RBI SOLAR, INC. Joins Industry Leaders in Growing California’s Solar Industry

RBI Solar, Inc. becomes newest CALSEIA member.

SACRAMENTO - RBI Solar, Inc. (“RBI Solar”)has become the newest member of the nation’s largest state solar power trade association, the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

“We are proud to have RBI Solar join CALSEIA to support its mission of expanding the use of clean, solar technologies throughout the state.  CALSEIA members are recognized as being true leaders in the California market as they promote high standards within the industry and advocate fair policies for solar consumers. We look forward to working closely with RBI Solar in continuing this work,” says Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, RBI Solar has been manufacturing PV mounting systems since 2009.  Serving commercial, industrial, and utility-scale markets nationwide, RBI Solar is the leader in fixed-tilt ground-mounted and canopy racking solutions.

“RBI Solar is excited to join the solar professionals at CALSEIA, an organization at the forefront of solar policy progress. With offices and a manufacturing plant in Temecula, RBI Solar is proud to partner with CALSEIA to grow the solar energy market in California.” says Bill Vietas, President of RBI Solar. 

RBI Solar joins CALSEIA after being carefully vetted and approved through the association’s application process, which ensures member companies adhere to industry best practices.

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Founded in 1977, CALSEIA, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, represents manufacturers, installers, financers, and distributors of solar panels and related components and technologies throughout the state.

 RBI Solar, Inc. is the leading turn-key supplier of solar mounting systems. As a specialist in ground mount, roof mount, carport, and landfill solar structures, RBI Solar focuses on providing the most robust solar racking systems, installation services, and project management capabilities to serve owners and integrators. RBI Solar has engineers and staff licensed in all 50 states and offers complete design, high-tech manufacturing, nationwide installation, and technical support to help solve the toughest challenges in the industry. Leveraging over 80 years of experience in the commercial design-build specialty structures market, RBI Solar works with its clients to identify the most economic and durable solar mounting solutions.

CALSEIA, Intersolar and SEMI to Host Summerfest at AT&T Park

Event celebrates CALSEIA’s 40th and Intersolar North America’s 10th Anniversaries; proceeds benefit CALSEIA’s work to promote smart solar in California

Sacramento – March 7 – CALSEIA is teaming up with Intersolar and SEMI to host California’s biggest-ever solar industry networking event, Summerfest 2017, at AT&T Park, home of San Francisco’s major league baseball team.

Summerfest is the official networking party of Intersolar and ees North America, and SEMICON West, the largest solar, energy storage and advanced electronics exhibitions in North America. The party, to be held on Tuesday, July 11, will celebrate CALSEIA’s 40th Anniversary and Intersolar’s 10th Anniversary and is expected to attract over 2,500 participants. 

“There’s nothing more all-American than solar energy and baseball,” said CALSEIA Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “It is going to be a very special night as we celebrate decades of championing solar energy together.” 

Summerfest is CALSEIA’s biggest fundraising event of the year. As CALSEIA’s largest donor and long-time supporter, Intersolar’s funding partnership helps CALSEIA to promote smart solar technologies, drive policy advocacy and create a strong voice for solar and energy storage markets in California and nationwide.  

“Intersolar is proud to be a major supporter of CALSEIA’s efforts to improve all facets of the markets it serves,” said Solar Promotion International's Managing Director Florian Wessendorf.  “We think this premier solar networking and fundraising event will be a blast for everyone,” added Daniel Strowitzki, CEO of FMMI International.

As an extra special feature, event attendees will be able to watch a live broadcast of the MLB All-Star Game, displayed on the AT&T Park jumbotron scoreboard and screens throughout the venue. Attendees can also enjoy food, beverages, dancing, stadium tours, and evenbatting practice in the underground batting cages. 

“It is an honor for SEMI to be a part of this exciting event that will bring together hundreds of solar and electronics enthusiasts for an unforgettable evening of fun and celebration,” said David Anderson, president of SEMI Americas. "SEMI looks forward to collaborating with Intersolar and CALSEIA and providing an excellent networking opportunity for our customers.”

Solar Summerfest will take place on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, from 5pm-10pm at AT&T Park. Tickets can be purchased at www.calseia.org, www.intersolar.us, or www.semiconwest.org. All proceeds support CALSEIA’s ongoing work to promote smart solar in California. Interested parties should contact CALSEIA for additional Summerfest sponsorship opportunities. 

About CALSEIA

Since 1977, CALSEIA has advanced the common interests of the solar industry, helping make California's solar market the most robust in the United States. Comprised of over four hundred contractors, manufacturers, distributors, developers, engineers, consultants and educational organizations, CALSEIA represents a diverse membership committed to growing the California solar industry, including storage and solar hot water technologies. CALSEIA engages with local and state decision makers to ensure California remains a solar energy leader through good public policy and regulations that provide clarity, transparency, and certainty. More at www.CALSEIA.org. 

About Intersolar

With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the world’s leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply. Since being founded, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners in the global solar industry. With more than 25 years of experience, Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together members of the solar industry from across the world’s most influential markets. Intersolar is organized by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM).

For more information on Intersolar, please visit: www.intersolarglobal.com

About SEMI

SEMI® connects nearly 2,000 member companies and 250,000 professionals worldwide annually to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members grow, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Contact: Meghan Vincent-Jones, CALSEIA Marketing and Development Director, 916-228-4567 or Meghan@calseia.org 

SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC Joins Industry Leaders in Growing California’s Solar Industry

SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC becomes newest CALSEIA member.

SACRAMENTO - SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC has become the newest member of the nation’s largest state solar power trade association, the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

“We are proud to have SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC join CALSEIA to support its mission of expanding the use of clean, solar technologies throughout the state.  CALSEIA members are recognized as being true leaders in the California market as they promote high standards within the industry and advocate fair policies for solar consumers. We look forward to working closely with SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC in continuing this work,” says Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA.

