Meeting Notes from March 5, 2012

Posted by on Mar 7, 2012 in Meetings | 0 comments

*UPDATE 3/9/2012: TheHayride.com’s incorrect article and LSES’ response have been posted to the website here.

*UPDATE 3/7/2012: No renewable energy related bills have been pre-filed for the legislative session yet.

March, 5 2012

ATTENDEES:

Henry Denham

Jeff Shaw

Emily McCalla

Colin Breaux

Dick Ehrlicher

Marisa Bussen

Mathew Newman

Rick Rodriguez

Paul Farkas

Herb and Lois Sumrall

Thomas Bennett

Morgan M. Watson

Barry Meyer

Beau Dingler

Niels deHoop


QUICK LINKS FROM MEETING TOPICS:

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FACEBOOK:

INSURANCE ISSUE:

  • It was brought up in a previous meeting that insuring solar may be a problem.  After a thorough survey of SolarPros, it was determined that no real issue exists.  Therefore, LSES will not be pursuing this issue further.

SOLAR TOUR:

 

DISCUSSION TOPICS:

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR CUTS OF SOLAR SUBSIDIES:

  • Clyde Holloway is the Public Service Commissioner for District 4 which covers the following parishes:
    • Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Evangeline, Grant, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion, Vernon
    • Clyde Holloway sent out a letter on 2/15/2012 calling for the Louisiana Legislature to Cut Solar Subsidies
      • Read Holloway’s letter here: http://www.lses.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/scan0021.pdf
      • Jeff Shaw sent a response letter explaining how Holloway’s statement is flawed.
        • Read Jeff Shaw’s response letter here: http://www.lses.org/resources/tax-credits/solar-tax-credits-in-jeopardy/
        • Holloway’s explanation of net metering is completely off.
        • Contrary to Holloway’s statement, solar net metering actually helps lower ALL ratepayers electricity
        • Also, Louisiana is not a “moderate solar state” as Holloway stated.  Louisiana receives the second highest sun exposure in the country (5 hours per day annual average).
        • LSES would like to organize a letter writing campaign to Commissioner Holloway to stop the cut of solar subsidies!  If you think this needs to happen, please email emily@lses.org and state your concern.
        • People from District 4 especially need to write to Holloway concerning this issue.
          • Find mailing and email addresses for Clyde Holloway here: http://www.lpsc.org/district4.aspx
          • Foster Campbell is the Public Service Commission Chair, and an article from TheHayride.com entitled “Foster Campbell’s First Time With the PSC Gavel and How Solar Power is Screwing You” was brought up in the meeting.  This article talks about Holloway’s statement and Campbell’s position on the issue.
            • Read the article here: http://thehayride.com/2012/02/foster-campbells-first-time-with-the-gavel-and-how-solar-power-is-screwing-you/
            • MANY things in this article are incorrect.  LSES will soon be posting this article on the website with a response to the incorrect information.  Look for this in the NEWS section of lses.org.
            • It was mentioned in the meeting that LSES could write a letter to the Advocate and possibly have a representative talk on the Jim Engster Show concerning this issue.
            • There was a request to check if any bills concerning solar are prefiled for the upcoming term.  LSES will look into this and post an answer on the website.

REVIEW OF THE LSES “IMPACT STUDY OF SOLAR TAX CREDIT” REPORT:

DISCUSSION ON ANY INTERESTING EXPERIENCES WITH BAD SOLAR INSTALLATIONS:

  • Jeff Shaw talked about his articles
  • “They Put it Where? Inexperienced Solar Installers Have No Clue!”
    • Read article here: http://www.gulfsouthsolar.com/company-information/they-put-it-where/
    • Examples:
      • Some installations were abandoned before completion
      • Putting solar under shade trees or on north side of roof
      • Homeowners buying their own solar equipment then paying an inexperienced installer to set it up
      • Two systems looping with each other
      • Incorrectly installing own grid tie inverter
      • Bad electrical work
      • A shade analysis and PV watts report is needed to receive solar tax credits:  How did these bad installations get through?
      • Suggested that a “Common Sense” fact sheet about installing solar should be posted on website

 

OPEN DISCUSSION:

  • No real restrictions on becoming a Solar Installer
    • The class is a start, but it is not enough to learn everything about solar
    • After solar in Louisiana continues to grow for a while, perhaps an apprenticeship program for solar installation should be put in place
    • PV watts report program is downloadable.  LSES should put a link to this on website along with a “Do these things before going solar” list.
      • Follow this link and click on Louisiana to calculate PVWatts: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/
      • Idea of a RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR was brought up.  GREAT IDEA! LSES would love to start something like this involving all of our SolarPros and any other interested parties.  Email emily@lses.org to state your interest!
      • Getting solar shingle guy from DOW to talk at LSES meeting in June or July
      • APRIL 22: Louisiana Earth Day
        • Link to Earth Day site: http://laearthday.org/
        • Morgan M. Watson: Sheriff from Pearl River County in Mississippi contacted him concerning a solar project for the 475 bed prison there similar to the St. Helena Parish project!  Looking for funding for this project!


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