HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 285-08TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE:SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 CMR: 285:08
SUBJECT:REPORT ON PROGRESS OF UTILITIES’ PHOTOVOLTAIC REBATE
PROGRAM
This is an information report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
The California State legislature enacted Senate Bill 1 (SB1, Murray, 2006) to encourage the
installation of 3,000 megawatts of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy by the year 2017. SB1
requires all publicly owned utilities to adopt, finance, and implement a solar initiative program
for the purpose of investing in, and encouraging the increased installation of residential and
commercial solar energy systems.
The City of Palo Alto Utilities’ (CPAU) first SB1 report for the period of January 1, 2007
through March 31, 2008 is attached. The report will be submitted to the California Energy
Commission and State legislature by the Northern California Power Agency on behalf of its
member utilities.
For the past eight years, CPAU has offered incentives to customers who install PV systems, as
part of the state-mandated Electric Public Benefits Program. SB 1 requires all publicly-owned
electric utilities to offer specified minimum incentives for PV systems, on or before January 1,
2008, for a ten-year period. The budget to meet CPAU’s share of the total California PV
installation goal is projected to be $13 million, averaging $1.3 million per year for ten years from
supply resources, in addition to Public Benefits Programs funding for efficiency and renewable
programs. In 2007, CPAU increased the program budget and modified the terms and conditions
of the incentive program to meet all requirements established by SB 1.
CMR: 285:08 Page 1 of 2
ATTACHMENTS
A.City of Palo Alto Utilities SB1 Report for 2008
B.Total Palo Alto PV Installations, 1999 to 2008
PREPARED BY:LINDSAY JOYE,
Marketing Engineer
JOYCE KINNEAR,
Manager, Utility Marketing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
VALERIE O. FONG
Director of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
JAMES KEENE
City Manager
CMR: 285:08 Page’2 of 2