We are a locally owned and operated company who hires only certified local technicians, we have a combined experience over 45 years in our respected fields. We started business in 2012 but have been working in the solar field for over 10 years and are ready to go for the next 30 + years. We are located in Petaluma California @ 1364 North McDowell Blvd. We provide electrical and solar services ranging from commercial through residential and agricultural, we install new solar systems and repair old solar systems as well as anything electrical at ones home? Our work area is vast, we work from Fresno all the way up to Eureka. Our immediate working area is Sonoma County, Marin County and the city of San Francisco.

We are excited to offer our skills and minds on any topic that could help increase customer awareness of solar as well as save the earth one solar panel at a time.   

We found it important to join CALSEIA so we can have a voice in our local community in regards to solar and help the solar industry flourish in the years to come.

SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC joins CALSEIA after being carefully vetted and approved through the association’s application process, which ensures member companies adhere to industry best practices.

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Founded in 1977, CALSEIA, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, represents manufacturers, installers, financers, and distributors of solar panels and related components and technologies throughout the state.

SUN SOLAR ELECTRIC -Your local Sonoma county source for Solar Power
We turn the sun into power for everyday life.

aleo solar Joins Industry Leaders in Growing California’s Solar Industry

aleo solar becomes newest CALSEIA member.

SACRAMENTO - aleo solar has become the newest member of the nation’s largest state solar power trade association, the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

“We are proud to have aleo solar join CALSEIA to support its mission of expanding the use of clean, solar technologies throughout the state.  CALSEIA members are recognized as being true leaders in the California market as they promote high standards within the industry and advocate fair policies for solar consumers. We look forward to working closely with aleo solar in continuing this work,” says Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA.

aleo solar was founded in 2001 in Germany and is part of Sino-American Silicon Parts group since 2014. The company is focused on the production of high efficiency solar panels based on best-in class PERC technology and seeks to expand its footprint in California, where it is operating already, as well as in the entire country.

“We are pleased to join a powerful institution like CALSEIA to support California’s leadership in solar energy. We are also excited to bring to the US the market leading Made in Germany PERC technology. As rooftop owners seek to get the maximum power out of each square meter, we are convinced that our 60-cells 310W modules, together with industry leading 25 years product guarantee will create value for those looking for premium and reliable technologies. Joining CALSEIA is then a proof of our long term commitment towards American consumers.” declares William Chen, CEO of aleo solar.

aleo solar joins CALSEIA after being carefully vetted and approved through the association’s application process, which ensures member companies adhere to industry best practices.

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Founded in 1977, CALSEIA, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, represents manufacturers, installers, financers, and distributors of solar panels and related components and technologies throughout the state.

aleo solar GmbH produces high-performance modules in Prenzlau (Brandenburg, Germany) and is a system provider for the international photovoltaic market. With around 330 employees and manufacturing experience since 2001, the company has an excellent know-how in module production. Since 2014 aleo solar belongs to the wafer and solar cell manufacturer SAS (Sino American Silicon Products Inc.) headquartered in Taiwan Hsinchu. Thus, aleo solar is part of a powerful solar manufacturer, which maps the entire photovoltaic value chain, from development and production of high-performance ingots, wafers and cells to the delivery of the solar module.

CALSEIA Welcomes New Board Members and New Board President

Industry Leaders from Diverse Backgrounds Join Board of Directors

Sacramento, CA — December 22, 2016 — The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA), the state’s oldest and largest solar industry organization, welcomes five leaders to its fifteen-member board of directors. The new board members were officially seated during the organization’s fourth quarter board meeting on December 8, 2016 in San Diego.

The five new board members are:

•       Cathleen Monahan, senior programs director, GRID Alternatives, a leading nonprofit making solar energy and job training accessible to underserved communities.

•       Gina Heng, vice president and general manager, photovoltaic division, Mitsubishi Electric US, a leading PV module manufacturer headquartered in Cypress, CA.

•       John Berdner, vice president of regulatory and policy Strategy, Enphase Energy, a global inverter manufacturer with headquarters in Petaluma, CA.

•       Norm Nielsen, CEO, Chico Electric, a leading contractor that specializes in commercial and agricultural clean energy project developments.

•       Walker Wright, vice president, policy and strategy Development, Green Charge Networks, an ENGIE company.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome these five outstanding industry leaders to our board,” said CALSEIA's Executive Director Bernadette Del Chiaro. “They represent the growing diversity of the California solar industry and, through their service, will help to guide and ensure the continued strength and growth of the California solar market.”

CALSEIA’s board of directors is elected by the organization’s membership. Election to the board reflects a respect among industry peers and an acknowledgement that these individuals can be trusted to make decisions that benefit the entire solar industry.

In addition to the election of new board members, CALSEIA also elected new officers. Ed Murray, president of Aztec Solar based in Rancho Cordova, replaces Rick Reed of SunEarth, as CALSEIA’s board president. Jeanine Cotter, president of Luminalt in San Francisco, was re-elected vice president of the board. Sanjay Ranchod, vice president of policy and electricity markets and regulatory counsel for SolarCity, was elected board treasurer. Benjamin Airth, senior manager of renewables at the Center for Sustainable Energy, was elected secretary.

The other members of the CALSEIA board are: 

•       Allison Duffy, strategic account manager, Yaskawa-Solectria Solar

•       Gary Gerber, president and CEO, Sun Light & Power

•       Jeff Spies, senior policy policy, Quick Mount PV

•       Les Nelson, vice president, solar heating and cooling Programs, IAPMO

•       Pat Redgate, president, AMECO Solar

 “Solar remains one of the bright spots in California’s economy, and the strong leadership of CALSEIA’s board of directors will be critical to our continued growth,” Del Chiaro said. “We thank them all for their service.”

CALSEIA also thanks its outgoing directors — Cecilia Aguillon of Kyocera, Hilary Pearson of Sungevity, Aaron Thurlow of SolFuture LLC, Bill Stewart of SolarCraft, and Nic Stover, formerly of CalCom — for their leadership and service to the organization. 

