Solar Power in DC

Grab Your $6,000 Solar Rebate While You Still Can!

2012-01-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

Now is the time to get in line for a DC Solar Rebate - before the funding is gone! Prices of solar panels are at an all-time low, making the decision to go solar a great long-term investment. A recent comparison of solar costs in the District indicates that the return on investment from installing solar panels varies from 6-10%. The existing 30% Federal tax credit, along with renewable energy credits that accrue with your solar project, make the economics of solar very favorable.

Strengthening the economic case for solar even more is the District government’s rebate program. These DC rebates are designed to encourage renewable energy and foster a new homegrown industry (jobs in DC!!). If you are able to get in on the DC solar rebate, your rate of return rises into the double digits, and your initial investment can be paid back in 6-7 years. For many DC homeowners on the fence about going solar, the DC rebate is the incentive that motivates them to move forward. Below, I examine your chances of getting a DC solar rebate – and it looks like time is running out!

As background, realize that the DC rebate program is a four-year program, which is now in its last year. DC is authorized to release $2 million dollars this year for rebates. Rebates for a typically-sized system are about $6,000. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis from a waiting list that you can join on the DDOE Website.

Last week, I asked the DC Department of the Environment for an update on their progress for releasing those funds now that we are one quarter of the way through the fiscal year. It is important that these projects continue to be funded at a rapid pace, otherwise the program will expire before funding is released to those on the waiting list. DDOE reports as follows:

$25,000 has been paid out (5 requestors have received checks)
$598,000 are in the final approval stages (86 requestors will receive checks soon)
383 additional projects are on the waiting list.
DDOE reports that usually about 40% of those that submit the initial application actually decide drop out of the process.

Projections

Assuming that 230 of the 383 people on the waiting list are funded at an average of $6,000, then the full $2 million will be expended and new entrants to the waiting list will not be funded.
If the average rebate award and/or the acceptance rates are higher, some at the bottom of the existing waiting list may not receive funding from the $2 million pot.
If the average rebate or acceptance rate is lower, new entrants to the waiting list may get funding (so act fast and get your name on the list).

What If You Miss Out???

It is possible that the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) will add funding for additional solar rebates – they added a small amount last year.
Community activists with DC SUN are calling upon the DC Council, Mayor, Department of Environment, and the SEU to work together to renew the DC solar rebate program for another four years.
DC SUN’s proposal is discussed in this blog post.

To help demonstrate the effectiveness and interest in this program, DC SUN urges residents to put their names on the DC Renewable Energy Incentive Program Waiting List (Click Here for a step-by-step guide on how to reserve your place the list). This will help in our effort to get this great job creating program back on track for those residents that were not able to participate in the first four years of the program. Because the solar rebate program is funded by electricity surcharges that are NOT scheduled to go away, DC SUN thinks that the extension of the program is an important way to promote a sustainable future for DC -- a future that involves renewable power coming from the people of the City.

Mike Barrette
Vice President - DC SUN

Neighborhood Groups Call on DC to Renew Solar Rebates and Quadruple Solar Installations

2011-11-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

Rebates for residential solar installations in Washington DC have spurred job creation and have literally energized almost 1,000 homeowners across the City. The highly successful four-year rebate program will end in 2012 – casting uncertainty over the prospects for solar energy in the District. DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN - www.dcsun.org), a grassroots coalition of residents that promote solar energy in the District, are urging the City Council and Mayor to extend this effective program for four more years – allowing 4,000 new projects to be completed. DC SUN believes that in four years, falling prices for solar panels will make the economics of solar so good, that rebates can be completely phased out.

To reach specific goals in four years, DC SUN is proposing rebate reductions, which will essentially double the number of installations supported each year until the program is phased out. In addition, DC SUN proposes that half of the solar rebates be dedicated specifically to go to low income homes. DC SUN proposes that DC offer fixed rebates of - $4,000 per project in 2013, $3,000 in 2014, $2,000 in 2015, and $1,000 in 2016. These rebates, in conjunction with available Federal tax credits and solar Renewable Energy Credits, will make solar an unbeatable investment that allows the City to shift to renewable, locally-produced energy. The rebate program has created jobs in DC, and will create more jobs if renewed. Atta Kiarash, Vice President of DC-based installer Solar Solution LLC, remarked that the rebate program has been essential to creating demand for solar projects -- indicating that it would be foolish for DC to discontinue a program with such broad support and a record of success. He stated, "taking away this grant not only hurts DC homeowners, but also local businesses that provide services to residents."

While solar is still a good investment without DC rebates, our analysis shows that DC residents that are considering solar are looking for a 6-year payback period. Current solar prices offer about a 10-year payback period – and DC rebate program will tip the scales for many consumers (see www.dcsun.org “One Roof” solar price evaluation). This investment will not require the City to raise new funding because the energy surcharge that exists on your bill is already being used to fund solar rebates. Under DC SUN’s proposal, this existing funding stream would continue to be used to fund solar rebates.

The existing program has created jobs in DC! Atta Kiarash of DC-based installer Solar Solution, LLC has directly attributed the rebate program to job growth for his business, indicating that failure to renew the rebate program with such strong support base . Atta Kiarash, Vice President of Solar Solution, LLC

DC SUN is urging the Mayor, Department of the Environment, and the Sustainable Energy Utility to implement this proposal plan as part of the Sustainable DC initiative. DC SUN thinks the plan can be announced and implemented quickly with funding that is already coming into the City. You can register your support for solar rebates as part of the Sustainable DC voting process. As November 22nd, the continuation of solar rebates has received the second highest number of votes of all submitted ideas.

“One-Roof Solar Evaluation” Documents Dropping Solar Costs in DC

2011-11-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11/16/11

“One-Roof Solar Evaluation” Documents Dropping Solar Costs in DC

DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), a consortium of cooperatives, has completed a cost comparison by inviting vendors to bid on the same job. Four vendors participated in the bidding (Lighthouse Solar, SolarCity, Solar Solution and Astrum Solar), while several other vendors completed an online survey. The DC SUN website documents the findings in more detail, provides bid information and provides an online evaluation tool for your solar project (click here for One Roof Evaluation information).

Key Findings

• Now is the time to invest in a rooftop solar electric system in Washington, DC. Panel prices are a record-lows, installer competition is high, and Solar Renewable Energy Credits, along with a 30% federal income tax credit and the monthly savings in your electric bill all combine to allow you to do well while doing good.

• Return on investment can be far better than one can receive for most other investments. Compared to the current rates for savings accounts, certificates of deposits or stocks and bonds, investing is a rooftop solar electric system has great financial returns. The returns from solar electricity are tax-free in that money you don't have to spend on your electric bill is money you don't have to earn and pay taxes on.

• Even if you don't have cash upfront to purchase a photovoltaic system at this time, a leasing option can still reduce your monthly electricity bill. You'll pay PEPCO less and generate renewable energy on your own roof.

The Details

Gross system cost (before any incentives) for purchasing a system averaged $25,061, ranging from $19,382 to $34,320. Since 2009, the costs to install have dropped more than 20%.
Net system cost (after tax and other incentives) for purchasing a system averaged $12,854, ranging from $9,922 to $16,784. The reduced net costs factor in Federal tax credits and solar Renewable Energy Credits (sRECs) that vendors will help you leverage.
For the lease options, the Initial System Cost averaged $3,639, ranging from $0 $7,278. Two of the lease options had annual payments, averaging $44/month, ranging from $516 to $816 per year.
Simple Payback for purchase averaged 13 years, ranging from 12 to 15 years. For leasing, the average was ~11 years, excluding the $0 down option.
Internal Rate of Return for purchase averaged 5.8%, ranging from 4.6% to 7.5%. For leasing, the average was 10.0%, excluding the $0 down option.
Energy savings ranged from 29% to more than 100% - your vendor can help you with this calculation, which depends on system size, energy consumption patterns and weatherization.
DC SUN suggests that weatherization be done prior to, or in conjunction with solar installations. DC SUN also recommends that systems not be sized greater than 100% because current DC laws do not allow you to take advantage of “overproduction” that occurs over a year’s time frame.

Analysis

Solar is a great long-term investment and DC SUN believes now is the time to go solar! DC SUN, in previous surveys and member polls, has determined that despite the favorable return on investment, that many homeowners are motivated by the need to re-coup their investment on a shorter time horizon than currently achievable – closer to 6-8 years. Because the District of Columbia’s solar rebate program sunsets this year and has a full waiting list, explosive growth in residential solar will likely require a re-commitment to providing small rebates over the next 4 years to bring the payback down to the 6-8 year time horizon. Within four years, the price of panels is projected to continue dropping – which will drive solar installations without additional rebates from the District. If you want to urge DC to establish a new solar rebate program, click here and register your vote for new solar incentives.

The detailed results of each bid, and additional worksheets allowing consumers to calculate their own rate of return are now posted on www.dcsun.org. DC SUN strongly suggests getting multiple bids before going forward.

DC SUN sets up fund for solar!

2011-11-03T18:57:00.002-04:00

Well, in a way, we have grown tired of waiting for rebates that come and go, so we decided to set up our own program. Our target is to expand the solar market-- especially by funding high profile projects in organizations that are important to our communities. What do I mean?? Well-- churches, schools, non-profits, small local businesses. Many of these organizations can go solar now, but they don't know it. DC SUN can help.

What is it? DC SUN has now launched the NEW Community emPOWERment Fund. Many local installers will now provide a donation to DC SUN’s emPOWERment Fund if their customer is a member of DC SUN. Money in the fund goes to support solar projects for non-profits, churches, and other community organizations. So, when you talk to an installer, tell ‘em DC SUN or your local solar coop sent you!

· The six charter installers contributing to the Fund are:

Kenergy Solar
Lighthouse Solar
Skyline Innovations
SolarCity
Solar Solutions
Volt Energy

Click here to learn more

There are lots of ways to get engaged. We will start on-line fundraising for specific project. You can volunteer with DC Sun and get trained to be a solar ambassador to help worthy organizations go solar.. Or you can nominate you favorite local community organization to receive a grant toward a new solar system. Fill out our online form to nominate an organization YOU think should receive a Community emPOWERment Fund grant.

The market and prices are there to go solar now! It is just going to take a bit of effort to get the word out to ALL parts of the city. JOIN US!

--Anya

Film Screening Hosted by DCSUN -- The 4th Revolution

2011-08-29T10:46:00.001-04:00

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13
Screening of THE 4TH REVOLUTION
Directed by Carl A. Fechner

DC Solar United Neighborhoods and the WASHINGTON FILM INSTITUTE’s Green Screen Series invite you to a screening of Carl Fechner’s The 4th Revolution — Energy Autonomy, courtesy of the Goethe Institut, at 700 Eye Street, NW on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:30 PM.
Scott Sklar, of The Stella Group, will introduce the film and moderate a panel discussion — “A global context for US renewable advocacy” — immediately after the film.
If Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth begged the central question of climate change “What is to be done?” Fechner’s lushly photographed film provides a substantive answer that is well worth the wait.
The late Dr. Hermann Scheer, German Bundestag member and Chair of the World Council for Renewable Energy presents proofs that renewables can replace fossil and nuclear fuels, while offering a way out of the environmental rock and the economic hard place in which oil dependence has trapped developed and developing countries alike.
The film goes directly to Mali, the Amazon Rainforest, China, Bangladesh and Europe — to show how renewables are doing just that.
A reception will be held afterward, provided by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, DC.
Seating is limited so please RSVP now to reserve a space. Click Below for More Info and Online Registration....

