COALITION CALLS FOR MORE SOLAR POWER IN CALIFORNIA

California needs more solar power if we are going to solve global warming and lower energy costs. Solar water heating is an age-old technology that belongs on the roofs of the 21st Century.

Some of the benefits highlighted in Environment California Research & Policy Center’s report include:

• Greater Energy Independence: California imports 85% of its natural gas. An expanded solar water heating market could save 1.2 billion therms of natural gas each year, the equivalent of 5% of statewide gas consumption.

• A Healthier Environment: Solar water heating could reduce global warming pollution by 6.8 million tons of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to the annual emissions from over one million cars, and represents 5% of the total reductions needed to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions cap by 2020.

• Reduced Energy Bills: Consumers can cut their energy bills by up to 50% by investing in solar water heating technology. Decreased demand for natural gas saves all ratepayers money: some studies have shown that a 5% reduction in demand could shave 25-35% off California’s wholesale natural gas prices.

California businesses set up to service and supply a growing market for solar water heating joined in support of AB 1470. Members of the California Solar Energy Industry Association (CALSEIA) spoke of the potential for significant job growth in California from increased manufacturing and installation of solar rooftop systems.

“For decades we’ve manufactured solar water heating systems within the state for practically every market outside California,” said Freeman Ford, President and Founder of FAFCO, a large solar water heating manufacturer based in Chico which exports systems to other states such as Hawaii and countries such as many in Europe. “Due to a lack of government support, California has fallen behind in utilizing solar power. With AB 1470, however, California could again take the lead in the solar water heating market.”

AB 1470 is seen as a companion to SB 1 (Murray) signed into law last year, the Million Solar Roofs bill that created incentives for solar electric panels funded through a small surcharge on electricity bills. AB 1470 would similarly create consumer incentives for solar water heating systems through a small surcharge on natural gas bills. The roof of a typical home or business could physically support both a solar electric system and a solar water heating system, thus saving on both electricity and natural gas bills.

A full copy of Environment California Research & Policy Center’s report is available at www.environmentcalifornia.org as well as the most recent version of AB 1470. The bill will be up for a vote in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee today at 1:30 PM. It passed the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee last Monday, April 16th, by a vote of 7-4.

You can watch the press conference online.

Bernadette Del Chiaro directs Environment California’s Clean Energy Program and serves as the contact for state clean energy issues. Since 2003, she has been the lead advocate of the Million Solar Roofs campaign. Ms. Del Chiaro advocates in the California state legislature, before the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission, and before municipal agencies and governments on clean energy issues, She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California at Berkeley.