Los Angeles Solar Power

Environmental Programs for a Sustainable Future

2010-04-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is committed to support and embrace environmental efforts that will improve the quality of life in the City of Los Angeles. The Department offers a number of environmental programs that enable you to take action and become involved. The environmental Green LA programs include: Trees for a Green LA, Energy Efficiency for a Green LA, Solar Energy for a Green LA, Electric Vehicles for a Green LA, Green Power for a Green LA, Recycling for a Green LA and Educational Services for a Green LA.

For more info see the LADWP web site here:

	Green Power for Residential and Small Commercial Customers Green Power for Medium and Large Commercial Customers
	Trees For A Green LA
	Energy Efficiency
	Solar Energy
	Recycled Products
	Electric Vehicles
	Educational Services

Solar Power Incentives - The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

2010-01-28T18:59:00.001-08:00

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is reaffirming its commitment to the environment, renewable energy, and the local economy.

Solar Power Incentives

The Solar Incentive Program is designed to meet escalating requests by customers eager to participate in one of the largest solar electric system installation programs in the nation. Since 1999 this Program has encouraged the development of over 17 MW of solar power and assists the LADWP in achieving its goal of providing 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2010.

The program is structured as a 10 step declining incentive, based on the amount of solar installed and connected to LADWP’s energy grid. The LADWP Solar Incentive Program provides one lump sum payment to LADWP customers that purchase or lease solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to offset traditional energy consumption at the installation site. The Solar Incentive Program has two separate funding categories with different incentive levels to ensure broad and equitable distribution of funds.

Residential Solar Power Incentive

Commercial Solar Power Incentive

To receive an incentive payment from the LADWP, customers must apply for and receive a written, Confirmed Reservation number issued by the Solar Energy Group. The individual solar powered systems must meet the requirements outlined in Section 6.0 of the Solar Guidelines.

The LADWP incentive payment is a one time payment based on the estimated performance of the solar system. Using PVWatts Version 2, the annual kWh output is estimated and a formula is applied to give the customer a one time payment for 20 years of solar production. The LADWP Instructions for PVWatts Version 2 can be found at the bottom of this page. The incentive is calculated as follows:

Estimate the 1^st year energy production using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Version 2 programx 20 years - If the solar PV equipment is leased, the incentive is prorated to the term of the lease agreement.x 0.9 (the system degradation factor)Multiply the results by the current incentive rate in $/kWh.(See Residential or Commercial Incentive Programs tables, and Section 2.3 - Funding Categories and Section 2.4 - Payment Calculation of the program guidelines.)

The intent of the Solar Incentive Program is to reduce the net cost to the end user of such systems, thereby stimulating the installation of reliable well designed generating systems located throughout the City and assisting in the establishment of a commercially viable solar PV industry. LADWP will also periodically review the results of the Incentive Program to determine if modifications or changes to the level of incentives or other program terms and conditions are necessary to achieve the overall program goals. LADWP reserves the right to modify or discontinue the solar Incentive Program at any time at the discretion of the LADWP Board of Water and Power Commissioners (Board). This Program is subject to funding availability.

If after reading the guidelines you require additional information about the Incentive Program, please contact the LADWP’s Solar Energy Group at (213) 367-4122.

About the California Solar Initiative

2010-01-28T18:58:00.001-08:00

About the California Solar Initiative
As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Million Solar Roofs Program, California has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2017 - moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.
The California Public Utilities Commission, through its California Solar Initiative, provides over $2 billion in incentives over the next decade for existing residential homes and existing and new commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties.
The California Energy Commission manages a 10-year, $350 million program to encourage solar in new home construction through its New Solar Homes Partnership.
The overall goal is to help build a self-sustaining solar market.

The California Solar Initiative Offers
Photovoltaic incentives starting at $1.90 per watt for systems up to one megawatt in size.
Funds for solar installations for existing and new low-income and affordable housing.
A pay-for-performance incentive structure to reward high-performing solar projects.
The California Solar Initiative will be coordinated with the state's energy efficiency, "smart" metering, and building standards programs at the Public Utilities Commission and Energy Commission, ensuring that the state is using its energy resources wisely.