The 4th Revolution

15 Solar Projects to be Funded by the Sustainable Energy Utility

2011-08-26T18:27:00.000-04:00

In my previous blog post, I discussed the need for the new Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) to step up to the plate in helping promote residential solar installations. It appears that the SEU is listening as they have launched a solar area on their website and have made some money available for those on the solar rebate waiting list. See http://dcseu.com/programs/Solar.aspx for program details.

While funding 15 projects is not going to put the City on the fast track for continued growth in solar installations, it is a positive start. We will continue to reach out to the SEU in hopes: a) that additional rebate funding can be made available in 2012 -- possibly allowing the wait list to re-open; b) that the SEU and DDOE can devise a replacement program for the existing Renewable Energy Incentive Program starting in 2013; and c) that solar becomes a key part of the Mayor's sustainability push. More details are below regarding the status of the rebates and wait list....
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1. 414 homeowners are in the queue for a DC solar rebate. Waiting list is now closed.
2. 2011 funding for REIP from DDOE is gone, so the 414 will be considered for 2012 fiscal year rebates (at half the original level).
3. The SEU will fund about 15 projects at the top of the list of 414 in the next few weeks (at full rebate).
If you are in the top 15 of the waiting list, please monitor your email closely for information from the SEU. At the old rebate levels, you will be getting a great deal that has almost an immediate payback. You will have 6 months to complete the install. If you want to know your place on the
waiting list, see http://rrc.dc.gov/green/lib/green/pdfs/REIP_Waitlist_Feb_8_2011.pdf

Questions regarding the 15 SEU funded projects should go to Damon at 202-479-2222, ext. 1022 or toll-free 855-MY-DCSEU (855-693-2738), ext.1022.

DC Government Inaction Stifles the Explosive Growth of Solar in DC

2011-07-07T12:41:00.000-04:00

Thanks in part to a generous solar rebate program offered by the District of Columbia, more than 450 families have installed solar panels since 2009. This is exactly why the DC Council originally passed the legislation creating the program. As an organizer of one of many solar neighborhood cooperatives, I had been receiving questions about going solar from neighbors and residents from across the City on a daily basis. Last year, installation crews from local businesses were seen all over DC -- with new projects being completed every day. Looking at the numbers from across DC, 68 projects were completed in 2009, then 218 projects in 2010. Projections were that solar installs would double each year – rising to 500 in 2011 and more than 5,000 per year by 2015. Solar energy became a frequent conversation topic on the street, in the workplace, and on social networking sites – with solar enthusiasts like myself boasting about receiving a “credit balance” on our pepco bills. Apparently, the solar revolution had finally hit DC, but this year has been much different.

As businesses ramped up their hiring and more people began doing the research needed to go solar, all of a sudden, a significant slowdown occurred in the solar industry here in DC. Why did this happen, and what are the prospects for those that missed out on the first wave, but are still interested? In a nutshell, a series of missteps and planning problems within DC government is primarily responsible for the slowdown in solar growth and job loss within the industry. The lack of decision-making and planning has created significant uncertainty, which is holding residents back from signing contracts to install solar. Let’s examine first how the solar slowdown happened, and then go through some ideas on how to restart our solar momentum in DC.

For those of you new to solar, the economics of financing your project rests on what I will call a four-legged stool. The legs are:

1) a 30% Federal Tax Credit on the full amount of the system cost;

2) local DC rebates (which during the boom averaged $11,000 per project);

3) carbon credit sales (known as solar Renewable Energy Credits or sRECs) that allow you to “sell” the green attributes of your solar system for cash, and

4) future costs savings that accrue as solar panels produce electricity – essentially net metering that reduces your pepco bill typically in half.

The first wave of solar installs in DC received an almost too good to be true deal in which the subsidies above would pay for 70% – 100% of the average system cost. The DC Rebate was an essential component drawn from a $2 million per year trust fund which is financed by a small surcharge on your pepco bill. It is not difficult to imagine why the DC Rebate program became quickly over-subscribed. The combination of high demand for rebates, and the raiding of the energy trust fund by the Mayor and DC Council (essentially cutting the $2 million yearly total in half) caused the Department of the Environment to close the waiting list to new projects, and propose a reduction in the rebate amounts for those that were on the waiting list before it closed. The proposed rebate reduction, which has not officially been finalized, would allow more projects to receive rebates at a smaller amount. The rebate program sunsets in 2012 (though the pepco energy surcharge does not), meaning that those not on the list now have no current option for applying for funding, but that ratepayers will still be funding a program that will not exist after 2012.

What does this mean for those of you stuck on the existing DC rebate waiting list, or those of you that want to now want to apply for a rebate? First the good news:

1) solar prices are dropping fast – a system that would have cost $35,000 in 2009 will now cost only about $22,000;

2) the Federal Tax Credit is still available;

3) the value of sRECS, which had dipped recently, will gradually stabilize when the DC Council passes the Distributed Energy Generation Bill (19-10) next week.

So, assuming $22,000 for an average system, minus $6,600 in Federal tax credits leaves an upfront system cost of $15,400. Assuming $2,000 per year in energy credit payments to you and savings on your utility bill, then a simple payback will be reached in about 8 years. Feedback from residents interested in solar indicates that the “tipping point” for deciding to go solar is a 4-5 year payback -- which is where the DC rebate program comes in. Many of you waiting in the wings do not want to move forward with an installation with an 8-year return on investment, knowing that you might miss out on rebate money. So, you are patiently waiting to hear what DC is doing with the rebates. “Patiently” is the operative word as there has been no information shared on the program’s direction. For argument’s sake, let’s assume that DC were to provide you a $4,000 rebate. Your return on investment would then inch closer to that magical 5-year payback, and perhaps the solar revolution would enter a second phase. While those on the existing waiting list will probably get some rebate money in 2012, re-opening the DC Solar Rebate program to new applicants will spur homeowners to spend a significant amount of money on projects that will employ DC workers and bring tax money back into the city.

Our city-wide cooperative organization, DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), has met with government officials to question what the future plans are for solar rebates. After all, we are still paying the energy bill surcharge to fund investment in solar – so why aren’t the benefits being dispersed through a renewed solar rebate program? In a public meeting on January 19th with DC Department of the Environment head Christophe Tulou, we were told that little or no long-term planning for DC solar rebates was being done because DDOE was awaiting approval of a contract with the new “Sustainable Energy Utility” – an organization that was being created to chart the path forward on sustainability in DC. We were told that the SEU would fully engage on solar once they were formed. Earlier this Spring, the contract for the SEU was awarded to Vermont Eneregy Investment Corporation. We were very excited to sit down with the new Director, Scott Johnstone, and engage on a long-term vision for solar in DC.

Despite Mr. Johnstone’s firm grasp of renewable energy issues, we were disappointed to find out from him that; a) DC Department of the Environment was still in fact calling the shots on the long-term prospects for solar in DC; and that b) the SEU would be focus its 2012 spending to exclusively promote weatherization rather than carving out some funding for solar. Our clear message to Mr. Johnstone was that the SEU needed to get out of the box fast on solar, and could jump-start the industry again about targeting some funds into the depleted solar rebate program. Unfortunately, we were told that any such decision to replenish funds in the solar program would need to go through DC Department of the Environment. So, back we went to DDOE asking about their plans to replenish funding in the rebate program from money that exists now and could be immediately available to those sitting on the waiting list.

This is where the bureaucratic maze really becomes difficult to navigate, as it appears that DDOE and the Mayor’s office are working on several very large “vision-setting” documents, of which solar is a small part. Rather than trying to get some short-term wins by funding popular and highly effective carbon cutting solar projects, progress forward appears completely stalled as the “grander scheme” is developed on a myriad of sustainability projects. What this means is the funding available for the SEU to spend on sustainability projects (like solar) may revert back to the general fund because no one will make the decision to fund the solar waiting list. Funding the solar waiting list with 2011 SEU money would mean that solar projects could start right way, and the $2 million that will become available next year under the original rebate program could be used for new applicants to the waiting list. Instead, it looks like inaction by the Mayor, DDOE, and SEU will allow the SEU funds to lapse back to the general fund – essentially heading off the possibility of getting more rebates to more people.

DC SUN continues to fight for solar incentives, but until there is a real commitment by our elected leaders, the program will continue to operate under a cloud of uncertainty. This is unfortunate given that there is a clear path forward that will bring green jobs, carbon reductions, and locally-produced energy to meet peak summer demand. What is lacking is a decision-maker willing to make this happen. On July 11^th, the SEU has announced a public meeting at 3pm at 1325 G St NW, Suite 500. We think it is great that the SEU is reaching out the public, but it is about time that DDOE and SEU were in the same room offering a vision for the program rather than pointing back at each other when flaws in the existing program are pointed out.

If you want to go solar, please consider attending and using some of our key messages:

1) DDOE needs to immediately announce what the planned rebate level is for next year, and re-open the waiting list for rebates.

2) that DC needs measurable goals for attaining solar milestones (residential, schools, businesses, gov’t),

3) that existing 2011 SEU funding should be used to fund the waiting list now to re-energize the program,

4) that 2012 rebate funding should be supplemented by SEU funding to provide more rebates (smaller rebates can fund more projects)

5) that a new 4-year plan (2013-2016) must be developed now to provide certainty for homeowners and industry and ensure that pepco surcharges are used for intended purposes, and

6) that more creative ways to fund projects for low income residents must be developed to supplement existing rebate programs.

We are not quite at the point that explosive growth in installations will occur without a DC rebate program; however, with dropping prices and technology innovations, after another 4-year rebate program, it is likely that solar prices will drop to the point where rebate incentives may no longer be needed. When the rebate program was up and running, it was extremely successful, so why not continue it as a way to move the city toward a renewable energy future. Solar is the gateway for DC residents from every ward in the city to dramatically reduce their carbon, and for people to take control of their energy costs to become more prosperous and self sufficient. Solar has the potential to bring great green jobs to this city, instead of exporting our energy dollars out of our economy. It is time for bold, clear and decisive action, not more delay and finger pointing. City officials need to re-open and properly fund DC’s Solar Rebate Program!

Mike Barrette

Capitol Hill Energy Cooperative Solar Project Director

Founding Member of DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN)

Join our listserve at www.dcsun.org to learn more about going solar

Follow our blog and post comments at http://solardc.blogspot.com/

Let the following DC officials know that you want the DC Solar Rebate to re-open!

Christophe.tulou@dc.gov

sjohnstone@dcseu.com

Vincent.gray@dc.gov

Distributed Generation Bill Goes to the Full Council!

2011-06-06T13:08:00.003-04:00

So the First Reading of the Distributed Generation Act of 2011 (Bill 19-10) is tomorrow morning.

