Winter 2009

“Solar Cities” Advocate for Feed-in Tariff

Fourteen “Solar Cities,” an unofficial coalition of California cities, met in Santa Monica to discuss how solar – both photovoltaic and solar thermal – located in the urban environment can help achieve energy and environmental commitments. The Solar Cities agreed that the State legislature must mandate a solar policy that makes solar for multi-family and multi-tenant building owners a sound and predictable investment.  Together, the Solar Cities are going to advocate for establishment of a Feed-In Tariff (FIT) so all property owners and third party investors can earn a return on their investment in solar systems from 1 kW - 1 MW in size. Utilities will get credit for the distributed solar generation towards their Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements. Adding a FIT option to the California Solar Initiative (CSI) will:

1. Allow and encourage significant blocks of solar capacity to be expeditiously installed in instances where the CSI has here-to-date been ineffective.
2. Enable California Solar Cities to achieve their energy and climate protection goals.
3. Support California utilities in achieving Renewable Portfolio Standard mandates on schedule.
4. Catalyze the solar industry in California and create sustainable green collar jobs.

Solar Santa Monica, a City of Santa Monica program, recently issued a white paper on Feed-In Tariffs and will initially coordinate the Solar Cities’ advocacy.  For the more information about the Solar Cities coalition or to obtain the white paper on feed-in tariffs, e-mail susan.munves@solarsantamonica.com.