LADWP Solar Rebate – Accepting Applications Again

Solar is back in LA! Earlier this year the LADWP solar incentive program was shut down due to overwhelming demand.

From its inception, the demand for solar in LA has been high, this year the LADWP rebate program had been swamped with $112 million in requests for energy rebates, but the program only has $30 million available in the annual budget.  To find a balance between satisfying customer demand and its budget restrictions, the LADWP plans to approve a limited number of current requests and has reduced the incentive levels for new projects. The updated 2011 rebate amount will be cut to $2.20 for every watt installed from the previous rate of $3.24, when it is brought back at the beginning of September.

If you’re interested in going solar, it is highly advisable to take advantage of the new rebate rates this year, as further rebate cuts are expected down the road.

It is reported that LADWP is also considering a feed-in tariff, where residents and businesses could be compensated for excess energy they generate. In Europe, feed-in tariffs have encouraged record solar energy development in Germany, Spain, and other countries in the region. Investor-owned utilities such as SCE have also successfully implemented feed-in tariffs.

With LADWP importing over 40% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants located in other states, the adoption of solar power not only saves the Department money in the long run, but makes the Los Angeles area less dependent on outside sources of electricity, reduces pollution from greenhouse gases that threaten the environment, and stimulates the economy. Just recently, an article entitled “U.S., Canada power grids ready for heatwave“ reminds us of power operator’s concerns about the fossil fuel powered utility grid’s vulnerabilities which could lead to rolling black-outs, although the article did not mention any immediate concern.

In times of greater burden on the existing power lines and generating facilities, those with their own generating capabilities like solar customers, can help their local utility companies in meeting overall energy demand. Isn’t is great that in addition to all the environmental benefits of solar power, this amazing technology can also make the existing power grid more reliable? Even more reason to contact us for a free quote and take the next step towards going solar!

The Glendale Solar Rebate is BACK!

Great news! The GWP Solar Solutions Program is officially back on line starting July 1st 2011. The solar rebate was shut down in August last year due to high demand. The officially rebate rate has been released, it has dropped from last year, but it’s still one of the best rebates in the country. There’s a graph with all the details below.

If you own a home or building in the area and are interested in going solar, sign up soon, and get all that paperwork in order before the rebates shy away again.

GWP Solar Solutions Program

Incentives For Systems Less than or Equal to 30 KW (Most Residential projects fall into this category)

RESERVATION YEAR	SYSTEM PER WATT INCENTIVE	GREEN ENERGY PER WATT INCENTIVE	TOTAL PER WATT INCENTIVE
2011-2012	$1.60	$0.40	$2.00
2012-2013	$1.49	$0.37	$1.86
2013-2014	$1.38	$0.35	$1.73

Incentives For Systems Greater than 30 KW (Most Commercial projects fall into this category)

RESERVATION YEAR	SYSTEM PER KWH INCENTIVE	GREEN ENERGY PER KWH INCENTIVE	TOTAL PER KWH INCENTIVE*
2011-2012	$0.184	$0.046	$0.230
2012-2013	$0.171	$0.043	$0.214
2013-2014	$0.159	$0.040	$0.199
*Actual incentives on the larger systems are paid on a per kwh basis for electricity production over the first five years of system operation.

Join us this weekend in Santa Monica at the AltBuild Design Conference & Expo

We’re excited to be taking part in the 8th Annual Alternative Building Materials & Design Conference & Expo AKA AltBuild, this weekend. It’s one of the most interesting and sustainability oriented Green events in the Country. The event will be held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Friday May 6th and Saturday May 7th, 2011, from 10am to 5pm.

Stop by the California Green Designs booth and catch up on all the latest news regarding solar. We’ll be showing off one of our largest installations, and have on display two full-sized solar panels, an inverter, and a solar pathfinder – the instrument used to project the daily trek of the sun all year long.

Other events that will be held at the expo include the Energy Upgrade California Networking Event, and the Ask A Pro event organized by the AIA Los Angeles Chapter where folks can get advice on green renovation questions from licensed architects and LEED Accredited Professionals. The Hennessey & Ingalls bookstore will feature architecture, design and eco-friendly books on display and for purchase and the Post Alt-Build Mixer organized by the Westside Branch of USGBC-LA will be held as well.

