Can new federal legislation encourage 10 million solar roofs?

Some estimates show that such legislation could trim as much as $2,500 from the cost of solar panels.  This is the second time the 10 Million Solar Roofs Act has been proposed, following 2010′s failed attempt to get the law passed.

The proposed 10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011 would tie into the Obama Administration’s SunShot Initiative.  Appropriations of $50 million each fiscal year from 2012 through 2016 would be invested to develop best practices for solar permitting.

Senator Sanders commented in a press release:

“As we lower the cost of solar energy and increase our use of solar, we can create hundreds of thousands of good-paying manufacturing and installation jobs in this country.  This bill also sets strong targets for American solar energy production, to ensure we compete vigorously with China and Europe for solar energy jobs.”

The need to make solar power more affordable by reducing costs associated with the permitting of solar installations is not only about the environment.  Hundreds of thousands of green solar jobs would be created as well, if demand and use of solar increases nationwide.

The spokesperson of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Monique Hanis, commented:

“We applaud the senator’s efforts. He’s been a long-standing supporter of solar. And we look forward to working with this bipartisan group of legislators.  A bill like this could go a long way to make it easier and less expensive to deploy more solar.”

What do you think about the proposed new federal legislation to encourage solar panel installations?

Government incentives could encourage more nationwide installation of solar panels

Renewable energy is on everyone’s mind… including the government.  To encourage people to switch to solar power or other non-fossil-fuel based power sources, the U.S. federal government will allow you up to 30% of the cost of solar installation in the form of tax credits.  But, the deal could get even sweeter!  Two Senators have proposed a new bill that would provide for the U.S. Government to pay 50% of solar panel costs.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Steve Cohn (D-TN) put forth potential new legislation that is modeled after California’s Million Solar Roofs initiative.  The “10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water-Heating Act”would help encourage the addition of 10 million new solar arrays and 200,000 new solar water heating systems to the national energy mix.

The goal:  to reach 30,000 megawatts (MW) or more of photovoltaic panel installations.  To put it into perspective, it would double similar solar initiatives from China and India.  In the mix are thousands of green jobs in the manufacturing and system installation industries.

The plan:  Solar power systems would receive incentives starting at $1.75 per watt, and rebates under the proposed bill would be in addition to existing federal rebates, up to 50% of the solar panel cost.  However, federal rebates are just part of the puzzle.   State incentives are added on top, which can lead to rebates for home solar power systems of 80% or more, depending on where you live.

The bottom line is that the question that is forefront on many peoples’ minds: how can you reduce the cost of solar panels, may be answered very soon.  Already generous government rebates could be increased even more!

Stay tuned to get more news and the most up to date information on how to save money with your solar installations!

Solar panels in California

Is it any wonder that the home of the Silicon Valley, known as the Golden State, is arguably the solar capital of the nation?  With California holding 38% of all American solar energy patent registrations, and with solar panel installations doubling each year for the past two years, its clear that solar shines brightly in California.

Its true that silicon is a component in photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.  Yet, that alone is not the reason California boasts such a fast-growing demand for renewable energy options.  Whether you want to credit the ample sunshine, or entrepreneurial spirit of the people who live in California, its clear that a clean, green lifestyle is broadly accepted on the West Coast.  Solar in California is popular and growing!

Governor Schwarzenegger has promoted the Million Solar Roofs program since 2006, which includes a plan to reduce emissions to 1990 levels – the equivalent of a 4-ton CO2 emission reduction per person!  California solar panels have increased from 500 to over 50,000 in less than a decade.

And now, the California Solar Initiative (or CSI) has launched, providing over $2 million in state rebates and other incentives for those that install solar:

The program is so impressive, we had to include a second video with more information on the California Solar Initiative.

California rooftop solar panels

Sales of solar panels have doubled in California since 2006 (no wonder solar panel installations have also doubled each year in the past two years).  And consider this:  nationwide, solar energy accounts for a mere 1% of generated electricity.  But since solar shines so brightly in California, that figure is considerably higher.

According to a related post, solar in California is particularly hot in San Diego (over 2,200 solar rooftops), Nevada City (leading per capita solar installations) and City of Industry (most capacity per capita – 1.5 kW per person installed).

Things are really happening in the Golden State with respect to solar energy.  Earlier this month, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed two new solar bills to further boost solar incentives.  The California Solar Surplus Act of 2009 requires utilities to pay consumers for “excess” solar electricity generated beyond their individual needs.  And, Senate Bill 32, now establishes a “feed-in” tariff, which mandates utilities to buy solar-generated electricity at a set rate over 20 years.

Finally, Gov. Schwarzenegger recently announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Interior that may accelerate siting of solar energy projects.  Working with the federal government, California will develop maps that identify the best areas for renewable energy development.

With such great support from the government and additional state incentives, California is expected to continue to be a solar energy leader.

When will other states follow its lead?  What do you think?

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (image from sterlingpr on Flickr)

This week, solar energy is shining a bit more brightly in California.  Two solar bills were signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which will boost incentives for installing solar power systems.

First, the California Solar Surplus Act of 2009 (AB 920), requires utilities to pay consumers for “excess” solar electricity generated beyond their individual needs.  This corrects the net metering law that many thought to be unfair, which previously permitted utilities to take in surplus energy without paying for it.