PG&E Begins NEM 2.0

Steady Market Growth Leads to NEM Transition on Expected Timeline

San Francisco—Pacific Gas and Electric today reached its 2409 MW cap for offering the original net metering tariff to customers. Starting tomorrow, PG&E customers will be interconnected under “NEM 2.0.”

“The lead-up to the transition has been smooth,” said CALSEIA Policy Director Brad Heavner. “There was not a big surge in interconnections as PG&E approached the cap, so the transition did not come suddenly and catch customers off guard.”

The net metering successor tariff requires new solar customers to pay a one-time application fee, which is $145 for PG&E, and increases the assessment of charges for public purpose programs. The latter is the equivalent of reducing the value of NEM credits by approximately 2 cents/kWh. In addition, residential customers will need to be on one of three available time-of-use rate plans.

CALSEIA estimates the combined impact for a typical residential solar customer will be in the neighborhood of ten dollars per month compared to NEM-1. Customers that already have solar will not be subject to the new charges and will continue to have the original net metering tariff for the first 20 years of operation of their solar systems.

“The industry should be prepared for some hesitation in the market as the new tariff sinks in, but I expect it to be short-lived because NEM-2 continues to offer substantial value to most customers,” added Heavner.

Southern California Edison still has more than 500 MW of capacity available under NEM-1. CALSEIA does not expect the cap to be reached before the deadline for the transition to NEM-2. SCE customers can therefore expect to take service under the current net metering tariff if they interconnect by June 30, 2017.

CALSEIA Welcomes Parker Murray as New Marketing Director

SACRAMENTO — The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) announces the addition of Parker Murray as its new Marketing Director, and bids farewell to outgoing Marketing and Membership Director Kelsea Jones. 

Parker Murray rejoins the CALSEIA staff as the incoming Marketing Director. Parker will focus his work on organizing CALSEIA’s multiple networking, training, and fundraising events, as well as directing the organization’s general marketing efforts. Parker served as Deputy Executive Director from 2011 to 2012. Mr. Murray holds an Industrial Design degree from Swarthmore College. 

“CALSEIA welcomes Parker back into the fold after taking a few years off to complete his degree,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA. “We are thrilled to work with Parker again, to build up CALSEIA, and to strengthen the California solar industry.”

Kelsea Jones joined CALSEIA in 2012 and has served primarily as the Marketing and Membership Director since. Under Kelsea’s leadership, CALSEIA’s membership has grown fourfold, from 100 members in 2013, to over 400 members today. She also brought new and innovative ideas to the networking, training, and fundraising events that CALSEIA organizes throughout the year. Kelsea will be moving to Sydney, Australia to become the Director of Sales & Marketing USA and Australia for Green Unicorns.

“Kelsea put a lot of hard work and passion into making CALSEIA and, by extension, California’s solar industry stronger,” said Del Chiaro. “We wish her the best of luck ‘down under’ and thank her for all her service over these past four years.”

California Commission Rejects Utility Challenge to Net Metering

Utilities’ Attempt to Block Solar Tariff Rebuked in Commission Resolution

San Francisco—The California Public Utilities Commission has approved a decision rejecting all legal challenges to recently adopted net energy metering rules for solar customers.

In January, the CPUC established an uncapped net metering “successor tariff” that will apply to all new solar customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E by July 2017. The decision made significant reforms to ensure the successor tariff is sustainable, with increased assessment of non-bypassable charges and mandatory time of use (TOU) rates for residential customers. Based on an extensive evidentiary record, the decision maintained the fundamental structure of NEM and rejected new fees and low compensation rates proposed by the utilities.

The utilities responded to the CPUC’s January decision by filing “applications for rehearing,” which allege that the decision contained legal error and must be modified. PG&E’s application challenged the decision as a whole. The application from SCE and SDG&E challenged certain aspects. A ratepayer group, TURN, and a coalition of utility unions also challenged parts of the decision.

The CPUC order, issued last Tuesday, rejects those legal challenges and makes two minor tweaks to the language supporting the decision without changing any elements of the decision.

“This was a frivolous legal maneuver by utilities, paid for by ratepayers, and the Commission appropriately has put an end to it,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association. “California utilities should stop using ratepayer money to block the very same ratepayers from having the choice to go solar.”

“The CPUC protected consumer choice back in January and again with this decision,” added Del Chiaro.  

IID Agrees to Help Stranded Solar Customers

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CALSEIA-negotiated agreement will give net metering to over 1000 stranded solar customers in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys

Sacramento - With just a few hours left in the state legislative session, the Imperial Irrigation District agreed to help over 1000 solar consumers who had been stranded for over six months, most with solar systems on their roofs and facing a very uncertain future. These 1000-plus consumers will be allowed to benefit from a pro-solar program called Net Energy Metering.

“While we had a more comprehensive solution in mind, what IID agreed to today gives relief to the vast majority of stranded solar customers in the Imperial and Coachella valleys,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). “We want to recognize the significant effort of IID staff in reaching this agreement and appreciate the Board’s willingness to agree to solve this problem.”

The agreement came in the form of a letter from IID’s general manager addressed to Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) who represents the Imperial Valley and chairs the Senate Energy Committee. A bill, AB 2163 by Assembly member Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara), would have required IID to give net metering to all of IID’s customers who had executed a contract for solar prior to July 19, 2016, when IID adopted a successor rooftop solar program.  The bill advanced to the Senate Energy Committee last night, but will now not be heard as a result of this administrative agreement reached today. Today is the last day of the legislative session.

The IID letter offers to give net metering to all customers who did one of the following:

• Submitted an interconnection application to IID prior to April 1, 2016
• Applied for an IID solar rebate prior to February 5, 2016, and who submits an interconnection application by October 1, 2016
• Received a valid building permit or paid for a permit prior to April 1, 2016 and who submits an interconnection agreement by October 1, 2016

According to estimates by CALSEIA, these parameters will qualify over 1200 customers for net metering, including eight affordable housing projects that were also caught in this state of limbo.

