Solar Electric Power Association Announces Solar Business Achievement Awards
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) announced today that MMA Renewable Ventures, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Roseville Electric are the winners of the association's annual Solar Business Achievement Awards. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, October 18 at the Solar Power 2006 conference and expo in San Jose, California.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 16, 2006
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) announced today that MMA Renewable Ventures, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Roseville Electric are the winners of the association's annual Solar Business Achievement Awards. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, October 18 at the Solar Power 2006 conference and expo in San Jose, California.
MMA Renewable Ventures -- Award for Development of a Sustainable Solar Business Plan
"We commend MMA Renewable Ventures for developing a business that is singularly focused on driving economic efficiencies and catalyzing significant growth in the solar industry," says Paul Bender, chair of the SEPA board of directors and manager of power generation at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. For this achievement, MMA Renewable Ventures is receiving SEPA's "Development of a Sustainable Business Plan" award. Providing an innovative alternative to the conventional self-finance model, MMA Renewable Ventures partners with institutional investors and project developers to establish new solar energy systems at customer locations. As the system owner and operator, MMA Renewable Ventures then sells the electricity to the customer under a stable, long-term contract.
"Designed to make solar energy as economically sustainable as it is environmentally sustainable, our third-party finance and ownership model offers energy consumers exactly what they want from a photovoltaic system -- predictably-priced, clean electricity -- without the upfront capital costs and ongoing hassle of system maintenance," said MMA Renewable Ventures' chief executive officer Matt Cheney. "Removing that economic barrier is an effective tool for helping developers make the financial case for solar and accelerating the solar energy market as a whole."
MMA Renewable Ventures' first portfolio of projects totaled $25 million and consisted of seven projects totaling almost 5 megawatts of installed solar capacity in California, New Jersey and Florida, an equivalent amount to the consumption of about 500 average homes. MMA Renewable Ventures has also identified an additional 100 megawatts of solar electric projects worth more than $300 million that are in early negotiations.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company -- Award for Public Awareness and Industry Leadership
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is receiving SEPA's award for Public Awareness and Industry Leadership for the second year in a row. Since last year's award, PG&E's Self-Generation Incentive Program has paid out an additional $45 million in incentives to customers who installed solar electric systems over 30 kilowatts in size, bringing the program total to $150 million. Overall, PG&E has 13,000 solar customers and 100,000 kW of installed systems, more than any other utility in the nation.
"PG&E's solar programs are arguably stronger this year than last," said Julia Judd, SEPA executive director. "In addition, PG&E demonstrated its leadership by supporting legislation for the California Solar Initiative, including an increase to the state's net metering cap, a concept that would have been opposed by many 'traditional' utilities. PG&E serves as an excellent role model for other utilities."
In 2006 PG&E has also strengthened existing and implemented new community outreach programs including its Solar Schools Program, Solar Habitat Program, and free solar education and outreach classes to its customers.
"PG&E has a long history of supporting solar energy as both a source of renewable power and a means for our customers to reduce greenhouse gases," said Tom King, chief executive officer of PG&E, who will accept the award. "Advancing solar is consistent with our customers' energy vision and our goals of encouraging the development of clean and renewable power. We are proud to be recognized for our achievements, and even more excited about the future of renewable energy."
Roseville Electric -- Development of Solar Community
Roseville Electric is receiving the "Development of Solar Community" award for its leadership in new solar home developments. Roseville is a rapidly growing community northeast of Sacramento, CA with a current population of 105,000. Over the next ten years, a significant number of new residential housing units will be built within the city limits, greatly increasing the number of Roseville Electric utility customers. By partnering with local homebuilders, Roseville Electric hopes to influence the number of homes that will have energy efficiency and solar electric technologies integrated into their design and construction.
Roseville Electric has been offering solar rebates since 2000 to home builders who install solar as an option or standard feature through the Preferred Home Rebate Program. National home builder, Lennar, is participating in that program and is committed to combining high energy efficiency measures and roof integrated solar tiles as a standard feature in all 635 homes planned for construction in the West Roseville Specific Plan Area.
"Roseville Electric is dedicated to providing our residents with award-winning, reliable service and low-cost electricity," said Gina Garbolino, mayor of Roseville. "I am a strong advocate of solar energy and I support Roseville Electric's efforts to offer green, renewable energy programs, like solar, that help reduce our nation's dependence on fossil fuels."
About Solar Power 2006 (www. solarpowerconference. com)
The Solar Power Conference and Expo, organized by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), is the largest business-to-business solar event held in the United States. More than 4,000 people will attend and more than 160 companies will exhibit in 2006. The Solar Business Achievement awards will be presented at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, CA on Wednesday, October 18 beginning at 7:00pm.
About the Solar Electric Power Association (www. solarelectricpower. org)
Founded in 1992, the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) facilitates the use and integration of solar electric power by utilities and their customers by providing its members with tools, information, networking opportunities, and policy analysis and reporting. SEPA's membership includes over 150 electric utilities, solar industry companies, and other stakeholders.
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