Latest Updates
Apr 16, 2012
kW Engineering Sol#1 final project webinar
IEP Model
Date: Monday, April 23, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Devan Johnson of kW Engineering will be presenting the webinar. The IEP team has been funded by the CPUC's California Solar Initiative (CSI) to develop an Integrated Energy Project (IEP) Model to standardize and integrate the data underlying energy efficiency upgrade and the decision to add solar. The IEP Model introduces a common language to project stakeholder software applications - it provides a comprehensive, standardized definition of an EE/DR+PV project, as well as how stakeholders can communicate between each other about that project. This aims to simplify and streamline the process, reduce time and costs for both the consumer and contractors, produce a better ROI for both, and remove a key market barrier for the adoption of both EEM's and solar energy.
More information on the project:
- http://www.calsolarresearch.ca.gov/Funded-Projects/solicitation1-kw-engineering.html
- http://iepmodel.net/
Register for the webinar now
Apr 6, 2012
Clean Power Research Sol#1 project - webinar on Apr 10
Advanced Modeling and Verification for High Penetration PV
Tom Hoff, president of Clean Power Research, will present several key findings from the company's CSI RD&D Solicitation #1 research project, "Advanced Modeling and Verification for High Penetration PV." The purpose of the grant project was to generate enhanced resolution irradiance data and make available new PV fleet power output simulation methodologies to help utilities and ISOs evaluate the impact of high-penetration PV to their distribution systems. As a result of these new data resources and PV fleet output capabilities, the project team was able to quantify the reduction in output variability that results from geographically dispersed PV systems, allaying some of the concerns associated with variability caused by high-penetration PV. These findings, in combination with high-speed PV fleet output tools, provide planning benefits at both the transmission and distribution levels, enable utilities and ISOs to more easily perform grid integration studies, and hold the promise for cost-effective prediction of short-term output forecasting of PV system performance.
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM PDT
Webinar recording and presentation
Feb 2, 2012
CPUC announces CSI RD&D Solicitation#3 Awardees in Draft Resolution
The CPUC released Draft Resolution E-4470, which recommends seven grant recipients of the CSI Research, Development, Demonstration, & Deployment Program's Third Solicitation. This solicitation focused on grid integration of photovoltaics, improved production technologies, and innovative business models.
Parties may submit comments on the Draft Resolution no later than Wednesday, February 22, 2012. This Resolution will be on the March 8th, 2012 Commission meeting agenda.
A complete text of the Resolution may be found below:
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/COMMENT_RESOLUTION/158790.htm
Jan 30, 2012
Expected Solicitaiton#3 Award Announcement
The CPUC expects to announce the Solicitation 3 awards in a DRAFT Resolution in early February.
Jan 10, 2012
DOE SunShot Initiative releases Requests for Information on:
- Plug and Play Technologies (due 1/31/2012)
- Improving Accuracy of Solar Forecasting (due 2/3/2012)
Solar Forecasting Workshop
Location: Tucson, AZ
Date: Feb 10, 2012
Agenda
The DOE Solar Program is identifying ways to address solar forecasting during this half-day workshop. It is open to industry, national laboratories, and university partners. The workshop follows the UWIG Workshop on Variable Generation Forecasting Applications to Utility Planning and Operations.
Those interested in attending should This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Aug 12, 2011
Solicitation#3 Q & A
The questions and answers for Solicitation#3 are now available here .
Aug 2, 2011
Solicitation#3 Pre-bid Webinar
The presentation and attendee list from the pre-bid webinar are now available for download.
July 14, 2011
Third Grant Solicitation Released
The California Solar Initiative is pleased to announce the release of its Third Grant Solicitation for the RD&D Program.
Solicitation Summary
Up to $12 million in funding is available through this solicitation, with $9 million allocated to fund grid integration projects and up to $3 million available to fund smaller projects in the areas of production technologies and/or business development and deployment. Any individual, business, public entity, non-profit institution, university, or national laboratory is eligible to apply for funding. A minimum of 50% match funding is required for each project.
