California has the largest solar market in the US driven by the Governor’s Solar Initiative.  California’s innovation DNA has also driven over 60% of the venture capital invested in renewable energy in the US.  New technologies and processes are being developed every day.

TeamCalifornia supports the Governor’s Initiative to expand renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas by assisting existing and new innovative manufacturers in photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, solar thermal and balance of system components to locate and expand throughout California. 

 Communities throughout California offer sites, buildings, financing and workforce development programs to meet the needs of your businesses – start your search by completing our Inquiry Form or calling confidential, professional staff at CalBIS, Dave Freitas, (916) 322-0235.

September 28, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed three new laws that support Renewable Energy: AB 1451 by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), AB 2466 by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and AB 2267 by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar).

Renewing California’s commitment to solar energy, AB 1451 will build on the state’s solar power usage by continuing a property tax exclusion for projects that utilize solar panel energy and expanding the exclusion to builders-installed solar energy systems in new homes. The original property tax exclusion was passed by voters in 1980.

AB 2267 builds on California’s green economy by requiring the California Public Utilities Commission to grant incentives to eligible California-technology manufacturers. This bill also requires the California Energy Commission to give priority to California-based companies when granting awards and will not only create jobs for hardworking Californians but will attract more clean-tech and green-tech companies to the state.

AB 2466 will increase energy efficiency and help protect the environment by authorizing local governments to receive a utility bill credit for surplus renewable electricity generated at one site against the electricity consumption at other sites.

Other bills recently signed by the Governor that impact solar :

AB 2863 by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) allows for purchase agreements in residential solar power generation and designates companies that sell solar electricity generated at the location where it is used as independent solar energy producers. This bill also establishes consumer protections including contract disclosures, a mandatory notice that is filed with the title of real property and price protections for residential renters.
 
AB 2768 by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills) maximizes the incentive for ratepayers to install solar energy systems. This bill gives solar energy customers the option to use time-variant pricing tariffs through the authority of the California Public Utilities Commission.

AB 2180 by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) requires homeowners associations to respond to a request from a member to install a solar energy system within 60 days. If no action is taken within that timeline, the request will automatically go into effect. This timeline will ensure that application guidelines for both the California Solar Initiative and federal tax credits are met, and consumers are able to apply for the maximum amount of rebates.

AB 2804 by Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) requires the California Public Utilities Commission to grant extensions on the time frame after a school district or community college has applied for a rebate under the California Solar Initiative. The public utilities commission may grant a maximum of three 180-day extensions for a total of 540 days.    

California’s  Renewable  Portfolio  Standard  (RPS)  is  one  of  the  most  ambitious  renewable  energy  standards  in  the  country - 20% ,  no  later  than  2010.   The  California  Public  Utilities  Commission  (CPUC)  and  California  Energy  Commission  (CEC)  are  jointly  responsible  for  implementing  the  program.  http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/GRAPHICS/63799.PDF

In August 2006, the Governor signed his Million Solar Roofs Plan into law. Now known as the California Solar Initiative, it will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by three million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.

In January 2007, the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) was announced as a component of the California Solar Initiative. The goals of the NSHP are to create a self-sustaining market for solar homes and gain builder commitment to install solar energy systems on new homes as a standard feature for the home buyer. A new home that qualifies for the New Solar Homes Partnership is at least 15 percent more efficient than the current building standards. The overall goal of the NSHP is to achieve 400 megawatts of new solar-produced electricity by the end of 2016.

Currently, the NSHP has received applications representing over 5,600 new energy efficient solar homes.

Continuing his pledge to grow a green economy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed AB 3018 by Speaker Emeritus Fabian Nuñez which creates a Green Collar Jobs Council to develop a comprehensive approach to address California’s emerging workforce needs associated with its budding “green” economy.

“The green-friendly business climate we are building in California continues to attract more clean-tech and green-tech companies to the state and is ensuring that the job growth in this booming industry will happen in California,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “The Green Collar Jobs Council established by this legislation will capitalize on our state’s clean-tech boom and help transform of California’s workforce to meet the demands of an emerging green economy.”
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Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in product safety testing and certification, announced July 14, 2008  the opening of North America’s largest commercially focused photovoltaic (PV) testing and certification facility in Silicon Valley. 

Located in San Jose, Calif., UL’s 20,000 square-foot Photovoltaic Technology Center of Excellence increases testing capacity for the renewable energy industry and will enable manufacturers to get UL-Listed PV products to market faster. The state-of-the-art lab’s 14 test chambers and two solar simulators provide indoor and outdoor testing capabilities to evaluate photovoltaic modules and panels, and a wide variety of power systems accessory equipment.  The facility will also offer a full portfolio of pre-certification services, including R&D and training.  http://www.ul.com