The bill passed unanimously out of committee with votes from Alexander, Bowser, Graham and Mendelson. The following Council members have also affirmed strong support for the legislation: Cheh, Kwame Brown, Harry Thomas, and Marion Barry. So at this point.. we are assuming that tomorrows first reading will be a CELEBRATION!!!

Pass the word! Bring sunflowers to show your support for solar! Turn out to let the DC Council know that this is just the beginning of the DC Solar movement.

When: Tuesday, June 7th at 11:00 AM (Council meeting begins at 10:00 AM).

Where: Room 500 at The Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (Closest Metro: Federal Triangle on Orange/Blue Line)

Why: First Reading of the Distributed Generation Act of 2011 (Bill 19-10)

RSVP: E-mail solarcoop@yahoo.com

Visual: Bring bouquets or single sunflowers so members of Council see your support.

This legislation will create a healthy D.C. market for Solar Renewable Energy Credits for the next 10 years. What does that mean?

JOBS: A healthy solar market in D.C. will mean 2,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.
CITY REVENUE: A healthy solar market in D.C. could generate more than $150 Million in tax revenue over the next 10 years.
SOLAR FOR ALL: A healthy solar market in D.C. will enable affordable financing and leasing options for solar installations. This means that any D.C. resident could take advantage of solar energy.
MORE SOLAR: Clean and renewable energy from the sun, not dirty coal.

Solar on the Move!

2011-05-27T11:36:00.002-04:00

Solar Bill Passes Committee

Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 Bill 19-10

Fantastic news! Thanks to all the hard work from solar supporters like you, the solar legislation we need to put more solar panels on DC rooftops passed unanimously out of committee in the D.C. City Council yesterday! Council members ( CM Graham CM Bowser, CM Mendelson, and CM Alexander) went out of their way to comment on the solar businesses in their Wards and all the strong reasons to support the bill!

The bill was changed slightly from the original draft but it is still a strong step forward—a victory.

How strong a step is this? This legislation will essentially guarantee a stable solar market for years to come allowing for solar to proliferate across all eight of the Districts wards. This legislation will enable the district to go from about 500 homes being powered by solar today to 15,000 homes being powered by solar in 2014. THat would be a solar boom! This bill takes us one step closer to a day in which we can all afford solar in DC! This bill is good for green jobs and the bill and even according to DC's own fiscal analysis -- the bill will have a positive impact on the DC Budget!!

The bill markup in committee is just the next step. We still need to pass the legislation out of the Council. Stay tuned for a notice asking you to show up to show your support at the City Council on June 7^th.

The DC Solar Movement is getting stronger every day!

Anya Schoolman

Mt. Pleasant Solar Coop

DC SUN

P.S. Thanks to everybody who showed up at the Pepco shareholders meeting. Here is an article about the meeting.

http://www.examiner.com/solar-energy-in-washington-dc/dc-residents-pressure-pepco-to-provide-solar

DC Sun Sends Message to Pepco!

2011-05-20T17:43:00.001-04:00

For those of you who missed the rally in front of Pepco today-- you missed a great event!
There was an awesome turn out, fantastic banners, great chanting and great spirit! The DC Police Department closed off a lane in the street in front of Pepco-- Their flashing bright lights and quiet, calm presence helped make the event even more substantial than it would have otherwise. Pepco sent out a security guard to film the participants. Local TV was there to cover the event. DC RISE UP was there, with megaphones and bags of coal to pass out to share holders as they entered the building. Tom Kelly-our fearless DC SUN Pepco trouble shooter—rocked sun shaped temporary tatoos on his recently bald head! Tom brought his custom printed "Power from the People" signs with lightning bolts to the event. Thanks to all of you that showed up! YOU REALLY MADE MY DAY!!!

Inside John Capozzi (Ward 7 Coop leader) spoke about his intention to introduce a shareholder resolution to require Pepco to affirmatively address climate change. He spoke about his interest as a shareholder in seeing Pepco embrace solar as a money making enterprise and suggested that Pepco might help finance and or market solar to residential customers. John said that Pepco was missing huge opportunities in this area.

John Rigby Pepco CEO expressed concern and said he wanted to address John's issues before John felt compelled to come back to the shareholder meeting next year! He offered to personally meet with John in the near future!

Inside, Anya Schoolman (DC Sun and MTP Solar Coop leader) spoke about Pepco's roll out of smart meters and smart grid and their apparent hostility to solar in general. She said that as a shareholder she was concerned that Pepco was turning the environmental and solar advocacy community into enemies instead of potential allies in the building of a new energy economy. She mentioned that there had been a number of complaints filed with the PSC. She also mentioned that Pepco's actions were engendering resentment that would translate into real regulatory risk affecting the bottom line of Pepco shareholders.

After the meeting, both John and Anya were approached by a number of senior executives from the Pepco team. Charles R. Dickerson, Vice President, Customer Care mentioned the November 2010 meeting with DC Sun and Pepco management in the office of DC Council member Bowser. Anya replied that there has been zero follow up since that meeting. Important news however, he announced that the staff of the Green Power Connection Team has been tripled! So maybe Lisa Bladen will have some help, and you won't be put on hold for 45 minutes any longer? I look forward to your reports.

Also, John Huffman, President of Pepco Energy Services expressed interest in meeting with us and working collaboratively with the Coops. Although PES works on efficiency and solar for large commercial and government buildings we suggested there might be ways to collaborate--for example, by bringing the Solar Coops in on a bulk purchase of PV panels to bring our price/watt down significantly. We would love your ideas on how we might take advantage of PES new “interest” in finding common ground with the Coops.

DC SUN Meets with Sustainable Energy Utility

2011-05-16T10:40:00.001-04:00

The Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) was established by DC Council to chart a path forward for the District with regard to renewable energy and energy efficiency. While the solar Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) has provided rebates to help more than 400 DC residents go solar, the program is set to expire next year and it is already over-subscribed. With 440 more people on the waiting list (which has now closed due to the popularity of the program), what is next for solar incentives in DC?

Anya Schoolman, Akili West and I recently sat down with the Managing Director of the SEU to discuss this very question. DC SUN is advocating that the SEU develop a long-term set of goals for reaching solar adoption rates that will make the District a leader in locally-produced renewable energy. While it is important that the SEU advocate for BOTH energy efficiency AND solar energy (among other things), our message was clear – “Get out of the box quickly on solar!” We have momentum, a diverse installer base, and a long waiting list of citizens ready to go. DC SUN has offered to help develop ideas for a second round of REIP that can fix some of the problems we saw in round one – in particular, the lack of an independent trust fund, and uneven distribution of solar projects across all eight Wards.

It is clear that the price of solar will continue to drop, so rebates can be less generous than Round 1. Within 4-5 years, it may be that the economics of solar will work without any DC rebate. However, in the near term, smaller rebates are important. Funding for solar rebates continue to come in from utility ratepayers, but there is currently no mechanism with the expiration of REIP to direct that funding to solar projects. We need REIP Round 2 to leverage that funding and ensure continued solar growth – which we have seen double from year to year. Because of the uncertainty regarding the rebates, many homeowners are putting projects on hold until a new program is announced.

We left the meeting with the SEU very encouraged that they understand the issues and dynamics of the solar market in DC. They understand that stabilizing the sREC market is critical, that community involvement is a must, and that certainty in regard to future rebate programs needs to happen quickly. That said, they are just getting off the ground and have not yet determined how to transition into programs that have been traditionally run by DDOE. While these issues play out, we are hopeful that DC SUN will continue to have a strong voice in developing solar programming in the City. Please comment with any thoughts you have.

Mike Barrette

DC Petition;s City Council --Don't Let Solar Die

2011-05-03T14:58:00.002-04:00

DC Sun Fights for DC Solar!

Yesterday, nearly a dozen solar advocates met at the Wilson Building to present members of the DC Council with a petition asking:

"We the undersigned residents of the District of Columbia urge our City Council to pass the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 to help put more solar on the rooftops of our homecity. Let's build DC solar to create jobs, grow DC businesses and protect the environment.”

To date we have 2,104 signatures on the petition—but the numbers continue to grow! It is not too late to sign!

http://signon.org/sign/build-dc-solar-dont-let

We were very surprised by the reaction we got at CM Cheh’s office—as she has been the long standing champion in the DC Council on renewable energy. We have been in conversations with her office about the need to fix the SREC market for one year now. We went to her office to ask why it is taking so long. She seemed severely annoyed to see us there and told us the bill was more complicated than we thought! We left wondering if Cheh had lost interest in being Washington’s solar champion.

After the meeting we got the following statement from CM Cheh’s office: “As the primary author and lead introducer of this bill, I fully support moving forward. I have been advised by Councilmember Alexander’s office that she plans to move the bill in front of the Committee for markup this month.” -Mary Cheh

CM Alexander warmly welcomed our delegation, and agreed to take pictures with our group handing over the 175 page petition! She said the bill would be marked up and moved in May and promised the bill would be done before summer recess. This is good news, however, the bill mark up still has not been scheduled, and we are getting conflicting reports on how strong the bill will be when finished.

We also visited with staff from CM Wells and CM Graham’s offices as we had strong representation in our group from Ward’s 1 and 6. They assured us they would look into why the bill appeared to be stalled and see what they could to do help.

Stay tuned!

Anya Schoolman

President DC Sun

PS If anyone wants to help deliver the petition to the other members of the DC Council please contact me! We need constituents to educate their representatives in all of the DC Wards.

Solar in the NEWS in DC!

2011-04-26T12:09:00.004-04:00

There has been some good coverage of our efforts in the press lately! Now Alexander's office is saying the SREC bill will be marked up in May. That is progress-- but the date keeps slipping! DC Sun is working to get the Council to move and stop sitting on the bill.

City Paper

Cheh sounds like she isn't strongly supportive of the bill! What gives? Has Cheh backed away from being our solar champion?

WAMU

Also: signatures on city-wide petition to push the DC Council to act now has more than 1,673 people! To see the petition click here

We are hoping to get to 2,000 signatures by Monday!

Growing list of 1,000+ DC Residents Urging DC Council to Pass Solar Bill

2011-04-19T22:29:00.000-04:00

We have seen a HUGE display of support behind efforts to solarize DC. People understand that the Distributed Generation Amendment Act is the key step in keeping the momentum going for solar in DC. It is puzzling that after a huge crowd of supporters took the day off work to speak in support at the committee hearing (during which there was little opposition to the Bill), that Council is sitting on their hands.

Click here to send the Council a wake up call

http://signon.org/sign/build-dc-solar-dont-let?source=c.fwd&r_by=58010

Will DC Council Flush the Whole Solar Industry down the Drain?

2011-04-11T18:48:00.005-04:00

Down to the Wire. DC Council sits on Distributed Generation Bill. DC SUN asks its members and all residents of DC to wake up the DC Council and protect our interests!

