376 hours of work experience on nearly 50 installations across Southern California. Within months of volunteering, Graham was offered a position at SunUp Energy. He comments, "The impact of working with GRID Alternatives multiplies. Because GRID installs statewide, you learn to install to a very high standard."

Through GRID Alternatives and the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes ( SASH) Program thousands of people like Graham have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in solar. Read more about workforce development efforts at GRID Alternatives by clicking here.

Look for New Solar-Thermal Program Marketing Campaign this Spring

A CSI-Thermal statewide marketing campaign is set for launch in late April. The initial rollout will include radio and TV spots in the Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego areas and a series of targeted online advertisements that will run throughout the state. The goal of the campaign is to help increase public awareness of solar water heating, particularly among green consumers, and to promote the value of CSI-Thermal rebates.

The CSI-Thermal Program Administrators are working with Fraser Communications in Los Angeles to develop and design the marketing and outreach themes and materials. In addition to advertising, CSI-Thermal participation in local and statewide events will promote the visibility of the technology and the program via direct customer engagement. More details about the campaign will be coming, but solar water heating contractors should be considering what marketing steps they might want to take during this statewide effort.

Upcoming Workshops and Trainings by Program Territory

						Free Statewide Workshops by the California Solar Initiative CSI Program Administrators sponsor free, ongoing workshops for solar customers and installers on a variety of topics.
Workshops in SDG&E Service Territory by the California Center for Sustainable Energy Solar Water Heating Installation Training (4 days): January 16 - 19 Solar Water Heating Basics for Homeowners: January 19 Skip's Tips - Advanced Solar Thermal Workshop: January 25 How to become an Eligible Contractor in the CSI-Thermal Program: January 26 Solar for Homeowners 1 - Getting Started: January 26 Green Tax Benefits 2012: January 31 Solar for Homeowners 2 - Be a Smart Solar Customer: February 9 CSI Application Process Made Easy: February 16 Workshops in PG&E Service Territory For workshops, click here. Workshops in SCE Service Territory For workshops, click here.

Call for Photos and Stories of CSI-Funded Solar Systems

Calling all installers and solar system owners! This is a great opportunity to showcase your CSI-funded solar projects. The California Solar Initiative Program seeks photos and success stories of CSI-funded solar systems for use in future newsletters or other CSI-related publicity. Photos can include completed solar PV systems, shots of installations in progress or solar water heating installations.

Please provide the following when submitting your solar PV system, solar water heating system or installation photos and stories.

• Name of photographer
• Name of installer, seller and/or system owner
• System size and location
• Date project was installed
• Full permission to use photo in CSI-related publicity

Submit your CSI-funded solar system photos and stories here.

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