OC Renewables Blog

February Meeting Recap - Power to the People

2012-02-09T22:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks to James Kao from Power to the People for the informative presentation at tonight's meeting. If you did not get a chance to attend and wanted to learn more, this video is a powerful presentation of the good work this organization does. Enjoy!

Power to the People: Empowering Communities Through Renewable Energy Technologies from Brad Allgood on Vimeo.

Up to Half of Solar Costs are Administrative, DOE Says · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

2012-02-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

Up to Half of Solar Costs are Administrative, DOE Says · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

2013 Solar Decathalon Coming to Irvine in 2013!

2012-02-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

The US Department of Energy announced last week that the 2013 Solar Decathlon will be held in our back yard! In addition to welcoming 20 new collegiate teams and hundreds of new student decathletes to the 2013 competition, DOE announced a new site: the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. This venue will provide a stage worthy of displaying the teams’ energy-efficient, solar-powered houses to the world.

The Solar Decathlon challenges international collegiate teams to design and build solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive while promoting the education and economic benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Visitors will be able to tour the renewable energy houses that combine energy-efficient construction and appliances at a specially-constructed Great Park Solar Village in the fall of 2013.

The Great Park received broad-based community support to stage the 2013 Solar Decathlon from many of the region’s elected officials, educational institutions and clean energy organizations, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Representatives John Campbell and Loretta Sanchez, Scott Samuleson, Director of the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California Irvine, Bill Habermehl, Superintendent, Orange County Department of Education, the Orange County Business Council, the Building Industry Association of Orange County, Clean TechOC and Southern California Edison.

We have already made contact with the DOE on volunteer opportunities. How else would you like to help bring international attention to renewable energy here in Orange County? Let us know!

CleanTech San Diego Symposium - March 6

2012-02-02T08:31:00.001-08:00

CleanTECH San Diego &
The Solar Electric Power Association
present
San Diego Solar Energy Symposium
TUESDAY | MARCH 6TH, 2012
1:00 - 4:30 PM

University of San Diego
University Center Forums A, B, and C
Reception to follow from 4:30 - 6:30 PM
University of San Diego
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

A recent report identified San Diego as having the most rooftop solar installations in the state. To ensure this continued success, CleanTECH San Diego and the Solar Electric Power Association are offering a half-day Solar Energy Symposium on March 6 at the University of San Diego to discuss the future of solar energy in the region. Experts will share information about the expansion of solar energy in San Diego, discuss its benefits, address misconceptions and identify ways to build a foundation for long-term solar growth.

Register for this event at
sdsolarenergysymposium2012.eventbrite.com

About CleanTECH San Diego | CleanTECH San Diego is a private, non-profit member organization formed in 2007. As one of the nation's premier cleantech cluster organizations, its mission is to position the region as a global leader in the cleantech economy. CleanTECH San Diego serves as a catalyst for a diverse group of stakeholders to advance a common agenda.
www.cleantechsandiego.org

About SEPA | The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar energy into their portfolio. From facilitating peer-to-peer interaction between utilities and the solar industry to hosting one of the industry's leading educational forums on utility solar, SEPA is the go-to resource for unbiased utility solar information.
www.solarelectricpower.org

Advocacy - Regional Transportation Plans Are Limited in Renewable Energy

2012-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has been tasked with creating "Sustainable Community Strategies" (SCS) under a law known as SB 375. SB 375 was enacted to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles and light trucks through integrated transportation, land use, housing and environmental planning. Using the regional GHG emissions reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), SCAG is tasked with developing a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), a newly required element of the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that sets a plan for meeting the GHG emissions reduction targets.

SCAG has drafted a Regional Transportation Plan that spans from 2012 to 2035. There's a tremendous amount of data and reporting going on. But, if you'd like, you can read the entire plan here. You can also visit the draft plan's page at this location - it's much easier to break it down into sections.

The bottom line is this: There is only one mention of renewable energy throughout the entire draft report.

