California's Statewide Self-Generation Incentive Program - What Has Been Consumer Response To Date And Is It Cost-Effective?

摘要

California has initiated over the last several years' two major programs funded by electric ratepayers that are designed to promote the distributed generation market, while simultaneously expanding the market for commercialized renewable technologies. These programs include, the $100+ million Emerging Renewable Buydown Program administered by the California Energy Commission since 1998, and the recently implemented $500 million Self-Generation Incentive Program, sponsored at the direction of the California legislature (AB 970) and the Public Utilities Commission. This paper presents key findings from the second-year process and impact evaluations of the Self-Generation Incentive Program targeted at the nonresidential market segments. While this paper provides an overview of the four-year $500,000,000 incentive Program's accomplishments through the end of its second year, it also addresses the key experiences of participating host customers and the third-party providers of solar photovoltaic (PV), fuel cell, microturbine and internal combustion engine cogeneration systems. The results discussed will help guide electric consumers, supply channel stakeholders, distributed generation program administrators and utility and state policy decision makers regarding needed improvements to the program design and the implementation process. We also provide a brief review of the Program's average incentive costs that have been (or are expected to be) paid out to the applicants associated with the 72 operational projects as of December 31,2002.