To read the full report, click here or read the report’s highlights below:

U.S. solar companies continue their trend of hiring faster than the overall economy, and remain optimistic about future growth. In fact, as of September 2012, the solar industry has grown to 119,016 solar workers—defined as those workers who spend at least 50% of their time supporting solar-related activities. This is up over 13% from the 2011 revised figures. Over the next 12 months, nearly 45% of solar firms expect to add jobs, while fewer than 4% expect to cut workers, yielding a 17% growth in employment. This finding is especially relevant given that the overall employment in the entire U.S. economy is projected to grow by only 1.5% over the next 12 months.

There are 119,016 solar workers in the United States, up from a revised 105,145 in 2011. This represents an overall growth rate of 13.2% since August 2011, which is nearly six times higher than the national average employment growth rate of 2.3% over the same period. This comparison indicates that since the release of Census 2011, one in 230 new jobs were created in the solar industry.

• Eighty-six percent of the nearly 14,000 new solar workers added since August 2011 represent new jobs, rather than existing positions that have added solar responsibilities.
• Installers added the most solar workers over the past year, more than offsetting declines in manufacturing. While this subsector is dominated by small firms, employment is growing most dramatically at larger firms, suggesting consolidation and maturation of the installation subsector.
• Solar employment is expected to grow by 17.2% over the next 12 months, representing the addition of approximately 20,000 new solar workers. Forty-four percent of all solar firms expect to add solar employees during this period.
• Employers from all of the solar industry subsectors examined in this study expect significant employment growth over the next 12 months, with nearly all of them projecting percentage job growth in the double-digits.
• Nearly half of installation firms expect to add solar workers in the next year, adding a total of nearly 12,000 jobs (a 21% growth rate year-over-year).
• Approximately 90% of those who meet our definition of a “solar worker” (those workers who spend at least 50% of their time supporting solar-related activities) actually spent 100% of their time working on solar.
• Over half of all firms (across all subsectors) generate 100% of their revenues exclusively from solar.
• Employers are increasingly less likely to span multiple subsectors, suggesting that firms are beginning to specialize.

Click here to read the formal comments.

Read the Petition

Presentations and Program Administrators’ Reccommendations

See the report here

Note that the terms and conditions of leases or power purchase agreements may vary among the providers of these financial arrangements. Customers should become familiar with the terms and conditions of the agreements and ask questions if something is not clear. Any understanding you reach should be made in writing.

It is typical that the leasing or PPA company will retain ownership of the tax credits, depreciation value, rebates (if available), and environmental attributes of the solar system.

Remember to check the contractors’ license for all companies offering to perform work on your home: www.cslb.ca.gov.

Consumer Disclosure Requirements Affecting Solar Leases and Power Purchase Agreements

The Consumer Leasing Act requires meaningful and accurate disclosures of costs and terms to consumers so they may compare proposals to lease or finance personal property for their household use. The State of California does not have its own Consumer Leasing Act , but California Public Utilities Code 2869 specifies consumer disclosures regarding solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Federal Consumer Leasing Act and Regulation M

Regulation M, issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, implements the Consumer Leasing Act (Act). The Act and Regulation M apply to consumer (residential) leases if the leasing period is longer than four months and the lessee’s total contractual obligation (defined below) does not exceed $25,000, regardless of whether the lessee has the option of purchasing the personal property at the end of the lease term.
The total contractual obligation is not based on the value of the leased property. Instead, it is the sum of all lease payments plus all nonrefundable amounts the contract obligates the lessee to pay to the lessor. Residual value amounts, purchase-option prices, and amounts collected by the lessor but paid to a third party (such as taxes) are not included in the calculation.

On July 21, 2011, the dollar amount specified as the exemption threshold from the Consumer Leasing Act increases from $25,000 to $50,000. In addition, the exemption threshold will increase annually based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). For example, if the CPI-W increases by $1,000 (as reported every June 1) the exemption threshold would increase by $1,000 on January 1 of the next year.

The Act and Regulation M do not apply to power purchase agreements or leases with non-residential customers (such as, agricultural, commercial, governmental, or industrial lessees). They also do not apply to credit sales, in which the consumer will own the leased property at the end of the contract term after paying a nominal sum.

