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Thank heavens the sun has gone in, and I don't have to go out and enjoy it.
-- Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865-1946

New Question
Q1
Whatever happened to the Luz solar plant near Barstow, CA?
-- Maynard Sarvas, mnsarvas@worldnet.att.net, Laguna Woods, CA
Do you have an answer? Send it to SUN-Enews here.

Previous Question
Q1, Vol. I, Issue 4
I have a husband, three kids and a busy life. Will a solar water heater really provide enough hot water to bathe everybody once a day, run the dishwasher at least once a day and between eight and 10 loads of laundry a week? Can anybody answer from experience?
-- Jane Adamson Jaramillo, Tucson, AZ

A1.1, I.4
The system surely can be designed to provide any amount of hot water in any season. As with everything in life there are trade-offs. Your problem seems quite simple, but to answer your question an onsite visit would be needed to discuss the practicability of various solutions. If you are interested, make an appointment.
-- Jerry Kubias, Aquarius Enterprises, Vail, AZ, jkubias@hotmail.com

A1.2, I.4
Yes, solar water heating currently is being used to heat water for hotels and prisons and certainly can be sized for small residential uses rather easily.
-- David E. Bessette, state-certified solar contractor # CVC 056657 (Florida), Orlando, FL; member, State of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association

A1.3, I.4
The more hot water you use, the more you will save by heating it with solar. A system can be sized for any amount of use. A typical system consisting of two 4' by 8' collectors and 80 gallons of storage would provide about 70 percent of your hot water in the climate where I live (North Carolina). For your needs, you might want to size it up to three collectors and 120 gallons; it depends on the amount of sunshine where you live.

I would look into making this a drainback system, which is self-protected from overheating as well as freezing, if you are not certain you can use that much hot water every day of the year. Of course, you still need a backup system to provide hot water on cloudy days.
-- Tom Wills, NC

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Editor's note: We asked for feedback and you are sending it! Keep writing. This newsletter is for you...

Aw, Shucks...Thanks!
You have produced a very excellent e-newsletter. Keep up the good work and keep it coming to my email address. Thank you.
-- Jehan Mansur

Better Links
I am enjoying getting to know your new newsletter. Just wanted to let you know that you have a broken link for a table of net metering programs. May I suggest directing your readers to a list of state and utility net metering programs on the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE, www.dsireusa.org). DSIRE is the nation's most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information about renewable energy incentives and policies.

Here's the direct link to net metering programs: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/type.cfm?Type=Net&Back=regtab&CurrentPageID=7&Search=TableType. This page provides links to net metering program summaries, contacts and relevant legislation and regulatory orders.

It also contains a link to a United States map showing where net metering is offered. Established in 1995, DSIRE is a project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). For a comparison table, you could send your readers to an IREC companion project called "Connecting to the Grid" (http://www.irecusa.org/connect/index.html).

Here is a direct link to a net metering table: http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/binaries/Net_metering_table_4_18_03.pdf. It essentially contains the most up-to-date information from DSIRE. Many thanks and keep up the good work.
-- Susan Gouchoe, policy program manager, North Carolina Solar Center, NC State University, Raleigh, NC

Wow! Thanks so much, Sue... readers like you help make the SUN-Enews more and more useful!

Keep it coming!
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PV Production Growing by One-Third Per Year
A consortium of four European renewable energy groups says worldwide production of solar PV cells increased 33.3 percent last year—to an installation of 535 megawatts peak (MWp)of capacity.

The EurObserv'ER Barometer, published by Observ'ER in Paris, EUFORES in Madrid, Eurec Agency in Brussels and O.ƒ.Energiesparverband in Austria, reported that Japanese manufacturers repeated as PV technology leaders in 2002, producing 251 MW installed. The United States followed with 100 MW; PV manufacturers produced 57 MW in capacity in Germany and 44 MW in Spain, Other production centers included India (19.6 MW), France (17.5 MW) Australia (8.4 MW), Italy (7.5 MW) and Britain (3 MW).

In percentage terms, Britain's production last year registered an increase of 88 percent over 2001 while Germany recorded a 29 percent jump. The increase in Japan was only 0.8 percent. "This dynamism remains, however, fragile, because the market, at least for a few more years, is still very closely linked to national programs of grid-connected photovoltaic systems," says the report. "Current hesitations in launching ambitious new programs could seriously harm this industry, whose competitiveness is continually improving."

