A.M. Greenlist: Solar procrastination and other Cali news

>> Too many Californians are not actually installing solar systems after signing up to get rebates. "More than one in eight homeowners and businesses that signed up for lucrative state solar power rebates have dropped out without installing a system, leaving $9 million in "stranded" incentives trapped in the California Solar Initiative program." This means new people who sign up -- and actually install a solar system -- will qualify only for smaller rebates. (via Treehugger)

>> The top 5 coolest green building products, as voted on by 679 home-building professionals. A  tankless water heater tops the list. (via Jetson Green)

>> The California Energy Commission gave $1 million to San Francisco to build a grease-to-biodiesel facility, expected to be completed this December. Some private biodiesel producers aren't happy about it.

>> The next Green Business Networking event happens from 6-9 p.m. tonight at the Ambrose Hotel, 1255 20th St., Santa Monica. Cover's $10; free wine and organic appetizers once you're in.

>> Missed the L.A. River Ride on Sunday? Damien Newton at Streetsblog LA has a pictorial recap. Ride vicariously.

Photo by Mike Spasoff via Flickr

Comments

[KateNonymous]

We want to install solar when we get our own place. Thankfully, we have friends who have already gone through the process--which is Byzantine at best. In L.A. there are multiple entities that need to sign off on the installation, and the city has hired a miniscule number of people to handle that office. Because we know this, we're prepared to stick with it when the time comes, but I can see why it would be disheartening if you didn't know that in advance.

All things considered, I'm not surprised that people are giving up, even when they're pro-solar. It's just not that easy in this area.

[sheila]

San Francisco and Berkeley both offer fantastic financing for people who want solar: they lend you all the money, charge a modest interest rate, and you pay it back by adding $1,000 to your property tax bill (so it's tax deductible!).

Since LA is ready to destroy the entire Joshua Tree area with their power plants and power lines, then how come nobody is demanding that they try the SF system first, to see if they can get some serious coverage?

Right, because they are greedy and want us all to have to keep paying them more and more forever. Well, is that ok with everyone? if not, then call your city councilman and tell them you want Green Path stopped and you want that $550 million put into a fund to finance home PV and wind systems...