An October 3rd proposal by SDG&E to change the way it charges customers for power is very likely illegal. In this second phase of its General Rate Case, SDG&E has proposed a new rate design, which includes a Network Use Charge, a Basic Service Fee and a Prepay Service option. UCAN has filed a motion asking the regulators to reject SDG&E's application and have them resubmit one that doesn't violate state laws.
solar
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Votes to Support Federal PACE Legislation
Good news for those who want to escape the clutches of SDG&E!
Sunrise Powerlink fails to deliver on promises of green energy
SDG&E sold the Sunrise Powerlink as a way to promote the development of "green" energy for San Diego. Now, the utility has terminated its Stirling solar energy project. Our warnings that SDG&E was "greenwashing" the project to sell it to a gullible public were accurate. More.
Center For Sustainable Energy Holding Workshops For New Energy Program
The California Center for Sustainable Energy, a non-profit organization that helps California residents with energy efficiency, will be holding workshops over the next couple of months as part of a new California energy program.
Installing Photovoltaics on your roof may be the best investment you can make in your home
We've long stated that installing solar panels on your home may be the best investment/improvement you can make in your home. One of the most compelling reasons is that it is an investment that not only appreciates the value of your home but also generates "cash" for you by reducing your energy bill. It turns out that this particular investment may appreciate your home value by appx. $17,000 for a 3.1 watt system according to a recent Berkeley Labs report. Now here's the real kicker -- the out of pocket cost of a 3.1 watt PV system (after tax deductions and rebates) should amount to less than $15,000. So for a $15,000 investment you can appreciate the value of your home by MORE than your investment plus get, essentially, "free" electricity for as long as you are in that home.
City of San Diego Looking to Generate Money With Solar
Southern California is one of the leading areas with solar installations (see this post) and San Diego is no different. So it makes sense that the City of San Diego would want to get involved with solar--not just as a way to stick it to SDG&E--but as a potential fix to the City’s budget deficit problem.
Looking for information on solar? Check out the Open PV Project
On a tip from our affiliate organization New Media Rights (a fantastic organization focused on new media and access to information), here's a link to a site dedicated to providing information about solar installations throughout the United States--The Open PV Project.
Appliances Exposed - The True Cost of Operation
The San Diego weather forecast has been fairly cool the past couple of months. I hesitate to use the word cold, because to be honest, 55 degrees isn’t really that cold. Especially when compared to temperatures in the teens and single digits, a thermometer that hovers around 60 isn’t all that bad. But, it is cool for the thin-skinned San Diegans, so we resort to using things like central heaters and clothes dryers more often. These creature comforts can bring comfort on a chilly night, but how much do they actually cost to operate? Hit the jump to find out.
Q&A - How Much Solar Should I Get and What SDG&E Rate Schedule Should I Use?
We recently received a question from a consumer about a potential solar install and the various rate schedules available to solar customers. We’re always happy to answer consumer questions, especially those related to renewable energy sources that will cut a consumer’s reliance on SDG&E. Read more after the jump.
Sunrise: The Line to Nowhere?
Sunrise Powerlink was advertised as a "green" line that was going to connect San Diego to low-cost renewable power in the Imperial Valley. Just $2 billion for energy nirvana. And the cornerstone of the Sunrise line was to be the 900MW of solar power coming from the Stirling Solar Generation project. SDG&E had a signed contract and everything was all set for generation to begin in 2009. Oh yeah, the powerline also would eliminate the need for any large power plants to be sited inside San Diego County. Remember all of those promises? So guess what............
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