Page 81 says "The [Preliminary Environmental Impact Report] also includes mitigation measures relating to energy designed to reduce consumption and increase the use and availability of renewable sources of energy in the region. Since these measures not only reduce energy consumption but also reduce GHG emissions they are addressed above under GHG."

Public comment ends on Tuesday, February 14. I would encourage everyone to fill out the public comment form in support of renewable energy.

SCAG had an Energy Working Group that was active in this issue up until 2007. Encouraging SCAG to bring back the Energy Working Group to help build some renewable energy infrastructure in Orange County and all of Southern California would be a step in the right direction.

For more questions or comments, please contact Mike Harmanos.

February Meeting Announcement: James Kao

2012-01-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

The next meeting of OC Renewables will be held on Thursday, February 9, 6:30 PM, at the Duck Club in Irvine.

Our speaker will be James Kao, Member of the Advisory Board of Power To The People. James is a city planner with experience in landscape architecture, urban design, smart growth, green building and sustainable communities. He currently works at the City of Signal Hill near Long Beach where he has begun coordinating development and implementation of a sustainable city plan. James holds a BS degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University and a Masters in Real Estate Development from USC. He is a lifelong outdoors and nature enthusiast with a passion for world culture, languages and adventure travel and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe. James is a proponent of developing sustainable communities powered by renewable energy here and abroad and is also a member of a dozen environmental advocacy organizations that focus on alternative transportation, urban forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental education.

We will also introduce the Board of Trustees for 2012 and talk about our plans for the upcoming year.

Hope to see you on Thursday the 9th at 6:30!

Holiday Party - Tuesday, December 6th

2011-12-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Once again, we will co-host our holiday party with Young Professionals in Energy - Orange County. The party will be held at the Red Chair Lounge in the Hyatt in Huntington Beach. The address is 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, HB, CA 92648.

The party will be on Tuesday, December 6th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.

RSVPs not necessary and it's a cash bar. We will also have a "white elephant" gift exchange, if you're interested. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming 2012 Officer Election

2011-10-06T10:34:00.001-07:00

We will have an election for all six OC Renewables members starting next week.

Voting is eligible to members of OC Renewables only. If you would like to vote, you may become a member by 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 27. Click here to join.

Members will vote on the following offices for the 2012 term:

President
Vice President - Events
Vice President - Membership
Secretary
Treasurer
Social Media and Publicity Director

You may find a list of all job descriptions for each office here.

Nominations will be taken from the floor at the October meeting next Thursday, October 13th.

Each member will receive a ballot by Friday, October 14.
Write in candidates are acceptable.
Ballots are due at noon on Thursday, November 10.
The winners will be announced at the November meeting.

Please contact Lori Greene if you have any questions.

October Meeting

2011-09-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Join us on Thursday, October 13 at 6:30 PM for OC Renewables next monthly meeting. Our Speaker will be James Campbell, Manager, Orange County Land Development & Renewable Energy Initiatives. His topic will be:

Green is the New Orange
Renewable Energy Initiatives underway by the County of Orange

James Campbell is responsible for several land entitlement and development projects, as well as the creation and implementation of renewable energy initiatives for the County of Orange. This includes the development and implementation of the County's AB811 program, which will allow residential and commercial property owners to finance solar and energy efficiency improvements through their property tax assessments (PACE). The County has selected a team headed by PFM to serve as the program administrator. James and his team are also responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy master plan to serve the County of Orange. The County has selected Navigant Consulting to assist with the plan and its initiatives. Additionally, James and his team negotiated a 4MW solar power purchase agreement with PsomasFMG to provide power to County facilities at a reduced rate over the next 20 years. Additional duties include the development of the County's 200 acres at the former Marine Corp Air Station El Toro in Irvine, CA, as well as, the entitlement and development of a 4,000 unit master planned community on the 1,658 acre "Greenspot" property. Both of these developments include potential renewable energy projects. James has been with the County since 1994, working previously for 3 members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors before joining the County in his current capacity.

