Assembly Bill 811
Loan Program Boosts Solar Technology Through Collaboration
Capturing an increasing share of the sun’s energy in Southern California was part of the message of a Feb. 9 conference at UCR to promote the benefits of Assembly Bill 811.
Alfredo
A. Martinez-Morales, Managing Director of Southern California Research
Initiative for Solar Energy (SC-RISE) said AB811, which offers low interest
loans to stimulate the use of solar panels and other sustainable technologies, is
a prime example of policies that need to be adopted.
Incentives and greater public awareness of the economic and environmental benefits are essential to realize SC-RISE’s goal of the widespread adoption of affordable solar technologies, Martinez-Morales said.
Education through outreach, curriculum development, technology demonstrations and workforce development are other important ingredients to a successful solar scenario in Southern California, he added.
Like AB 811, SC-RISE plans to be a nexus for local government, utilities, technology companies, contractors and public to find common interests for the common good. “In this case we want end-users to feel and know that they are doing something that is of benefit not only to them but also to society as well,” Martinez-Morales added.
The other essential driver of affordable solar energy, new technologies, is also on the agenda for SC-RISE which has recruited more than a dozen scientists and engineers who are actively conducting solar research, especially at the materials levels, he concluded.