The California solar market is getting more attention from project developers because of uncertainty over feed in tariffs (FITs) in Europe. There are three basic markets for power purchase agreement (PPA) solar projects in California: utilities, commercial and government. The numbers can work for investors in the commercial market with a starting kWh price of about $0.15 with escalators, the California PBI rebate and assuming the federal cash grant / ITC and depreciation can be applied. But the problem is finding creditworthy commercial offtakers. Many project developers are focused on government customers (cities, school districts, hospitals, etc) because the numbers work and such offtakers are viewed as less risky.

A major issue with the large California investor-owned-utility (IOU) market is the kWh price. The price paid is based on the “avoided cost” of the generation (not actual cost) and varies by time of day and season of the year but the annual average is about $0.11 or less. The PBI rebate is not applicable in this market. At this price, without an [...]

Nissan Leaf

Mr. Tom Bartley addressed the CleanTALK audience for the unveiling of the new, all electric, “no tailpipe,” Nissan LEAF at the Nissan Design Center in San Diego. He is an author and consulting business analyst in the transportation and energy sector, and has been active in public education and outreach while pushing for the establishment of an advanced clean transportation business sector in the San Diego region. Bartley spoke about the improving technology and falling cost of the batteries, and the physics of maximizing driving range as well as optimal recharge times. He also highlighted the [...]

Sustainable energy panel discussion

CleanTALK SD had a record turnout to discuss the challenges in balancing the environmental, social and economic aspects of solar energy.  It turns out that there still remain a bewildering array of questions, regulations, funding challenges,  and other hurdles to take advantage of one of our most abundant resources.

A prestigious panel of experts worked to dispell the clouds by helping create a better framework for investing in, deploying, measuring, and using solar energy.

Thanks go out to our panelists and moderator:

Rich Caputo, Jon Fortune, Don Christiansen, Jam Attari, Sally Muir, Walter Wang, and Jon Warren Lentz.

The Recovery Act financing incentives have focused attention on various types of renewable energy projects.  Investors look at the revenues available from a project in assessing  opportunity and  risk.  One key revenue source for many solar and wind  projects is a power purchase agreement (PPA) under which the electricity generated is purchased. There must be only a remote risk of non-payment  under the PPA in order for the project to be financeable.  As the risk of non-payment increases so does the possibility that the project  cannot obtain financing. The certainty of payment is also a key risk factor in the sale of a project or portfolio of projects.  Not all PPAs are the same.  Each agreement needs to be carefully reviewed and negotiated so it is financeable.   Some  high risk terms are apparent such as a non-appropriations termination right when the purchaser is a public entity.  Others are more subtle such as the calculation of what actually must be paid under a termination payment provision.

The starting point for financeability, however, is the creditworthiness of the energy purchaser.  This involves the purchaser’s current credit rating, a financial analysis and legal considerations because of the 20 year payments under a PPA.  The financial [...]

Upcoming Event August 25

To find out the lastest on solar technology, join our panel of experts on August 25th for our lively and informative discussion about just what’s making this a hot topic in San Diego.
Location: SDG&E Kearny Mesa
Time: 5:30 – 7:30
Moderator: Jon Warren Lentz
Panelists: Rich Caputo, Don Christiansen; Walter Wang, Jon Fortune

See more: http://www.cleantalksd.org/next-event

The Energy Bill (H.R. 2454 / Waxman-Markey) passed narrowly in the House on Friday by a vote of 219-212. Although there was more than three hours of debate in the House, much of the debate was political posturing more than anything else. The House Ways and Means Committee had the opportunity to hold hearings on the bill, but the hearings never materialized. Many of the changes to the bill occurred behind closed doors culminating in a 300 plus page amendment being dropped in the “hopper” at 3AM Friday morning. Based on Senate Finance Committee hearings held in May, it appears [...]

It somehow seems appropriate to be planning a solar panel panel (discussion that is) during a heat wave. The weather reminds us of the sun’s emmense power potential. We are planning our upcoming alternative energy CleanTALK San Diego discussion around solar in the late August timeframe. Watch the calendar for date and time and if you have a background in solar technology, financing, or other aspects, and would be interested in being a panelist, please let us know.

Enjoyed CleanTALK San Diego’s first Meet Up last night! If you missed our first one, you’ll have a chance to engage in our next one. We want to Meet Up at various spots around the county about every other month. It’s great to see the engaged dialog around getting to the clean FACTS.

Don’t forget! Join us for our first Meet Up at Opera Cafe in Sorrento Mesa on Friday 6/26 from 4 – 6 pm.

Climate Change is Not a Belief System

No matter how you parse it, Climate Change is not a belief system. If it were, then your car, which must “logically” operate under those same beliefs, would not and could not work absent belief in the same fundamental science.

If one insists that they can pick and choose in which arena they believe – alternately believing in the infernal combustion engine™ and disbelieving in climate science, then that is called “magical thinking,” which is the province of children and the obstinately in-educable.

For good reason, children are not allowed to vote. Lamentably, the obstinate are.

There has been much talk recently that the economy has dampened the efforts of many to go green (clean).  Federal tax incentives, state incentives, and utility rebates can significantly reduce the cost of making energy efficient improvements or installing a solar array system, but the upfront cash outlay is sometimes too much to stomach.

Enter Assembly Bill (AB 811).  AB 811, passed by the California legislature in 2008, authorizes cities to designate an area within the city (including the entire city) within which property owners can finance the renewable energy installations and energy efficient improvements through increased property tax payments. [...]

CleanTalk San Diego is gathering momentum. At our first event on May 27, we had 50 passtionate and engaged participants discussing their views on renewable fuels.

The guest speaker, Justin Stege, Director of R&D at Verenium, did a great job walking through the renewable fuels process. Biomass, logistics, supply chain, products and sustainability were all covered in his presentation.

Many thanks to Direct Energy Business (www.directenergybusiness.com) for providing the food and beverages and to Mintz Levin (www.mintz.com) for providing the wonderful atmosphere and free parking.

The planning committee is already working on the next event. If you have ideas or suggestions for speakers, please let us know! We will be on the lookout for interesting, challenging topics and hope to hold sessions every 6 to 8 weeks. For optimum planning we are looking for dates that will allow for interaction and participation from other business and networking groups. As ever, our goal is to be agnostic and open. As such we are looking to work with any and all organizations and seek interested sponsors for our events.

The discussion starts here.  CleanTalk San Diego is a non-profit volunteer organization that offers a cross-technology learning and relationship-building environment. By providing enjoyable networking and compelling learning opportunities for professionals and raising the visibility of local clean tech companies, initiatives and programs, CleanTalk San Diego aims to develop enthusiasm and create dialogue for our region.

Our blog is designed to promote open and honest dialog around a wide spectrum of issues that impact our lives and our businesses. We look forward to hearing from you!