Upcoming Renewable Events for October

2011-09-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMIT FREE SCREENING

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 6-9pm
Los Angeles Community College District Small Business Dream Center
811 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor - Los Angeles, CA 90017

You are cordially invited to a Community Impact Summit to launch So Right So Smart - Los Angeles, a program to promote the business case for sustainable business throughout Los Angeles. At this special event hosted by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) at the Small Business Dream Center, the green business community will come together to celebrate the life of Ray Anderson, screen the award-winning documentary So Right So Smart, and convene business and sustainability leaders to advance the So Right So Smart - Los Angeles program.

This event is FREE, but those attending are required to RSVP. Click here for more information or to register: http://sorightsosmartla.eventbrite.com/

IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT SITE TOUR AND PRESENTATION
Friday, October 21, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Irvine Ranch Water District - San Joaquin Marsh Campus
Next to the Duck Club in Irvine, CA

IRWD is an innovative urban water supplier, answering its water supply challenge with a comprehensive Recycled Water Program, addressing polluted urban runoff with Natural Treatment Systems, and managing its carbon footprint through a Green House Gas Reduction Plan.

Registration required; space is limited. Click here to register.

LOS ANGELES GREEN FESTIVAL

Saturday, Oct. 29, 10am-7 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 30, 11am-6pm.
LA Convention Center – South Hall G
1201 South Figueroa Street - Los Angeles, CA 90015

The nation’s premier green living event comes to Los Angeles . This year, Green Festival, a nonprofit event, celebrates a ten year milestone. This is a great place to increase your holiday sales! Reserve your spot at the Los Angeles Green Festival and get a 15% discount on your booth. To get this special offer call 828-333-9436 or exhibit@greenfestivals.org.

Click here for more information: www.greenfestivals.org

OC Renewables Election and Positions

2011-09-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

At the last meeting, Lori Greene announced that we would hold elections for a new Board of Trustees. Each position, responsibilities, and questions about the election are as follows:

Offices for Election

OC Renewables has the following positions available with the following responsibilities:

PRESIDENT
Make sure non-profit status is maintained in good standing
Serve as signatory on bank account
Liaise with ASES
Facilitate Board meetings
Oversee the “big picture” goals of OC Renewables - make sure the Board is hitting its milestones
Make sure that the organization adheres to the bylaws
Stay current on important policies in the field (e.g. state regulations)
Devise an annual operating budget and fundraising plan in conjunction with the Treasure and Development Director
Review membership guidelines
Make sure OCR is in full corporate compliance with federal, state, regional & city rules and regulations
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

VICE PRESIDENT – EVENTS
Maintain a database of potential speakers and activities for Chapter Meetings - solicit suggestions from other Board and OCR members
Manage Chapter meetings - we suggest a 2-month lead on speakers/activities
Provide the Social Media & Publicity Director have event information in a timely fashion so they can spread the word. Several publications need 3-4 weeks’ notice.
Coordinate any additional OCR events
Oversee Chapter Meeting venue

VICE PRESIDENT – MEMBERSHIP / DEVELOPMENT
Find incentives for businesses & individuals to join as local chapter members
Oversee fundraising campaign - whether this is an event, a membership drive
Help forge strategic alliances with other organizations & businesses (in consultation with President & other Board members)
Work with President and Board to come up with a fundraising plan
Oversee implementation of fundraising plan
Work with Events Director to plan fundraising events
Assume the duties of the President if the President is unavailable and if the office becomes unoccupied

SECRETARY
Organize regular Board meetings in consultation with President
Create agenda for Board meetings in collaboration with other Board members;
Maintain & distribute Board of Directors meeting Minutes
Keep corporate paperwork organized and up to date
Serve as signatory on bank account
Make sure OCR is in full corporate compliance with federal, state, regional & city rules and regulations
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

TREASURER
Provide monthly treasury reports at board meetings
Serve as signatory on bank account
Assist in procuring any necessary items
Make sure vendors get paid, maintain checkbook / accounting
Assist with annual government reporting & filing

SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY DIRECTOR
Write content for weekly e-newsletter
Update & maintain website with announcements of upcoming OCR activities, as well as follow-ups on previous meetings (summaries, photos, etc). May get the help from other OCR Board members in implementing these.
Moderate social media outlets - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Write press releases for the group
Place notices of monthly meetings & special events to community bulletins, local publications, etc
Look for and facilitate media placement
Keep log of press clippings
Make sure someone takes photos of events and other activities

Election Process

If you are interested in any of the above positions, contact Lori Greene to place your name on the ballot.
You must be a member of OC Renewables in order to run for office. If you are not a member, please become one today.