Regulation M Disclosure Requirements

When Regulation M applies, companies are required disclose all of the terms and costs of the deal they are offering. Before signing a lease, the consumer must be given a written, dated statement disclosing what they would pay or may have to pay. Customers must also be told about any upfront money they have to pay, such as a first monthly payment, a refundable security deposit, a last-month’s payment, a capitalized cost reduction (like a down payment), freight or destination charges, or state or local taxes.

Lessors must also inform their customers about how many lease payments would be made, how much each payment would be, when the payments would be due (including grace periods), and whether penalties would be imposed for late payment or default. The written statement must show the total costs (that is, what the upfront, closeout, and during-the-lease-term payments would add up to). The Consumer Leasing Act also limits the amount of “balloon” payments owed by the customer at the end of the lease.

The leasing company must also disclose other requirements, such as whether the consumer must take out a certain type or amount of insurance. If the personal property has a warranty, the leasing company must inform the consumer what the warranty covers and for how long. In addition, the consumer must be told who is responsible for providing warranty service.

At the end of the lease, the customer may have the option of returning the used equipment to the lessor or purchasing it. Before signing the lease agreement, the customer must be told whether and how the leasing company will assess wear and tear and whether the customer might have to pay extra for excessive wear and tear. (Wear-and-tear standards must be “reasonable.”). There is no provision specifying which party pays for building repairs when equipment is removed.

If the customer has a lease that allows the used property to be purchased at the end of the contract, the leasing company must provide in writing under what circumstances the customer may buy the property and what the cost will be. “Lessors must disclose the purchase-option price as a sum certain or as a sum certain to be determined at a future date by reference to a readily available independent source. The reference should provide sufficient information so that the lessee will be able to determine the actual price when the option becomes available. Statements of a purchase price as the “negotiated price” or the “fair market value” do not comply with [Regulation M’s disclosure] requirements.” Leasing companies must disclose whether they will charge an additional purchase-option fee to cover their costs of selling the leased equipment to the original lessee.

State-Required Disclosures from Independent Solar Energy Producers

Sections 2868 and 2869 of the Public Utilities Code mandate specific disclosures to residential customers, who lease solar equipment or purchase electricity from independent solar energy providers. The law applies to all solar leasing companies, regardless of the lease term or total cost of the lease. It also applies to solar energy companies installing equipment on residential property through power purchase agreements (PPAs). The following is a list of the required disclosures:

• Good faith estimates of the kilowatt-hours (kWh) to be delivered by the solar energy system and the price per kWh of that delivered solar electricity.
• “Plain language” explanations of:

1. Terms under which the pricing would be calculated over the life of the contract,
2. Operation and maintenance responsibilities of the contract parties,
3. Contract provisions regulating disposition or transfer of the contract if ownership in the residence transfers,
4. Costs or potential costs associated with the disposition or transfer of the contract, and
5. Disposition of the solar energy system at the end of the contract term.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) may require independent solar energy producers to disclose other information to consumers or to the CPUC, itself, as a condition of receiving ratepayer-funded incentives. In addition, the CPUC can compel companies to provide copies of “all contracts for the sale of electricity … for use in a residential dwelling…”

This State law also requires independent solar energy producers to disclose existence of the residential lease or PPA to the County Recorder. Specifically, a “Notice of an Independent Solar Energy Producer Contract” must be filed within 30 days of signing the agreement against the title of the real property on which the electricity is generated and against the title of any adjacent real property on which the electricity will be used. At a minimum, the filed notice must state:

“This real property is receiving part of its electric service from an independent solar energy producer that has retained ownership of a solar electric generation system that is located on the real property. The independent solar energy producer provides electric service to the current owner of this real property through a long-term contract for electric service.

The independent solar energy producer is required to provide a copy of the contract to a prospective buyer of the real property within ten (10) days of the receipt of a written request from the current owner of this real property.”

If the solar energy system is located on adjacent property, the notice must state instead:

“This real property is receiving part of its electric service from an independent solar energy producer that has retained ownership of a solar electric generation system that is located on an adjacent real property. The independent solar energy producer provides electric service to the current owner of this real property through a long-term contract for electric service. The independent solar energy producer is required to provide a copy of the contract to a prospective buyer of this real property within ten (10) days of the receipt of a written request from the current owner of this real property.”

Other information that must be disclosed to the County Recorder includes:

The address and assessor’s parcel number of the real property against which the notice is recorded.

• The name, address, and telephone number of the independent solar energy producer, and any other contact information deemed necessary by the independent solar energy producer.
• A statement identifying whether the contract is a contract for the sale of electricity or for the lease of a solar energy system, and providing the dates on which the contract commences and terminates.
• A plain language summary of the potential costs, consequences, and assignment of responsibilities, if any, that could result in the event the contract is terminated.

