SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 01, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company today connected its 10,000th solar customer to the California grid as the utility continues to lead the nation in solar hook ups. Glissade Snowboards, a San Francisco snowboard manufacturing company, became PG&E's 10,000th solar customer when the utility connected the factory's 18 kilowatt solar electric system during a ceremony today celebrating the milestone.

The system provides power to run the factory while excess power is sent back to the PG&E electric grid. PG&E's Net Energy Metering program allows customers to earn a credit for excess power that is then applied toward their own future energy usage.

"We want to support solar technology and do our part to be a responsible business," said Mike O'Reilly, co-owner of Glissade. "Our goal is to equip our facility with high tech machinery and keep up to date with cutting edge technology. By combining solar power and robotic cutting equipment, we are able to maintain our high end snowboard reputation and show the younger generation that solar technology is the future."

Glissade Snowboards benefited from an incentive program administered by the California Energy Commission called the Emerging Renewables Program. The program offers financial incentives for solar electric systems less than 30 kilowatts. These rebates are made possible through customer rates of investor-owned utilities like PG&E.

"This milestone demonstrates PG&E's commitment to solar energy," said Jeff Butler, senior vice president of energy delivery for the utility. "PG&E's popular solar programs and charitable contributions are expanding solar power in California as we become the nation's leading solar utility."

PG&E's Self-Generation Incentive Program provides financial incentives for on-site generation systems such as solar, wind, fuel cell or cogeneration systems of 30 kilowatts or larger. To date, PG&E has paid more than $115 million in rebates for more than 230 solar projects totaling over 30 megawatts.

PG&E supports solar energy in other ways as well. Since 2004 PG&E's Solar Schools Program has awarded 30 solar electric systems valued at $20,000 to underserved schools throughout northern and central California. In 2006, PG&E will select an additional 30 schools to receive their very own solar electric system. The program also provides solar curricula, teacher training and grant money to inspire students to become the solar innovators and scientists of tomorrow.

PG&E's Solar Habitat Program is a partnership between PG&E and local Habitat for Humanity chapters to fund solar electric systems on Habitat homes in northern and central California. The program brings solar energy to families with limited incomes and provides training funds to expand Habitat for Humanity's expertise with solar installations. In 2006, PG&E will contribute over $1.5 million towards the Solar Schools and Solar Habitat Programs. These programs are funded entirely by PG&E's shareholders.

PG&E's 10,000 solar customers represent more than 70 megawatts of solar generation. In 2004 alone, PG&E interconnected more than half of the new solar electric systems installed in the entire nation.

For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company, please visit our website at www.pge.com.

For more information about Glissade Snowboards, please visit their website at www.glissadesnowboards.com.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

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