Feb 24 - Business Wire

The Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in a special workshop, outlined a strategy and revisions for its Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program, reaffirming the LADWP's commitment to the environment, renewable energy and the Los Angeles economy.

The revised guidelines are designed to meet escalating requests by customers eager to participate in one of the largest solar electric system installation programs in the nation. The guidelines represent a continued commitment to solar power for the City of Los Angeles. The Solar Program also assists the LADWP in achieving its goal of providing 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2010.

The proposed revisions would use the solar PV systems' efficiency performance to determine the incentive payment. In addition, the proposed revised guidelines for the program include two separate funding categories to ensure broad and equitable distribution of incentive funds.

The workshop was held to assist in garnering community input in developing and finalizing the new guidelines. Public comments are being accepted on the proposal until April 14, 2006. In addition, a special workshop to be held soon for the LADWP Board of Commissioners was also discussed. The public can find details of the new proposed Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program guidelines on the LADWP web site, www.ladwp.com and then click Green LA.

Lillian Kawasaki, LADWP assistant general manager of Environmental Affairs and Economic Development commented, "The LADWP is fully committed to its solar program. As of Dec. 31, 2005, over $80 million has been paid in incentives to nearly 600 LADWP customers and on LADWP solar projects. We are working to make solar systems affordable to our customers, so no incentives will be needed in the future."

The proposal, which earmarks $750,000 to support the installation of solar in affordable housing was outlined at the workshop.

The Solar Incentive Program will be opened up for new applications once the revisions have been considered and approved by the LADWP Board. All of the customers that were on the former waiting list have now been serviced. LADWP's 10-year, $150 million solar photovoltaic buy-down incentive program, which began in 2000 and runs through June 2011, encourages residents and businesses to use clean, renewable energy by providing incentives that reduce the cost of installing solar electric systems.

The proposed guidelines for the Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program are expected to be revised in the future to align more closely with the recently announced California Solar Initiative that is expected to be implemented in 2007.

The Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program is part of the LADWP Green LA Environmental Programs that also include Energy Efficiency, Tree Planting, Green Power, and Recycling. Information on these environmental programs is available at www.ladwp.com or by calling 1-800-Green LA.

The largest municipally owned utility in the nation, the LADWP was established more than 100 years ago to provide water and electricity to meet the needs of the city's residents and businesses. LADWP currently serves more than 3.9 million people in the City of Los Angeles.