BILL ANALYSIS
Bill No: AB
1881
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Edward Vincent, Chair
2001-2002 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
AB 1881 Author: Pescetti
As Introduced: February 4, 2002
Hearing Date: June 11, 2002
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
Solar Energy Systems: solar thermal energy
DESCRIPTION
AB 1881 makes solar "thermal" technologies eligible for
certain requirements that mandate the installation of solar
energy equipment on all new state buildings and parking
facilities. Specifically, this measure makes the following
changes to Chapter 10 of the Statutes of the 2001-02 Second
Extraordinary Session:
1. Modifies the definition of feasible to require
installation of solar energy equipment if there is
adequate space "adjacent" to a building in addition to on
a building.
2. Requires that the "value of stable energy costs" be
considered when evaluating cost effectiveness of proposed
projects.
3. Expands the definition of solar energy equipment to
include "solar thermal technologies."
4. Declares that this bill will not be operative until SB
82xx becomes operative, to avoid any chaptering out
issues.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law, SB 82xx (Murray) Chapter 10 of the Statutes
AB 1881 (Pescetti) continued
Page 2
of the 2001-02 Second Extraordinary Session, which will
become operative 91 days following the adjournment of that
session (Adjournment Sine Die May 9, 2002), requires the
Department of General Services (DGS), in consultation with
the State Energy Commission, to ensure that solar equipment
(that produces electric energy) is installed, no later than
January 1, 2007, on all state buildings and state parking
facilities, where feasible.
Existing law also mandates that solar energy equipment be
installed where feasible as part of the construction of all
state buildings and state parking facilities that commences
after December 31, 2002.
For purposes of Chapter 10, it is feasible to install solar
energy equipment if adequate space on a building is
available and if the solar energy equipment is
cost-effective. Chapter 10 also defines "cost-effective,"
"local publicly owned electric utility," and "solar energy
equipment."
BACKGROUND
The author's office indicates that in the past year,
California has been very aggressive in promoting renewable
energy through a number of energy programs administered by
the California Energy Commission. Solar electric systems
have received special attention because of their clean
energy appeal with virtually no operating costs.
SB 82xx (Murray), mandated that, where, feasible, solar
energy equipment must be installed on state buildings and
parking facilities beginning December 31, 2002. According
to the author's office, SB 82xx failed to include "solar
thermal technologies" within the definition of solar energy
equipment. This measure is intended to include solar
thermal technologies in the definition of eligible
technologies for use on state-owned buildings. In
addition, this measure adds language to SB 82xx to allow
solar equipment to be installed "adjacent" to a state
building, not just "on" a state building.
The author's office notes that solar technologies for
heating water and state-operated swimming pools are
cost-effective in virtually every application - frequently
returning the initial investment from energy savings in
from 2 to 4 years. The author's office emphasis that this
AB 1881 (Pescetti) continued
Page 3
measure will ensure that state investment in solar energy
technologies can include highly cost-effective solar
thermal technologies in addition to photovoltaic (PV)
systems.
SUPPORT: As of June 7, 2002:
California Solar Energy Industries Association (sponsor)
Sierra Club California
Clean Power Campaign
Offline Independent Energy Systems
Gray Panthers California
OPPOSE: None on file as of June 7, 2002.
DUAL REFERRAL: Senate Energy Committee
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
**********