With Intersolar taking place in San Francisco this week, solar professionals from all over the world are coming together to network and exchange ideas. The Intersolar organizers have chosen the right city for this conference: The city’s mayor Gavin Newsom is actively pushing towards renewable energy sources. Under his leadership, the City and County of San Francisco started the first local solar energy incentive program in July 2008. Since launching GoSolarSF, there has been a 450% increase in applications for solar installations in San Francisco, from 200 to 850. Last week, Newsom announced plans to install three new solar installations with over 365 kw power on the San Francisco Housing Authority as part of the GoSolar initiative. According to a report issued by Environment California last week, San Francisco ranks third in number of rooftop solar installations in California. On a per-capita basis, San Francisco leads the state’s large cities for rooftop solar.

California is leading the US solar energy efforts with 67% of total installed PV capacity (530 MW) in the United States. On average, PV is growing at more than 30% per year – with 2008 having shown more than 150% growth. Californians are thought leaders and progressive thinkers, and much what happens in this state later happens in the rest of the country, according to Gary Gerber, President of CalSEIA (California Solar Energy Industries Association). In a presentation he held at the 5th Germany California Solar Day held by the German American Chamber of Commerce on June 16, he highlighted eight critical factors driving solar in California:

1. Relatively high electricity prices, Time of Use tariffs
2. Increasing electricity demand, especially at peak
3. Electrical infrastructure weakness / grid congestion
4. Strong state rebate program, net metering
5. RPS requirements (Renewable Portfolio Standard)
6. Federal investment tax credit
7. A variety of new incentives
8. Innovative financing (Power Purchase Agreements)

Hurdles to take
Compared to Germany, the cost of installing a solar system in California is more than 30% more expensive. While the average residential system in the US state costs $8 per kw to install, it only costs $6 in Germany. Other challenges Californians are facing include the fact that the installed cost of systems is not (yet) competitive with retail electricity rates without subsidies ($.15 -$.20/kWh), California Solar Initiative incentive levels continue to drop and are now at less than $2/watt, and burdensome paperwork. Gerber during his recent presentation illustrated the latter by the following comparison:

Typical amount of paperwork for one project in California		Typical amount of paperwork for one project in Germany

Germany has been at the forefront of solar PV installations worldwide, accounting for almost half of the global solar power market in 2007. Much of this goes back to the country’s feed-in-tariff, part of the Renewable Energy Law (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, or EEG) enacted by the German government in 2000 (a similar incentive program is still being debated in California). In 2008, Germany installed more than 300,000 new solar systems with a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, according to the BSW (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft). Solar power now meets about 1 percent of Germany’s electricity demand and is expected to reach 25 percent by 2050.

Germany is represented at Intersolar with numerous companies, and the German Consul General Rolf Schuette is hosting a reception at 1:30 at the German pavillion today – hope to see you there!

Related posts:

• Germany Is Calling for Sustainable Development Experts
• Interested in Solar But Don’t Know Where to Start?
• Clean Energy & Green Technology Floundering Towards A Green Economy
• Germany Plans Renewable Energy Superhighway
• Germany Could Be Powered Mostly By Wind

CleanTechies is proud to be official media partner of two upcoming clean technology-related events that are just upon our alley: Both events connect CleanTechies from different parts of the world and allow them to share their insights and experiences with their counterparts. Both events are being held for the 5th time this year – while TABCON brings US professionals together with those from Turkey, the Germany California Solar Day unites them with their German counterparts.

Check out our Events Calendar for more upcoming CleanTech conferences, and submit more events.

If you are interested in a media partnership with CleanTechies, please contact us.

Saturday, May 30, 2009
TABCON: Areas for cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey in renewable forms of energy
Parc 55 Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Time: 08:00 am – 07:00 pm

Started in 2005 with the goal of bringing the US and Turkey closer together, the Turkish-American Business Conference addresses relevant topics that hold promising opportunities for those individuals or companies looking to do business between the two nations. Speakers from both the private and public sectors address important issues that affect both countries. Particularly interesting in the general context of this blog is a panel on “Areas for cooperation between the US and Turkey in renewable forms of energy.” TABCON got some smart executives lined up, such as Bülent Başol from thin-film PV innovator SoloPower. The session will take a close look at possible joint venture and partnership opportunities between the US and Turkey in promoting cleaner forms of energy. Panelists will discuss how evolving energy regulations for cleaner energy in both developed and developing countries are creating a niche in the market for cleaner technology. .

Panelists:
Bülent Başol – Co-founder, CTO and Executive Vice President, SoloPower
Dr. Izak Bencuya – CEO, Deeya Energy
Prakash Ramachandran – CFO, Nordic Windpower
Dr. Mustafa Tırıs – Director, Energy Institute, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center

Mention “CleanTechies.com” when you register, and get the chance to meet with our management team during the day.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
5th Germany California Solar Day
PG&E Main Auditorium, San Francisco, CA
Time: 09:00 am – 08:00 pm

Based on a decision by the German Parliament, the 5th Germany California Solar Day is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and is hosted by the German-American Chamber of Commerce. It provides a bilateral platform for US and German experts to discuss the latest trends in the solar power industry. There will be several German companies presenting their products and services, including Concentrix Solar, Mage Solar, Phoenix Solar, Phoenix SonnenWaerme, Powersol, SOLARC, SunEnergy Europe, and SUNSET Energietechnik.

This event is free to attend if you register by Friday, June 5th.

As official Media Partner of the event, the CleanTechies team looks forward to meeting other like-minded CleanTechies during the day. Let us know if you are attending, and we’ll try to meet you.

[photo: flickr/hartp]

Related posts:

• Coming Attractions: CleanTechies Events Highlights
• Top 6 Tips for Clean Tech Events and Renewable Energy Conferences
• Two Recommended Green Tech Events in San Francisco
• Around the World with Upcoming Clean Tech Events
• Plug in to GRID party at Google’s solar-powered carport: Check out Tesla Roadster, Stanford prototypes, and PG&E innovations