On February 29, 2016, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) ended their Net Energy Metering (NEM) program without any forewarning to consumers or the solar industry, stranding hundreds of consumers in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys who had already signed contracts to go solar, and, in many cases, had a solar system on their roof.

After six months of negotiations, including several failed attempts to resolve the problem administratively, CALSEIA sought resolution from the state legislature. AB 2163 was amended in August as a last-ditch effort to seek relief for thousands of homeowners, renters and businesses in IID territory.

“We want to thank Senator Ben Hueso, Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia and Assembly Member Das Williams for their recognition of this consumer crisis and their willingness to push for a solution,” said Del Chiaro. “This is an important day for solar consumers in the Imperial and Coachella valleys, but also for consumers around the state.”

As CALSEIA recognizes this significant resolution in IID territory, the association points out that the ability to go solar is severely impaired by IID’s successor net billing program adopted on July 19, 2016.

“While we helped customers who invested in solar in the recent past, today’s agreement does nothing to help consumers who want to go solar in the future,” stated Del Chiaro. “We would like to build upon today’s compromise agreement and work with IID staff and board to modify their successor solar program to make it possible for consumers to invest in rooftop solar going forward.”

Net metering is a program that credits solar consumers for the surplus electricity they export to the grid. The program has helped fuel the transformational growth of solar in IID and across the state, making it more affordable for everyone including low and moderate-income consumers. Publically owned utilities and irrigation districts, like IID, are not regulated by the state Public Utilities Commission, which voted this past February to protect net metering for customers of the state’s investor owned utilities, such as Southern California Edison, to in part avoid the scenario played out in IID territory these past six months. As a result, each publically owned utility decides for themselves what the rooftop solar market looks like going forward.

"This agreement will definitely benefit our Eastern Valley low income tenants  and will help us generate electricity savings for our developments,” said Julie Bornstein, executive director of the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. 

Diverse Group of Organizations Get Behind AB 2163: Bill Would Help Stranded Solar Families in Coachella and Imperial Valleys

SACRAMENTO – August 24, 2016 – A broad and diverse coalition of twenty non-profit organizations and business groups have sent letters to key legislators in support of AB 2163 (Williams), which requires the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) to make net energy metering (NEM) available to all of the solar customers left stranded by a crisis created by IID themselves earlier this year.

Last February, IID abruptly ended their NEM solar program without any notice to the public and without an alternative program in place. This caught hundreds of solar customers who were already in the process of investing in a rooftop solar system in state of “solar limbo” where they have been unable to turn their rooftop solar systems on ever since.   

Support for AB 2163 was directed at Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Chair of the Senate Energy Committee and Assembly member Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), both representatives for the Imperial region, as well as Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, the Governor’s staff and members of the Senate Energy Committee.

The organizations supporting passage of this bill include GRID Alternatives, California Building Industry Association, TechNet, Brightline Defense Project, Environment California, Climate Resolve, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Grid Alternatives, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), the American Sustainable Business Council, William C. Velazquez Institute, GreenLatinos, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), 350 Bay Area, Climate Action Campaign, Sierra Club, Presente.org and the Hip Hop Caucus along with local solar companies and their stranded customers.

The letters note that among the 1,200 stranded customers are ten multi-family affordable housing projects, two State of California correctional facilities, and dozens of low-income families. IID has not taken action to fix the problem to date, which has put at risk federal and state funding for affordable housing projects, taxpayer dollars already spent on state building projects, and solar contracts that have already been executed by homeowners.

“The strong support from this diverse group of community organizations shows that AB 2163 is a must-pass for the California Senate,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA. “We must take care of these solar customers and honor the investment they’ve made in a cleaner, more affordable future.”

CALSEIA Honors Two California Legislators with Life-time Achievement Awards

Senator Fran Pavley and Assembly Member Das Williams Recognized for their work to promote solar energy through public policy

Sacramento – August 10, 2016 - At its annual Solar Worker Lobby Day, the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) honored two California legislators for their outstanding work to promote the use of solar energy through public policy.

Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and Assembly Member Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) were honored with a “Life-time Achievement” award before a crowd of solar workers and executives from around the state who had gathered in Sacramento to lobby state legislators about the importance of solar energy in creating jobs, saving consumers money, and providing energy solutions throughout the state.

“The emergence of California’s solar industry as a meaningful source of reliable and clean electricity has depended largely on the vision and hard work of policy makers, like Senator Pavley and Assembly member Williams, who have fought long and hard to give consumers the ability to change the direction of our energy future one roof at a time,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of CALSEIA. “Our hundreds of businesses and over 75,000 employees owe these two leaders a life-time of gratitude for their outstanding policy work over many years.”

A CALSEIA Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Senator Fran Pavley along with recognition of her pioneering work to cap carbon emissions and advance alternative energy technologies, including solar panels as well as zero-pollution vehicles.

“One of the most gratifying outcomes of my work in the Legislature on clean energy over the last fourteen years has been the phenomenal success of California’s solar industry,” said Senator Fran Pavley in accepting her award. “You’ve proved what we’ve always said was possible: We can clean our environment and create jobs at the same time. More than 75,000 solar industry workers in this state are proving that the power of the sun is shining brightly on California’s economy -- to the benefit of consumers, healthy communities and the families of tens of thousands of skilled and dedicated workers. While I am gratified by your recognition of my work in the legislature, I am much more gratified by the tremendous contributions your industry and its workers are making every day to make California a healthier and more prosperous state.”

A CALSEIA Lifetime Achievement award was also presented to Assembly member Das Williams who was an early promoter of rooftop solar policies, authoring bills intended to increase consumer access to sunshine-generated electricity.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award from CALSEIA,” said Assembly member Das Williams. “In fifty years our children and grandchildren will evaluate whether to curse or praise us based on what we did or failed to do about climate change and clean energy.  More than anything else during my career in the assembly, I have pushed both legislatively and administratively to ensure that California has a brighter and cleaner future by fighting for aggressive renewable energy goals and efficient permitting for small and large solar projects around the state. Together, we have made a difference for our state’s future.”

