SOLAR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE

Lighting the Way With Creation's Original Remedy

May 15, 1998

Doug Long, Administrator
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

SUBJECT:

OFFICICIAL ADVISORY & REQUEST FOR INCLUSION OF DEMAND-SITE CONSUMER
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY INFORMATION BE INCLUDED IN LAST PACKET OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED TO CONSUMERS BY CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILTIES COMMISSION via DDB NEEDHAM

"The Cardinal principle of etiquette is thoughtfulness." Emily Post

Potential Benefits Of Including Demand-site Consumers In CPUC Mailer:

  1. 20 Million plus consumers of electricity in California will learn about the potential of demand-site consumer technology they may purchase and realize their right to grid-connected service of consumer-owned demand-site technology for their electricity needs.
  2. At a potential dollar a piece savings, $20 million dollars of public education opportunity will be accomplished with only cost to state of typing, printing and distributing one-page flyer in existing mailer.
  3. Americans have stated their commitment to renewable technology and demand-site technology in polls and Earth Day activities for twenty years while actual US coal consumption has doubled. Inclusion of demand-site technology information and related consumer guidance and incentives in the CPUC mailer will alert consumers that the CPUC and utilities are finally capable and serious about providing and enforcing timely grid-connection and related services. Inclusion will increase demand-site consumer knowledge and confidence.
  4. Net metering is an important incentive that most California consumers have a right to get further information about this incentive and who has a right to use it, today.
  5. Inclusion of demand-site consumers in the CPUC mailer will provide related consumes the confidence to challenge unfair business practices, dysfunctional equipment, faulty installations, as well as rights and responsibilities in net metering.
  6. With this demonstrated support by the CPUC of demand-site consumer technology and services, needed manufacturing activities may be accelerated to improve the aesthetics and integration of solar electric building materials within the construction industry.
  7. The Million Solar Rooftops In USA By 2010 Program will be mentioned directly to over 20 million electricity consumers in California where they now have the right to purchase and install solar rooftops systems as their choice in electricity generation. With this demonstration of formal support by the CPUC, related public service announcements will be volunteered by local radio and TV stations. Americans can cooperatively achieve this deployment program endorsed by the President of the United States to an international audience in 1997. The potential $10 billion dollars of commerce that will evolve through this program can be directed with a long-term vision to technology development and enhanced manufacturing methods in a competitive marketplace.
  8. The 20 million flyers will reach many electricity consumers who do not have access or know how to utilize the Internet. Thereby, allowing a broader venue for equal access.
  9. This mailer will allow American citizens to be more knowledgeable about their choice of demand-site consumer electricity, and thereby more confident and responsible.
  10. Increased understanding of demand-site electricity technology and increased consumer confidence will increase potential success for related retail and design businesses. Financial support will become available to meet a timely accelerated market demand.
  11. Such deployment acceleration will advance the technologies in the US and around the world. This will result in increased consumer use of clean, quiet, safe and the recycling of related electricity generation infrastructure as well as new advances in semi-conductor research and technology.
  12. This will not only advance US position as a world leader in demand-site technology, but it will increase US autonomy, security and reduce dependence on outdated fuels.
  13. This open and comprehensive inclusion of all consumer choice will actually perpetuate a new era of open decision-making toward constructive US leadership in the world increasing world confidence in our nation and reducing crime and violence around the world.


    Carlisle House With Photovoltaic Rooftop