Trying to be Energy-efficient

Rebates and tax credits are not enough to motivate people to commit to solar panels or energy-efficient windows, doors and appliances. Most Encino residents I talk to about solar panels are waiting for costs to come down or the technology to improve. For our house it would be 10-20 years before we break even. Look around Encino and how many solar panels or house upgrades do you see? Some, but not many… and this is one suburb that can afford it.

So what would get people to commit? Feed-in tariffs are the right way to go - they have boosted solar in Italy, Germany and other countries in a massive way and should be expanded here - finally the LADWP is beginning to look at them again. They would require LADWP to buy solar power generated by residents, businesses and public organizations. If LADWP does go down this path, and I hope they do, they need to make it appealing to homeowners and commercial property owners, finding investment mechanisms and incentives that will work. The burden of this energy generation would likely fall on commercial and public properties but homeowners could get in the action too.

An alternative scenario may be found in northern California, where PG&E have now announced a deal with SunRun, a solar panel installer. PG&E finances it and SunRun installs panels on houses and then they jointly sell electricity back to the homeowner. The panels belong to PG&E and Sun Run and it follows a previous deal between PG&E and SolarCity.