CALSEIA presented each of the honorees with a tee-shirt that read “Keep Calm and Solar On” and a solar-powered charging device for portable technologies. Senator Pavley and Assembly Member Williams are termed out in 2016. Both leave behind an outstanding track record of promoting clean solutions. 

SunSpark Technology Inc Joins Industry Leaders in Growing California’s Solar Industry

Sunspark Technology Inc. becomes newest CALSEIA member.

SunSpark Technology Inc. has become the newest member of the nation’s largest state solar power trade association, the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

“We are proud to have SunSpark Technology Inc.  join CALSEIA to support its mission of expanding the use of clean, solar technologies throughout the state.  CALSEIA members are recognized as being true leaders in the California market as they promote high standards within the industry and advocate fair policies for solar consumers. We look forward to working closely with SunSpark Technology Inc.  in continuing this work,” says Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA.

SunSpark Technology Inc. was established in 2015. From its Riverside location, with the intent and goal of becoming a solar panel assembly and manufacturing company within the U.S. SunSpark Tech offers a variety of solar power panels; allowing its clients to choose the most appropriate system and wattage that will best meet their needs.

Due to their support of residential DG in California, CALSEIA is our first choice of solar trade associations. We believe that SunSpark Park can not only increase our business relationships with state partners but create more benefits for people who are eager to own US-made solar panels.

SunSpark Technology Inc. joins CALSEIA after being carefully vetted and approved through the association’s application process, which ensures member companies adhere to industry best practices.

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Founded in 1977, CALSEIA, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, represents manufacturers, installers, financers, and distributors of solar panels and related components and technologies throughout the state.

SunSpark Technology Inc., hereafter known as SunSpark Tech, is a U.S. business situated at 3080 12th St., in Riverside, California with approximately 35,000 sq. ft.

From its Riverside location, SunSpark Tech will have better control over its product assembly and manufacturing and service distribution channels, sales and customer service departments, as well as billing and business management, which in turn is very beneficial in keeping costs down and quality standards high. As the images above show, SunSpark Tech’s location is sufficiently large and spacious, where products are received, assembled, stored, and shipped to the customers.

Talesun Becomes Diamond Sponsor of CALSEIA’s Signature Networking Party

Event brings together industry leaders and supports continued growth of the California solar industry

Sacramento – July 1, 2016 - CALSEIA is proud to announce Talesun as the Diamond Sponsor for this year’s Solar Summerfest, the official networking party of Intersolar North America, happening July 12th at the CityView Metreon in San Francisco.

Talesun Solar is a leading company of photovoltaic modules, solutions, and services continuing global market share expansion with its total 2.8 MW solar cell and module manufacturing bases in Thailand and China. “We are thrilled to have Talesun as Solar Summerfest’s Diamond Sponsor this year,” said Kelsea Jones, Membership & Marketing Director for CALSEIA. “Companies who support this event not only do it for the great visibility and fun at a major solar conference, but to show support for CALSEIA’s work. For Talesun to sponsor at this level shows major commitment to the health and strength of California’s solar industry.”

The event is expected to attract over 2,000 people and features a Back-to-the-80’s theme celebrating this iconic decade with retro-themed appetizers, drinks, and live entertainment.

“Given the solar industry’s history, we thought it would be fun to celebrate the fact that, thanks to our landmark wins on issues like net energy metering and the federal tax credit, we can enjoy 80's cultural phenomena but avoid re-living its solar market disasters,” said Ms. Jones.

The signature prop of the event will be a Talesun-branded DeLorean Time Machine that will be parked inside Moscone Center on the day of the event. Attendees will be able to see inside the time machine and take pictures with props and characters. In addition, the Solar Summerfest event will feature a Talesun themed area with a bar, seating, and food, where attendees can meet and mingle with the Talesun team and see product samples.

Solar Summerfest will take place Tuesday July 12, 2016 from 5pm-10pm at the Metreon CityView. Tickets can be purchased at www.calseia.org or through www.intersolar.us and helps support CALSEIA’s mission.

Statement by the California Solar Energy Industries Association on the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Retirement Joint Proposal

June 21, 2016 -- CALSEIA would like to first acknowledge the historic nature of this agreement that promises to shutter the last remaining nuclear power plant in California. We also applaud the call for the replacement power to come from 100% carbon-free resources. Given the state’s pre-existing carbon reduction and renewable energy laws and goals, it would have been ill conceived and difficult to do otherwise.  

The anti-nuclear movement and its embrace of solar power as a superior alternative to nuclear fission is the very foundation of California’s worldwide status as a renewable energy leader. In turn, California’s clean energy renaissance has laid the groundwork to move beyond nuclear power. So, it is only fitting to replace PG&E’s Diablo Canyon power plant with efficiency and renewable energy technologies. We should not lose sight of the fact that it was the decisions of over 100,000 Californians to go solar on their own homes and businesses, along with utility renewable procurement mandated by state law, that have eroded the case to re-license Diablo Canyon.   

Moving forward, California needs to ensure that customer-sited renewables, commonly referred to as “rooftop solar,” continue to grow and contribute to California’s clean energy future in addition to utility-procured resources. This important resource is notably missing from this agreement. PG&E’s customers are investing in solar by the tens of thousands on their rooftops, farms, businesses, and schools. It is no small oversight to ignore the contribution of customer-sited renewables which could replace Diablo Canyon by 2025 under current growth conditions. With the right tariffs in place, customer-sited solar energy will support our transition to clean energy in even more significant ways than it does today.

Further, allowing the utilities to rate base additional generation that could otherwise be built, in part, through customer investments is not necessarily in the ratepayers’ best interest. The location and quantity of new PG&E-owned generation resources should derive from a thoughtful, long-term plan to ensure the new resource procurement is justified. Consumer choice and preferences need to be front and center in these decisions.