If you are a member of OC Renewables by Thursday, October 27, you will be eligible to vote in this election.

All Members of OC Renewables will receive a ballot by Friday, October 14, 2011. Voting is open until Thursday, November 10 at 11:59 AM Pacific.
Votes will be collected and tabulated on November 10th and announced at the OC Renewables meeting that evening.

Upcoming Renewable Events Around Orange County

2011-09-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

Upcoming events of note...

Thursday, September 22, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
AEE SoCal Annual Conferernce "Energy Risk: Keeping the Power On"
Association of Electrical Engineers (AEE) - So Cal Chapter
SoCalGas Energy Resource Center
9240 Firestone Boulevard, Downey, CA 90241

Monday, September 26, 6:30 PM
American Vacuum Society, Inc. Presents “Fuels from Sunlight”
dinner & presentation with CalTech professor Nathan Lewis
Il Fornaio Restaurant, Sorrento Room
24 West Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91103
Registration deadline is September 16th!
For more details, visit: www.sccavs.org

Wednesday and Thursday, September 28-29
South Coast AQMD Air Quality Technology Symposium
SCAQMD Auditorium
21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765
Attendance and exhibit space are free of charge.

September Meeting Wrap-Up

2011-09-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dr. Jack Brouwer, the Associate Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC) located at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) for his excellent presentation and questions about fuel cells on Thursday the 8th! The main highlight was Dr. Brouwer and the NFCRC's work a the world's first renewable, high temperature, fuel cell hydrogen, coproduct demonstration at the Orange County Sanitary District in Fountain Valley. In a nutshell, sludge and waste goes into a storage tank. The fuel cell generator takes the methane and uses chemical catalysts to split hydrogen atoms off of methane. The hydrogen is siphoned off to form 300 kilowatts of electricity and the remainder becomes the fuel coming out of the nozzle in the picture above for fuel cell-powered automobiles.

There is incredible innovation taking place right here in Orange County, and we are very thankful to have the quality of speaker like Dr. Brouwer join us and explain it's potential and uses. Thank you, Dr. Brouwer!

Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, October 13th. Speaker to be determined... but they have big shoes to fill.

Create A Sustainable Future With a Green Career

2011-09-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Cal State Fullerton University Extended Education wants to provide you with the skills to implement green practices in your career or business. Advancements are being made every day to make our world a greener place – and they can provide this specialized training through professional development courses conveniently offered in the evenings or on weekends. Most courses begin in September.

Five sustainability programs are being offered for Fall…
Applied Sustainability is designed to give participants an applied understanding of the concepts, practical knowledge and skills necessary for the adoption of sustainability practices. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to green.
If you already work in a construction or IT related field, your best fit might be to enroll in courses that focus on the sustainability aspects of your industry, choosing from: Green Building, Commercial Building Energy Audit, and Green Data Center Management. Cloud Computing and Emerging Technologies is also a part of our sustainability offerings – courses will be offered at a future date.

Questions? See the contact at the bottom of each program description page (links above).
Register ONLINE today: www.fullerton.edu/greencareers or call 657.278.2611.

University Extended Education
Cal State Fullerton
2600 Nutwood Ave., Suite 100
Fullerton, CA 92831

September Meeting and Reorganization

2011-08-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Exciting news ahead for OC Renewables!

