BILL ANALYSIS
AB 426
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Date of Hearing: April 28, 2003
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON UTILITIES AND COMMERCE
Sarah Reyes, Chair
AB 426 (Richman) - As Introduced: February 14, 2003
SUBJECT : State Water Project: solar panels.
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
establish a program allowing private entities to lease space
above the State Water Project (SWP) conveyance facilities for
solar panels. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires DWR to establish a program to authorize private
entities to lease space above SWP conveyance facilities deemed
appropriate for the installation of solar panels used to
generate electricity.
2)Authorizes DWR to impose charges that cover only the actual
cost incurred to implement the program.
EXISTING LAW provides for DWR operation of the SWP.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
SWP extends more than 660 miles and includes 33 storage
facilities, 20 pumping plants, 4 hydroelectric plants, and 4
pumping-generating plants. SWP originates on tributaries of the
Feather River and extends down the Sacramento River, through the
Delta and San Joaquin Valley and over the Tehachapi Mountains
into Pyramid and Castaic lakes in Southern California. SWP
supplies drinking water to 22 million Californians, and
irrigation water for 750,000 acres of farmland.
Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems convert some of the
energy in sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are made
primarily of silicon, the same semiconductor material used for
computers. When the silicon is combined with one or more
materials, it exhibits unique electrical properties in the
presence of sunlight. Electrons are excited by the light and
move through the silicon. This is known as the PV effect and
results in direct current electricity. PV modules have no
moving parts, and have a working life of 20-30 years.
AB 426
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Author's statement
The author states that it has been the policy of the state to
maintain a diversified energy portfolio in order to minimize
risk during periods of volatile fuel prices. Technological
advances have increased overall efficiencies and lowered costs
of solar technology, and solar power is available when it is
needed at peak demand periods, during daylight hours.
The author believes that many miles of SWP's open canals and
pipelines could be suitable for the deployment of solar
electricity generating facilities. A secondary benefit
mentioned would be to reduce evaporation from the canals and
attract investment and jobs to the state.
Opposition
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) opposes this
bill. ACWA states that the placement of solar panels above SWP
conveyance facilities will interfere with the operation and
maintenance of those facilities. Further, ACWA believes that
the placement of these solar panels would compromise SWP system
security measures. ACWA suggests that there are multiple other
locations owned by the State that would be more appropriate for
the placement of solar panels such as placement on the roofs of
state buildings where there is easy access to the electrical
distribution grid.
Support
The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CAL SEIA)
states that this bill would make available space in areas of the
state where the best solar resource in the U.S. exists. CAL
SEIA notes that the California Aqueduct runs directly through an
area near Barstow where the existing Solar Electrical Generating
Systems are currently producing 350 megawatts of solar generated
electricity, and that this area has the highest solar resource
in the entire world, making it an ideal location for installing
PV systems.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Independent Energy Producers
AB 426
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California Solar Energy Industries Association
Opposition
Association of California Water Agencies
Analysis Prepared by : Paul Donahue / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083