Five Thousand Solar Rooftops
By 2005 for Washington
(20,000 by 2010)
Proposed by the Washington Million Roofs Collaborative
Current Participants in the Rooftops Collaborative:
The Washington State University
Energy Program, The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and
Economic Development,
WesternSUN, it's member
utilities and Solar Washington (successor organization to WASEIA):
In keeping with the national commitment to One Million
Rooftop Solar systems installed in the US by the year 2010, The Washington
Million Roofs Collaborative proposes the following strategy as a guide to
meeting Washington's fair share in this goal based on Washington 's population.
Given the growth rates in the industry, a goal of 5000 installed systems by the
year 2005 is an appropriate milestone on the way to 20,000 systems by the year
2010. Further, given that Washington State industries are world leaders in the
solar manufacturing, design, and installation, it is the intent of this effort
to assure Washington maintains it's globally competitive position. This document is intended to be strategic in
nature and will evolve as progress is achieved.
Goal:
Encourage communities to install 5000 PV systems in
Washington State by 2005, and 20,000 by 2010
Strategies
and tactics:
Media outreach
Champion
recruitment
Training for champions
Development of standard NEC qualified, industry approved
packages
Training for inspectors, installers
Utility
net metering
Low interest financing and participation incentives
(Credit Unions and Utilities)
Sales tax exemption to 200 watt and larger PV systems
Declining incentive blocks
Industry Readiness
State Government Readiness
Utility Readiness
Financial Community Readiness
Public Readiness
Action plan key elements:
Media outreach/ education
Seek opportunities to develop press releases, media
information pieces. These efforts will include daily and weekly newspaper
articles, television, radio interviews, and presentations at community groups.
Installer / inspector training
Trace Engineering already operates an
internationally recognized training program for its distributors. Heart
Interface operates training programs for OEM's and RV personnel. Siemens Solar
conducts regular weeklong trainings at their Camarillo facility and has offered
trainings at the Trace facility. WSU Energy program conducts design /
installation workshops for the Department of Interior. These programs could be
utilized to train building code, inspectors and utility officials.
Champion recruitment / communities project
Programs are most effective when supported by local
champions. All interested communities
will be encouraged and supported in efforts to develop local activities.
Private and public utilities, municipalities, county governments, community
groups, and industry partners are all potential supporting groups. Supporting
groups that choose to participate will be expected to provide matching funding
or other incentives.
Development of standard NEC qualified, Listed packages. -DONE!
These packages will be developed by the industry,
and can be marketed by local installers, dealers, and other interested parties.
The systems will be designed to meet the requirements for PV systems as
outlined in the National Electric Code, section 690. They will use only
equipment that is listed by recognized testing laboratories.
Net metering -DONE!
Net
metering is a power exchange between the electric utility and a homeowner.
Rather than install complex metering equipment, a conventional meter is used.
When the PV system is producing electricity, the power produced appears as
conservation to the utility. If a PV system includes battery storage, the PV
system can be set to "disappear" from the utilities load during peak
periods. In return for assisting the utility with peak load issues the customer
gets to use the electric grid as a seasonal "battery", storing summer
electricity for use in winter.
Low interest financing (Credit Unions and Utilities).
Credit Unions exist throughout the state and
already make low interest loans to their members. They are experienced with
federal programs such as Fanny Mae, and the Energy Efficient Mortgage Program.
Funding from these federal programs will be made available thorough the
national "Million Rooftops" program.
Sales tax exemption -DONE!
Extension
of the current utility scale renewable energy sales tax exemption to 200 watt
and larger PV systems. Currently, state law exempts wind and solar energy
generation systems and equipment from state sales tax. However, this exemption
was written to benefit large utility companies and has a 200 kW floor. To
benefit participants in the national million rooftops program, or the
Washington "5000 Rooftops" effort, a language change in current law is
recommended. The 200 kW limit should be lowered to 200 watts. WASEIA has
introduced legislation to achieve this end.
Declining incentive blocks. This strategy needs reworked in light of
emerging utility support patterns and state green rate
It is assumed that the
program would be developed in incentive blocks. The incentives would decline in
each block. Declining blocks are intended to encourage 1) Early participation
by consumers, 2) Spread limited funds over a larger participant base as program
grows. 3) Reflect the assumed declining installed PV system cost. It is assumed
that the average unit size in the program is 1 kW. The federal system size
requirements establish a minimum size of 500 W for residential and 2000 W for
commercial systems.
