NABCEP [RE-wrenches]

[Graham Owen]

Bill, Bob-O and All,

I did not go to Sacramento to fight NABCEP.  My focus was directed 
towards four of the CEC proposed Major Changes. 1. The primary rebate, 
2. The decline rate, 3. Total funding allocation and 4. System 
performance meter requirements.

1.	Primary rebate should be reinstated at $4.25 per Watt as opposed to 
$4.00,  this is a good compromise that can keep a good thing going.  
$4.00 per Watt is too fast too soon.

2.	The proposed rate of incentive decline at $0.25 every six months is 
also too much too fast.  The decline rate should be 5% annually. A 5% 
reduction is in line with the historic trend of module price decreases.  
If the incentive rate declines at the same rate as material costs, long 
term business plans can be adhered to, stable jobs can be created and 
most importantly we need a reduction slope instead of little cliffs that 
result in gluts and a stop and go market.

3.	The total incentive funding allocation needs a higher percentage of 
funding for systems over 30 kW. Larger solar installations installed for 
 businesses who have a bottom line to watch typically get a great deal 
of press and fanfare.  The result is that homeowners become more aware 
of PV technology and believe that solar power must be a sound and viable 
technology.  The CEC proposed $108 million for <30 kW and only $10 
million for systems >30 kW.  I am in favor of 25% of funding for systems 
>30 kW.

4.	Utility grade performance meters and warranted output by contractors 
was opposed for the following reasons.  Contractors will be vulnerable 
to conditions beyond our control, including: soiling, bird droppings, 
vegetation growth, smoke and ash fallout, El Nino and the possibility of 
another eruption of Mt Pinatubo which could obstruct sunlight for a 
couple of years.   Performance meters also open the door to utilities to 
start imposing exit fees.  Utilities are proposing a 3 cent per kWh 
charge for solar production to counter their reduction in revenue and to 
help pay for grid maintenance, especially since we are using their grid 
as a big free battery.  My customers are opposed to having a utility 
grade production meter because it presents the mechanism that could 
allow for taxation of their solar production in the future.

This is why I went to Sacramento! I went as a representative of Cal 
SEIA, which is the solar industry trade association in California.  The 
PV industry is in the spotlight at CalSEIA, Mac Moore from BP is the new 
Pesident, Don Loweburg is the new Vice President and the large PV 
manufacturers have a strong voice as well.  I would strongly suggest 
that more California PV people join CalSeia’s membership and to attend 
board meetings where your voice and concerns can be heard.

Bill, I am wondering what percentage of installations in California are 
substandard? Do you only look at problem installs?  I am willing to 
volunteer a couple of days to go with you to see how bad these systems 
really are.

Graham

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