In closing, we applaud the agreement that calls for the closure of California’s last-standing nuclear power plant. It is nothing short of historic and incredibly important for public health, safety, and the environment. We applaud all those individuals who have worked tirelessly over the decades to accomplish this feat. We look forward to making sure that all forms of renewable energy, including those resources that are built, sited and controlled by consumers, are part of California’s nuclear-free and clean energy future. 

Bill to Boost Rooftop Solar Thermal Passes Committee

Bill to Reduce Natural Gas Use Through Solar Energy Advances in California Legislature with Aliso Canyon Leak as Backdrop

SACRAMENTO — Today the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee passed AB 2460 (Irwin) by a vote of 10-3. The bill would expand consumer incentives for rooftop solar thermal technologies that can reduce natural gas demand within a building by up to 80%.  The bill is part of a response to the leak at Aliso Canyon and efforts to reduce California’s natural gas use statewide, meet greenhouse gas reduction goals, and improve reliability. 

"I am pleased the committee took the important step of moving this bill forward," said Assembly member Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), author of the bill. "Using California's abundant sunshine to do something as simple as heating water is sensible for our state and a key way to diversify our energy resources, protect public health, and clean up our air."  

The bill extends consumer rebates for solar heating technologies that directly reduce natural gas usage in buildings. The largest markets for solar thermal technologies, such as solar water heaters, are commercial swimming pools, such as at schools, and multi-family housing buildings. Under the program extended by AB 2460, consumers would get an upfront rebate as well as be eligible for the 30% federal tax credit. A typical residential solar hot water system costs around $6,000 before rebates.

The bill was advanced as part of a response to the leak at Aliso Canyon and the general realization that California is heavily dependent on a narrow supply of natural gas. Efforts to reduce demand, especially in summer months, are an important part of the state’s efforts to maintain energy reliability and protect consumers. Consider these facts:

• Approximately 50% of the demand for Aliso Canyon is used in buildings, energy that solar heating technologies can provide with no pollution or safety threats.
• If a solar water heating project were installed on just 7% of the multi-family buildings in the Los Angeles area, it would offset the annual natural gas demand for all buildings served by withdrawals from Aliso Canyon.
• California homes and businesses use 2.5 billion therms of natural gas annually to heat water, which is equal to the total storage capacity of natural gas in the state, including Aliso Canyon.
• If the authorized funding level within AB 2460 were approved, the expected savings from the program would annually offset as much natural gas use as the amount leaked from Aliso Canyon.

The bill reported out of the Assembly Committee today would extend California Solar Initiative (CSI) Thermal program funding for ten years through 2027, providing certainty to the growing solar water heating market. The bill would also target significant resources for solar thermal on low-income housing and buildings in disadvantaged communities.  Demand for solar water heating in low-income multifamily housing buildings is high, accounting for nearly half of the applications in 2015. AB 2460 would also ensure that the maximum rebate cap works for industrial customers, enabling solar thermal systems for the largest users of natural gas.    

“To meet our statewide climate change goals and address the challenges posed by Aliso Canyon, we need consistent consumer access to the sun,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, sponsor of the bill. “We thank Assembly member Irwin for her leadership on this important issue.”

Bill to Increase Access to Rooftop Solar Passes Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee

AB 2339 Seeks to Give All California Consumers Equal Access to Rooftop Solar Regardless of Utility Territory

SACRAMENTO — The Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee voted yesterday in support of Assembly Bill 2339 (Irwin/Low) by an 10-2 vote.  AB 2339 now proceeds to the Assembly floor.

In California, where you live dictates whether or not you have access to net energy metering, a critical policy making rooftop solar accessible for all consumers.  Californians living in the territory of a municipal utility (e.g., Sacramento and Los Angeles) have less assurance in state law that they can adopt solar.  AB 2339 aims to make rooftop solar equally available in all utilities across the state, including the state’s largest municipal utilities. AB 2339 would align the methodology used to calculate existing caps on net metering in municipal utility territories with the methodology used by the state’s three largest investor owned utilities, establishing consistency throughout the state.

“At its core, this is a consumer protection bill,” said Assembly member Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), author of the bill. “Everyone in California should have equal access to solar energy regardless of what city they live in."

“Solar energy makes sense everywhere in California,” said Assembly member Evan Low (D-Campbell), co-author of the bill. “Rooftop solar brings jobs, cleaner air, and energy reliability for all Californians.”

“Rooftop solar power has always made sense in California, and the accident at Aliso Canyon makes this solution even more apparent,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association. “Protecting net metering for all consumers is key to tapping into California’s abundant and clean solar energy, creating jobs, and saving consumers money.”

The vote by the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee is a strong signal that the State Legislature will be responsive to voters and consumers and give all Californians equal access to clean energy. CALSEIA commends the Committee Chair Mike Gatto and other committee members for recognizing the real and tangible benefits of solar—consumer choice, statewide job creation, a cleaner, affordable and more reliable electricity grid, and healthier air.

In January, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to protect net energy metering for consumers living in investor-owned utility territories of Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric. California has nearly forty municipal utilities and irrigation districts required to offer net energy metering under different and less favorable rules. Together, they service over three million California customers and include such large cities as Los Angeles, Sacramento, Burbank, Pasadena, Anaheim, Modesto, Riverside, and Roseville.  Many of the state’s municipal utilities still rely on coal-fired power plants in the Southwest for electricity supplies. 

Rooftop Solar Heating & Solar Electric Technologies Part of Aliso Canyon Solution

Statewide and Regional Programs Needed to Put Solution in Hands of Consumers

SACRAMENTO— Today the Brown Administration released an action plan to address the natural gas reliability concerns created by the Aliso Canyon leak in southern California.  The action plan included steps to increase installations of rooftop solar technologies that can reduce natural gas demand in the region as one of many tools that can help avoid blackouts and brownouts this summer. Local rooftop solar energy technologies, including solar water heating, solar space heating, and solar electric systems, can play a meaningful role in reducing dependence on natural gas and meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals in the near and long-term.

