California Solar Initiative
Encyclopedia
California Solar Initiative is a renewable energy
program in the United States.
As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
's Million Solar Roofs Program, California
has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2016 — moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.
The California Solar Initiative has "a total budget of $2.167 billion between 2007 and 2016 and a goal to install approximately 1,940 MW of new solar generation capacity."
The CSI initially offered cash incentives on solar PV systems of up to $2.50 per AC watt. These incentives, combined with federal tax incentives, could cover up to 50% of the total cost of a solar system. The incentive program was designed so that the incentives would reduce in steps over 9 years. There are separate steps for residential and non-residential customers in the territories of each of the State's 3 investor-owned utilities. As of September, 2009, the rebates range from $1.10 to $1.90 per AC watt.
There are many financial incentives to support the use of renewable energy in other US states.
CSI provides more than $2 billion worth of incentives to customers for installing photovoltaic, and electricity displacing solar thermal systems in the three California Investor-Owned Utilities service territories.
The program was authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) and by the Senate Bill 1 (SB 1):
Responsibility for administration of the CSI Program is shared by Investor-Owned Utilities:
Residential installation starts in early 2007 fell off sharply because of the disincentives inherent in SB1, requiring time-of-use (TOU) tariffs, with the result that homeowners who install panels may find their electric bill increasing rather than decreasing. The governor and legislature moved quickly to pass AB1714 (June 2007) to delay the implementation of this rule until 2009.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
program in the United States.
As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
's Million Solar Roofs Program, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2016 — moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.
The California Solar Initiative has "a total budget of $2.167 billion between 2007 and 2016 and a goal to install approximately 1,940 MW of new solar generation capacity."
The CSI initially offered cash incentives on solar PV systems of up to $2.50 per AC watt. These incentives, combined with federal tax incentives, could cover up to 50% of the total cost of a solar system. The incentive program was designed so that the incentives would reduce in steps over 9 years. There are separate steps for residential and non-residential customers in the territories of each of the State's 3 investor-owned utilities. As of September, 2009, the rebates range from $1.10 to $1.90 per AC watt.
There are many financial incentives to support the use of renewable energy in other US states.
CSI provides more than $2 billion worth of incentives to customers for installing photovoltaic, and electricity displacing solar thermal systems in the three California Investor-Owned Utilities service territories.
The program was authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission
California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission is a regulatory agency which regulates privately owned public utilities in the state of California, including electric power, telecommunications, natural gas and water companies...
(CPUC) and by the Senate Bill 1 (SB 1):
- Decision (D.) 06-01-024, in collaboration with the California Energy CommissionCalifornia Energy CommissionThe California Energy Commission is California’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento, the Commission has responsibility for activities that include forecasting future energy needs, promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building...
, with the goal of installing 3,000 MW of new solar facilities in California's homes and businesses by 2017. - On August 21, 2006, the Governor signed SB1, which directs the CPUC and the CEC to implement the CSI program consistent with specific requirements and budget limits set forth in legislation.
Responsibility for administration of the CSI Program is shared by Investor-Owned Utilities:
- Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyPacific Gas and Electric CompanyThe Pacific Gas and Electric Company , commonly known as PG&E, is the utility that provides natural gas and electricity to most of the northern two-thirds of California, from Bakersfield almost to the Oregon border...
– PG&E customers; - Southern California EdisonSouthern California EdisonSouthern California Edison , the largest subsidiary of Edison International , is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California, USA. It provides 14 million people with electricity...
Company – SCE customers; - California Center for Sustainable Energy – SDG&E customers.
Residential installation starts in early 2007 fell off sharply because of the disincentives inherent in SB1, requiring time-of-use (TOU) tariffs, with the result that homeowners who install panels may find their electric bill increasing rather than decreasing. The governor and legislature moved quickly to pass AB1714 (June 2007) to delay the implementation of this rule until 2009.
External links
- http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov
- http://www.csi-trigger.com/
- http://www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov/reports/
- http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/
- http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/3588/
- http://newenergynews.blogspot.com/2007/03/breaking-clouds-over-million-solar.html
- http://www.thinksunsmart.com/opinionpoll.htm
- http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar8may08,1,4075910.story?coll=la-headlines-business