L.A. Council shines light on solar power

Apr 4 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Rick Orlov Daily News, Los Angeles

A pilot program that would pay residents and businesses to sell solar-generated power back to the city received City Council approval on Tuesday.

The long-debated feed-in tariff program would generate 10 megawatts of power for the Department of Water and Power -- enough to supply about 10,000 households -- and take effect in the coming months. The $3 million a year program will help the utility develop a pricing plan for how much residents would be reimbursed for creating solar energy.

"Feed-in tariff is an opportunity for the citizens of Los Angeles to install solar on their roofs and property, connect them to the energy grid and the DWP would pay them for the power they generate," said Michael Ester, assistant DWP general manager.

Ester said the city is facing a state legislative deadline to generate 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2013 and 30 percent by 2030.

DWP General Manager Ron Nichols said this is just the first step toward a much broader program encouraging solar installations at homes and businesses.

"Ultimately, we hope to have hundreds of these as we go forward," Nichols said. "We need to do this to learn about the costs and the pricing we will need to pay to get the power."

The feed-in tariff is separate from a solar incentive program designed to offset the cost of installing solar panels.

Nichols and officials cautioned the cost of developing solar power could be more expensive than

generating electricity with coal or other fuels.

"But we will continue to pursue the most cost-effective power sources we can," Nichols said.

Councilman Richard Alarcon said the city needs to be upfront with residents about the program.

"It's important for the public to understand the additional costs for this is borne by all the other ratepayers," Alarcon said. "And the amount we are producing will not be noticeable."

The DWP is planning a series of community workshops to explain how the program will work and how people can apply for it. Information on the workshops will be available at ladwp.com

It is expected the program will begin within the next several months.

rick.orlov@dailynews.com

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