Don’t let California’s solar initiative go dark

When I was a child learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle, my dad would hold the back of the seat and run alongside of me as I pedaled down the sidewalk.  Because of the significant investment required by homeowners who want to add solar power to their houses, many need continued government incentives to "hold the seat" for them until economies of scale bring down the costs of producing photovoltaic panels.

From Signon San Diego:


Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Legislature have enacted the nation’s strongest standard for renewable energy, calling for 33 percent of California’s electricity to come from clean and renewable sources by 2020. To achieve these goals, the Legislature must extend the California Solar Initiative. CSI is the nation’s most successful solar installation program, and already has saved Californians over $1 billion.
The program is running out of funds, and Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, has sponsored Senate Bill 585 to enable the Public Utilities Commission to complete the incentive program. Without this important bill, California could miss out on billions more in savings.
Since 2007, the incentive program has helped drive the average cost of solar systems down 15 percent while creating 36,000 jobs, and providing $1.3 billion in net energy savings to schools, public agencies and nonprofits. It also spurred private investment, with the PUC reporting that for every dollar the state spent on incentives, another $2.62 was invested in California solar from other sources. The program has helped make California a national leader in creating solar energy jobs and attracting clean energy investment. Because of the value it provides to ratepayers, the watchdog Department of Ratepayer Advocates also supports the continuation and expansion.
CSI was designed as a 10-year program. Due to its overwhelming success, it has accomplished eight of 10 steps in the first five years, and outpaced its funding. The nonresidential program, which provides solar incentives for businesses, governments, schools and nonprofits, has run out of budget. Filling in that shortfall would require $190 million in funding. But because of the declining rate structure, it would fund at least 400 megawatts of clean electricity, some 20 percent of the program’s goal.
The governor has just enacted a strong mandate for clean energy, but a mandate alone will not put projects in the ground. A smart incentive program enables the renewable energy industry to grow in the short term so it can provide a foundation for our state’s prosperity in the long term.
While the state’s 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 mandate is a worthy long-term goal, passing SB 585 and fully funding the CSI program would spur investment and create renewable energy jobs today. There are more than 50 megawatts worth of solar energy projects in the queue waiting for this bill to pass. That’s $250 million in investment that California sorely needs. Passage of SB 585 would bring in $2 billion more.
Extending the incentive program will bring other benefits as well. By supporting the market, it will help drive down the costs of mid-scale distributed solar. Siting solar projects in proximity to businesses and cities can generate significant amounts of power without the environmental impacts or lengthy transmission lines of large-scale desert solar. Mid-scale solar is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but it’s a challenge because rooftop space is limited, and land is expensive.
That’s why our company, SPG Solar, recently introduced the world’s first operational floating solar energy system. Our Floatovoltaics system is designed for installations on fresh water surfaces, ranging from small ponds to large reservoirs. Floating solar projects can create clean energy right in the towns and businesses that need it, without using up valuable real estate, or impacting delicate ecosystems. Being sited over the water not only reduces evaporation, but also boosts performance by keeping the solar panels cool. Potential sites include many farms, dairies and wineries. A typical city reservoir could support three megawatts of panels, generating electricity for hundreds of homes and saving the city millions of dollars.
Extending the California Solar Initiative is the fastest way to continue this type of clean energy innovation. It will drive down costs, create jobs and spur immediate investment to help our economic recovery. By signing a mandate for 33 percent renewable energy, Gov. Brown has given us ambitious clean energy goals. By extending the incentive program, the Legislature can ensure these goals become a reality.