May Meeting Summary: SB 32 and Feed-In Tariffs

Allison Arnold from Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA spoke with OC Renewables on Thursday, May 12. We had a good conversation about the implementation of SB 32 and the California Feed-In Tariff (FIT).

For a good summary of the passage and status of the FIT, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency's write up of SB 32.

Allison indicated that SB 32's FIT would be available through the publicly owned utilities until the combined statewide cumulative capacity of eligible generation installed equals 750 MW, up from 500 MW.  The maximum size of a renewable energy system is increased to 3 MW. 

The tariff itself - and the price referent for calculating the tariff - is where the fight is happening now.  It's very complicated.  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has made a recent ruling (October 2010) for guidance on how the California PUC can set this tariff.  Allison mentioned the name of Kevin Fox, a lawyer, working on these issues.  The most comprehensive article I could find regarding what it all means can be read here: What Utility Involvement in the Distributed Solar Market Means For the Future of the Solar Industry. 

So now the FIT is legal, and under consideration by the CPUC.  The proceedings can be followed on the CPUC website.  We at OC Renewables will keep track of this issue in the near future. 

Finally, some links to share that Allison brought up in her presentation:

The Los Angeles Business Council's two studies regarding proposed FIT's
1. Designing an Effective Feed-in Tariff for Greater Los Angeles
2. Bringing Solar Energy to Los Angeles: An Assessment of the Feasibility and Impacts of an In-basin Solar Feed-in Tariff Program


California Solar Statistics Site.  The official public reporting site of the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

Volunteer on a GRID Alternatives solar installation crew! Help make the benefits of solar power accessible to low-income families while learning new skills and having fun outside.

Great meeting!  See you on Thursday, June 9 at the Duck Club