“Aliso Canyon shows us that natural gas is not safe or environmentally friendly, despite the “natural” descriptor,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).  “Instead of burning gas to heat water and run power plants on summer days when the sun shines brightest upon our cities, California should continue to aggressively support solar technologies in Los Angeles and statewide now and into the future.”

Solar heating technologies can directly reduce natural gas usage in buildings. Approximately 25% of the demand for Aliso Canyon is used in buildings, energy that solar heating technologies can provide with no pollution or safety threats. In fact, if a solar heating project were installed on just 7% of the multi-family buildings in the Los Angeles area, it would offset the annual natural gas demand for all buildings served by Aliso Canyon. Further, California homes and businesses use 2.5 billion therms of natural gas annually to heat water, which is equal to the total storage capacity of natural gas in the state, including Aliso Canyon.

In addition, peak-time demand for natural gas-generated electricity can be offset with solar heating systems paired with chiller technologies, as well as, solar electric, or photovoltaic, technologies. The National Renewable Energy Lab recently published a report showing that California could technically install nearly 80 gigawatts of rooftop solar – a capacity equal to forty nuclear power plants.

CALSEIA is encouraging policy makers to step up their commitments and actions intended to increase the installation of rooftop solar technologies in southern California, and statewide. Specific policy recommendations include:

• Pass AB 2460 (Irwin) to expand consumer incentives for solar heating technologies.
• Pass AB 2339 (Irwin/Low) to extend access to rooftop solar electric technologies for consumers of municipal utilities. California’s municipal utilities remain heavily invested in out-of-state coal-fired power plants and need to do more to encourage and invest in renewable energy.
• LADWP should voluntarily allow power purchase agreements for solar systems to help drive more solar installations in the Los Angeles basin.
• Cities and counties should comply with AB 2188 (Muratsuchi) and ensure streamlined permitting programs are set up for both solar heating and solar electric technologies to reduce unnecessary delays and costs.
• All utilities should streamline interconnection processes to avoid unnecessary costs and delays as well as support solar-friendly rate structures.

“To meet our statewide climate change goals and address the challenges posed by Aliso Canyon, we need consistent consumer access to the sun.  Today’s action plan is one important step but there is much more California must do to tap into this no-brainer energy solution,” added Del Chiaro. “Ultimately consumers need unfettered and economically viable access to solar powe. Given our monopoly-dominated energy industry, policy makers are going to have to step in and make this happen.”

San Diegans gather to protest SDG&E’s greed, pleading for a sustainable future

Ratepayer money spent by SDG&E to bully their watchdog to benefit shareholders

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 17, 2016) – A passionate crowd of local clean energy advocates gathered at San Diego Gas & Electric’s Corporate Campus in Kearny Mesa yesterday. The protest was in response to the investor-owned utility’s recent rebellion against its own watchdog, a move in which solar advocates say is to derail a competitive industry.

On January 28, after a 22-month proceeding, the California Public Utilities Commission made a final decision about the future of solar in California known as net metering 2.0. The decision was considered a compromise for the utilities and solar advocates. Unsatisfied with the January outcome, however, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) filed to legally challenge the decision on March 7.  

“State regulators need to stand firm and not cave into pressure from SDG&E and other giant utilities to gut our booming rooftop solar industry,” said San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “SDG&E and its fat-cat executives don’t like competition, but San Diego ratepayers deserve real energy options.”

After reviewing a mountain of filings from the utilities and others, the Commission decided to firmly reject proposals from the utilities to replace net metering with complicated schemes that would have prevented most customers from going solar. While the January 28 decision makes significant changes to net metering, such as requiring customers to pay an upfront application fee, pay an ongoing monthly fee required by all customers and be subject to time-varying rates, SDG&E has again requested major changes that would put solar out of reach for a majority of homeowners.

"The desperate quest of the monopoly utilities to take away the freedom of families to become energy independent only proves the urgent need to break up the monopoly and provide permanent freedom of energy choice to all families and businesses,” said Nicole Capretz, executive director of the Climate Action Campaign. “It's the American way and the quickest way to transition to a clean energy future."

The city of San Diego has a Climate Action Plan goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2035.  This would make San Diego the largest city fully powered by renewable energy. The San Diego rooftop solar industry, which is second in the nation per capita, is currently providing a $1 billion economic benefit to San Diego County. That amount is slated to increase once the Climate Action Plan goes into effect, but would be extremely difficult to achieve if SDG&E’s requests are granted.

“Our local, state and national governments have sent a clear message that solar is here to stay but SDG&E refuses to accept these policy objectives and would rather cling on their antiquated fossil fuel business model,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “I encourage all San Diegans, all Californians, to join us. Let’s leave fossil fuels and those who produce it in the past, and let’s move forward, united, with our eyes set on a clean energy economy, so that our children and our grandchildren will enjoy a better future.”

Other testimonials at the protest included emotional pleas for the Commission to take a stand and support solar for environmental, economic, social and health benefits.  

“We’re here to call on the California Public Utilities Commission to stand by their decision to keep net metering in place so that other homeowners can put solar on their roof supporting healthy neighborhoods, the state’s climate goals and local jobs,” said Alby Quinlan, an Encinitas solar homeowner and member of SanDiego350.org.

The protest was co-organized by San Diego350.org, the Sierra Club, the Climate Action Campaign and the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).

"For my generation, a fossil fuel monopoly is a dinosaur that belongs in a museum," said Alejandro Montes, Sierra Club leader and San Diego City College student. “We expect clean energy and a choice today."

The California Public Utilities Commission has 120 days to respond to the utilities’ request for a rehearing and has yet to comment on this topic publicly.

