I'm curious what you guys think of this plan.

- - - - - - - - -

March 12, 2009
Solar Energy Jobs Initiative
by Michael Mellish, Consultant

http://tinyurl.com/d5hhr3

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/03/solar-energy-jobs-i\
nitiative?cmpid=WNL-Friday-March13-2009

In February, the U.S. Congress passed an ~$800 billion "Stimulus" package that
the administration said would create 2 million new jobs, stimulate the economy
and reduce the suffering of those who have already lost their jobs in this
economic downturn. Critics say that the package has failed in all of these
measures. Now what?

(snip) The majority of problems in America are solved when working Americans
have jobs that allow them to pay their bills, receive employer supported health
care and add value to the American economy.

The problems in America soar when unemployment rises and Americans can no longer
pay their bills, loose their health care and become a drag upon the economy.
(snip)
I propose a Solar Energy Program that would accelerate the path of America's
progression toward carbon free renewable energy. This program would target the
conversion of America's commercial & industrial flat rooftops into distributed
power generating stations.

The Solar Energy Program would have Congress set aside US $50 billion in
no-interest 15-year loans for the construction of a slew of 250-kW rooftop power
stations. (snip) Note that these are loans, not grants or giveaways.

The $1 billion should fund at least 1,000 250-kW rooftop installations in each
state, creating 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power generating facilities in each
state. This is equivalent to one-half of a typical coal-fired power plant so in
total, the entire program would create the equivalent of 25 new coal-fired power
plants. Consider this a serious down payment on carbon footprint reduction in
the United States.

The 250 kW size is a function of program efficiency (only 1,000 projects for
each state to manage) and making the projects suitable for as many state
contractors (solar system designers/installers) as is practical. (snip)

To maximize the number of U.S. jobs created, some basic rules should apply:

All solar modules should be produced from solar cells manufactured in the U.S.
and solar modules assembled in the U.S. The goal is to stimulate U.S. job
production, not foreign countries. (snip)

All inverters should be produced in the U.S. and should have a warranty
consistent with the federal loan guarantee program (15 years). (snip)

The application process should be simple but must ensure that loans only flow to
real projects. (snip)

All projects should have a clear lien of the federal government to ensure
repayment of the loan. (snip)

Payment of the federal loan should be made in stages to avoid help cover the
project costs without having money disappear into failed or ill-managed efforts.
Some basic ideas would be:

Initial payment of 10% upon state approval and completion of electrical design
(signed off by AWJ) and signed PPA. Approval should also require the solar firm
to be bonded to the full cost of the project ($1 million) such that in the event
of failure, the bond payoff will allow another firm to be hired by the state to
complete the project.

Payment of next 50% upon purchase of U.S. manufactured approved materials (solar
panels, inverters, racking, and wiring). Invoices must support proof that money
has been spent.

Final payment of 40% upon acceptance of system, connection to grid, and start of
electrical generation at full design rate.

The goal must be to ensure that funds flow smoothly to keep projects moving,
that state administration of the program is manageable but that the funds don't
get wasted or lost in failed or poorly managed projects.

The Solar Program could be passed by Congress and put into operation in as
little as 90 days in states with existing Solar Programs. Solar firms could
begin generating rooftop proposals while the states get set up to administer the
program and there is little doubt that the first installations would be underway
within six months.

This is a program that WILL create "Green Jobs" (snip)

Michael Mellish is a Process & System Consultant with 30 years of experience in
Power Quality & Energy Management, Substation Automation & Electrical
Distribution, Off Shore Oil & Gas Platforms, and Manufacturing Execution
Systems. Michael is a Graduate of the University Of Lowell with a B.S. in
Chemical Engineering in 1978.