Source: https://twitter.com/GreenIdeaHouse

Southern California’s first net-zero-energy, zero-combustion home is a project called the “Green Idea House.” This home is located in Hermosa Beach and is a cornerstone case study for Southern California Edison’s Net Zero Energy Initiative, the utility’s program for implementing California Public Utility Commission guidelines that all new residential buildings be net-zero-energy by 2020. This all-electric house is 2100-square feet and generates more green energy on an annual basis than it consumes and burns no fossil fuels, with 6.25 kilowatts of high-performance solar panels from SolarWind. SolarWorld is  the largest U.S. solar manufacturer for more than 35 years, and a host of energy-efficiency and sustainable-climate-control technologies. Two years ago, property owners Robert and Monica Fortunato and their son Carter set out to affordably retrofit their family home into a net-zero-energy, zero-combustion residence using ordinary building techniques and off-the-shelf technology and at no greater cost than standard construction. Energy-efficient architectural design, appliances and lighting have enabled the family to consume 75 percent less energy than they did prior to construction, despite adding 700 square feet to the structure. Moreover, the 26 SolarWorld solar panels on the home’s roof generated about 2,000 kilowatt-hours more electricity than the Fortunatos consumed in the last year, earning the family a several-hundred-dollar credit from Southern California Edison. The “Green Idea House” project received the 2012 Green Leadership Award from Los Angeles County, 2012 Environmental Leadership SEED Award and Build It Green’s Green Point Rated Builder of the Year Award. The Green Idea House is an example of the many things that families, contractors, and homebuilders can do to cut energy consumption and promote more sustainable living.

Source: SolarWorld news release- SolarWorld solar panels power first net-zero-energy, zero-combustion home in Southern California

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24658

California’s Mount Diablo Unified School District now has 12.1 megawatts (MW) of solar on the rooftops of 51 schools, making it the biggest solar system installed for a school district in the world. Until now, Silicon Valley’s East Side Union High School District had the biggest in the country at 7.1 MW. SunPower’s solar systems are expected to save the district $3 million a year, which over 30 years will add up to $200 million freed up for education. Del Monte Electric installed the systems, including underground electrical distribution, solar installation and connecting to the utility. Over 28,000 PV panels and 150 miles of wire are installed on carports and rooftops throughout the campuses. The completion of this major project took only 15 months. Voter-approved Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS) funded the $56 million project, along with general obligation bond, and in this case the Mount Diablo School District owns its solar systems. Other significant solar systems in schools across the country are in Boulder, Colorado with 1.4 MW, Oak Grove School District near San Jose, California, with 1.8 MW, and 10 catholic schools in New Jersey, with 1.5 MW.

Source: California’s Mount Diablo School District Leads the World on Solar

Catalina Solar (Courtesy of EDF Renewable Energy)

California has set itself up to be a leader in the renewable energy world. Because of that, is it not surprising that California is the first state to have a hybrid renewable energy system. Since one of the biggest issues with renewables is the intermittent period when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, this system will allow for more energy to be generated without as much down time. EDF Renewable Energy is the company that built the 140 MW Pacific Wind farm with a nearby 143 MW solar power station. This system brings more benefit because new transmission lines don’t have to be built for each system, they can share the lines instead and the transmission lines get much more use then.

Pacific Wind

Source: Forbes California’s New Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Plant Greens the Grid

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Because of a solar power system, a school in rural California has been able to reopen their music program that they cut a few years back due to money. The solar power system was a $5 million project but the loan payments were actually cheaper than the cost of the school’s utility bills. In the next 25 years, the school will actually end up saving $9 million. The system will be completely paid off in 15 years and was installed by SolarCity. The school now has enough money for keyboard classes, choir, drama, band, and much more for the children who attend this school.

Source: Grist Solar power saves school music program

Photo Credit: EPA/Waltraud Grubitzsch

California SB1222

 SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Rooftop solar energy systems are a leading renewable energy technology that will help this state reach its energy and environmental goals.

(b) It is anticipated that more than 1,000,000 additional rooftop solar energy systems will be deployed in this state in the coming years.

(c) Various reports show that the permitting costs associated with the installation of rooftop solar energy systems varies widely across jurisdictions in this state.

(d) High permitting fees increase the costs of installation and reduce the ability for solar to be deployed across all income spectrums.

(e) Providing statewide permit fee standards will increase the deployment of solar distributed generation, provide solar customers greater installation ease, improve the state’s ability to reach its clean energy goals, and create jobs in this state.

SEC. 2.

Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 66015) is added to Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, to read:

CHAPTER  7.5. Fees for Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

66015.

 (a) For a residential rooftop solar energy system that produces direct current electricity:

(1) A city, county, city and county, or charter city shall not charge a residential permit fee that exceeds the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. Except as provided in paragraph (2), that fee shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) plus fifteen dollars ($15) per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 15kW.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a city, county, city and county, or charter city may charge a residential permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system that exceeds the fees specified in paragraph (1) if, as part of a written finding and an adopted resolution or ordinance, it provides substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit.

(b) For a commercial rooftop solar energy system that produces direct current electricity:

(1) A city, county, city and county, or charter city shall not charge a commercial permit fee that exceeds the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the fee shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for systems up to 50kW plus seven dollars ($7) per kilowatt for each kilowatt between 51kW and 250kW, plus five dollars ($5) per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 250kW.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a city, county, city and county, or charter city may charge a commercial permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system that exceeds the applicable fee specified in paragraph (1) if, as part of a written finding and an adopted resolution or ordinance, it provides substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit.

(c) A written finding adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) shall include all of the following:

(1) A determination that the municipality has adopted appropriate ordinances, permit fees, and processes to streamline the submittal and approval of permits for solar energy systems pursuant to the practices and policies in state guidelines and model ordinances.

(2) A calculation related to the administrative cost of issuing a solar rooftop permit.

(3) A description of how the higher fee will result in a quick and streamlined approval process.

(d) For purposes of this section, “administrative costs” means the costs incurred in connection with the review, approval, and issuance of the permit, and the hourly site inspection and followup costs, and may also include an amortization of the costs incurred in connection with producing a written finding and adopting an ordinance or resolution pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b).

(e) For purposes of this section, “residential permit fee” means the sum of all charges levied by a city, county, city and county, or charter city in connection with the application for a rooftop solar energy system.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that a city, county, city and county, or charter city that meets the obligations of subdivisions (a) and (b) receive priority access to state funds for the purposes of distributed energy generation planning, permitting, training, or implementation.

(g) This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 3.

 If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

ASES’ Northern California Chapter, NorCal Solar has just published the 9th edition of their Solar Energy Resource Guide. This great publication is full of information on going solar including articles on how to get your project financed, how to tell how well you system is performing, finding a contractor and much more. There’s even a glossary of terms and a comprehensive resource section. While it’s somewhat California-centric, there’s oodles of information in here for everyone. Visit NorCal’s website to find out more about this exciting publication, then visit ASES’ chapter page to find an ASES Chapter near you.

PS: you can also purchase a poster of this beautiful cover art from Mazzarello Media, www.mazzarellomedia.com.