The independent solar energy producer must also file another notice when the contract is voided, terminated, sold, assigned, or transferred or when it transfers its obligation under the contract or changes its contact information.

Once the contract is terminated, the independent solar energy producer must record a subsequent document with the County Recorder “extinguishing the Notice of an Independent Solar Energy Producer Contract from the title to the real property on which the electricity is generated, and from the title to any adjacent real property on which the electricity was used.”

Lastly, if the solar lessee or PPA customer is attempting to sell his or her house while the contract is still in effect, the independent solar energy producer must provide a copy of the existing contract to the prospective buyer upon written request by the lessee or customer.

References
i 15 U.S.C. 1667-1667f, see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/1667.shtml et seq.
ii California Civil Code Section 2985.7 resembles Regulation M, but it only applies to vehicle leasing.
iii See definition of “total contractual obligation” at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=035fd7cea3f1594d3df0888bd5e6ec25&rgn=div9&view=text&node=12:2.0.1.1.14.0.5.10.27&idno=12.
iv The date when the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which amended this provision of the Consumer Leasing Act, becomes effective.
v Amendments to Regulation M, implementing the Dodd-Frank Act, are underway now. See http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-31530.pdf.
vi See definition of “credit sale” at http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode15/usc_sec_15_00001602—-000-.html. These types of financial transactions are subject to disclosure requirements in Regulation Z, which implements other provisions of the federal Truth in Lending Act. See disclosure requirements under Section 226.18(j) at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=c9973866e7ab6aad1df3878281241496&rgn=div8&view=text&node=12:3.0.1.1.7.3.8.2&idno=12.
vii For more compliance details, see Supplement I to Part 213—Official Staff Commentary to Regulation M at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=035fd7cea3f1594d3df0888bd5e6ec25&rgn=div9&view=text&node=12:2.0.1.1.14.0.5.10.27&idno=12.

The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) released a study on Feed in Tariff (FIT) pricing showing that the value of renewable generation is between 5 and 12 cents per kWh over the wholesale price of electricity from natural gas, a fossil fuel. This additional value is based on the environmental, transmission, and reliability values of adding renewable generation to California’s electricity supply. CALSEIA is the largest solar industry trade association in California, representing more than 200 solar companies doing business in California. Sue Kateley, Executive Director of CALSEIA, said, “These attributes are beneficial to ratepayers. Currently, the only rate that the utilities will pay for local renewable generation is 9 cents per kWh, which has the effect of zeroing out the added value of renewable generation. SB 32 corrects this by authorizing the California Public Utilities Commission to include these values when it sets the rates for local renewable generation.”

Senator Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino), the author of SB 32, welcomed the study. “The Commission needs to take action now to implement SB 32,” said Negrete-McLeod. “There’s no reason to delay and plenty of important reasons to move ahead. My district has a vast supply of empty warehouse roofs that can support solar power generation, and many people who are looking for work. The Feed in Tariff will help to bring clean power to California and jobs to people who need them now.”

Bernadette Del Chiaro, Director of Energy Policy for Environment California said, “This study further proves the need to build more clean energy generation in California. California needs to meet its long-term environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals through encouraging solar projects within our communities. It is critically important that the CPUC act now to implement the FIT.”

Dan Geis, spokesman for the Agricultural Energy Consumers Association added his support to FITs, “The agricultural industry sees this as a major step forward in reducing the barriers to developing small renewable projects in California. The CALSEIA study shows that there is an excellent opportunity to build solar and biogas projects quickly in an equitable way for ratepayers.”

California organizations supporting the implementation of Feed in Tariffs include the Environment California, the Sierra Club, the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology, The California Building Industry Association, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, the California bio-energy providers, Sustainable Conservation, and the FIT Coalition.

Sue Kateley said that, “This report demonstrates a clear way to establish Feed in Tariffs in a sensible way and will create thousands of jobs for electricians, laborers, designers, engineers, and administrative personnel, which would be a welcome relief to California’s jobseekers.  We look forward to working with the Commission and the state’s utilities to get this done this summer. There’s no reason to delay what will be a major benefit for this state.”