Activity |
Block 1 |
Block 2 |
Block 3 |
Block 4 |
Block 5 |
Total |
|
Manage and Implement |
(0.5fte) |
(1fte) |
(1.5fte) |
(1.5fte) |
(1fte) |
|
|
50,000 |
100,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
100,000 |
|
|
|
Market /Training |
20,000 |
40,000 |
60,000 |
50,000 |
30,000 |
|
|
Incentives |
0.1MW |
0.15MW |
0.25MW |
0.35MW |
0.55MW |
1.4 MW |
|
100 units |
150 units |
250 units |
350 units |
550 units |
1400 units |
|
|
$3 / w |
$2.50 / w |
$2 / w |
$1.50 /w |
$1.00 / w |
|
|
|
300,000 |
375,000 |
500,000 |
525,000 |
550,000 |
2,250,000 |
|
|
Totals |
370,000 |
515,000 |
710,000 |
725,000 |
685,000 |
3,000,000 |
This project is currently envisioned as a five
year-year effort funded from DOE, EPA, HUD Washington Rooftops Collaborative
and other funding. At this time funding is available for 20 of the systems
in block one, and at a buy down of one dollar per watt. rather than the
suggested amount of three dollars a watt. The implementation plan of this buy
down mechanism will be based principally on the guidelines drafted by the
California Energy Commission's guidelines.
Washington State is uniquely positioned to be a
leading participant in the national million rooftops program. It has the
industrial base, a positive government climate, a progressive utility
community, a strong environmental consciousness on the part of the public, and
financial institutions ready to contribute their skills.
The solar resource in
Washington state is often underestimated. Our northern position
relative to the equator assures more long summer days with sun in Yakima, WA,
than shines in Prescott, AZ. during the same time period. Yakima receives 7.2
peak sun hours a day in July, while Prescott Arizona receives 6.9 during the
same month. Even Seattle WA, receives 6.1 peak sun hours during the month of
July. Net metering allows "banking" of the sun's energy in stored
river water behind the region's dams.
Industry Readiness
Washington State has an active industry
association. Washington State is home
to a significant portion of photovoltaic crystal growing. The Siemens plant in
Vancouver grows 20% of the world supply of PV materials. Trace Engineering is
the undisputed world leader in balance of systems manufacturing. Applied Power is a world class PV systems
integration company. Small-scale sales, service, and installation businesses
currently operate statewide.
State Government
Readiness
The Washington State University energy program has
been actively encouraging the growth of Washington's PV industry through PV
demonstration grants, workshops, and technical assistance. WSU provided funding
to help establish an international renewable energy-training program at Trace
Engineering. The University has been involved in both national and
international PV training / installation programs. The State legislature is
considering both net metering and sales tax exemptions. -DONE!
Utility
Readiness Needs revisited in light of formation of WesternSUN and
it's utility member programs.
Clark County Public Utility District is clearly
ready to take the lead in utility participation in the million rooftops
program. Snohomish County PUD, the
largest public utility in the State has purchased power from 100 kW and smaller
providers at retail rates since 1982. Okanogan Valley Electric Co-operative
recently adopted a net metering policy that is a model for small public
utilities. Washington utilities have been leaders in market transformation in
the conservation field. The Washington Association of Rural Electric
Cooperatives has actively encouraged net metering and sales tax exemptions
before the state legislature.
Financial
Community Readiness Needs revisited, a strategic effort is due here
The Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union, with its
service territory in North Eastern Washington, has been making loans for PV
systems since 1981 and finances many off grid homes. They have committed to
offer interest rate buy downs in the 2-3% range and would be interested in
participating on other innovative financing programs. The Coulee Dam Credit
Union has been a long time leader in the Washington Credit Union Association
and could help bring other credit unions to the table.
Public
Readiness 58+ Net Metered Systems now in place
Washington residents have a demonstrated commitment
to environmental awareness. Washington is a leader in recycling, telecommuting,
air quality standards, and energy conservation. Estimated 2000 PV systems have
already been installed in Washington State. These systems are found in all
parts of the state, with a preponderance of them located in the San Juan
Islands and North Eastern Washington.