First, join us at our next regular meeting on Thursday, September 8, 6:30 PM at the Duck Club. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Jack Brouwer, the Associate Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC) located at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Dr. Brouwer's topic will be Turning Waste Into Energy: Overview of Fuel Cells. At the NFCRC, Dr. Brouwer has overall responsibility of the management and operations of the center as well as the challenges associated with the development of this unique concept. The NFCRC is breaking new ground in the design and conduct of both a university center and a National Center. This, coupled with the extraordinary changes that are occurring with regard to electric restructuring and global climate requirements, is bringing focused attention of the world's community to high-efficiency, environmental-preferred energy generation options with fuel cell technology serving as the principal target.

Dr. Brouwer will speak to us about his last ten years of hard work bringing the sewage-to-hydrogen project online at the Orange County Sanitation District in Fountain Valley. The Fuel Cell Research Center recently posted the following: "Imagine being able to get the equivalent of 70 miles per gallon in your car, keep your home cool and power your computer – all from sewage. Thanks to technology developed by UC Irvine’s National Fuel Cell Research Center and partners, that’s now possible. Ten years of hard work, led by center associate director Jack Brouwer, has paid off in a cutting-edge project at the Orange County Sanitation District in Fountain Valley. A unique fuel cell generator simultaneously and continuously converts gas created in wastewater digesters to hydrogen used for zero-emission vehicle fuel, electricity and heat in a highly efficient manner.

“This will reduce smog and greenhouse gases and mean a better quality of life for Southern Californians,” says Brouwer, showing off the white generator box and shiny silver pipes across from a waste settling pond, along with a brand-new hydrogen fueling station. Starting this month, drivers of select hydrogen-run cars will be able to exit the 405 freeway at Euclid Avenue and fill up with converted sewage waste. Numerous major automakers have announced plans to commercially manufacture such vehicles by 2015. Using locally produced hydrogen will increase its supply and bring costs in line with other renewable energy sources.

Also, at this meeting, we will start the process for electing new officers to the Board of Directors. OC Renewables is at the point where we need to find the best, most persuasive case to promote renewable energy to Orange County and celebrate renewable energy success stories. If you think you have an idea, or are willing to make a contribution, this is your chance! Contact Lori Greene to find out more details about being a member of the Board and what Board members do.

See you on Thursday the 8th!

Summer Barbeque Wrap Up and Upcoming Events

2011-07-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those who attended last night's Summer Barbeque! Also, special thanks to Jay and Marquita Miller of the Sea and Sand Chapter of the Audubon Society for conducting a fine tour of the avian wildlife in and around the Irvine Ranch Water District grounds. We have an ecological gem here in the heart of Orange County!

There will be no monthly meeting in August. OC Renewables will kick off again on Thursday, September 8th. We will have a big speaker, networking opportunities, and a good discussion on the future of the OC Renewables chapter.

With that segue, we will select new officers at the September meeting. A job description for each spot will be available here on this website in the next few days. OC Renewables has a critical mass of individuals who promote renewable energy. Finding out the best, most persuasive case to promote renewable energy and taking it to all of Orange County is up to the next group of officers. If you think you have an idea, or are willing to make a contribution, this is your chance! Contact Lori Greene to find out more details about being a member of the Board and what Board members do.

July Barbeque and Meeting

2011-07-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

OC Renewables will hold it's regular monthly meeting on Thursday, July 14 at the Duck Club in Irvine.

We will host a barbeque with food (omnivore and vegetarian options) and soft drinks. The barbeque will start at 6:30 PM. The Sea and Sage Audubon Society of Orange County will provide a guided tour of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. That will start from the Duck Club at 6:00 PM.

You may bring your own food, if you'd like, or you may bring some for all and turn it into a potluck.

We look forward to a good time on Thursday!

No Meeting in June

2011-06-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

There will be no regularly scheduled monthly meeting this Thursday. Join us on July 14 for our annual summer picnic/networking event at the Duck Club in Irvine.

ASES Advocacy: Keep Funding for DOE's Loan Guarantee Program

2011-05-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Just when we were breathing a sigh of relief over the Dept. of Energy's Loan Guarantee Program for Renewables having survived the Congressional budget bloodbath, ASES hears that some worthy projects that were counting on it may well fall by the wayside.