The Distributed Generation Act (Bill 19-10) builds the foundation necessary for the sustained growth of the industry and the solar market in the District. Folks this is much bigger than a small rebate program. This is ten years of growth for the sector! It means solar opportunities across every Ward in the City. The bill increases the amount of solar energy the District of Columbia is required to use from 0.4% to 2.5% by 2020, which aligns the District’s goals with those in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and elsewhere. Most Significantly-- the bill would fix the loop that current allows the District to meet it's solar targets with installations from out of STATE! The bill requires utility companies to purchase solar energy solar systems located within the District to ensure the District receives the benefits of solar energy

* The Council hearing on the Bill 19-10, the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 was held over a month ago. At that time, an over-flowing crowd of over 50 people representing local solar installers, DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), homeowners, community leaders, and environmental organizations showed up and testified in support of the bill. Council Member Alexander ended the hearing by stating, “We will pass this bill.”

* Since that time, whatever limited concerns raised at the hearing have been fully addressed.

* This bill is a Green Jobs-- No BRAINER for the DC Council. This bill is projected to create up to 2,000 green jobs in the District over the next nine years and will generate approximately $50 Million in sales tax revenue and more than $100 Million in income tax revenue over the next nine years. The bill is TIME SENSITIVE, and without quick action, we will lose an industry our city has worked so hard to create.

Why Hasn't the Council ACTED to pass the bill?

Post here if you take action to support the bill. If you call your council member post responses, if you email post their responses for others to share.

Call, Write, Visit in Person and ask your Council member and Kwame Brown to Please Pass this the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 immediately! Tell them to Act now before it is too late!!!!

dccouncil@dccouncil.us

Public Service Commission seeks comments on utility billing statements

2011-04-07T10:53:00.000-04:00

The Office of People's Council circulated this consumer alert on proposed changes to pepco billing statements. Those of you with solar are aware that it is very difficult to understand how much power you are being credited for during a given billing cycle. If you have ideas on how pepco's billing statement could be improved, please see the info below on how to comment. The initial proposals floated by the PSC don't seem to deal with improving bill readability for solar producers. If you want others to see your comments, please feel free to post them below in the comments box, or on the DCSUN listserve (www.dcsun.org). In case the link below doesn't work, you can also click HERE.

- Mike

OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNSEL

1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202.727.3071; Fax: 202.727.1014; TTY/TDD: 202.727.2876

Website: www.opc-dc.gov; Email: ccceo@opc-dc.gov

Brenda K. Pennington, Interim People's Counsel

Consumer Alert

April 4, 2011

Dear Consumers,

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia wants to hear from you! The DC PSC would like to hear from residential ratepayers regarding your concerns about understanding your utility bills. The Commission has made a number of proposals regarding new, revised and additional information to all D.C. consumers' monthly bills from PEPCO and Washington Gas.

Please follow the link provided to view all of DC PSC's proposed bill changes. All comments regarding the proposed bill changes should be submitted the following address:

Public Service Commission for the District of Columbia

Office of the Secretary

1333 H Street, NW, Second Floor

Washington, DC 20001

Initial comments of the DC PSC's proposed revisions to monthly utility bills are due by April 25, 2011.

Please follow the link to view the Notice in its entirety - Formal Case No. 1078, In the Matter of an Investigation into the Adequacy of Billing Information on Monthly Utility Bills.

DC Selects Vendor to lead Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)

2011-04-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

DC's selection of a vendor to run the SEU (read announcement here) has been long awaited by the DC solar community. Why? Because the SEU is supposed to be the organization charting a path forward for solar. As you know, the current Renewable Energy Incentive Program (solar rebates) expires next year. DC has never charted a path forward for solar in DC beyond 2012. We have high hopes that a rebate program can be extended beyond 2012, that the renewable energy credit market will be stabilized, and that the SEU will set and work toward goals for reaching solar milestones to make DC the #1 solar city in the US. We urge the new SEU to work with DC SUN and our member cooperatives to creatively bring solar to a wider range of citizens (for example, promoting community solar projects for renters, for those that don't have the correct building orientation, and for those that don't have the financial means to purchase a complete system). We welcome Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and its partners. Let's get started!

WAMU Program on Solar with guest Christophe Tulou (today at noon)

2011-03-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

Today's Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU will cover the topic of residential
solar in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

I would like to encourage everybody to listen and CALL IN with your
experience and comments. Show that the DC Solar community is strong
and active.

What: Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU

When: Today, Tuesday, March 8; Noon - 2:00 PM

How: Listen 88.5 FM WAMU or listen online at http://www.wamu.org/

CALL: dial 1-800-433-8850 or e-mail kojo@wamu.org

Excellent Showing Today at DC Council Hearing

2011-03-02T22:57:00.001-05:00

Today's DC Council hearing on increasing the solar carve out (Renewable Portfolio Standard) was strongly attended by citizens across the City, testifying in favor of the raising the solar RPS up to 4%. I believe there were more than 40 people testifying in favor of the Bill. Other than the utilities, who predictably do not want to lose business to citizen-produced solar power, there were not many negative comments about the bill. The Public Service Commission did raise some concerns that did not seem completely on point. However, the PSC noted in their comments that they believe that DC's recent decision to remove funding out of the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund may not have been legal. DDOE Commissioner Tuluo testified in favor of the bill -- giving it his strong support. There is also an article discussing the issues in City Paper. See link here. Were you there? If so, please comment with your impression.

DDOE Proposes to Reduce Solar Rebate

2011-02-26T10:50:00.000-05:00

For those following previous posts, DDOE was given authority by the DC Council to reduce the solar rebate amount. Yesterday, DDOE published a proposal and is looking for comments on the proposal. Any first reactions? If so, feel free to post comments here. The proposal will reduce the existing rebate in half for most projects.

The dynamics are: solar panel prices have dropped since the original formula was released, DC Council and DDOE have raided the trust fund that provides these rebates - lowering the funding available, and there is a great demand for solar in DC - so DC is looking to fund more projects at a lower rate. If you are sitting on the sidelines thinking about solar, GET YOUR NAME ON THE WAITING LIST. It is unclear whether rebates will be offered after the REIP sunsets in 2012.

Text of DDOE Proposal...

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Request for Public Comment on
Revised Rebate Amounts for the Renewable Energy Incentive Program

The District Department of the Environment (“DDOE”) hereby requests public input and comment on a proposal to revise the financial incentive structure for the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (“REIP”) that provides financial incentives to District residents and businesses installing qualified solar photovoltaic systems. Section 3(d) of B18-932, the Sustainable Energy Utility Amendment Act of 2010 (projected effective date April 1, 2011, pending Congressional review) amended L17-250, the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008, to allow the Mayor to issue guidelines that adjust the REIP rebate incentive amounts to reflect market conditions and the prevailing prices of renewable energy systems.

DDOE seeks public comment on the following proposed incentive guidelines for the REIP. Under the proposed guidance, the REIP would provide funding in the following amounts, effective October 1, 2011:

1) The amount of $1.50 for each of the first 3,000 installed watts or watt-equivalents of capacity;

2) The amount of $1.00 for each of the next 7,000 installed watts or watt-equivalents of capacity; and

3) The amount of $0.50 for each of the next 10,000 installed watts or watt-equivalents of capacity.

No additional funding would be provided for installed capacity above 20,000 watts.

DDOE welcomes input and comments on these proposed revised incentive amounts, and will host a public meeting on March 16, 2011 from 2pm – 4pm at 1200 First Street, NE, 5^th Floor, Washington DC 20002 to discuss the proposal and hear comments. All persons and entities wishing to receive subsequent notices or additional information concerning the proposal indicated above should contact Olayinka Kolawole at (202) 671-4096 or

Olayinka.Kolawole@dc.gov.

Additional information and background documentation related to this proposal may be obtained from www.greenenergy.dc.gov or by contacting Mr. Kolawole.

Response to DC SUN questions regarding DC Solar Rebates

2011-02-26T10:44:00.000-05:00

My previous post included the questions that DC SUN asked Department of Environment Director Christophe Tulou. Below is the reply. My next post will have the text of the DDOE proposal to reduce the solar rebate formula.

--------------------

Hi Mike --

Thanks for your messages/questions on the REIP.

The recent post on the DDOE website is a communication to those constituents who have already applied or are interested in applying to the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP). As stated in the update, due to the gap closing plan, the REIP is no longer accepting new prequalification applications until additional funding is available in FY 2012.

With regard to the 51 applicants who were prequalified and are now experiencing a delay in approval, you will not find them on the waitlist published on the website. We have communicated informed them directly of both their status and our interest in supporting their projects at the current tier levels. We are working closely with the Mayor's Office and Council staff to determine whether and how funding can be made available to this group of 51 as expeditiously as possible. This is an involved process with many moving parts and decision-makers, so I am unable to specify a target date at this time. We certainly understand the applicants’ and your interest in a quick decision on that funding. Whatever happens, we will provide an update on the DDOE website and let the affected folks know directly.

Pending Congressional review of the law (projected to be completed by April 1, 2011), DDOE will have the authority to establish guidelines for the REIP and will issue guidance on the new tier levels. DDOE is currently performing its own analysis of new tier options, and will publish the proposed new levels in the DC Register by February 25, 2011. Following posting in the DC Register, there will be a 30-day comment period and DDOE will host a public meeting on the proposed tiers on March 16, 2011 at 1200 First St. NE. Information regarding the upcoming discussion will be made public on our website, and we look forward to your participation in this process.

Sincerely,

Christophe

Christophe A. G. Tulou
Director
District Department of the Environment

DC SUN Requests Answers from DDOE on Solar Rebate Program

2011-02-07T18:28:00.000-05:00

Below is the text of a request sent today to the Director of the DC Department of the Environment. Many of those on the Waiting List have signed contracts and made commitments to install solar projects based on assurances from DDOE that the DC Solar Rebate was forthcoming. Many of those residents have now been informed that they may not receive the promised rebate. When we receive answers to these questions, we will post them here.

February 7, 2011

Dear Mr Tulou,

We wanted to follow-up on several items from our meeting with you on January 19th. We would like to provide an update to our members, who are obviously very interested and concerned about the path forward on renewable energy and the solar rebates. While this note does not include the full list of long-term issues and questions that we have, they get at the most immediate questions that our members are asking. We would appreciate a response in the next few days.

1. On January 19th, you indicated the DDOE would request that the DC Council approve using the $700K in unspent 2010 funds that have reverted into "fund balance." You indicated that the paperwork necessary to make this request was imminent. Has DDOE or the Mayor's office completed this request to Council? If not, can you provide us with your target date for sending this request forward?

2. On January 19th, you indicated that you agreed that the DDOE Green Energy Website needed to be updated. We requested that the REIP document and the online application be updated to indicate that program changes are in the works. We are additionally requesting that the Wait List shown on the DDOE website be classified according to which bin each person in the Waiting List is in. We think that this is as follows: "Priority 1" - DDOE has made a funding commitment and is planning to use 2011 money to fund the project at original levels; "Priority 2" - DDOE has made a funding commitment based on original rebate levels, but restoration of 2010 fund balance is required before grants can be processed; and "Priority 3" - Wait List will be subject to new rebate formula, which will likely be applied beginning on Oct 1, 2011 when fiscal year 2012 monies become available. Being transparent about where each person stands in regard to the list is very important to our members. We understand that some of our members have received letters, but we think DDOE's website should also provide that information. Will you make these changes to the website, and when? We also recommend that DDOE put an appendix on the REIP Program Guide explaining what is happening during this period of uncertainty.

