Variations on the policy that jumpstarted Germany’s decade-long boom in rooftop solar systems are taking root in more cities in the United States.

The policy, called a feed-in tariff, offers small-scale producers of solar energy long-term contracts (usually at above-market rates) for the electricity they sell. Last week, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which serves 1.4 million people, approved a feed-in tariff that allows homeowners with solar panels a chance to sign up for 10, 15 or 20 years of guaranteed payments. The policy will take effect next January. The city of Gainesville, Fla., adopted a feed-in tariff this spring, as did Vermont. Washington state also has such a policy, and Hawaii is currently considering one.

While feed-in tariffs are most closely associated with solar photovoltaic panels, utilities managing the programs in Vermont and Sacramento will also pay a set price for electricity generated from other renewable sources, like wind.

The Sacramento program is open to homeowners who are not participating in another program, called net metering, which allows anyone whose system is producing more electricity than they need to sell the excess back to the utility, thus reducing their electric bill. But once their bill falls to zero, the homeowner gets no more money from the system.

Jon Bertolino, a spokesman for the Sacramento utility, said that customers with land to spare had been asking whether, if they put up small solar farms, the utility would buy the excess electricity.

As long as they are not part of the net-metering program and not seeking the $2.80$1.90- to $2.20-per-watt ratepayer subsidy for their new panels under the state’s “Million Solar Roofs” program, Mr. Bertolino said, small generators can sell their power to S.M.U.D. The rates would depend on the time of day the power is generated, ranging from a low of 5 or 6 cents a kilowatt-hour to 30 cents on a hot summer afternoon; the size of eligible systems is capped at 5 megawatts (and the program overall has a 100-megawatt cap).

For full story, click here.

The solar power system is in two installations. One is on the carport and the other on an adjacent building housing a Starbucks. The solar power system, engineered by HelioPower, includes Canadian Solar photovoltaic modules.

Here is a video of the installation:

Bob's Big Boy – Going Solar from SportShorts on Vimeo.

Canadian Solar Inc. ("Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), HelioPower, Inc. and Bob’s Big Boy of Burbank today announced the launch of the Bob’s “Sixty and Solar” campaign.  Commemorating 60 years in operation by going a modern “green,” Bob’s is inaugurating a 26 kW Canadian Solar photovoltaic panel system installed by HelioPower. The “Sixty and Solar” celebration showcases Bob’s solar power installation and invites fans to participate by sharing their Bob’s stories. To kick off the celebration, Bob’s patrons are invited to register their restaurant memories at a filming this weekend at the Burbank location.  

The Bob's Big Boy Restaurant located at 4211 Riverside Drive in Burbank, California is the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy in the United States.  Over the years Bob's has seen a parade of celebrity names stop by for a hamburger.  Movie stars of old have been regulars, with the restaurant serving some of the world's top musical talent and being the site of the celebrity attended Friday Night classic car show.

“Our 50^th celebration gave us an opportunity to invite patrons to a parking lot beach party,” said Bob’s Big Boy owner Philip MacDonald. The MacDonald family has owned the Bob’s since 1949 and took over operations in 1993, the same year it was designated a California Point of Historical Interest.  “In addition to going ‘green’ we are using the contemporary tools of a new generation to bring our fans together on the Internet. This campaign is a platform for our patrons to share their Bob’s memories online as well as come in and see us,” said MacDonald.

Filming of Bob’s stories will take place Friday, July 17 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, July 18 from 10 am to 5 pm at the restaurant.  There is no charge; however those who participate will be required to sign a photo release form.  Stories will be edited and posted online as appropriate on the campaign’s website, http://www.SixtyandSolar.com, YouTube, Facebook and MySpace sites.

“Bob’s has a very special place in the American landscape,” said Greg Ashley, President of Canadian Solar (USA), Inc. “The owners of this unique structure have demonstrated leadership to building owners across the country. By optimizing renewable energy design and historical architecture, Bob’s has proven that green energy and architectural charm can work well together.  We are very pleased that Canadian Solar’s high performance solar panels are a part of this installation and a part of the ‘Sixty and Solar’ celebration. Happy Birthday, Bob!” 

The restaurant is now generating a portion of its own electricity from a solar power system

Carport component of Bob's solar array, HelioPower installed using Canadian Solar solar modules

“From concept to design, implementation to a fully operational solar power system, HelioPower has done a wonderful job installing solar power on our historic building,” explained MacDonald. 

“Bob’s has a rich tradition of being a good neighbor. Over the years they have given over $500,000 to local charities.  At their 50^th celebration Habitat for Humanity was part of the festivities.  This year, the San Fernando Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity will rejoin the list of Bob’s charities as the official charity of the ‘Sixty and Solar’ celebration,” explained Glenna Wiseman, Vice President of Marketing for HelioPower. 

"As the only Habitat affiliate that builds in Burbank and the San Fernando Valley, we rely on local businesses and our neighbors to help raise funds to provide decent affordable housing right here in our community, so we are honored to be an ongoing part of Bob's history and future,” said Jack Shine, Chairman of the Board of Habitat for Humanity, San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valley, Serving Northern LA City and County.

Wiseman continued, “This campaign has magic.  It is a wonderful opportunity for Bob’s fans around the world to connect and celebrate Bob’s, its rich tradition and the modern commitment its owners have shown to solar technology.”

Additional sponsors of the “Sixty and Solar” campaign currently include American Meat Company, Apffels Gourmet Coffee, Sysco Los Angeles and U.S. Foods.  For more information about becoming a sponsor please email gwiseman@heliopower.com.

For more information visit us online at http://www.sixtyandsolar.com.

Follow at Twitter: https://twitter.com/sixtyandsolar

On FaceBook:  http://tinyurl.com/mweys8

On YouTube at SixtyandSolar

For more information on the project specifics click here.

About Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc. is a leading vertically integrated provider of ingot, wafer, solar cell, solar module and other solar applications. Canadian Solar designs, manufactures and delivers solar products and solar systems for on-grid and off-grid use to customers worldwide. Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest solar module producers by manufacturing capacity. With operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Canadian Solar provides premium quality, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar solutions to support global sustainable development. For more information, visit http://www.canadian-solar.com.

About HelioPower

HelioPower has been committed to engineering solar power solutions for residential, commercial, community and utility scale partners since 2001.  A leading sustainable energy integration firm, HelioPower operates in California and Nevada, serving clients worldwide. HelioPower can be reached toll free at 1 87 SOLAR 888 or on the web at http://www.HelioPower.com.

This Independence Day, we have a lot to celebrate — including a major victory for our planet.

The historic vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act in the House of Representatives last Friday moves this bill to the Senate. Now, we must continue to build momentum and work for its passage.

Just as our founders struggled to achieve our nation's independence, we must encourage our leaders to stand up to the entrenched special interests in another struggle of great historical importance — the fight for our energy independence.

Today, our nation lives under the oppressive thumb of foreign oil, dirty energy and a climate crisis that could change life as we know it.

We are held hostage to volatile gas prices, as Americans send hundreds of billions of dollars overseas each year. This dependence on foreign oil leaves our nation vulnerable to unstable and hostile regimes, burdening our military and their families.

And our reliance on dirty energy continues to cost us — average annual household energy spending increased approximately $1,000 between 2001 and 2007.

It doesn't have to be this way, and clean energy is the path we need. Add your voice and declare your energy independence now:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/declaration

Thanks for all you do,

Al Gore