DOE has informed dozens of loan guarantee applicants that their applications will be put on hold indefinitely. Unless applicants can start their projects and close their loan guarantees by September 30, they won't be considered for a guarantee under the program.

To date, DOE has committed nearly $30 billion in guarantees for 27 clean energy projects, representing some $40 billion in private investment. These projects will be responsible for the creation of tens of thousands of jobs over 21 states; they include utility-scale solar power plants in the southwest and solar manufacturing facilities in California, Colorado and Indiana. But now some 40 applications, representing $15 billion in investments and thousands of jobs, have been placed on hold; the companies involved have together spent millions of dollars to this point, preparing their applications.

To maintain and build on the success of the Loan Guarantee Program, and to ensure that as many viable clean energy projects as possible become reality, it's essential that the program be adequately funded through FY2012.

Can you send a message to the President and Congress, letting them know how much good this program does for jobs and our energy future? It's too good to be allowed to die.

How to send a message:

1) (Simplest way): You can go to the Solar Nation advocacy site and enter your ZIP code.

2) You can copy and paste the message below into any or all of the following links to send it to:

a) the President:
b) your U.S. Senators:
c) your U.S. Representative:

Message:

The Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program has enabled many vital renewable energy projects to obtain sufficient private investment to proceed; these include utility-scale solar power plants in the southwest and solar manufacturing facilities across the nation. It's a great example of a successful government program that is generating not only clean power but thousands of jobs for Americans.

The Department of Energy has now restricted loan guarantees only to those projects that can be ready by September 30, excluding dozens of worthy, viable clean energy projects from securing funding.

Please use your influence to provide appropriate funding to allow this successful program to continue. Good jobs and our energy future are hanging in the balance.

May Meeting Summary: SB 32 and Feed-In Tariffs

2011-05-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

Allison Arnold from Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA spoke with OC Renewables on Thursday, May 12. We had a good conversation about the implementation of SB 32 and the California Feed-In Tariff (FIT).

For a good summary of the passage and status of the FIT, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency's write up of SB 32.

Allison indicated that SB 32's FIT would be available through the publicly owned utilities until the combined statewide cumulative capacity of eligible generation installed equals 750 MW, up from 500 MW. The maximum size of a renewable energy system is increased to 3 MW.

The tariff itself - and the price referent for calculating the tariff - is where the fight is happening now. It's very complicated. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has made a recent ruling (October 2010) for guidance on how the California PUC can set this tariff. Allison mentioned the name of Kevin Fox, a lawyer, working on these issues. The most comprehensive article I could find regarding what it all means can be read here: What Utility Involvement in the Distributed Solar Market Means For the Future of the Solar Industry.

So now the FIT is legal, and under consideration by the CPUC. The proceedings can be followed on the CPUC website. We at OC Renewables will keep track of this issue in the near future.

Finally, some links to share that Allison brought up in her presentation:

The Los Angeles Business Council's two studies regarding proposed FIT's
1. Designing an Effective Feed-in Tariff for Greater Los Angeles
2. Bringing Solar Energy to Los Angeles: An Assessment of the Feasibility and Impacts of an In-basin Solar Feed-in Tariff Program

California Solar Statistics Site. The official public reporting site of the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

Volunteer on a GRID Alternatives solar installation crew! Help make the benefits of solar power accessible to low-income families while learning new skills and having fun outside.

Great meeting! See you on Thursday, June 9 at the Duck Club

May Meeting: "Selling Your Power to the Grid"

2011-04-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 12th
Speaker: Allison Arnold, Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Policy, Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA
Topic: "Selling Your Power to the Grid: The Latest on SB 32"
6:45pm Networking
7:00pm Speaker
Irvine Ranch Water District Duck Club
5 Riparian Way - Irvine, CA
** Enter off of Campus Drive (not Michelson) due to construction

FREE and open to the public!

