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To: jacq who wrote (3362)	3/19/1999 4:35:00 PM
From: WALT REISCH	Respond to of 8393

Ceremonies Highlight Benefits of New National Solar Program March 18, 1999 6:52 PM SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 1999--The growing demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts sunlight directly into clean electricity, was highlighted yesterday in a ceremony held at the Santa Clara County Electrical Training Center (SCETC) commemorating the graduation of 24 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' (IBEW) journeymen from a new training course designed to help implement President Clinton's "Million Solar Roof Program." Last December, the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee and United Power Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia entered into a partnership to train 26,000 members of IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association to meet the goal of installing one million PV arrays on rooftops across the U.S. by 2010. The ceremony also commemorated the installation of a 4 kW PV array at the SCETC, the second in what will be a series of installations at California union facilities and halls throughout the year. "PV technology is real world stuff," said Ron Raymond, SCETC training director. "And union electrical workers have to get prepared. We were told back in 1996 that if union electrical workers don't get into this new technology soon, we'd be behind the curve." PV technology is changing the nature of electricians' work, as this new cutting edge technology is integrated into building materials such as roofs, windows and walls -- therefore requiring electricians to learn new technical skills. In related news, the largest industrial solar array, consisting of 448 PV panels generating 127 kW of clean electricity, was dedicated last month at the Bentley Mills facility in the City of Industry. Acquired by Interface, Inc. in 1993, whose chief executive officer Ray Anderson is a leading proponent of sustainable development, the Bentley Mills plant now features a PV array that is part of the company's effort to become the world's first completely zero pollution company. "More than replacing a small percentage of the electricity that powers this plant every day, this is a pivotal event in our company's history," said Anderson. "It's a stake in the ground where we can begin important research and development on the potential of solar energy to power our industrial operations worldwide." Yet another promising development in California's PV market is an effort by the City of Arcata, in Humboldt County, to install up to 100 PV arrays on the rooftops of local residents. A vote to move forward with the residential PV program is scheduled for March 23; it is expected that a Request For Proposals for PV systems would be released sometime in May. "We want to become a one stop shopping center for folks who want solar power," said Connie Stewart, Arcata councilwoman. Such a bulk purchase approach could bring the price down for local residents, she said. Already, the City has enlisted Humboldt Bank to finance all of the PV projects. "We want to make it as easy as possible for local residents to join the program," she added. A California Energy Commission program can offset up to half of the cost of a PV installation with ratepayer funds authorized by AB 1890, California landmark restructuring law. "All three of these promising developments show that there is a role for small clean, distributed renewable energy systems in California's deregulated power market whether one is a union, an industrial facility or a local government," said Lori Jablonski, of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT). "The CEC program is instrumental in making all three of these projects happen because it offers a variety of state consumers to get great deals on solar power not tomorrow, but today," she said. CONTACT: CEERT Lori Jablonski, 916/442-7785 18:37 EST MARCH 18, 1999 BW0294 MAR 18,1999 15:37 PACIFIC 18:37 EASTERN