Solar America Initiative Solar America Cities DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program April 29, 2008 Thomas P. Kimbis, Esq. Market Transformation Director tom.kimbis@ee.doe.gov Presented by: Warren Cox, Sandia National Laboratories Today s Presentation Overview of the Solar America Initiative (SAI) Focus on Market Transformation Overview of the Solar America Cities Project 1
President s Vision for the Solar America Initiative Changing the Way We Power Our Homes and Businesses I believe that with the proper amount of research, whether it be public or private, we will have solar roofs that will enable the American family to be able to generate their own electricity. - President Bush, National Renewable Energy Conference, St. Louis, MO, October 2006 Energy Secretary Bodman has expressed his confidence in the Solar Program and his interest in the Solar America Cities project; he announced the 13 winning cities in New York in June 2007. We will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. - President Bush 2006 State of the Union Address The goal of the Solar America Initiative is to help make solar technologies cost-competitive across all U.S. markets by 2015. 2
President s Goal for the Solar America Initiative (SAI) Making Solar Cost-Competitive Nationwide by 2015 DOE identified market barriers to solar commercialization How many of these will you find in YOUR city?? Lack of communication, information dissemination, and consumer awareness Inadequate codes and standards Lack of appropriate, consistent interconnection standards Lack of equitable and effective net-metering guidelines Inconsistent utility rate structure practices Complex permitting procedures and fees Inconsistent and lack of widespread incentives and other drivers Limited education/experience of key building trades with solar Lack of trained technical personnel, reliable installers, and maintenance services Lack of flexible, sophisticated, proven financial approaches 3
Solar America Board of Codes and Standards Winner: New Mexico State University (collaborative) Activity Objectives: Improve the responsiveness, effectiveness, and accessibility of codes and standards in all markets (federal, state, local, utility). Codes and standards are the backbone of the success of SAI. Without consistent support for codes and standards development, solar cannot be deployed on a large -scale. New Mexico State University Solar America Board of Codes and Standards Sherwood Associates Building and Electrical Codes Article 690 Guidance Product Safety Reconcile UL1703/IEC61730, UL 1741/IEC32109 National Standards Coordination Revise IEEE 1547 www.solarabcs.org Interconnection, Net Metering Create Model Local Codes International Standards Coordination Monitor International Codes and Standards; Centralize U.S. participation 4
State Technical Outreach Winners: National Conference of State Legislatures Clean Energy Group National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Activity Objectives: Build relationships with State decision-makers responsible for enacting policies, programs, and plans that are key drivers for solar technology market transformation. Provide state policymakers with best practice and current data about solar technology, so they can make informed solar policy decisions. National Conference of State Legislatures Clean Energy Group National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners State Technical Outreach State Legislatures Public Utility Commissioners State Public Benefit Funds These organizations can provide an important, state-level perspective on your city s issues, and may help to resolve some of them. DOE LEAD: Charlie Hemmeline - charles.hemmeline@ee.doe.gov www.irecusa.org 5
Utility Technical Outreach Winner: Solar Electric Power Association Activity Objectives: Deliver key technical and informational assistance to utilities to promote their acceptance and use of solar. Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) Utility Technical Outreach SEPA will assist their 175 member organizations and non-member utilities in the following ways: Develop new business cases for solar Provide current information on solar technologies Disseminate innovative solar program design information to utilities www.solarelectricpower.org jjudd@solarelectricpower.org 6
Solar America Showcases Activity Objective: Promote large-scale, high-impact solar installation projects via technical assistance Eligible Applicants: Businesses, developers, cities, states and other organizations (not federal agencies) Desirable Projects: 100 kw+ minimum project size (required) Use novel technology Use novel technology application Replicable Selected 2007 Showcases include: Orange County Convention Center, Florida Forest City Military Communities, Hawaii City of San Jose, California Solar America Cities Activity Objective: Partner with cities of 100,000 or more committed to achieving a sustainable solar infrastructure through a comprehensive, city-wide approach that facilitates mainstream adoption of solar and serves as a model for other cities to follow. Project Overview: Cities receive a combined $2.5M in financial assistance plus approximately $2.5M in technical assistance. Cities must match the financial assistance amount. 7
Solar America Cities Why Solar America Cities? By targeting the electric load use centers in the U.S., we hope to maximize the impact of solar technology when it penetrates these huge markets. This brings us closer to our SAI goal of cost-competitiveness by 2015. Why Tiger Teams? Tiger Teams can augment the financial assistance received by a city by providing expert guidance, accurate information, and a breadth of solar perspective. This helps ensure that the city heads toward solar sustainability, instead of one-off projects. FY 2007 Solar America Cities The 13 Solar America Cities selected in 2007 are: Ann Arbor, MI Austin, TX Berkeley, CA Boston, MA Madison, WI New Orleans, LA New York, NY Pittsburgh, PA Portland, OR Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Tucson, AZ Eight are among the largest 50 cities in the U.S. Solar America Cities are located in 11 states. 8
FY 2008 Solar America Cities The 13 Solar America Cities selected in 2008 are: Denver, CO Houston, TX Knoxville, TN Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis St. Paul, MN Orlando, FL Philadelphia, PA Sacramento, CA San Antonio, TX San Jose, CA Santa Rosa, CA Seattle, WA 9
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For More Information 1. To learn more about the SAI, visit www.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america. Contact your local utility or solar association (see www.seia.org) for information on training and certification opportunities. Also visit the following Web sites for more useful information: 2. DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program www.eere.energy.gov/solar 3. DOE Building Technologies Program www.eere.energy.gov/buildings 4. Interstate Renewable Energy Council www.irecusa.org 5. North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org 6. Solar Electric Power Association www.solarelectricpower.org 7. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) www.seia.org 8. SEIA Federal Tax Credit Guide www.seia.org/manualdownload.php 9. Building America Contacts: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america/pdfs/buildin g_amer_prog_contacts.pdf 11