“Feed-in tariffs have proven to be the most effective policy instrument to support solar energy development,” said Dan Martin, senior vice president, SEMI PV Group, the global trade association serving the photovoltaic supply chain. “The report makes a strong case for implementing existing state legislation with meaningful rate incentives that will encourage fair and responsible outcomes for all energy stakeholders in California.”

The CALSEIA study follows the recent report issued by the Los Angeles Business Council, which reached similar conclusions to the CALSEIA study and recommended that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power move forward to implement a FIT. The LADWP has already proposed a FIT and is expected to initiate the program later this year. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District implemented a FIT in January 2010 and sold out 100MW of FIT contracts on the day it opened.

Kateley adds, “The SMUD FIT demonstrated that with the right policy mechanism, the market will respond. No new transmission lines were involved in these projects, saving ratepayers millions of dollars and years of delays in bringing new solar projects on line.”

A copy of the report is available to download here: pv-above-mpr-methodology-final-20100423

This report is the first of its kind in valuing the attributes of solar water heating. This report calls attention to the fact that Solar Water Heating, for every forty cents invested provides up to $3.45 in benefits in California. Major findings are:

• Natural Gas Use Reduction. Californian use 5 billion therms of natural gas for water heating – 38% of all of the residential natural gas consumed each year in California (a ‘therm’ is roughly equivalent to 29 kilowatt-hours). When AB 1470 is implemented California will save 26 million therms of natural gas every year with merely 200,000 solar water heaters – roughly equivalent to 1 megawatt of electricity. If the use of Solar Water Heating is expanded to 1.75 million installations, California will save 1.2 billion therms per year. This higher volume was included in one of the proposed AB 32 measures. AB 1470 is a critical building block to the larger goal.

• Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction. When AB 1470 is implemented, California will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 0.14 million metric tons. Solar water heating also provides reductions of 600 pounds per day each of lung-damaging PM2.5 and NOx emissions, as well as other unhealthy emissions. Solar water heating is part of the solution to addressing Climate Change and help reducing public health costs from harmful emissions.

• Job Creation.  200,000 Solar Water Heater installations will require up to 32 hours of labor per installation. The statewide median annual wages for (i) a solar installation manager ($50,000-$72,800/year), (ii) an experienced solar thermal installer ($52,000/year), (iii) an entry level solar thermal installer ($31,200/year), (iv) solar designer or engineer ($50,00-$83,200/year), and (v) a solar representative or estimator ($40,000-$62,400). Solar water heating creates good paying jobs that will be spread throughout communities in California.

• Lagging the rest of the World. In a survey of 48 countries, the United States is last in its use of solar thermal solar thermal (including Austria, Germany, China, Taiwan, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, and Switzerland).

Environment California, sponsors of AB 1470, summarized the benefits of solar water heating to California:
“In addition to building for more solar electric power systems in California, there is an equally urgent need to develop the other most promising solar technology: solar hot water technologies. ”

Solar thermal technologies can bring many benefits to California. Simple solar hot water systems available today can cut natural gas usage up to 50% per home or business. When combined with energy efficiency measures and solar electric systems, California can build “zero energy buildings” where the home or business displaces all their energy needs with solar technologies.

Solar thermal technologies have tremendous potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce air pollution. According to a study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, equipping 75% of U.S. buildings and homes with solar thermal technologies by 2015 would cut more than 300 million tons of CO2 pollution each year and at some of the lowest costs. To put this number in context, it is roughly twice the annual global warming pollution reductions to be achieved by California’s landmark global warming bill of 2006 (AB 32). “

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY.  A typical solar water heating system consists of a 40 square foot panel mounted on the roof, a storage tank for the solar-heated water, a low-speed pump, and a controller to activate energy collection. Some systems are configured in a manner that places the storage tank above the solar panel, which eliminates the need for a pump. The solar panels and systems are rated for performance and durability by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation, and independent testing organization. Solar Water Heating Systems qualify for Energy Star Ratings.

TAX CREDITS. Solar Water Heating systems are eligible for both commercial and residential solar tax credits. The IRS tax credit is 30% of the cost of the system. The maximum credit for residential systems is $2,000.

LOCAL REBATES IN CALIFORNIA. The Center for Sustainable Energy adminsters a program that provides a rebate up to $1500 (www.sdenergy.org). This rebate is available in San Diego and in Santa Clara. In Sacramento, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (www.smud.org) provide a $1500 rebate. All programs have particpation requirements for performance and reliability.

to download the complete report, click on this link: CALSEIA Solar Water Heating Value