When’s the last time your utility asked you how much solar energy you want?
In the wake of the defeat of Measure B, the City Council recommended that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power try again to develop a solar program, but this time, first consult with the public about what you want.
They’ve scheduled a series of public workshops to receive input from their customers:
http://www.ladwpsolarnews.com/
Can you attend a session and let them know you support ambitious solar efforts? Here’s your opportunity to help them get it right.
In the event you need talking points, here are some recommendations. Tell LADWP that you want:
-The opportunity for homes, schools, businesses and public agencies to go solar to reduce their electricity bills. That means full funding and follow-through of the California Solar Initiative rebate program. LADWP’s share is 280 MW of incentives to help Angelenos go solar, and you don’t want to see any backsliding on the obligation.
-An aggressive program for having LADWP do its own part to add solar the energy mix by purchasing wholesale solar generation of every stripe. Centralized solar thermal electric plants provide a benefit that panels on your roof simply can’t– energy storage–an absolute necessity if we really want to run this country on renewable energy. LADWP should also take advantage of the opportunity to site smaller photovoltaic plants throughout its distribution network. The California Public Utilities Commission is developing a new market-based feed-in tariff program that could provide a model. California’s investor-owned utilities have already signed more than 6 GW of wholesale solar power contracts, and are in the process of signing a lot more. A 1 gigawatt goal for LADWP would be a good start in catching up with the rest of the state, and 2 GW would put the utility in a leadership position.
-Frankly, an incentive program for solar hot water makes a huge amount of sense. It’s a low cost option, with a big bang for the buck. The rest of the state is doing it–LADWP should participate as well.
If you do decide to go, let us know. We’d love to know how it goes.