Come and see the APEX Block Demo Trailer built made of 80% post industrial recycled polystyrene foam and 20% cement. LifeSource Water will provide refills of filtered water so bring your cateens to AltBuild and the ever popular AltBuild Café will offer a complete menu of lunch and dessert options.

Zero Waste will attempt  to capture as many valuable materials as possible through Zero Waste Stations and to encourage bike use to the event, a FREE Bike Valet parking will be set up by the City of Santa Monica.

Event Location
Santa Monica Convention Center

1855 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401-3209
310-458-8551
www.santamonicacivic.org

CAGD Celebrates Earth Day

As this year’s Earth Day celebration approaches (mark your calendars for this Friday, April 22nd), we’d like to reflect on the truly beneficial aspects of what we do as a solar company.  Each day, we enable people living in our communities to take advantage of solar energy and in so doing, we help improve the world we live in. The sun is a truly amazing resource – it sustains life on our planet by keeping temperatures moderate, it gives light, allows crops and plants to grow and among other things, its energy can be converted to electricity which has powered the improvement in the standard of living since Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb.

As a company which specializes in helping people take advantage of solar photovoltaic energy, we get excited about Earth Day. On April 21st, we’ll be at the Earth Day Celebration at the prestigious Fox Plaza building. Located at 2121 Avenue of the Stars in Century City the event will be a great opportunity to meet and talk to people about green issues.

Just last month, an inspirational article written by prominent technology author and entrepreneur Ramez Naam in Scientific American magazine again highlights the really important benefits of solar energy, which is becoming ever more affordable and competitive with conventional fossil fuel energy sources. The Article can be seen at http://http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=smaller-cheaper-faster-does-moores-2011-03-15

To quote Ramez “If humanity could capture one tenth of one percent of the solar energy striking the earth – one part in one thousand – we would have access to six times as much energy as we consume in all forms today, with almost no greenhouse gas emissions.”

In the article, with data provided by the Department of Energy’s  National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the author goes on to explain that the trend of falling PV module costs has followed an exponential pattern over the past 30 years. The trend follows the famous “Moore’s law” trend seen in computer chip technology, only instead of doubling capacity every 18 months, “Solar Module Moore’s Law” explains the roughly 7% price drop of modules each year.

The author goes on to explain that since retail electricity prices are currently rising by a few percent each year, by 2018, the cost of solar electricity in the average location in the U.S. will cost the same as electricity produced from coal. By 2030, the author says, solar electricity is likely to cost half the cost of coal electricity. A typical solar module with a 20 year life span is estimated to produce about 7-10 times more energy than that which is required to manufacture it and solar technology represents a green power source with virtually no carbon emissions.

That’s good news for the world.

Happy Earth Day From All of Us at CAGD!

Earth Heart

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 
Margaret Mead

A Great Time at Go Green Expo

We had a great time at the Go Green Expo this weekend. One of the premiere sustainable lifestyle events of the year, Go Green was buzzing with excitement. The warm weekend weather made for a great turnout all weekend long, and the excitement of sustainable green living and clean solar energy was in the air. Our team members Patricia, David, Dean, and Shawn talked to a lot of folks interested in solar for their homes and businesses.

We were thrilled by all the interest from so many people who believe that solar energy is a vital part of our energy future and are we’re happy to share its many benefits. We also had a lot of excited participants in our solar charger raffle. Stay tuned for the winner announcement soon. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and in the meantime look for us at green events all year long, such as Earth Day at Fox Plaza in Century City on April 21.

UPDATED Solar Rebates in Los Angeles County

Rebates for solar electric systems in California in large part come from a state mandated Utility company rebate. While the rebate amount is an ever changing sum, we can tell you who will be giving you your rebate. When you install with California Green Designs we take of the rebate application process for you. Here’s a list of your rebate sources in Los Angeles.

• LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water & Power) Solar Incentive Program

LADWP Solar Rebate Rates
Installation Type	Incentive Rates
Residential	Step 6 $1.62/kWh
Commercial	on hold

Last updated 6/5/2012

• SCE (Southern California Edison) California Solar Initiative

SCE Incentive Rates
PSI Incentive Type	System Size	Incentive Rates (by customer type)	Payment Schedule
Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB)	1 kW to30 kW	$0.35/watt – Residential$0.35/watt – Commercial$1.10/watt – Government & Non-profits	One lump sum payment after installation & inspection approval.
Performance Based Incentive (PBI)	Over 30 kW to 1,000 kW	$0.05/kWh – Residential$0.05/kWh – Commercial & all PPAs$0.15/kWh for government & non-profit applicants (host customers)	Five annual payments for first five years after installation & inspection approval; based on actual metered kWh output.

Last updated 6/5/2012

• Pasadena Water & Power – Solar Power Installation Rebate

PWP Incentive Rates, Effective Feb. 2, 2011 Rebates scheduled to change anytime
PSI Incentive Type	System Size	Incentive Rates (by customer type)	Payment Schedule
Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB)	1 kW to50 kW	$1.40/watt – Residential$0.85/watt – Commercial$1.60/watt – Government & Non-profits	One lump sum payment after installation & inspection approval; based on estimated PV system AC capacity.
Performance Based Incentive (PBI)	Over 50 kW to 1,000 kW	$0.212/kWh – Residential$0.129/kWh – Commercial & all PPAs$0.242/kWh for government & non-profit applicants (host customers)	Five annual payments for first five years after installation & inspection approval; based on actual metered kWh output.

Last updated 6/5/2012

• Azusa Light & Water – Solar Partnership Program

Azusa Light & Water Solar Rebate
Installation Type	System Size	Incentive Rates
RECs not retained	Less than 30 kW	$2.35/W up to 50% of the total cost of the system
RECs retained	more than 30 kW	$1.85/W up to 50% of the total cost of the system

Last updated 6/5/2012

• Burbank Water & Power – Residential & Commercial Solar Support Program-  Burbank’s rebate is on hold until July 2012

BWP Incentive Rates
PSI Incentive Type	System Size	Incentive Rates (by customer type)	Payment Schedule
Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) BWP receives RECs	1 kW to30 kW	$1.86/watt – Residential$1.35/watt – Commercial$1.55/watt – Government & Non-profits	One lump sum payment after installation & inspection approval; based on estimated PV system AC capacity.
Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) Consumer receives RECs	1 kW to30 kW	$1.32/watt – Residential$1.04/watt – Commercial$1.55/watt – Government & Non-profits	One lump sum payment after installation & inspection approval; based on estimated PV system AC capacity.
Performance Based Incentive (PBI) BWP receives RECs	Over 30 kW to 1,000 kW	$0.464/kWh – Residential$0.288/kWh – Commercial & all PPAs$0.311/kWh for Government & Non-profit	Five annual payments for first five years after installation & inspection approval; based on actual metered kWh output.
Performance Based Incentive (PBI) Consumer receives RECs	Over 30 kW to 1,000 kW	$0.282/kWh – Residential$0.226/kWh – Commercial & all PPAs$0.311/kWh for Government & Non-profit	Five annual payments for first five years after installation & inspection approval; based on actual metered kWh output.

Last updated 6/5/2012

• Glendale Water and Power – Solar Solutions Program The Glendale Solar Rebate is on hold until July 2012

GWP Solar Rebate Rates
Installation Type	System Size	Incentive Rates
Residential	Less than 30 kW	$2.00/W
Commercial	More than 30 kW	$0.230/kWh

Last updated 6/5/2012

Other Solar Incentives in the LA area include

• 30% Federal Tax Credit, which are now uncapped and unaffected by AMT

• Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems Which means the market value of your house goes up with a solar electric system, but the assessed value (on which your property taxes are based) does not.

• Santa Monica has a building permit fee waiver

• Net-metering – Californians can take advantage of the fact that they have net-metering solar electric systems, which means any surplus power you create runs the meter backwards.

If you would to have a free solar evaluation and an estimate, please fill out a form on California Green Designs Website.