Page 246 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

216 CALIFORNIA SOLAR INITIATIVE PROGRAM

TABLE 8.4 CSI PBI AND EPBB TARGETED ENERGY PAYMENT AMOUNTS

ALLOTTED EPBB PAYMENT/WATT($) PBI PAYMENT/WATT ($)
TRIGGER STEP MW RES. COMM. GOV. RES. COMM. GOV.

1 50 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2 70 $2.5 $2.5 $3.25 $0.39 $0.39 $0.50
3 100 2.2 2.2 2.95 0.34 0.34 0.46
4 130 1.9 1.9 2.65 0.26 0.26 0.37
5 160 1.55 1.55 2.30 0.22 0.22 0.32
6 190 1.10 1.10 1.85 0.15 0.15 0.26
7 215 0.65 0.65 1.40 0.09 0.09 0.19
8 250 0.35 0.65 1.10 0.05 0.05 0.15
9 285 0.25 0.25 0.9 0.03 0.03 0.12
10 350 0.20 0.20 0.70 0.03 0.03 0.10

platforms, system size, shading conditions, tilt angle, and all the factors that were dis-
cussed in previous chapters. On the other hand, the PBI incentive is strictly based on
a predetermined flat rate per kilowatt-hour output over a 5-year period. Incentive pay-
ment levels are reduced automatically over the duration of the program in 10 steps that
are directly proportional to the megawatt volume reservation (see Table 8.4).
As seen from Table 8.4, rebate payments diminish as the targeted solar power pro-
gram reaches its 3000-MW energy output. The main reasoning behind downscaling
the incentive is the presumption that the solar power manufacturers will within the
next decade be in a position to produce larger quantities of more efficient and less
expensive photovoltaic modules. As a result of economies of scale, the state will no
longer be required to extend special incentives to promote the photovoltaic industry by
use of public funds.

Expected Performance-Based
Buydown (EPBB)

As mentioned earlier, the EPBB is a one-time, upfront incentive that is based upon a
photovoltaic power cogeneration system’s estimated or predicted future performance.
This program is targeted to minimize program administration works for relatively
small systems that do not exceed 100 kWh. As a rule, factors that affect the compu-
tations of the estimated power performance are relatively simple and take into con-
sideration such factors as panel count, PV module certified specifications, location of