What are the benefits of Renewable Energy Technologies?
Reliability
Generate your own electricity using renewable resources. If you use a solar PV system, your electric utility can "store" your electricity, and supply it when your system is not generating.
Security
Provide a secure back-up source of electricity for your home or business, while making use of our indigenous energy resources.
Environmentally Friendly
Use clean, replenishable resources that do not pollute or contribute to global climate change.
Sustainability
Help ensure our energy future by tapping into an "infinite" power supply.

Who is eligible to apply?
All types of electricity customers are eligible: residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial.
You can buy your electricity from any electric service provider, but your proposed site must be within the utility electricity service area of: Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, or Bear Valley Electric Company.
You must also remain connected to the utility grid.

I will be discussing the current state of Los Angeles Solar Power here.

2010-01-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES -- When Albert Ortega was released from prison four months ago, he was determined to turn his life around. So he went green.
Mr. Ortega sports tattoos of an Aztec warrior on his back, a dragon on his chest and the name of his former gang, the East Side Wilmas, rings his biceps. Drug trafficking kept him locked up for most of the past seven years, he says. But after serving his last term, for 18 months, he heard about a solar-panel installation course.
"I wanted a new way of life," says the tall, brawny 34-year-old. "Solar puts me on the cutting edge."
Mr. Ortega helped his classmates wire up a panel. One was Ken Chung, a general contractor who decided to train for a career in solar energy after his business of building homes and pools began to dry up.
After months searching for a training program, Mr. Chung decided the Homeboy course would give him the skills he needed. But when he informed his wife that most of his classmates would be ex-felons, she was worried. "I told her, 'Honey, just give me a week to try and see,' " he recalls.
On his first day, he says a fellow student asked: "What were you in for?" Mr. Chung, a 45-year-old Malaysian immigrant, didn't understand. "I asked him to repeat the question."
The East L.A. Skills Center offers a night class in photovoltaic installation (the official name of solar-panel installation) that is open to the general public, but there's a long waiting list. That's why some "regular folks" have been clamoring to get into the Homeboy class, says Ed Ruiz, the instructor. "Most of them take one look and say 'no thanks,' " he says.
Doug Lincoln, 61, who once managed luxury-car dealerships, was offered admission to the Homeboy course after he inquired about a faster-paced class. On hearing it was mainly for ex-cons, "I thought it was a joke," he says.
Now, Mr. Lincoln is about to graduate. He plans to start a solar-panel-installation firm, he says, and hire some of his former Homeboy classmates. "These guys are more motivated than hundreds of employees I've managed," in the car business, he says.
Mr. Chung, the contractor, has also thrived in the class. He and Mr. Ortega get together for lunch on the weekends, either tacos or Chinese noodles. "Albert has taught me many things," says Mr. Chung. They challenge each other to design solar-energy systems for homes and then critique each other's work. "I know about his kids. He knows about mine," says Mr. Ortega.
Last month, Mr. Ortega passed an exam that qualifies him to install solar panels nationwide. He says he has already been approached by employers. But he says he is waiting until Feb. 16, when he's off parole, before starting work, because until then he can't travel out of Los Angeles County. When that happens, he says, "I'll be just another citizen."
Several of his classmates who completed the course are already working, earning about $15 an hour; experienced installers can make upwards of $30 an hour. Philippe Hartley, general manager of Phat Energy, a Los Angeles solar company, has hired several Homeboy graduates. The Los Angeles Unified School District plans to start hiring some graduates of the program to install 50 megawatts of solar power on its campuses. "Being former gang members doesn't preclude them from building a career in solar technology," says Veronica Soto, a school-district director.
Others are also interested. "We expect to hire out of the program as quickly as they can get them to us," says Gabriel Bork, a vice president at Golden State Power, a solar-panel installation company. "These guys are much better trained than many others I have hired."