While solar-panel prices have fallen 25% or more, on average, due to a global slowdown in demand, rooftop solar panels remain in high demand in California, the world's third-largest solar market, the CPUC data show.

The strength of California's solar market is due largely to generous state incentives, coupled with federal tax credits that greatly reduce the cost of installation and the fact that California has among the highest utility rates in the nation, making self-generated solar power competitive with conventional utility power, especially for large users.

The state is spending $3.3 billion to install 3,000 megawatts of solar panels over 10 years.

In a quarterly report on a solar rebate program it administers, the CPUC cited a recent change in the federal tax code that allows homeowners a larger tax credit for solar installations as a factor driving strength in that market.

Solar rebate applications filed with the CPUC in the first quarter hit a new quarterly record for capacity, at 52 megawatts, since the program started in January 2007, while the number of applications was down compared with the fourth quarter, the CPUC said.

To date, customers of utilities owned by PG&E Corp. (PCG), Edison International (EIX) and Sempra Energy (SRE) have installed 211 megawatts of new rooftop solar generation since 2007, the CPUC said. Statewide, California generates more than 500 megawatts of power from solar panels, the agency said.

The intent of the Legislature is that AB 811 should be used to finance the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements that are permanently fixed to residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property.

AB 811 authorizes a property owner, upon written consent of an authorized city official, to purchase directly the related equipment and materials for the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements and to contract directly for the installation of those sources or improvements. 

Funding options include using the general fund, issuing municipal bonds, partnering with a utility to get financing or setting up private financing.  

Palm Desert and Berkeley led the legislative charge to put AB 811 in place, and have now enabled hundreds of properties to be outfitted with energy efficiency and renewable energy systems including solar. The “Berkeley First” program was launched Nov. 07. Their pilot program is fully subscribed at $1.5 million.  The Palm Desert Energy Independence program is now in its third round of financing, having installed $7.5 million in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic systems in their town.  

The Sonoma County Energy Independence program has completed a feasibility study and is planning on offering a $40 million program, which will also include water conservation systems.

San Diego is working on a “Solar Roof Program.” The pilot project will focus on 150 to 300 homes, and 1 technology – solar photovoltaic. Success for the pilot is deemed to be completing the financing cycle, collecting 150-200 loan packages, and aggregating those smaller loans into larger packages that can be sold off on the municipal bond market. Encinitas, Napa and Redlands are all in the exploration phase of AB 811 programs.

Cities like Anaheim and Santa Monica have solar supportive programs already in place.  Santa Monica promotes solar adoption through its Solar Santa Monica program.  Solar installation firms bid for program, and guarantee “group” pricing.  HelioPower is a installer for this program.   

All across California residents and property owners are working with their elected officials to find new and innovative ways to increase the use of sun to power our electricity needs. 

For further information and a review of the legislation, click here. Support AB 811 adoption in your town! 

This April 22 is the 39^th anniversary of Earth Day.  HelioPower, founded in 2001 with a dedication to bring solar to as many rooftops as possible, will participate in several CA and Nevada events. The HelioPower energy consultants will help homeowners and commercial property owners understand how solar power can help put more “green” in their pockets and do their part for the planet.

A bit of Earth Day history…

“First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was spearheaded by a grassroots movement to shake up the political establishment and raise environmental awareness. Although planners had neither time nor resources to effectively organize the event, it took place across the nation with amazing results. An estimated 20 million demonstrators and thousand of schools and local communities participated.  The Earth Day founder, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, remembers, ‘That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.’ That first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Act.

The amazing energy associated with Earth Day propelled the movement forward, and in 1990 Earth Day went global, reminding us of our interconnectedness and mobilizing 200 million people in 41 countries, lifting environmental issues onto the world stage.  Today, huge climate changes impact everyone; the opportunity to raise awareness seems more important than ever.  Earth Day celebrations have a huge potential to impact change as more than a billion people participate in Earth Day each year.”

Source:  Claudia Abbott, “lastword,” a column in SOM Magazine

Dedicated HelioPower solar consultants will be at the following events.  Please join us in celebrating this 39^th Earth Day – 2009!

Tahoe / Reno

Tahoe Truckee Earth Day, Saturday, April 18, The Village at Squaw Valley

20/20 Earth Vision: Reno Earth Day Celebration, April 19, Idlewild Park,

Orange County, CA

Eco Fair 09, April 22, Cypress, CA

Earth Day Celebration at The Ecology Center, April 25, San Juan Capistrano

Coachella Valley, CA

Party for the Planet, April 25, The Living Desert

San Fernando Valley, CA

Earthfest Carnival 2009, April 25, St. Cyril of Jerusalem School

A growing number of states are moving to require home builders to offer solar electricity and hot-

New home solar power system in California installed by HelioPower

water systems in new homes, right alongside more traditional options such as fancy kitchen countertops and special window treatments.

"It's just like the granite countertop upgrade or the two-car garage or the larger closet — these are options the homeowner can choose to purchase," said Jeff Lyng, the renewable energy program manager for Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's Energy Office.

In Colorado, lawmakers are considering a bill that would require builders to offer a range of options, from pre-wiring the home for solar power to full installation of a solar system. The legislation would also require builders to tell buyers they can roll the cost of the system into their mortgage, reducing up-front costs, Lyng said.

"What this begins to do is standardize things. We're trying to build Colorado's infrastructure to be ready for solar," Lyng said.

The Colorado proposal has passed in the state House and awaits Senate consideration. Ritter, a Democrat who had solar panels installed at the Governor's Mansion in Denver several years ago, said he plans to sign the bill.

Elsewhere:

•New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill last month that would require builders in developments of 25 homes or more to offer solar panels to home buyers and to discuss during construction the benefits of clean energy.

•A California law taking effect in 2010 will require builders to offer solar panels on homes in developments of more than 50 houses.

•Hawaii, starting Jan. 1, will require all new single-family homes to include solar hot-water heaters, said Russell Pang, a spokesman for Gov. Linda Lingle, a Democrat. Hawaii imports 90% of its fossil fuel energy sources, Pang said. "Living on an island, that's not the kind of thing we want to be depending on."

•New Mexico home builders must offer solar-ready wiring but are not obligated to offer solar installation, under a law that took effect last year.

The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels or solar water heaters through 2016, said Karen Schneider, spokeswoman for the federal Energy Star program. The credit covers materials and installation costs, with no ceiling on claims.

Colorado officials hope at least 10% of the 12,000 new homes expected to be built in the state this year have solar systems installed, creating at least 300 jobs for installation technicians, Lyng said.

Daniel Glick, of Lafayette, Colo., helped persuade more than 25 families in his neighborhood to install solar systems over the past several years. Glick said residents agreed to use homeowners association dues to make low-interest loans to their neighbors to cover installation costs. Glick now gets a monthly check from his power company because his home is generating more power than it uses.

"It's not just the right thing to do. It makes economic sense," he said.