Feed-in tariffs: feeding hope for survival

Making a market for solar in Eugene, Oregon

Posted by JMG (Guest Contributor) at 1:30 PM on 15 May 2007

Read more about: energy | solar voltaic power | Oregon

Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) offers to buy solar power produced by customers at 15 cents/kWh.

For story: Feed-in tariffs: feeding hope for survival
7 Comments | Post a Comment

I was actually

I was actually just in Eugene over the weekend reading up on this.

Until reading the article I wasn't entirely sure what the difference between a feed-in tariff and a direct buy-down would be.

They mention that the large advantage of the feed-in tariff is that it promotes people to produce more electricity than they use.

It also promotes panels, equipment, and setups which are actually effective at harvesting sunlight.

I can see why Germany and Japan have had so much success with feed-in tariffs.

Also in a podcast interview with Tom King the CEO of PG&E (Northern California's Utility) I remember hearing that they were looking into either feed-in tariffs, or maybe it was netmetering with the advantage of getting more money past the breakeven point.

http://www.svmg.org/campaigns/ceoshow/podcasts/5.01.07CEO ...[KLIV].mp3

-David Ahlport

by GreyFlcn at 6:24 PM on 15 May 2007

Hrmm

Bad link

Podcast Interview with PG&E CEO, Tom King

-David Ahlport

by GreyFlcn at 6:26 PM on 15 May 2007
[ Parent ]

Is This A Good Deal?

Would you rather have 15 cents a kWh or $3 a watt rebate with net metering? I think I would rather the rebate and the net metering.

by ffletcher at 12:40 PM on 16 May 2007

Depends

Yes, well, wouldn't that depend on how you've structured your net metering program, whether there is a monthly charge to participate in it, how much insolation you were likely to get where you were, etc. For example, Michigan's so-called net metering tariff (which, surprise!, has no takers) actually requires the customer to pay for and install an entire second meter .... like a kid with spinach and potatoes on the plate, can't let those electrons touch, you know

The 5% Project

by JMG at 5:06 PM on 16 May 2007
[ Parent ]

Net Metering California Style

At least one meter installed to read the net usage of the residential customer with that meter and any other meter installed at the cost of the utility. No additional charge, hell there is no additional cost, it is just a meter read.

I think this form of net metering with a nice rebate is the way to go. I am surprised how few people take advantage of this program here in California.

by ffletcher at 8:46 PM on 16 May 2007

I'm not suprised

I am surprised how few people take advantage of this program here in California.

I'm not.
Silicon solar panels aren't yet cost effective.

But this next wave of CIGS thinfilm panels in 2008 should change the game.

http://www.greyfalcon.net/pv

-David Ahlport

by GreyFlcn at 9:03 PM on 16 May 2007
[ Parent ]

Ummmm

My math regarding the summer rates for power in the Palm Springs area is not in my post and with that the associated pay back.

In any case, I was out in the Palm Springs area today looking more into that with the local utility. The reason it does not fit in is that with the rebate a customer must sign up for time of use service. As the rebate is capped that makes the deal uneconomic.

This kind of makes the rebate deal ineffective.

by ffletcher at 5:02 PM on 17 May 2007

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