Local Efforts in Solar Energy (and how you can help)

Solar energy - At a recent combined meeting of CCIPRA and Voters For Rural Values, Valerie Rauluk and others spoke about alternative energy sources, especially solar. Valerie Rauluk is founder and CEO of Venture Catalyst (VeCat), a consulting firm which has secured over $3 million in federal funds to enhance the solar industry. [Email her at vajra@vecat-inc.com]

Valerie's message was simple: solar is coming, and its cost will drop. Solar is reliable, and well suited to Arizona's conditions. Already, from 1990 to 2005, the retail cost has dropped from $7.50 to $4 per watt. Valerie said the Arizona Corporation Commission's ‘Renewable Energy & Standard Tariff’ (REST) rules require utilities to generate 15% of their output from renewable sources by 2025. [see http://www.cc.state.az.us/divisions/utilities/electric/environmental.asp] Existing coal-fired plants won't go out of business, but people can work to see that few new ones are built. A homeowner can combine solar with power from the grid during peak use, or on cloudy days.

Valerie showed a 2x4' solar panel which produces 60 watts. For higher needs, panels are strung together. A system requires panels, a DC to AC inverter, etc. Banks are getting on board with funding, and financial assistance for homeowners is available through rebates and federal and state tax credits. Valerie estimated that a $9000 system might, after rebates and tax credits, cost a homeowner only $2000.

Jim Cooley, solar installer, showed slides of solar panels installed on a roof or on the ground. He said most people off the grid have a backup generator in case of several cloudy days. [Email Jim at progsolar@earthlink.net]

Wayne Crane of SSVEC explained the Sun Watts rebate program. SSVEC will give a rebate on the cost of installing solar, OR pay wholesale for solar power fed back to SSVEC. He agreed with an audience member that “a better deal for the homeowner might be appropriate.” [For more info see http://www.ssvec.org and http://littlebigdog.net/ccipra.htm,]

Dan Frey, from Gabrielle Giffords’ office, said that her Community Solar Energy Initiative advisory council identified three key areas for marketing solar power. Giffords plans to introduce a bill to renew tax credits for solar installation until 2020. [See http://www.giffordsforcongress.com]..

All speakers agree: tell officials that you support renewable energy.