3. On January 19th, you indicated that you would be proposing a new formula for those applicants on the waiting list. We provided you with an initial survey response about various rebate levels (survey is posted on solardc.blogspot.com). We requested that you provide a proposal with a 30-day comment period, and then move quickly to issue the new rules so that applicants and installers have certainty in regard to the operation of the program until the 2012 funding is expended. When do you plan to issue the draft formula? Do you desire any input from us prior to proposing a new formula?

We will follow up with you in the future on many of our longer-term issues and concerns, but would appreciate your answers on these items.

Mike Barrette, Capitol Hill Energy Coop & DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN)
Anya Schoolman, Mt Pleasant Solar Coop & DC SUN

The Future of Solar in DC - Major Changes to Solar Program are Anticipated

2011-01-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

The Future of Solar In DC – Update on Recent Developments that will Impact the Growth of Locally-Produced Renewable Energy and Jobs.

Wednesday January 21, 2011

The solar movement in the District of Columbia took a major step forward in 2010, in part, due to the work of neighborhood cooperatives. Hundreds of installs were completed or are soon to be completed – in part because the economic incentives made solar installations a good financial investment. Because solar is not yet to the point that it is economically viable on its own, this recent spike in solar installations in DC owes to the combination of Federal Tax credits, Solar Renewable Energy Credits—which are modest carbon credits that accrue to solar producers, and DC’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program rebates. Over this same time period we have seen the development of the District’s solar facilities has brought over $7 million of direct investment into the city in the last 24 months, hundreds of full time employees living and working within the District, and a job growth rate of around 50%.

DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), a coalition of a dozen cooperatives from across the City, is very concerned that this momentum will be lost unless the Mayor, the Council, and the Department of the Environment (DOE) come together to fix several problems relating to carbon credits and DC rebates. On Wednesday, January 19^th, DC SUN met with Director Tulou from the Department of the Environment, DDOE and Council staff to discuss the future of the program. Here are the basics of what we learned:

· Citizens that are not already on the waiting list for a rebate will most likely not be able to participate in the current incentive program.

· While interest in solar energy is growing, the lack of funding will kill this successful program without quick action. There are currently nearly 500 who are on the waiting list or in the grant application process.

· What are the problems and possible solutions???

o As a short-term measure, the Council needs to vote to restore to DDOE $800K in funds that were left unspent in 2010. DOE agrees that this funding should be restored to the program. This money will go to people who have already gotten a funding commitment from DDOE.

o As a medium-term measure, DDOE plans to re-adjust the amount of awards for those that have not been promised a certain amount. Re-adjusting the award to half its level now will provide twice as many rebates in 2012, at which point, the program ends. DC SUN believes that cutting the award by more than half that will stifle future solar installations.

o In the long-term, the Council and DOE are not showing leadership in developing a successor to the REIP, but instead believe that leadership should be left to the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU). Unfortunately, the SEU approval process is moving very slowly so there is currently no clear path forward for this program. If SEU will provide the answers, let’s get it running now, otherwise, abandon the idea so we can move forward with existing agencies!

o Funding from utility ratepayers continues to flow to the fund that is designed to provide rebates, so if DC does not plan to continue the program, that surcharge should be discontinued. DC SUN favors keeping the surcharge, but only if it is put to use as intended.

· With rebate funding waning, DC needs other options. DC is behind the curve in regard to creating a market for solar energy. Currently, power suppliers are required to buy only a small percent of their power from DC solar producers (less than .4%). Councilmember Cheh has introduced legislation to raise this to 2.5% which is comparable to other states with solar programs such as Maryland This legislation is critical, because with the dwindling incentives, at least homeowners that install solar can able to sell their carbon credits at a rate that will make their solar investment prudent.

· Until DC government figures out a path forward, hopefully with our help, it is difficult for our organizations to promote the renewable energy economy in the City.

If you are on the waiting list, or are considering solar, here are some of the details....

After the budget cuts –the total that will be available for the solar rebate (REIP) program this year is $1.1 million. We originally expected this year to have $2 million plus $800k roll over from the previous year.

Apparently, there are 132 people who have been told that they are “pre-qualified” for a rebate and have been instructed to proceed to submitting a full rebate. Of those, there are funds still left on hand to cover roughly 75 people. Those people will be informed within a week that that they are ok to move forward. In addition, there are roughly 57 “pre-qualified” folks that will be told that their applications are on hold pending future funding. There are two possibilities for funding this group. One, if DDOE is successful in getting the DC Council to re-program unspent $800K from last year. This may take a number of months and requires Council action. The other option is that those people would have to wait until FY 12. The basic DDOE commitment is that if you are one of the 132 on the pre-approved list you will get funded at the current rebate level.

In addition, there are more than 360 people on the waiting list. DDOE is planning to adjust the level of the rebate before moving through the waiting list. They have not decided what level to set the rebate at. The group urged them to make the decision quickly AND to provide a fair and transparent opportunity for homeowners, Coop members, installers, non-profits, low income housing advocates and other stakeholders to provide input into the decision. There are many interesting and creative ideas how to move forward with the rebate program—but there is no consensus about the best way to do this. All that being said, the solar program is only authorized through 2012. DDOE has no plans nor proposals for how they might be engaged once the program sunsets. There was a broad discussion about whether the SEU would take a role, if the PACE program might play a role, and the potential to lobby and create a new grant program.

The Future of Solar….

In this vacuum of leadership and vision we expect the Solar Coops, the DC-based installers and solar industry and other key stakeholders to join together to design a program that propels DC to national headlines. We would like extensive solar, affordable solar and accessible solar. There are many ways to get there. Here is our opportunity to take stock—both of the amazing jobs we have created, and the amazing support we have provided to homeowners and families who now have Pepco bills dropping by two thirds or more, not to mention we have started DC on a path toward greater energy independence, reliability, and lower carbon emissions. How do we expand and broaden this progress? How do we get to the next level?

We will first need to pass a new bill to put the basic market on sound footing. Luckily that work is well underway and the Council so far, is showing very strong support for the bill. The Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 (B19-0010), if passed, will increase in the solar requirements of the District’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) from 0.4% of energy delivered into the District in 2020 to 2.5% of energy delivered in 2020. It also clarifies the existing RPS preference for District-located solar facilities by requiring that these facilities be located on the distribution grid that serves the District of Columbia for the purposes of increased grid reliability through local generation.

Next we need a solar gardens bill this will allow folks who are renters, or live in apartment buildings to own solar panels somewhere else in DC and have the electricity their panels generate credited to their bill.

When we fully evaluate the economic benefit of the solar program: including money we no longer export out of the city for energy payments, in terms of jobs, in terms of income, payroll and sales tax revenue to the city, and in terms of money saved to DC based consumers, and businesses—we won’t have to fight hard for the program in the future. There are very few investments this small that the DC Council can make that produce real and measureable jobs and economic benefits. Perhaps the solution is to move the solar program out of the Department of the Environment and into an office dedicated to job creation or economic development. We would also like to see the solar program evaluated against other programs designed to reduce carbon emissions. Because the District Government investment in solar leverages so much Federal and private investment, as well as generates significant income to the city in tax revenue-- we believe that the solar program is likely to be the most cost effective way for DC to achieve significant Co2 reductions. What does the future look like for DC and how do we get there?

It is time to get real and grow to the next level! All of your ideas and hard work are appreciated and needed.

Anya Schoolman, MT Pleasant Solar Coop

Michael Barrette, Capitol Hill Energy Coop

Follow developments or comment at our blog http://solardc.blogspot.com or join our DC SUN listserve (sign up link for Google listserve is at http://www.capitolhillenergycoop.org ).

Opinion Poll Regarding DC's Solar Rebate Program

2011-01-18T23:23:00.000-05:00

DC has not only been slashing the amount of funding available to the solar rebate program, but they are also considering reductions, possibly significant, to the amount that individuals would receive if they were approved for a rebate. DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), which is a consortium of all cooperatives from across DC, conducted an online poll examining the decision point to go solar (in relationship to the size of rebate). The findings from this survey are available at this LINK.

I think most people expect the rebate to go down, due to: a) the extremely high demand for rebates, and b) the recent raid by DC on the trust fund that was established for this program. The question at this point is what will be the new formula employed by DC for future rebates. The survey examines this issue, and also provides perspective on the program from many of our members. If you have your own opinions on the program, please join our discussion by commenting here. If you are not a member of DC SUN and would like to join our google listserve, you can find a link to it at www.capitolhillenergycoop.org.

- Mike

PSC finally starts asking questions! Hearing today. 1:30 at PSC

2010-12-06T12:05:00.003-05:00

When Pepco failed to respond to the issues raised by the Mt. Pleasant Solar Coop during the October 27, 2010 smart meter hearing, the DC Public Service Commission initiated an informal inquiry into Pepco’s net metering practices. MTP Solar has complained that their members are not getting proper Net meters, that there are still problems with billing, that the new smart meters are not two-way capable unless specially re-programmed, and that Pepco's new variable pricing proposals do not explain how they will work for solar producers.

During the inquiry, Pepco conceded to the Commission that “some problems are not simply isolated instances.” Order No. 16073, Formal Case No. 945, In The Matter Of The Investigation Into Electric Service Market Competition And Regulatory Practices (Dec. 1, 2010) (“Order”) at P. 3. As a result, on December 1, 2010, the DC Public Service Commission issued an Order in Formal Case No. 945 directing Pepco to appear at a net metering status conference at the Commission on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 1:30 PM.

The Commission scheduled the status conference to “ascertain the full nature and extent of the problems Pepco is experiencing as well as Pepco’s plan for correcting them.” The Commission directed Pepco to be prepared to identify a number of particular statistics as well as Pepco’s determinations regarding the causes of the problems, its efforts to rectify the problem going forward, and its “plan to make whole those customers whose meters incorrectly recorded generation and usage information.” Moreover, the Commission took this opportunity to also address the new smart meters, which will have the capability to function as net meters. As such, the Commission also directed Pepco to be prepared to discuss its plans for installing new smart meters and the anticipated interruption customers will face, its plans for proper accounting of customers’ generation and usage information in the event of a delay during the transition, and its ability to provide smart meters to all new interconnection customers who are eligible to participate in net metering with new smart meters.

I will be at the hearing and report back later.

Anya Schoolman

DC SUN Fights to Defend DC Solar Program

2010-12-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, representatives from Mt Pleasant Solar Coop, Capital Hill Solar Coop, Ward 8 Solar Coop, Solar Solutions and Solar City installation companies testified on the need not to cut the solar rebate REIP budget. We emphasized that the rebate program is designed to build a market—and that it is working! Atta Kiarash from Solar Solutions emphasized that the sales tax his company alone pays on solar sales in DC is half the value of the proposed cut! Not to mention the income tax paid by his employees and all the other expenditures. We made a strong point that cutting the fund would be short sighted and ultimately make DC’s budget problems and employment problmes worse. We argued that it is wrong to cut the budget now—just when the program is finally up and running! We also reminded Mayor Elect Grey that he campaigned on the idea that special purpose funds such as the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund- should not be raided for general expenses. The trust fund comes from a surcharge on our Pepco bills and should be off limits. To raid this money is a violation of public trust and it fundamentally undermines the public’s willingness to support special purpose fees in the future. Grey and other members of the Council present including Graham, Cheh, Wells and Bowser appeared to be sympathetic but made no commitments.
They expect to make a decision about the budget by Tuesday. Letters, emails and calls would be helpful.