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Media Contact:

Tara Kelly

Chair

California Solar Energy Industries Association, San Diego

858.886.6342

tara.kelly@sullivansolarpower.com

California Utilities Escalate Their Attack on Solar

PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E Challenge State Decision to Protect Net Metering

Sacramento—California’s three large investor-owned utilities yesterday submitted a legal challenge to the January decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to continue net metering. The application for rehearing from PG&E asks the Commission to vacate the decision. This would effectively prevent customers from installing solar after the current rules expire if the Commission’s legal division agrees to further review. The other two utilities request major changes that would put solar out of reach for a majority of customers.

The CPUC proceeding to consider changes to net metering has already spanned 22 months and extended one month past the statutory deadline imposed by the state legislature. After reviewing a mountain of filings from the utilities and others, the Commission decided to firmly reject proposals from the utilities to replace net metering with complicated schemes that would have prevented most customers from going solar. 

“The utilities are continuing their legal maneuvers because it is disruptive to the solar industry,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). “Rather than working in partnership with solar companies and striving to reduce costs for customers, utilities would prefer to be obstructionists and muck up the market.”

Even though the January 28 decision, so-called NEM 2.0, rejected the utilities’ proposals, the decision does make significant changes to net metering. It requires customers to pay an upfront fee, pay an ongoing monthly fee, and be subject to time-varying rates. The Commission stated that it will continue re-evaluating the rules, but intends to change the rules gradually so that customers continue to have the opportunity to install solar power and the industry has time to continue lowering prices.

“The utilities continue to use false analysis to claim that net metering is a massive subsidy,” said Brad Heavner, policy director for CALSEIA. “Rather than accepting the Commission’s decision and allowing their customers to go solar under fair rules, the utilities are fighting to keep opportunities away from their customers.”

The new net metering rules will not affect current solar customers or those who install solar before utilities meet their caps on the current rules. That is expected in April for SDG&E, October for PG&E, and early 2017 for SCE. If the Commission does not grant the applications for rehearing, the new rules should be in place in time to allow a smooth transition. 

Contact:
Bernadette Del Chiaro, 916-765-3224
Brad Heavner, 415-328-2683

California Solar Jobs Top 75,000

GROWTH UP 38% OVER PREVIOUS YEAR, CONTINUED GROWTH PROJECTED

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Sacramento- As a direct result of California’s long-standing commitment to clean energy and technological innovation, the state’s solar employment ranks grew 38% in 2015, adding over 20,000 new jobs and hitting an all-time of high of 75,598 solar jobs, according to the latest report by The Solar Foundation, “California Solar Jobs Census 2015.”

The California solar industry praised local policy makers for their continued support of this new clean energy market, pointing to recent decisions around net energy metering, extension of the federal investment tax credit, and the state’s 50% by 2030 renewable portfolio standard in SB 350 (de León) – all that help create certainty and consumer adoption of alternative ways of generating power.

“Solar power is a bright spot in California’s economy, bringing jobs and economic development to every corner of the state,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). “While conventional energy industries are losing jobs, we are seeing record growth, and bringing clean air and climate solutions along the way.”

The Solar Foundation also studied the job growth in other states and concluded that while California is by far the nation’s leader in solar development and job growth, there are other markets worth watching.  In fact, thirty-three states, including the District of Columbia, saw positive solar jobs growth over the past year, and many states experienced double‐digit growth.

“Solar job creation is booming across the country. California’s 20,000 new jobs marks an industry milestone—but states like Utah, Colorado, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia demonstrate the regional diversity of the industry’s growth,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation. “Our data since 2012 show that half the states in the country have at least doubled their solar workforce.”

Other California solar jobs facts:

• Installation companies, driven mainly by the “rooftop” sector, are responsible for 54% of all solar jobs in California, totaling 40,597, and saw a 29% growth rate in 2015.  
• Sales and distribution jobs were the second most numerous, with 11,223 jobs statewide, and showing a nearly 50% growth over the previous year.
• A very close third, in-state solar manufacturing sector jobs also grew in 2015 to a total of 11,183 solar jobs in California.
• Last but not least, jobs within the project development sector--typically focused on large commercial projects on farms and big commercial buildings as well as utility-scale developments--grew at a fast rate, adding nearly 6,000 solar workers in 2015. Such growth may have been driven by fears around the reduction in the federal tax credit.
• CALSEIA reports that California’s 75,598 solar jobs exceed the employment of the state’s five largest utilities combined (Pacific Gas & Electric: 20,000; Southern California Edison: 13,600; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: 8,800; San Diego Gas & Electric: 5,000; and Sacramento Municipal Utility District: 2007 – all total 49,407 utility jobs statewide).

“CALSEIA applauds The Solar Foundation for their excellent research and for educating the public about the job growth that comes from investments in solar energy,” said Del Chiaro. “Part of what makes renewable energy so unique and beneficial to our economy is that because the fuel is free, more of the investment goes into jobs most of which are inherently local and can’t be outsourced. So, as California grows its solar market, it automatically grows local jobs.”  

About The Solar Foundation

The Solar Foundation (TSF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to increase understanding of solar energy through strategic research and education that transform markets. Since 2010, TSF has published its annual National Solar Jobs Census, which established the first credible solar jobs baseline for the U.S. TSF is considered the premier research organization on the solar labor workforce, employer trends, and the economic impacts of solar and advises many organizations on the topic. TSF is also a leading provider of educational materials on the economic impacts of solar for local governments through its work with the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, TSF chairs the National Solar Schools Consortium, a group of stakeholders seeking to make solar a larger part of the national K-12 system. More at www.TheSolarFoundation.org. 

About CALSEIA

Since the 1970s, CALSEIA has advanced the common interests of the solar industry, helping make California's solar market the most robust in the United States. Comprised of California over three hundred contractors, manufacturers, distributors, developers, engineers, consultants and educational organizations, CALSEIA represents a diverse membership committed to growing the California solar industry. CALSEIA engages with local and state decision makers to ensure California remains a solar energy leader through good public policy and regulations that provide clarity, transparency, and certainty. More at www.CALSEIA.org.