Will this marriage work: California unites utilities and solar - for better or worse. [PVC financing test of 175,000 solar water heaters over 3 yrs]

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Power Line; (United States)

OSTI ID:5427702

Woolson, A

The California Public Utility Commission (PUC) is financing the country's largest utility-solar program, one which will test 175,000 solar water heaters in homes over a three-year period. The controversial program was prompted because traditional financing methods and solar tax credits were not meeting the state's goal for solar applications. Customer acceptance was further slowed by a lack of information. The PUC responded by setting up a program to force utility financing to allow residential consumers to conveniently buy a solar hot-water system. Targeted for a range of neighborhoods and income groups, the program offers free delivery and installation and one of four payback plans. Four major utilities will participate in the demonstration. Opponents to the plan predict power shortages unless utilities spend the money for new plant construction, point to the conflict of interest it represents for investor-owned utilities, and object to having the utilities in control of solar energy. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 5427702
• Journal Information: Power Line; (United States), Journal Name: Power Line; (United States) Vol. 5:8; ISSN POLID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140907* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
CALIFORNIA
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FINANCING
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
STATE GOVERNMENT
USA
WESTERN REGION