Solar Rebate Funding Under Attack Again

2010-11-30T00:29:00.001-05:00

The Mayor's recent budget included several reductions for DDOE. Although the Solar Rebates are paid for through utility rate payer assessments, it appears that the Mayor believes these funds can be used to balance the budget. So, it is possible that more than $700K will be taken out of the fund that supplies solar rebates. Attached is an analysis of what is happening. Tomorrow morning, the Council will be taking public testimony on the Mayor's proposed budget cuts. There are four items that the Council needs to look at:

1. Ensure that the $800K in unspent 2010 funding be rolled to 2011.
2. Identify where the missing $240K from 2009 went, and roll it back into the 2011 pot (notice that the 2009 funded and the 2010 rollover do not equal $2 million).
3. Ensure that the Mayor's request to decrease the 2011 funding by about $700K is not implemented.
4. Identify a path forward for people that will miss out on this great program (legislation to update the REIP beyond 2012 and offer grants for projects that will be wait listed)

Click Here for Full Analysis of REIP Spending and Funding Availability

Hearing Info

B18-1101, THE “FISCAL YEAR 2011 REVISED BUDGET REQUEST ACT OF 2010” AND B18-1100, THE “FISCAL YEAR 2011 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET SUPPORT ACT OF 2010”.

NOVEMBER 30, 2010, 9:30 A.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, ROOM 500

JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING

1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray announces a public hearing by the Committee of the Whole on B18-1101, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Revised Budget Request Act of 2010”, and B18-1100, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010” on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. At this hearing, the public will have an opportunity to testify on the gap-closing plans. Immediately following public testimony, the Executive and the Chief Financial Officer will brief the public and the Council on their proposals to close the Fiscal Year 2011 budget gap. An abbreviated notice is given to comply with Council Rule 501(a)(2).

To testify at the public hearing, please contact Maria Villars, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Budget Director, by telephone at (202) 724-8139 or by e-mail at mvillars@dccouncil.us, and furnish your name, address, telephone number and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Monday, November 29, 2010. Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable or submit one advance copy of their written testimony by close of business on November 29, 2010. Persons presenting oral testimony may be limited to 3 minutes in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record in their entirety. All statements should be submitted to the Office of the Budget Director, Council of the District of Columbia, John A. Wilson Building, Suite 508, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.

MTP Solar Invites Obama's to Join MTP Solar Coop

2010-11-01T09:13:00.002-04:00

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-opinions/2010/10/solar_dcs_newest_power_couple.html

Solar D.C.'s newest power couple

By Anya Schoolman and Jefferson Morley
Washington

Dear President and Mrs. Obama:

Now that it has been announced that solar panels will soon return to the roof of the White House, we write to welcome you to the ranks of solar homes in Washington. You are just the latest of the more than 100 D.C. families that have gone solar this year. On behalf of the Mount Pleasant Solar Coop, we invite you to join our group or one of the other 11 other solar cooperatives that have formed across the city.

There are good reasons to join. We know that going solar can be a bit confusing. We are a group of about 300 families living in Mount Pleasant, just a mile and half straight up 16th Street from your house. Seventy of our members have already done what you are doing now.

We find that those in our member families usually become energy-literate -- all of them, no matter their age. Not only will Sasha and Malia start turning out the lights, they may have some energy-saving tips for their carbon-dependent parents. Listen to them.

As co-op members, you'll have a circle of neighbors who can give useful -- and free -- advice about how to get the best solar service. You will also learn about the challenges facing all solar homeowners in the city, from Petworth to Palisades to Anacostia to Columbia Heights. Here are a few that are likely to be at the top of the list:

Net metering. Once 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. becomes partly solar-powered, your house will be "tied to the grid." That means when the sun is shining, you will use the power you get from your panels. When it isn't, you will draw all your power from the regional grid. Because you live in the District, your house will have net metering. For every kilowatt hour of electricity you produce, you will get a 1-to-1 credit on your Pepco bill.

What's not so good is this: If your house were to reach the point that it produced more solar than it used, your power turns into a gift to Pepco. That's right. Your excess solar power flows into the grid, and Pepco will sell it for its own profit. At least that is how the rules are written right now. We need to change that.

Your new meter. As a solar home, you will get a two-way meter for your photovoltaic system. Our advice: Expect problems. Some of our members have had to wait weeks, even months, simply to get the meter installed.

Make sure your smart meter really is smart. Since you are the first family, Pepco might install a brand-new "smart meter" at the White House. That sounds good, but Pepco tells us that the new smart meters won't work with solar power unless they get a special chip inserted and are reprogrammed. Based on our experience with net meters, we are pretty skeptical that this is going to be easy. If you get a smart meter, please let us know if it is smart enough for solar.

One more benefit. You should know about solar renewable energy credits, also known as SRECs. They can put money in your pocket (or money in the kids' college savings account). Here's how:

In 2005, the D.C. Council passed a law requiring that Pepco obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. To meet the standard, Pepco buys credits for the production of renewable energy from solar homes like yours. The prices that utility companies are willing to pay for SRECs go up and down as the rules and markets change. Right now D.C.'s SREC prices are dropping, which is a real problem for solar owners.

The solution, we think, is to establish a national renewable portfolio standard that will ensure a stable SREC market all over the country. It's a complicated issue, and we welcome your thoughts.

So congratulations on your new panels. We think you will discover that going solar is the beginning and not the end of the process. Joining a solar co-op makes it easier and more fun. Sign up today, and welcome!

Anya Schoolman and Jefferson Morley co-founded the Mount Pleasant Solar Coop in 2006. The authors can be reached at Solarcoop@yahoo.com.

Are Smart Meters really Smart?

2010-10-26T09:02:00.003-04:00

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. District Bldg. Room 500

Councilwoman Muriel Bowser's Public Services Committee is holding a hearing on Deployment of the Smart Grid in the District of Columbia. This means the "Smart Meters" being installed by Pepco as the first step. We already know that these meters are not capable of NET metering of our electricity production without being individually re-programmed!. Given the multiple problems we are already having with NET meter installations, and Pepco billing, this is possibly our last best chance to bring our concerns forcefully before city authorities, Pepco, and the Public Service Commission.

Ms. Bowser may not be solar energy's best advocate on the Council, but her committee oversees utilities. We very seldom request that members of the solar cooperatives and solar installation owners join us in our efforts to see that our initiatives are protected and available for everyone in the city to take advantage of.

This is, however, an extremely important event. You need to join us in exposing the issues BEFORE the rollout of these meters gains too much momentum to change.

There are a number of key issues:
1. As renewable energy producers we are entitled to technology that provides data regarding production, not just consumption;
2. The public has no idea what this program is, and Pepco and the Public Service Commission need to honestly outreach for community involvement in the design of this program which will have long lasting effect on our lives;
3. The rollout of the meters should not proceed unless the equipment and the plan include renewable energy as a component.

Also, we need to educate CM Bowser on how broad and diverse the support for solar is in DC. We need her to join our vision of having solar affordable and accessible to all DC residents. We need CM Bowser to understand that solar and the green jobs that come with it are good for all the Wards in DC.

You can submit testimony to this hearing without having to sit and wait for your turn at the microphone to make your points. To submit statements without testifying you must submit copies to the Secretary to the Council, Cynthia Brock-Smith, she's in Room 5 on the Ground Floor of the District Building.

If you do want to make a statement please contact Davida Crockett of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs via email at dcrockett@dccouncil.us or by phone at (202) 741-0898 by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 26.

If you do not have time to attend and make a statement, please make an effort stop by the hearing room and make as many people aware that you are a solar home owner and very concerned about your future as an enlightened member of the smart grid.

Solar Leasing in DC --and latest on Smart Meters.

2010-10-20T09:59:00.002-04:00

Maggio Roofing is offering a new solar leasing program for those that do not have the cash to pay for the upfront changes of solar themselves. I haven't looked at the details yet, but there is a webinar next week if you are interested in learning more:
Event Name
Time to harness the power
DATE: October 26
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: webinar
MORE: register at 301-891-1390

ALSO: Report from Tom Kelly who attended the recent PEPCO SMART GRID PRESENTATION

The meeting was well attended and the general public did manage to outnumber the Pepco-OPc staff in attendance. Pepco's presentation is pretty much the same as is on it's website regarding the rollout of the smart meters. (See MTP Solar website)

First question from the audience was about net metering, but not specifically whether the meters were net capable. We got a detailed explanation about what net meters did and a vague reference to programming the meters. I few questions later I forced a return to the question and it was confirmed that the meters they are installing will not perform the NET function. They will have to be physically programmed, probably by replacement of the motherboard, in order to perform the net function in addition to the normal data gathering info. If you presently have a net meter, you will receive a net-programmed meter. If you have not yet installed solar, you will get the average intelligence meter and have to have it reprogrammed for netting (Mensa version). We all know what this means in terms of delays.

After a number of questioners indicated some paranoia about Pepco controlling energy use and whether they would use it to screw customers, I remembered Lynn's comment that the smart grid/meter is not harmful. I pointed out that believing the meter would reduce utility costs required a major leap of faith to begin with, meters only measure, and that the pilot program indicated that the real stimulus for reduced usage, peak rate rebates, etc. was programmable thermostats and individual alerts calls. The Pepco people consistently refused to deal with this and any dynamic pricing, feed-in tariffs, etc., issues because it is the subject of the PSC filing.

I believe the PSC rejected the OPC's request to delay the rollout, The basic argument is that this project had to be done quickly to take advantage of the 50% funding from ARRA (stimulus), and that's just the way it is.

There will be a series of these things, and we absolutely must encourage other coops and coop members to keep the issue in their face on every occasion. OPC is supposed to have info on its website about the scheduling. We also must, absolutely must, be formally a party to the dynamic pricing case before the PSC.

Note: Present OPC is "acting" Her second, Lawrence Daniels, who was in charge of the event, at one point went into some detail about the existence of solar coops and basically about the inevitability of solar power generation sweeping the city. Pepco people with pained expressions nodding their heads.

Tom Kelly

Solar Happenings on Capitol Hill - Tour, Fair, and Completed Church Installation

2010-10-15T09:01:00.000-04:00

We are gearing up for the big event tomorrow, the Capitol Hill Energy Cooperative's First Solar and Sustainable Homes Tour and Fair. Chances are that you have seen our detailed invitation, but if not, please let me know and I will forward it to you. You can reach me at mike@capitolhillenergycoop.org, or there is lots of information at this LINK.