All is not rosy. "The European photovoltaic industry, which is principally dependent upon the German market, is going through a stormy period," the report says. "The unusual weakness of the German market at the beginning of the year 2002, added on to the arrival of low-price Sharp modules (less than 3 euros per watt peak) has led the European photovoltaic industry, and more particularly the module manufacturers, into a severe crisis of overcapacity."

The decrease in module prices dropped revenue for the German industry from 500 million Euro in 2001 to 475 million last year, at a time when the German industry had planned on doubling module production to 95 MW this year. The European Union will have a total capacity of 520 MW this year, and the target of 650 MW set by the 1999 Campaign for Take Off will not be met, the consortium predicts. A lag in national programs in Italy, Britain, Spain and France and "the lack of political willpower" are cited as explanations. The report estimates that the installed capacity in Europe by 2010 will be 1,400 MW, although the European PV Industry Association forecasts 3,000 MW by that time.

Easier Loans in Hawaii
Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and the city and county of Honolulu are partnering to make it easier for low-to-moderate income homeowners and landlords to install solar water heating systems on their properties. The program, called the Honolulu Solar Roofs Initiative, will offer seven-year loans at zero-percent and 2-percent financing (depending on income levels) to cover the cost of solar installations. HECO's $750-per-home (US) rebate will lower the cost even more. HECO and the city's Department of Community Services will administer the Honolulu Solar Roofs Initiative, using funds from the city's Rehabilitation Loan Program. The low-interest loans are available for single-family homes, condominiums and coops. To qualify, landlords have to rent their properties to tenants who fall under the low-to-moderate income limits set by the city.

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ACRE Convenes National Strategy Session
The American Council for Renewable Energy (ACRE) has announced its 2003 Annual Conference and Membership drive for July 8-9 in Washington, D.C. The 2003 annual conference will focus on revitalizing America's commitment to renewable energy with an event theme: Renewable Energy in America -- Building a National Strategy on Marketplace Successes. The conference agenda will emphasize the tangible successes of state and local renewable energy initiatives.

ACRE, a non-profit organization dedicated to communicating the positive outcomes of renewable energy growth for America, utilizes its annual conference in part to build membership among leading renewable energy businesses, financial institutions, service firms, foundations, environmental groups, government agencies, state funds and other renewable energy-related organizations.

ACRE strives to make renewable energy the primary choice for power in America through strategic domestic and international partnerships, accessible information, broad outreach, education and policy support.

The ACRE conference will be held at Hyatt Regency Hotel - Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Membership and registration forms are available at www.AmericanRenewables.org.

To learn more about RE news, visit our Other Renewables section below.

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PowerLight Corp. Dedicates Largest New Jersey Array
New Jersey's largest solar energy rooftop system was dedicated in mid-April at Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary based in Titusville, N.J. Each day, this system will generate enough energy to power more than 600 homes, thereby reducing the energy drawn from the state's power grid by 6 percent each month. In addition, it is noiseless and will not produce any greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. This 500-kilowatt solar electric system was furnished by PowerLight Corp. of northern California.

Jeanne M. Fox, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, praised the installation. "Janssen and Johnson & Johnson's decision to house New Jersey's largest solar electric rooftop system sends a strong and clear message to the state, business community, environmentalists and consumers about their commitment to promoting renewable energy," Fox said.

Janssen's on-site solar electric system, comprising 2,856 solar electric tiles, covers 40,000 square feet of the Titusville facility's roof. If laid end-to-end, the tiles would stretch 2.5 miles. The system operates within Janssen's existing electrical network.

One of the chief advantages of solar PV is that it operates at its peak capacity when demands on the utility grid and electricity costs are highest. "We have a responsibility to the communities in which we live and work," said Diane Parks, Janssen's vice president of administration and community affairs. "Our solar electric system is one way to ensure that we do our share to protect the environment."

Over the 25-year estimated operating life of the system, solar-generated electricity will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by an estimated 4,940 tons—the equivalent of removing almost 1,000 cars from New Jersey's roadways.

PowerLight (www.powerlight.com) is the leading manufacturer of commercial-scale solar electric products and services. Inc. magazine has ranked PowerLight Corp. among the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Founded in 1991, PowerLight today has worldwide offices and a full line of commercial solar electric products.

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Solar Glossary
A short list of common terms:
Passive solar—Harvesting the sun's radiant heat through greenhouse windows, Trombe walls, transpired solar walls, brick floors and other non-electric uses.

