Public Power - January/February 2008 - (Page 43) SPOT program. “SPOT helps utilities assess their desire for a solar program and match this against different types of programs, so they can get a head start in determining which direction to move,” said Jon Bertolino, superintendent of renewable generation for SMUD. Some utilities know what they want to do, but don’t know how to do it, he said. The SPOT program asks a series of questions that help users determine their objectives. “Once they define their objectives, SPOT recommends some specific programs.” “As more utilities across the country begin to recognize the value of both distributed and central station solar to the utility and its customers, the Solar Programs Option Tool will provide an initial decision-making framework to help them determine which program types best fit their needs,” said Julia Hamm, executive director of SEPA. Many different types of solar programs can be implemented and prioritizing the effort according to the utility’s goals is an important first step, she said. SPOT divides solar programs into three categories. One relates to utility-owned projects. The second relates to customer project partnerships and includes information on residential or commercial customer incentives, such as customer rebates, performance incentives, and solar energy credits. The third covers solar research and demonstration projects, general education and outreach, and emergency backup programs. The Peer Match online tool is a searchable database that matches users with other utilities that have solar program experience. SEPA’s Web site alwww.APPAnet.org lows users to integrate SPOT with the Peer Match tool. “Peer Match is a contact database of utilities that have different types of solar programs,” said Taylor. Users can log in and indicate a desire to find, for example, utilities in California that have done solar incentive programs. The database will provide the names of the utilities, a contact person, and contact information. SPOT is linked to Peer Match so a user can identify utility contacts with experience in the specific programs SPOT recommended to the user, said Taylor. The third online tool is a series of case studies. These will be integrated into SPOT and Peer Match. When SPOT recommends a program, the utility can review relevant case studies, said Taylor. Each case study discusses what the program is, how it was designed, the types of challenges the utility faced, and benefits of the program. Utilities are beginning to benefit from the three-part program. “We recently met with the Omaha Public Power District, which was inquiring about a solar program,” said SMUD’s Bertolino. OPPD contacted SMUD through the Peer Match program.” They came out and spent a day with us, talking about solar and other renewable energy initiatives,“ he said. ❚ E HELP LIGHT THE WORLD WE HELP LIGHT THE WORLD WITH OUR MAST ARMS, WITH OUR MAST ARMS, POLES & BRACKETS POLES & BRACKETS OVER 30,000 MAST ARMS, POLES AND BRACKETS READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT • Competitive pricing • Large inventory ready for immediate shipment • Custom fabrication experts Contact your manufacturer’s representative or call us direct for a catalog. NOW AISC CERTIFIED Manufacturer Visit us at of Outdoor www.utilitymetals.com Lighting Products 800/627-8276 502/363-6681 502/368-2656 FAX JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008 43 http://www.kri-tech.ab.ca http://www.utilitymetals.com http://www.APPAnet.org
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