Alternative Energy

Alternative energy news, and information about renewable energy technologies.

Oct 15

Cash Incentives for Solar Energy in California

Posted in Energy Industry | Energy Politics | Solar Power

It seems the California Governor is making an all-out effort to encourage people to switch over the renewable source of energy. Assembly Bill 920, authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-Marin, and signed by the governor of California, requires utilities to pay solar customers who produce more energy than they use.

Currently homeowners that produce more solar energy than they produce can zero their bills but they’re not paid for the extra energy they feed back into the grid. The payment for producing extra energy is known as “feed-in tariffs” and such an incentive has seen great success in European countries like German and Spain.

Under the new law, the California Public Utilities Commission is required to set the rate for the paybacks by Jan. 1, 2011.

The idea aims to utilize the empty and unused lots like rooftops, water house roofs and parking areas for the purpose of producing solar energy. Aside from these there remain many unused private properties that can be easily converted into solar power generating units, bringing in extra cash for the home owners.

Michael

I think this is a great idea that has worked to make solar power a money making enterprise for many industrious Germans. Let’s hope the bill passes without too much watering down by PGE and Edison.

Mike
B.T. Murphy

Isn’t California still broke?
Josh Cates

Thank you Governor of California, you’re doing a good job in taking steps ahead of others.
David Vermeulen

In Belgium, people get 450 Euro for each 1000kWh they produce from solar power… garantied for at least 20 years…even the biggest eco-scepticists are now paving their roofs with solar panels, because its lucrative… most of the people are only green-minded if its good for their wallet… :-s
Josh Cates

Huh… well I wouldn’t mind having an extra 450 Euro in my back pocket!
Kathy Hennig Youmans

How about providing discounts to solar panels? Who can afford $20,000-50,000+ in solar panels?
Bibhu Sharma

Right! In energy deficient areas there should be programmes such as government people partnership etc.
Kristin Campbell

You’er right, the cost for solar panels is to much. They should make it more accessable to the general public. You know, people with kids, mortgages, ect.
Svetlana Moiseyev

Solar panels are easily enough made… schools could be teaching students how to build them! Communities could start their own little production facilities… for a small fee come build your own sort of thing. How to build solar panels can be found on the net everywhere. Some as little as $200US. Noticed that anything that’s good for the environment has become an expensive commodity? Feasting and gouging on humanities guilt and sincere efforts to change things.
Andy Cipollo

I will be speaking personally with Governor Luis Fortuño of Puerto Rico regarding passing a similar initiative for the Commonwealth. I believe each state in the country should adopt a similar measure.
Eric Spindler

Actually, it is time people followed through on this. If we have a war, and our power plants would be the first thing to destroy, it sure would be nice to have independently powered homes!

HOw about ice storms, hurricanes, floods, blizzards and other tragedies? Wouldn’t you like to say you don’t have to wait for the power company to repair whole grids before you could bather and shower or have light and heat?

I am all *for* solar power.
I am going to the site to research it some more!
David

Mike,
You did not read the story. It is already a law. It was signed last week by the Gov.

David
http://www.empire-solar.com Richard

At any rate, solar power is still the way to go because it does no harm to the environment and is low-priced.
Stasulos

Richard, solar power has a long way to go before it does no harm to the environment and is low priced. The energy it takes to make a solar panel equals to a few years of electricity production by that panel. The best panels are still a few times more expensive per kW than any other conventional source. The durability is at best mediocre. This is not to say that a free hole in earth is more sustainable long-term.
pabs

…and don’t forget also that there is an already recognised issue regarding the disposing of environmentally toxic, dead solar panels. ( Definitely NOT harmless to the environment )
JGaltNG

There are definitely technologies for more efficient, less expensive solar collectors, even environmentally safe. However, even the less efficient ones are more than adequate to help. In the long run the cost MUCH less, because the sun will keep shining long after all the oil is gone.