Solar hot water—Sometimes called solar thermal; usually involves storing solar energy in a heat storage device to heat water for household or commercial use. It also can be used to heat a home through baseboard radiators or embedded floor tubing, as well as to heat and cool swimming pools.

Solar electric—Using the sun's energy to run electrical systems, excluding electric heating elements.

Grid—tied and off the grid-Remaining on the electric grid after converting to a solar-electric system is called "grid-tied." A solar electric system that stands alone and is not connected to the electric utility is considered "off the grid."

Net metering—When you convert to solar energy and remain hooked to the larger electric utility, you have an automatic backup if your solar system does not generate as much electric power as you need to use on any given day. On the other hand, most of the time your solar system will generate more power than you are using, and will let that generation flow into the larger electric "grid." Most states now have "net metering" laws that allow you to connect your renewable energy system to the grid and bank your electrons there, literally making your meter spin backward and reducing your electric bill, often to a credit rather than a debit charge. To download a table of state net metering programs, click here.

To submit a news item or tip for people beginning to explore the world of solar energy, click here.

Cal State Hayward To Install Largest PV System
This summer, California State University Hayward will install the largest solar PV system at any university in the world. The 1.05-megawatt (MW) system will include 110,000 square feet of PowerLight modules on three of the university's largest buildings, as well as a ground-mounted solar tracking system in a campus field. The ground-mounted panels will capture 30 percent more solar power than fixed systems by following the sun's axis. Compared with combustion-generated electricity, CSUH's solar system will displace the emission of 8,700 tons of CO2 over its 25-year lifespan, as well as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions that contribute to smog, acid rain and global warming.

CSU Hayward President Norma Rees said, "With this solar electric installation, Cal State Hayward will have a cost-effective, reliable, non-polluting system that will reduce our electricity bill by $200,000 annually, and contribute to the region's overall environmental health. We hope to set an example for the entire CSU system, as well as universities across the country." CSU has 23 campuses around California. The solar project is waiting for internal campus approval, with construction to be completed by July, at which time the project can generate 1,450,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 30 percent of campus peak power demand during summer months.

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SUN-Enews has created two calendars that run in monthly segments on the website, www.SUN-Enews.com. The May calendars list (1) meetings of non-profit associations, and (2) trade shows.

To list your meeting, conference or trade show in the June 2003 calendars click here. Include the name of your association or trade show, date, meeting place (building), town and state/province/country. Also include an email contact, please. Submit June items by May 30. Thanks!

Aussie Coalition Wants to Increase RE Target
A broadly based coalition in Australia wants that country's federal government to increase the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET). "There's a growing human health cost to polluting energy sources like coal, oil and gas," said Kerryn Phelps, president of the Australian Medical Association. "We support expanding the MRET to 10 percent because it will translate into cleaner air, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and real health benefits for Australians." The statement demands that 10 percent of energy come from new renewables by 2010, under the slogan 10 by 10.

Other signatories include the Australian New Zealand Solar Energy Society, Birds Australia, Environment Business Australia, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, National Union of Students and Oxfam Community Aid Abroad. A 10 percent MRET also has been endorsed by the Australian Conservation Foundation, South Australian Tourism Alliance, Environment Victoria, World Wildlife Federation and the Wilderness Society.

Meanwhile, in California...
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved an energy action plan that increases the state's reliance on renewable energies. The plan includes specific actions to ensure that "adequate, reliable and reasonably priced" electricity and natural gas supplies are provided through "cost-effective and environmentally sound" actions. It is designed to protect the state from blackouts and price spikes that marked the energy crisis three years ago, and was approved by a 3-to-2 vote.

Last year, the state approved a Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires an annual increase in renewable generation equivalent to at least 1 percent of sales, with an aggregate goal of 20 percent by 2017. This plan will accelerate that target date to 2010. California consumes 265,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year, with annual consumption growing at 2 percent. Demand has peaked at 52,863 MW and is growing at 2.4 percent, with air conditioning consuming 30 percent of summer peak load.

And at an International Level...
When European Union Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio met recently with United States Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham in Madrid recently, increasing the role of renewable energy was a topic of discussion. "On energy policy, we share with the U.S. a common priority, which is to ensure security of energy supply," said de Palacio. "This means that we must work together on several very important fields, like the development of alternative energies, development of hydrogen use or peaceful uses of nuclear energy."

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FYI

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