Under the new law, the California Public Utilities Commission will set rates for payments by utilities to customers for solar electricity that is fed back into the grid.  Estimates are that the rate will be about 1 1/2 times market price.

The Environment California website notes:

“The road to a million solar roofs, however, is long. While the state saw tremendous growth in solar last year, California has to go from today’s 50,000 solar roofs to 1,000,000 by 2016. To achieve this feat, California must remove all barriers for consumers wanting to invest in solar energy and more deeply penetrate the consumer driven market for solar power.”

The second solar bill signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, Senate Bill 32, establishes a “feed-in” tariff, which mandates utilities to buy solar-generated electricity at a set rate over 20 years.  The legislation is similar to European laws, and is hoped to spur additional development of PV solar panel systems across the rooftops, parking lots and other sunny locations.

According to a MarketWatch article:

The proposal seeks to expand the market by requiring California utilities to buy power from solar-panel generators of 1.5-3.0 megawatts in size, at set rates above what the utilities would pay for wholesale power from conventional sources.

Some solar companies said the bill’s pricing scheme would create a feed-in tariff of about 15 to 17 cents a kilowatt-hour, which they said wouldn’t be high enough to spur significant investment. But others said the program would create opportunities for lower-cost projects for which there isn’t currently a market.

For more on the Million Solar Roofs program in California:

Getting closer to a million solar roofs in California (image from Jeremy Levine Design on Flickr)

But that’s not all the good solar news! Gov. Schwarzenegger also announced a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Interior that should speed up siting of solar energy projects in the state.  Working with the federal government, California will develop maps that identify the best areas for renewable energy development, considering a number of factors.

The new effort is intended to help the state reach its goal of generating 1/3 of its power from renewable sources by 2020.

California is just one of several states that is adopting new solar legislation to help continue the push towards renewable energy development.  With federal tax credits and other incentives part of the stimulus package, state laws provide additional encouragement for homeowners and small businesses to go solar.

California Solar Energy on the rise

California Solar Energy on the rise has increased the number of rooftop solar panels from about 500 to 50,000 in a mere ten years.  Of course, there is still a ways to go to reach the Million Solar Roofs called for by Governor Schwarzenegger, but a 100 x fold increase is nothing to sneeze at.  In fact, over the past three years alone, sales of solar panels in the Golden State have doubled.

So, where is the hottest solar panel growth occurring?  San Diego leads the way with over 2,200 solar rooftops to date.  But L.A. and San Francisco are not far behind.  Yes, they are green cities, but perhaps for a moment… green with envy, too!  Other hot spots include Nevada City with the leading per capita solar installations, and City of Industry (where I send my credit card bill each month), that leads the state with the most capacity per capita (1.5 kW per person installed).

Million solar roofs in California

While California solar energy is on the rise, nationwide, solar power still has a way to go.  It accounts for less than 1% of electrical power.  One thing that could make a difference, however, is to implement a feed-in tariff as Germany enjoys, that would allow property owners to sell back excess generated energy to utilities at a market rate.

In addition, solar energy loan programs like the one in Palm Desert will help defray the costs of solar arrays, as do government tax incentives and credits.

New legislation may be just the thing to continue the rapid growth of California solar energy, as well as getting solar power off the ground in other states, too.  For example, the Vote Solar Initiative is pushing for a bill to raise the cap net metering – where consumers cut energy bills by selling power back to utilities.

Could we all follow the lead of California with respect to solar panel installation?

Any new solar programs underway in your hometown?

California is leading efforts to install solar roofs

Governor Schwarzenegger is a green Republican.  No matter your political leanings, many in California are very proud of his efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming.  Recently, Schwarzenegger gained the appreciation of environmentalists and others concerned about the quality of life in the Golden State and around the world when he announced a plan to reduce emissions to 1990 levels – the equivalent of a 4 ton CO2 emission reduction per person!

This plan compliments the state’s Million Solar Roofs program.  Legislation authorizing the program was finally passed in 2006 after Gov. Schwarzenegger pushed for 2 years to create a plan to make California a leader in solar energy.

Can you imagine a million solar roofs like this one?

Earlier this month, Southern California Edison announced a major step towards accomplishing the goals of California’s Million Solar Roof program.  SCE helped with the installation of nearly 2 square miles of solar panels on the roof of the distribution center at Prologis in Fontana, California.

What does 2 square miles of solar panels look like?  How about over 33,700 solar panels on 600,000 square feet.  It boggles my mind!  This is the largest solar roof installation in the state of California!

This single installation will generate enough clean, renewable electricity to power 1,300 homes – the equivalent of a free-standing solar power facility.  Simply amazing!

The Million Solar Roofs program aims to provide 3,000 MWof energy (the Prologis solar roof will create 9 MW of energy, for perspective).  With this goal, greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by 3 million tons.  What does that equal?  Its like taking a million cars off the road!  Just in California (quick question – would they even notice if that many fewer cars were on the road?)

The Million Solar Roofs program certainly does establish California as a solar energy leader in the U.S.  I’m looking forward to more updates on its progress over the next few years, and hopefully more states will follow suit.