In 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 32, establishing a feed-in tariff for renewable energy facilities up to 3 megawatts in size. The law allows renewable energy system owners to receive payment from the local utility for electricity fed into the grid at a (yet-to-be-determined) fixed price over 10-20 years. A similar law helped make Germany (a country with less average sunlight than Seattle) a world leader in renewable energy. If implemented successfully, the law would boost California's distributed renewable energy generation capacity by 750MW. Join us at our May OC Renewables meeting, where Allison Arnold, of solar products manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric, will explain how home and business owners can get paid for creating clean energy. You'll get an update on the rule-making process currently taking place at the California Public Utilities Commission, and find out how you can give your input as a stakeholder.

Allison Arnold, Solar Photovoltaic Division, Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Policy, Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA
Allison leads marketing, communications, and public policy for the solar photovoltaic products manufacturing business of Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA. She also heads the office Green Team, which helps employees adopt environmentally friendly practices at the company’s Cypress, California headquarters and in the community. Allison serves on a number of boards and committees in support of local and national deployment of photovoltaic technology, including the Board of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, the Executive Committee of the Solar Alliance, Grid Alternatives of Greater LA’s Advisory Council, and the Los Angeles Business Council. Prior to joining the solar industry, Allison worked in ocean conservation policy as a Program Officer for WWF in Wellington, New Zealand, and as a consultant to government agencies and environmental organizations in New Zealand and the U.S. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Systems from Stanford University and a Master of Environmental Studies degree from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar. During her career Allison has sought to advance policies that support environmentally sustainable technologies and policies..com

ASES, Sierra Nevada Brewery, and Five Thousand Dollars

2011-04-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

 We're so close to winning $5,000!
If you haven't already done it, sign the Sierra Nevada Earth Day Pledge today and then forward this email to all your friends and relatives. This will only take a minute and won't cost you a thing.

 It's a race to get the most votes and WE CAN WIN TODAY
 
 Earth Day Fundraiser for the Month of April

This Earth Day, Sierra Nevada is helping people get out for a good cause. For every person who takes an online pledge to get outside in April, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will donate $25 to the American Solar Energy Society. The organization with the most votes will receive $5,000. Click here and select ASES from the list of supporting organizations. 
 
Take the pledge today!
 
Please forward this email to your friends and colleagues or visit ASES' Facebook page and share the post with all your Facebook friends.
 
There has never been a better time than right now to make nationwide solar power a reality.

Earth Day Event A Success!

2011-04-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

The Earth Day event was a big success! Team OC Renewables had a lot of fun at Crystal Cove State Park. We opted to remove a rusty trail fence, and after completing what they thought would take until noon by 10:30am, we removed another fence!

Next time (2012?), we need OC Renewables T-shirts! (Groups from Home Depot & SCE had matching shirts)

Here is an article from the OC Register. Wendy was in our group:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/park-296725-volunteers-state.html

OC Renewables Meeting Is An Earth Day Volunteer Event!!!

2011-04-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 16

Friends and family invited to join the OC Renewables team for the annual California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day 2011 Restoration & Cleanup.

*Registration required*
*Update: One Location - Crystal Cove*

For Crystal Cove, contact:
Dr. Lori Greene, lgreene@ocrenewables.org
___________________

Crystal Cove
Saturday, April 16, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Volunteers of all ages are needed at Crystal Cove State Park on Saturday, April 16th for the 14th annual California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day 2011 Restoration & Cleanup. Projects include: removal and replacement of ½ mile of old rusty ranch fencing, planting coastal bluff plants and painting gates and curbs. Registration is required.
Location: Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. Check-in at Los Trancos parking lot (Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland at stoplight at Los Trancos).
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves, snacks
REGISTER: Dr. Lori Greene, lgreene@ocrenewables.org

Wind Powering America - Siting, Sizing, and Other Considerations for Distributed Wind

2011-04-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Wind Powering America - Siting, Sizing, and Other Considerations for Distributed Wind

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Small Wind Division hosted a webinar to provide a general overview of small wind technology and 12-step program for a small wind project, covering topics including zoning, interconnection, and the economics of small wind.

The presentation can be found on the Wind Powering America.gov website.