One of the most exciting aspects is that the Fair will be at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation. We have helped the Church go solar. In fact, a 17kW system is being installed as we speak. The installation is done as a Power Purchase Agreement with Solar Solutions LLC. Under this agreement, the church will save more than $100,000 over the life of the project. Please check out these PHOTOS of the work in progress. We will do tours of the rooftop during our Fair tomorrow (10am-2pm), in addition to opening up 12 of our 25 homes that have gone solar (Tour is 12-4).

- Mike

DC Solar Program Ready to roll for FY 2011!!

2010-10-06T16:10:00.004-04:00

Fiscal year 2011 has begun! We start out the year with a huge congratulations to the DC Energy Office for CRANKING though applications at a steady pace!!! Although the numbers are not yet finalized (and we will need to remain vigilant) it is looking like the solar rebate program will have about $2.8 million to distribute this year. For the first time, they are in position to actually start in the beginning of the fiscal year and get the grants out in a timely manner! So pass the word. This IS the year to go solar in DC. We may never have such a great combination of high incentives and low prices again.

For those of you that have been waiting for it. The word is that DDOE will be releasing guidelines to include solar thermal and geo-thermal in the rebate program within months maybe sooner! I will post when I hear hard deadlines or dates.

Who knows anything about geothermal? Can we do it one block at a time?

DC Climate Plan-weak on solar

2010-09-21T11:29:00.002-04:00

DC has just released its draft climate action plan. It is open for public comment until November 15th. The sections on solar are pretty thin. It would be great to collect your ideas on how to beef up the plan!

http://green.dc.gov/green/lib/green/pdfs/ClimateOfOpportunity_web.pdf

Let me know what you think! Will post more on this in the next few weeks!

Post here or email me at solarcoop@yahoo.com

Solar Gardens in DC!

2010-09-08T09:54:00.003-04:00

Last night at the Mayor's forum (Only Vince Grey showed up)--my apologies to those of you who expected both candidates to show up, I asked Vince Grey the following question--

The Mt Pleasant Solar Coop is pushing for affordable solar for every resident in Washington DC. We see it as a way to build great green jobs and business here in the District and a way to bring down our energy costs for the next 25 years. We are hoping to create a national model and forge a road to the clean energy economy.

A key next step is the creation of solar gardens—the idea is to pass a simple piece of legislation that would allow anyone in the City to own a grid tied solar panel—and get credit on their electric bill--even if the panel isn’t on their own roof! This would mean that anyone in DC could go solar, even if they lived in an apartment building or condo or public housing.

My question is: would you help us pass such legislation and support its implementation and What other ideas do you have to expand and support solar in DC?

Grey seemed open to the idea and asked to see a draft bill. Perhaps even more exciting was the number of people who have contacted me since to say--the want to help or tell me more.

Comments? Questions?

DC Mayors Forum September 7th

2010-09-05T08:57:00.002-04:00

Please join solar advocates from across DC for the DC Environmental Network's Mayoral Forum this coming September 7 @ 5:30 p.m. We are asking you to find time to participate, because both candidates have confirmed that they will attend.

Venue is Harriet's Restaurant (in the Harrington Hotel) at 436-11th Street, NW (11th Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue & E Street, NW, adjacent to METRO Center, Federal Triangle, Archives) and right on the S2, S4 Metrobus lines.

PLEASE REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND THE FORUM

Below is a link for the event:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6642/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1135378

Our organizing means Mt. Pleasant will be joined by sister Coops from the Capitol Hill (Ward 6), Georgetown (Ward 2), Petworth (Ward 4), Shepherd Park (Ward 4), Palisades (Ward 3) and Ward 8/East of the Anacostia River Coops -- so we want our solar members to be well-represented in the audience.

As solar energy producers and proponents of renewable energy, we want Mayor Fenty to know we are NOT HAPPY about his unsuccessful bid to gut the renewable energy program, his appointment of an inexperienced person to the critical three member Public Service Commission and his general lack of support for solar.

We want all the candidates to make strong specific commitments to do better on solar and to see the solar coops as a real political force. We want all the candidates to understand that the best way to develop GOOD green jobs in DC is by promoting solar.

Strength is in numbers. Please attend. Please be vocal about your support for solar and please ask a question about solar. Remember, we pay for the solar program through a surcharge on our electric bill! The mayor should not have the right to divert those funds to other uses!

Please Register to attend the event today. Invite your friends.

$1.4 million Released to DC Solar Rebate Program

2010-08-11T09:57:00.003-04:00

I am not sure how many of you followed this issue last year. But in the first year of the DC solar rebate program only $600k of the $2 million allocated to the program actually got spent. After a long fight, we got the DC Council to put the unspent money into this years budget. Boy.. it wasn't easy...Hearings, calls, emails. We made a big fuss. After that great VICTORY.. It took until last Friday to actually get the money deposited into the DDOE account!!!! This is good news, but also miserably bad news. Because it means we have six weeks or LESS to get that money out to people who want to go solar!!

The unspent $1.4 million dollars for the DC Solar Rebate program was finally released into the program on Friday. That means the program suddenly has an extra $1.4 million to spend before the end of the fiscal year on October 1.

You should know, however, that last year, they closed down the program well before October 1st to reconcile accounts. So it may be even less than six weeks of time available.

If the money if NOT spent, It is likely that we will have to go BACK to the counsel to get the money re-re allocated to the program. There will be a lot of pressure to take that money and fill in gaps in other parts of the budget. I know this is a very very short time frame, and a horrible time of year. However, we need to try to spend as much of that money as possible. And we need to get as many names on the waiting list as possible in order to demonstrate a demand for the program..

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT GOING SOLAR--TELL THEM THIS IS THE TIME. wITH ALL THE REBATES THE SYSTEMS ARE COMING OUT CLOSE TO FREE! If people move quickly they will definitely get a rebate in the next few weeks!. Next year who knows.

Citi Paper Covers Problems with Pepco

2010-08-04T07:29:00.002-04:00

Many of us who have gone solar--have problems with Pepco. The NET meters won't come. The NET meters are broken. The bills are incorrect. Would be interested in collecting feedback from others experiences good and bad.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2010/07/29/here-comes-the-sun-d-c-s-solar-power-industry-tries-to-grow-around-pepco/

We are also gearing up for another round of engagement with Pepco and the PSC on net-metering. Did you know that until recently Pepco charged you transmission charges for the power you produced? As we move to variable/peak pricing we need to make sure the new netmetering system is fair to solar homeowners.

We need to build a small group to work on the issue. ANY VOLUNTEERS?? Email me a Solarcoop@yahoo.com

Anya Schoolman/Mt Pleasant Solar Coop

Mt Top Coal Removal-This is one of the BIG reasons why many of us go solar!

2010-07-22T15:57:00.001-04:00

It would be cool if someone wanted to organize a big solar power contingent to this event.!

APPALACHIA RISING: NATIONAL MASS MOBILIZATION TO END MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL MINING.

Washington D.C. September 25-27th, 2010

Appalachia Rising, which will take place on September, 25 to 27, 2010 in Washington, DC, is a national response to the destruction and poisoning of communities through mountaintop removal coal mining. It follows a long history of social action for a just and sustainable Appalachia, coming directly out of the work of organizations in coalfield states. It unites coalfield residents and organizations with national allies from all walks of life.

Appalachia Rising has two components: the conference, called Voices from the Mountains, and Monday’s day of action. Appalachia Rising: Voices from the Mountains is a chance to build or join the movement for justice in Appalachia through strategy discussions and share knowledge across regional and generational lines. The Day of Action will unify thousands in calling for an end to mountaintop removal strip mining in Appalachia though a vibrant march, rally, and dignified non-violent civil disobedience for those who choose.
Join us today, and stand in solidarity with the people of the coalfields, who won’t stand idly by as their land and health is blasted away.

We invite all who share our vision to join with us on September 27, 2010 in our nation’s capitol for an end to mountaintop removal, surface mining, and a renewed vision of Appalachia.

Voices from the Mountains
Appalachia Rising: Voices from the Mountains, on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, will bring the mountaintop removal abolition and national sustainability movements together in critical cross-movement and inter-region dialog and strategy sessions to seed new collaboration. It will also include grassroots organizing workshops, rousing speakers, and cultural events.

Day of Action
The Appalachia Rising Day of Action on Monday, September 27, will culminate at the Environmental Protection Agency D.C. headquarters. All participants will march and rally as they call for the total abolition of mountaintop removal coal mining and strip mining in Appalachia. Event organizers say that individuals who choose to do so will engage in dignified, non-violent civil disobedience, highlighting the urgency of mountaintop removal.

For more information go to: www.appalachiarising.org

Or contact:
The D.C. Area Community Mobilizer: James Ploesner at james.ploeser@gmail.com

West Virginia Contact: Andrew Munn at anromu@gmail.com

MTP Solar Featured on Discovery Channel

2010-07-20T14:51:00.002-04:00

Discovery developed a four part series called Powering the Future. The Mt Pleasant Solar Coop is featured in one of the segments called "Leading the Charge" .

Here is the link for the schedule.

http://science.discovery.com/tv/powering-the-future/episode-guide.html

Your co-op story is in the "Leading the Charge" episode.

Leading the Charge
World Premiere: Sunday, July 18 at 9PM on Discovery Channel
Encore Presentation: Tuesday, July 20 at 10PM on Science Channel
Special Presentation: Monday, July 26 at 10PM on Planet Green

Would love to hear what people think. I haven't seen it yet! -Anya

Interesting Article about Solar Financing and Home Loans

2010-07-01T12:20:00.000-04:00

DC has been considering Property Assessed Clean Energy (known as PACE loans) that allow the cost of solar panels to be put onto real property taxes. This is a way to bring the costs into reach for lower income families and also promotes solar for people that may not stay in their homes long enough to fully recoup the costs. This NY Times article discusses issues that are cropping up between PACE loans and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages.

Article link

Solar Works!

2010-06-08T17:21:00.001-04:00

Thought I would share the excitement of one of the Mt Pleasant Solar Coop members who went solar last year!

Subject: Anne's electric bill for May - solar works

$56.11

KWH 2009: 1130

KWH 2010: 367

I have cut my electric use this month by 67%.

The devil will be in the hot, hot months of July and August. Plus, my
new tenant uses his AC much more than my last tenant. Still, down 67%
for May is pretty cool.

This is very exciting.

Recent news regarding Renewable Energy Incentive Program

2010-05-25T10:12:00.001-04:00

Councilmember Tommy Wells provided an update to us regarding the ongoing budget situation with the renewable energy program. It appears that the 2011 funding will be restored by to the full $2 million. To read more of the council report on other related topics, use the link below. Please post comments if you have other new information.

Summarized Version
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhmfssjs_70gpvb7fdp

Full Version of Committee Report

Capitol Hill Energy Solar Tour

2010-05-25T09:59:00.002-04:00

The Capitol Hill Energy Co-op is now planning its Solar and Sustainable Home Tour which will be held on October 16th. We are looking for volunteers, sponsors, and homeowners that would like to showcase their projects.

To find out more about the Tour, please go to www.capitolhillenergycoop.org. The website has a volunteer sign up form.

