Renewable energy program generates interest in Scotts Valley

Feb 26 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kimberly White Santa Cruz Sentinel, Calif.

By the fall, half a dozen wind turbines should be churning away atop the Circus Tree Center building on Scotts Valley Drive, the first of what could be dozens perched on structures across the city.

The six turbines -- which stand six feet tall and have a wingspan of about five feet -- will be installed on the roof of a complex that houses Mint cafe, Skylight Ballroom and BCI Builders, a construction company owned by Mayor Dene Bustichi.

"It might reduce our overall power use possibly by 20 percent," estimated Bustichi, who also owns the building.

He's taking advantage of a rebate program offered by the California Energy Commission that aims to increase interest in renewable energy systems, specifically small wind turbines and fuel cells. The rebate covers costs associated with purchasing the equipment, labor and permits, according to the commission.

Amy Morgan, a commission spokeswoman, explained that the rebate program is paid for by the public-goods charges consumers pay on their utility bills. The program is open to everyone, from private homeowners to municipal agencies, and the state's run it since 1998. But last April, the agency approved a one-year increase in the rebate amount to generate more interest in renewable energy systems.

For example, through April 6, consumers who buy small wind turbines will receive a rebate of $3 per watt for whatever rating that turbine receives.

San Francisco-based Solar Point

Resources Inc. will purchase the turbines for Bustichi's building and arrange for them to be installed by another company. Solar Point official Bob Tablak explained that each produces 1.6 kilowatts, for a rating of 1,600 watts. For six turbines, that's 9,600 watts, for a total rebate of $28,800, which will go to Solar Point. Each turbine costs $1,880, he said, but that amount doesn't include the costs for associated equipment such as the inverter and wiring.

Before the higher incentive was enacted, Morgan said, the rate was $2.50 per watt for the first 7.5 kilowatts, the rate structure the rebate program will revert back to on April 7.

Bustichi's been meeting with other city officials to discuss having the turbines installed at facilities such as schools, fire and police departments, city hall -- possibly even the new library, slated to open in May.

The devices would be provided at no cost to the city, Bustichi explained, partly because of the rebate program, but also because a portion of the taxes the city -- and any other ratepayer -- pays to PGandE goes into a renewable energy fund.

If the city decides to move forward with the turbines, the application would have to be turned in by the April 6 deadline, and the turbines would have to be installed within one year.

Bustichi mentioned the rebate program at a previous council meeting, and the item is slated to appear on a future agenda.