"Solar electricity is an environmentally friendly energy source that will
be a significant part of California's future energy supply," said
Commissioner Jackalyne Pfannenstiel. "The Energy Commission's goal is to
have reliable and current information available in one place for consumers
and homebuilders."
Beginning January 1, 2007, the California Energy Commission will manage a
program of about $400 million, complementing the program approved by the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Energy Commission will
work with homebuilders and the building industry to accelerate the growth
of photovoltaics (PV) in new home subdivisions, whereas the CPUC will
focus on solar installations on existing residential and commercial
buildings. A portion of the program funds will be allocated to special
incentives for low-income and affordable housing.
During 2006, residential and small businesses planning to install PV
systems less than 30 kilowatts (kW) in size can continue to qualify for
rebate incentives under the Energy Commission's Emerging Renewables
Program. Currently, the rebate is $2.80 per installed watt.
The new website will offer information for both the existing rebate
program, and for the new partnership. The website provides search
capabilities with solar information for existing homes, new homes,
production homebuilders, schools, government buildings, commercial
buildings, apartments and affordable housing.
The average household in California uses about 6,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
per year; a PV system in the 3 kW to 4 kW range would be adequate to meet
most electricity needs.
As of April 2006, California has more than 17,300 grid-connected PV
systems installed in California, representing 136 MW of power. The CPUC
and the Energy Commission plan to accelerate California's renewable energy
goal of 20 percent procured renewable power by 2010.
The California Energy Commission's new website can be viewed at the link
below.