Public Power - January/February 2008 - (Page 42) GREEN ENERGY Getting Out of the Dark with Solar Options By William Atkinson With alocal renewable portgrowing number of state and folio standards, utilities are taking a serious look at solar energy options. To many, solar energy technologies are exotic and mysterious. But the Solar Electric Power Association has partnered with utilities and others—including the American Public Power Association—to gates to the meeting. “This shows a huge amount of interest in solar these days,” said Mike Taylor, technical services manager for SEPA. “While the total percentage of megawatts that solar represents for utilities may not be large, the number of customers using solar over the coming years will definitely be increasing.” SEPA has created three online tools to help utilities assess solar options: the Solar Programs Options Tool (SPOT), Peer Match, and an integrated case studies database. The data- ergy have several options, each with different characteristics. “SPOT was created because utilities were familiar with a lot of different options for solar programs, and expressed a need for something that would help them figure out where they should start,” said Taylor. “By going through the online interview process, they can determine how their goals interface with different solar program options.” For example, about 15 states require solar as part of their renewable portfolio standards. Utilities in The tool recommends and suggests priorities for types of solar activities each utility can investigate further. develop tools to help utilities identify solar technologies that meet their renewable portfolio objectives. SEPA is a nonprofit organization with 220 members that include utilities, manufacturers, installers, governments and researchers. Its mission is to facilitate solutions for the use and integration of solar electric power by utilities and their customers. Nearly 10,000 people attended the organization’s annual conference last October. Seventy-five utilities sent delebase is supported in part by a grant from APPA’s DEED (Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments) program, said Taylor. SPOT combines quantitative data with a short user survey. The tool recommends and suggests priorities for types of solar activities each utility can investigate further. SPOT users provide basic information about their utility and then identify and rank their solar goals and objectives. Utilities in need of additional solar capacity or enthese states are probably going to be interested in solar programs that can provide a lot of megawatt-hours. “Their needs are different than a utility that may just be receiving requests from customers about solar options,” he said. SPOT was designed by solar industry experts and electric utility representatives to help utilities develop new solar energy programs or enhance existing programs. Sacramento Municipal Utility District in California helped develop the Accessing Solar Tools SPOT, Peer Match, and the case studies are available to all electric utilities as free services from SEPA. They can be accessed at the SEPA Web site (www.solarelectricpower.org). SEPA members and partners can access the full capabilities of the tools, while visitors have limited access to a demonstration version. Members can begin using SPOT by clicking on the appropriate icon and entering their name and password. Non-members can use a limited version of SPOT by entering their e-mail, and leaving the password blank. Non-members will receive a list of recommended programs, but not a full final report or contact information. Once SEPA verifies that a user is associated with a utility, the individual can gain access to this information.” 42 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008 PUBLIC POWER http://www.solarelectricpower.org
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