New California Bill Gives More Money to Small-Scale Solar Projects

October 14th, 2009 by Zachary Shahan

Governor Schwarzenegger just gave solar power a boost in California, especially for relatively small-scale solar generators.

Taking notes from Europe, perhaps, Schwarzenegger signed legislation for a “feed-in tariff” earlier this week that requires Calfornia utilities buy solar power from relatively small generators and at higher than market-value prices.

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In particular, the new requirement is that California utilities “buy power from solar-panel generators of 1.5-3.0 megawatts in size” and with a pricing scheme that looks to create a tariff of about 15-17 cents per kilowatt-hour.

This should give a boost to some existing solar generators and one perceived benefit is that it will create a sub-market for low-cost projects which don’t really fit into any existing portion of the energy market. However, a handful of solar companies also believe this is not a strong enough incentive and the 15-17 cents per kw-hour wouldn’t stimulate much investment.

Big solar companies such as Suntech Power Holdings, SunPower Corp, and Applied Materials Inc. would prefer to see a similar feed-in tariff program from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) instead.

Schwarzenegger encouraged the CPUC to go ahead and create a similar program, but said he was signing this bill now because California “will need to use all of the tools available” to achieve its goal to have 33% of electricity sold by utilities coming from renewable energy sources by 2020.

According to supporters, the tariff looks like it is good enough for schools, local governments, farms, and others on a similar scale to take advantage of. Looks like it could be a great thing for 1BOG neighborhood groups, too!

This is a major new incentive for smaller scale solar generators and hopefully it will stimulate investment in this more dormant area of the solar marketplace! Thank you Governor Schwarzenegger for this new solar boost.

via Market Watch and PV-tech.org

Image Credit: Thomas Hawk via flickr under a Creative Commons license

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Tags: Applied Materials, California, California Public Utilities Commission, CPUC, renewable resources, Schwarzenegger, small solar projects, solar generators, SunPower Corp, Suntech Power Holdings, utility market

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

HSR0601

I’ve learned leasing solar panels in California made a big success as it relieves the pressure of up-front cost, I’m hopeful this innovative idea can spread world-wide.

It would be true of leasing battery of EVs, as well.
HSR0601

I’ve learned leasing solar panels in California made a big success as it relieves the pressure of up-front cost, I’m hopeful this innovative idea can spread world-wide.

It would be true of leasing battery of EVs, as well.
Neal Reardon

Bill W – The tariff wasn’t extended to residential customers because they are already eligible for net energy metering and CA Solar Initiative incentives.
Neal Reardon

Bill W – The tariff wasn’t extended to residential customers because they are already eligible for net energy metering and CA Solar Initiative incentives.
http://www.wattminder.com solarMD

The ‘above market’ rate of 15C to 17C would not be a strong incentive as an investment. It is a merciful concession to appeace the utilities by Arnold.

I checked around the North East states, the nominal rates are around 12C plus 6C for delivery. If the prevalent Netmetering, time-of-use rate structure is applicable, then it may be more attractive.

Like to see what PPA contractors think about this limited feed-in-tariff ?
http://www.wattminder.com solarMD

The ‘above market’ rate of 15C to 17C would not be a strong incentive as an investment. It is a merciful concession to appeace the utilities by Arnold.

I checked around the North East states, the nominal rates are around 12C plus 6C for delivery. If the prevalent Netmetering, time-of-use rate structure is applicable, then it may be more attractive.

Like to see what PPA contractors think about this limited feed-in-tariff ?
http://GlobalPatriot.com Global Patriot

While not a complete solution, this is a great step forward that will encourage the construction of additional solar installations. Hopefully this approach will find widespread acceptance with other states.
http://GlobalPatriot.com Global Patriot

While not a complete solution, this is a great step forward that will encourage the construction of additional solar installations. Hopefully this approach will find widespread acceptance with other states.
Bill W

It’s a shame they didn’t extend this tariff down to the level of residential systems.
Bill W

It’s a shame they didn’t extend this tariff down to the level of residential systems.