Southern California Edison [RE-wrenches]

[Richard Bogan]

It's all about the REC's. 


Richard J. Bogan 
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer (r) 
Solar Operations Manager | Empire Solar Solutions, LP

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Caldwell [mailto:solarcowboy at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 7:22 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Southern California Edison [RE-wrenches]


I'm forwarding this from Dan Pellegrini of CCE.  This may affect all of
us, but perhaps those of us in California the most.  I'm not forwarding
the attachments mentioned, but will send them to anyone who requests
them.  I'm curious to hear anyone's take on this.

Best,
Jerry Caldwell


Hi Folks!
Southern California Edison (SCE) is officially making its long sought 
after attempt to move into the photovoltaic (PV) installation business, 
in direct competition with the established solar installers now 
providing consumers with Net-Metered PV systems.  This goes against the 
intent of SB1 (CSI) to build a sustainable solar industry and all the 
laws and previous regulation to prevent a utility monopoly from becoming

more of a monopoly.  Their application to the CPUC is attached.
What SCE is trying to do
They will be targeting large available areas such as warehouse rooftops,

most particularly where the host customer has what they consider "low 
energy use."  These systems will be Distributed Generation (DG) feeding 
the energy directly into the grid on the utility side of the meter. 
They will not be the Net-Metered "Self-Generation" system currently 
being installed under the CSI.  SCE will be "renting rooftops" to 
install these systems, effectively preventing those prime locations from

being Net-Metered customer-generators.  SCE will be installing 
monstrously large arrays (up to 5 MW) placing further strain on an 
already constrained supply of PV modules.  And the worst part is that 
SCE intends to make their ratepayers pay for any losses SCE may incur 
due to their PV program.  This means that they can undercut everyone 
else in the PV marketplace because SCE doesn't have make a profit or 
even cover their costs - they just charge those losses back to their 
ratepayers!  Yesterday, at the CSI Forum in Rancho Cucamonga, a 
spokesperson stated that they plan to build the systems for $3.50 a 
watt.  This is half what a PV system costs today.
SCE is also working with the IBEW to recruit and train "Union Workers" 
for their PV program.  The solar industry has been through fights before

with the IBEW trying to prevent non-union electricians from installing 
PV.  The IBEW workers are very threatened by Self-Generation, since they

traditionally work all the Central Station plants.  This way, SCE will 
be developing large PV power plants across the Southland, all to be 
built and maintained by Union Workers.  They will be killing two birds 
with one stone: get PV power plants that feeds directly into the grid, 
and get the IBEW to keep its utility jobs.

What this means to you
Quite simply, this will kill the solar industry in California.  SCE will

make it impossible for you to compete in the solar installation market. 
  The utility will control all solar installations within their 
territory and establish a monopoly on solar energy based on their 
existing monopoly power.  This whole move needs to be stopped now before

all of the utility districts, including the munis, follow suit.  Los 
Angeles Department of Water and Power's Union leaders have always pushed

on this effort.

What you can do
We need to apply pressure on Michael R. Peevey, the President of the 
California Public Utilities District, through a barrage of letters, 
e-mails, and phone calls.
Contact Sue Kately at CalSEIA to join in her effort to defeat this.  The

need is immediate.  Protests need to be filed at the CPUC by April 28, 
2008.  SCE is planning to get a special dispensation to have funds 
available to them within three weeks, before a Public Hearing or their 
application at the CPUC is heard.  They have powerful allies within the 
CPUC and the other utilities to make this move.
Contact your State Senator and Assemblyperson to let them know that this

is an end run around the provisions of SB1 which states very clearly 
that the intent of the 3.2 billion in solar funds was to grow a strong 
sustainable solar industry, not just to install 3000 MGWs.
Unfortunately, our "lives are on the line" quite literally.  Please use 
your pen, your phone, or your computer right now to support a 
competitive PV industry and marketplace.  Don't let SCE get away with
this.
-- 
Sincerely,
Dan Pellegrini
President & CEO
CCEnergy
(415) 457-0215
www.ccenergy.com


 
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