Sponsorship information is available at this link

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhmfssjs_67gm2fh9fv

City Paper covers the Budget Situation

2010-05-03T17:20:00.002-04:00

Washington City Paper Covers the Mayors Proposed Budget Cuts!

My testimony at the hearing last week focused on the violation of public trust. How can the Council set up these special funds, fees, or taxes and get public approval because the funds go to a special purpose--clean up the Anacostia, renewable energy, Children's health.. And then turn around and move the money any which way. CM Cheh, called it a shell game and she was right.

Please call the Mayor and your Council member and tell them to restore funding to DC enviromental programs.

DC Council Budget Hearing on Renewable Energy Cuts

2010-04-30T11:57:00.000-04:00

At the DC Council Hearing today, I will provide testimony indicating that the demand for solar rebates appears to be growing at an 85% clip. Projecting that out over four years (2009-2012) will put the demand for rebates at almost 1,800 residents. This projects to a total demand for solar of $20 million over the four years. DC originally allocated $8 million and are trying to take $2.3 million away (by using 2009 and 2011 money for other purposes). This means that about 1,200 people will not get rebates, and that installations will come to a grinding halt by the middle of 2011. I've posted some charts and graphs over on the Capitol Hill Energy Coop page at www.capitolhillenergycoop.org Help us let the Council know that we need to grow this program out, not kill it.

Good News and Bad News!

2010-04-19T18:38:00.002-04:00

First the good news. Another new solar coop is forming--in Petworth! I spoke at their first organizational meeting yesterday! It seems to be a great group. They have started a listserve for petworth ---petworthgreencoop@yahoogroups.com so please pass the word on to others.

Bad News! Right after we thought we won (or were winning) the battle to make sure the DC Solar program stays funded. The Mayor comes out with a new proposed budget for 2011! That cuts half the money from solar and guts the Sustainable Energy Utility which is the organization the DC Council created to manage future renewable and efficiency programs in the City. So PLEASE email your council member -- sign up to testify!

Write to the Mayor and the DC Council -- membersonly@dccouncil.us and tell them to disapprove the proposed cuts to the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund in the Mayor’s FY ’11 Supplemental Budget. Please write your own message or cut and paste the message below!

My name is _______________________. I am a member of (______ Solar Coop or other). I am extremely disappointed that the Mayor’s current proposed budget for 2011 removes $13 million -- about 60% from programs designed to promote green energy and green jobs. We need to build an energy future. Not be held back by the past! Of the $2 million statutorily allocated for the Renewable Energy Incentive Program, only about half remains or $1.1 million.

Testify against the cuts to the SETF at the Budget Hearings on April 30, 2010, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Room 500 at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.; to do this, contact Aukima Benjamin of Councilmember Cheh’s office at 202.724.4902 and ask to be listed as a public witness to testify at the Budget Hearings that will be held on DDoE’s budget on April 30, 2010.

Waiting for the DC Solar Energy Rebate Check?

2010-04-13T22:30:00.000-04:00

I just got my approval letter tonight at about 8:30pm (I hope they are paying Emil King overtime.). It says I will get a check within 30 days of signing the letter. I've heard from others that many approval letters went out today, so hopefully DDOE is cutting into their backlog. If you got an approval today, please post a comment. I am on the 2009 waiting list. Did anyone on the 2010 waiting list get an approval letter?

First day generating power - Project Pics and Info

2010-04-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

Late yesterday, my new 4.4 kW system was connected to my electrical box. This morning, I was happy to see my meter spinning backwards. Please see attached link for pictures and more info. I will eventually be posting more information about the pepco meter installation, rebate check, and monitoring data in the comments to this post. The system was installed by Solar Solution, LLC. It took one day for framing/prep, one day to install the panels, and half a day for the electrical work. Click Here for Photo Gallery and feel free to leave comments or questions.

NEW Solar Coop Forming Palisades! Pls Pass the Word

2010-04-08T17:26:00.000-04:00

Dear interested person,
The recent sunny, hot days make me wish I was already an 'energy
entrepreneur' with solar panels on my roof. With the generous D.C.
program, federal tax credit, and the opportunity to band together for
some group discounts, that goal seems affordable right now.
There will be an initial organizational and informational meeting of the
Palisades Solar Energy Coop (I hesitate to capitalize the last three words
before we really have a group!) on Thursday evening, April 29th, at 7 pm.
I reserved the upstairs meeting room at our neighborhood library on V Street.
I'm inviting Ms. Cheh or a representative from her City Council office
to give us any updates on the Renewable Energy Incentive Program.
I'm also asking our friends at the Mt. Pleasant Solar Coop, who have led
the way for us, to attend and share 'lessons learned' from their start-up and
subsequent successes of recent years.
I welcome your thoughts. If you have expertise on the technology or on
the details of organizing ourselves, please share those with me. See you
on the 29th!

Steve Waller
Washington, DC 20007
stevewaller@rcn.com

Climate Event--April 15th

2010-04-07T21:26:00.002-04:00

I thought this CCAN event might be of interest to many of you. I am looking forward to the event, especially the reception before hand.

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is honored to host international climate leader Bill McKibben as he begins a national tour for his newest book, Eaarth: Making A Life On A Tough New Planet.

Reviews of Eaarth, including Alan Weisman's on the right, hint at what we can expect to hear from Bill on the evening of April 15th.

You won't want to miss this event! Join us at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC on April 15th at 7:30 PM: www.chesapeakeclimate.org/Artists4Climate

In addition to Bill McKibben, you'll also have the chance to hear from Jeff Biggers, a leader in the fight to end mountaintop removal coal mining, and CCAN director and author Mike Tidwell.

Just $10 for students. $15 for everyone else.

You will have the opportunity to purchase copies of Bill McKibben's Eaarth, Jeff Biggers' new book Reckoning at Eagle Creek: The Secret Legacy of Coal in the Heartland and Mike Tidwell's Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Lousiana's Cajun Coast. Plus, the authors will stick around after to program to sign their books.

I'm also pleased to announce that Lissy Rosemont of the Junior League Band will perform. Lissy has been referred to as one of the "most promising up and coming vocalists on the Americana scene." Check out one of her songs.

Purchase tickets at www.chesapeakeclimate.org/Artists4Climate

Finally, please also consider joining us for a special reception with the authors themselves catered by Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora, America's first certified organic restaurant. The reception will take place from 6:00 - 7:00 PM and space is extremely limited.

Get details and purchase tickets at www.chesapeakeclimate.org/Artists4Climate

Heads up! New Process for Solar Rebates

2010-04-07T21:21:00.001-04:00

Thought this note might be of interest to some. Not exactly sure what it means.

From: King, Emil (DDOE)
Subject: RE: Of Interest -- new procedure for me with green energy office
To: "anya schoolman"

Date: Monday, April 5, 2010, 9:58 AM

Hello Anya,

The new process will be clearly outlined on the website shortly, as will an updated waiting list. Notification emails are now the method by which we communicate reservation numbers and request a full application. This is only after funds are proven to be available for the project. Note that some of your members are very close to that point.

The new “approval letter” comes after full review and approval of the application and rebate request; it is the very last stage before payment. That letter is then signed and returned to DDOE. The change to this approach eliminates a host of problems with last year’s letter, back-and-forth communication, etc. Apologies for any confusion.

Regards,

Emil King

Policy Analyst

Office of Policy and Sustainability

District Department of the Environment

Community Rallies For Improvements to DC Solar Rebate Program

2010-03-30T17:21:00.001-04:00

At the DC Council Roundtable meeting on the Renewable Energy Incentive Program, there were more than 50 attendees - from homeowners, to installers, to solar REC aggregators. Many members of the Mt Pleasant and Capitol Hill Cooperatives presented information about their frustrations with DDOE's handling of the program - lost paperwork, failure to get rebate checks on time, and confusing paperwork. While I was not able to stay for the portion of the meeting where Mary Cheh, Jim Graham and Tommy Wells heard DDOE's side of the story, I'm told that their were three main take away messages. 1) Mary Cheh ensured that she would make sure the "unspent" 2009 funds that should have been allocated to the 2009 waiting list will be restored to the program. This is important because there may be up to $4 million in requested funds from 2010 applicants, so the extra $1 million to $1.5 million in leftover 2009 money can help ensure that new 2010 applicants can be paid this year. 2) DDOE apparently has promised to get 2 new full time hires on board by the end of April to actually administer the program. 3) That DDOE will provide Mary Cheh with a detailed progress report within 2 weeks, and will be providing monthly updates to the Council -- which we hope will also be made public. Were you at the hearing? Please comment with other perspectives. Testimony provided for the hearing is posted here http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhmfssjs_54fgqvp3dx

Have you had problems with the DC Renewable Energy Rebate Program?

2010-03-28T17:22:00.000-04:00

If so, please feel free to reply to this post with issues you have had, and we will try to outline these problems at the upcoming Roundtable meeting (see previous post).

Hearing on DC Solar Rebates! Tuesday March 30th

2010-03-20T08:35:00.000-04:00

I have pasted the notice here. It is really important that people come and share their experiences, and or hopes and desires for the program. The DC Council needs to know that the public cares about this program!

Notice of Public Oversight Roundtable

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20004

COUNCILMEMBER MARY M. CHEH, CHAIRPERSON

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Announces a Public Oversight Roundtable on

Implementation of the Renewable Energy Incentive Program

March 30, 2010

11:00 am

Room 412

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

On Tuesday, March 30, 2010, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment, will hold a public oversight roundtable on the implementation of the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP). The REIP was established by section 209 of the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 in order to provide rebates to owners of new renewable energy generation systems in the District. The purpose of the roundtable is to examine the implementation of the REIP and to determine whether any legislative or other reforms to the program are necessary. The public oversight roundtable will begin at 11:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Aukima Benjamin, Staff Assistant to the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment, at 724-8062, or via e-mail at abenjamin@dccouncil.us. Witnesses should bring 10 copies of their written testimony and submit a copy of their testimony electronically to tmoir@dccouncil.us. Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation, and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment, or to Ms. Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at the end of the business day on April 13, 2010.

Welcome to solarDC Blog

2010-03-15T22:45:00.000-04:00

The Capitol Hill Energy Cooperative is bringing people together to exchange ideas about energy efficiency and renewable energy. We are working with the Mt Pleasant Coop, and I'm glad to report that Anya Schoolman will be joining me in running this blog. In particular, we will focus on efforts to solar energy to Washington DC -- and we hope that others will decide to form neighborhood co-ops to spread the word. Here is some basic info about the Capitol Hill Co-op....

The good news...

-- three of our 170 (and growing list) of members have completed their installations. Some pictures are posted on the bottom right area of the blog.

-- the project for my house will start in a few weeks (so I thought it might be a good time to begin blogging).

-- you can get enough government rebates to completely pay for your system.

The bad news...

-- although DC has a $2 million per year rebate program, the DC Department of Environment is not staffing the program in a way that allows it to administer the funding.

-- this could mean that DC applicants requesting rebates do not receive rebates, or if they are received, the disbursement is not timely.

We are working with the Mt Pleasant Co-op to request a meeting with the City Council and DDOE officials so we can get assurances that the project will be administered properly.