We should all be proud!
We should all be proud of Ojai's solar accomplishments. California Energy Commission data shows that the very first solar electric system in Ojai receiving a state rebate was installed in 1999. It was also the only system installed that in 1999, the first year of the states new solar rebate program. The year 2000 saw 100% growth in solar systems, two system were installed all that year. Then we had the rolling blackouts, the Enron deception and the Ojai solar industry took off. The number of solar electric systems in the Ojai valley has increased every year since that first system in 1999.
Today, the Ojai valley has over 225 individually owned solar electric systems for a total capacity of 944,316 watts, or just under 1 MW of clean renewable energy! Before the end of this year we will have installed over 1 MEGAWATT of solar energy, quite a feat considering the population of our lovely valley.
One MW of clean energy is the equivalent of reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by 1.7 million pounds.
Way to go Ojai!
| Permalink | author bio | 
Comments (6)
Thank you Michael for sharing this information and for keeping this critical theme moving forward. Little by little we can make a difference. Now, if only we could afford solar on our property. :-)
Comment #1 Posted by: Kenley | December 4, 2007 08:31 PM
Mike-
would you be willing to discuss some other aspects of solar installation such as:
1.what is the situation with the 5000 signatures you needed to collect. i can't remember what the purpose/need was.
2. what is the current cost of solar installation. can you give us an accurate estimate for the average house/homeowner or at least some way of easily understanding the cost/economics of an installation.
3. what is the current rebate situation?
4. what can you say about future technologies- i keep hearing about "nano" something or other which supposedly can revolutionize solar installations in terms of cost and efficiency and that this technology is pretty close at hand.
your thoughts please.
Comment #2 Posted by: El Anonimo | December 5, 2007 06:44 AM
Mike,
Can you tell me if I purchase a 1 KW system, which would cost around $10,000.00, would I be able to power my toaster while the sun is shining?
Comment #3 Posted by: Brian | December 5, 2007 07:34 AM
El Anonimo
1)We colledected more than 5,000 signatures and will be presenting them to the politicos tomorrow!
The purpose was to get the congressional leadership the message that they needed to get their collective acts together and extend the federal tax credits past the current 2008 expiration date.
2)A typical home owner will pay anywhere from $16,000 to $24,000 to own a 25 year solar system. Some pay more and some less, depends on how much clean energy you want to produce. The above mentioned prices are after the rebates and current tax credits, the net cost is lower if you're operating a home based business, or are a business.
3)Currently there's still about 3 MW left of residential rebates at $2.50 per watt. 3 MW will last probably until Q2 08, then the rebate is decreased to $2.30 per watt.
4)Nano technology holds a lot of promise, but that's about it right now, promises. We promise it's going to be cheaper and we promise that some day we will have a nano solar product that you will actually be able to buy. We are most likely looking at 5 to 10 years out for this Nano technology to make it to market.
5)As far as my thoughts, I think everybody should get some solar!!!
Comment #4 Posted by: Michael | December 5, 2007 08:05 PM
Brian, yes you would be able to power your toaster.
Yesterday I toured our newly installed 550,000 watt system on the roof of the Costco warehouse in Goleta where they'll be able to power a LOT of toasters. Funny enough, after being in the solar industry for 4 years now it was really the first time that I saw, up close and personal, what a 1/2 megawatt solar system, comprised of 1,348 solar panels, looks like. It was pretty impressive! Right on to Costco for going solar.
As far as your 1 kW system goes, remember you'll get another $4,000 off in rebates and tax credits, but I know you'll want a larger system than a 1 kW Brian. The real question is why on earth would you continue throwing your money away with Edison, it's like paying rent when with solar power you own the power plant...
Comment #5 Posted by: Michael | December 5, 2007 08:17 PM
My toster draws 1200 watts, so that 1kw system is going to be 200 watts short.
The reason I like Edison is I can get power 24/7 and I have some large machinery that have large power requirements.
Comment #6 Posted by: Brian | December 5, 2007 09:44 PM