Key Dates
Pre-bid webinar - Aug 2, 2011 10 am PDT
Deadline to submit questions - Aug 2, 2011
Questions and Answers posted by - Aug 12, 2011
Proposal Submission - Sept 1, 2011 by 4 pm PDT
Important links
- Download Solicitation document here
- Register for pre-bid webinar https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/615749846
- Submits Questions http://www.calsolarresearch.ca.gov/Current-Solicitations/submit-your-questions.html
- Submit Proposals http://www.calsolarresearch.ca.gov/Current-Solicitations/submit-proposal.html
More details on Third Solicitation Webpage
June 9, 2011
Request for Comments on DRAFT Third Solicitation
The draft of the third CSI RD&D Grant Solicitation is now available for review and comment. All comments should be submitted through the website using the online comments form.
- Download the PDF of the draft solicitation document.
- For information on the current solicitation click here.
- To submit comments, click here.
- Last Day that Comments will be accepted: June 28, 2011
Draft Solicitation Summary
Up to $12 million in funding is available through this solicitation, with $9 million allocated to fund grid integration projects and up to $3 million available to fund smaller projects in the areas of production technologies and/or business development and deployment. Any individual, business, public entity, non-profit institution, university, or national laboratory is eligible to apply for funding. A minimum of 50% match funding is required for each project.
March 31, 2011
Presentations and Webinar Recording available!
DOE/CPUC High Penetration Solar Forum
held March 1-2, 2011 in San Diego, CA
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are partnering to address the technical challenges facing the industry in integrating high penetrations of solar energy into the grid.
The DOE/CPUC High Penetration Solar Forum, on March 1-2, 2011, brought together industry experts to present demonstration and modeling projects simulating high penetrations of solar. These projects are either funded through DOE's High Penetration Solar Deployment award and/or the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (RD&D) Program.
High Penetration Solar Forum 2011
January 5, 2011
Save the Date
DOE/CPUC High Penetration Solar Forum
March 1-2, 2011
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are partnering to address the technical challenges facing the industry in integrating high penetrations of solar energy into the grid. Please reserve March 1-2, 2011, on your calendars for the DOE/CPUC High Penetration Solar Forum. Industry experts will be coming together to present on interim findings of current demonstration and modeling projects simulating high penetrations of solar. These projects are either funded through DOE's High Penetration Solar Deployment award or the California Solar Initiative's RD&D solicitations.
Event: DOE/CPUC High Penetration Solar Forum
Dates: March 1-2, 2011
Location: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
Registration: Event registration will open in January 2011.
As part of this unique partnership, DOE and CPUC have developed a Web site designed to facilitate communication around the latest solar grid integration news, events, industry working groups, codes and standards development, and more! The High Penetration Solar Portal will be launched at the DOE/CPUC Solar Forum.
Visit the High Penetration Solar Portal to sign up to receive e-mail updates and information about both DOE/CPUC collaborative efforts and the High Penetration Solar Forum.
September 2, 2010
CPUC Approves Grant Awards from Second CSI RD&D Solicitation
The CPUC today approved nine grants totaling up to $14.6 million in funding for the CSI RD&D Program's second grant solicitation, which focused on improved PV production technologies and innovative business practices. These nine grant recipients are expected to have matching funds of over $13 million for their projects from other funding sources.
Read the CPUC Press Release
Final Resolution
Funded Solicitations
August 3, 2010
CSI RD&D Second Solicitation Draft Resolution
The CPUC is proud to release Draft Resolution E-4354, which recommends nine grant recipients of the CSI RD&D Program's Solicitation #2. This solicitation focused on two areas: improved PV production technologies and innovative business models. The grants will be voted on at the September 2, 2010 Commission meeting.
The CPUC was very pleased with the volume and quality of funding requests received under this solicitation. Congratulations to our recommended recipients!
July 29, 2010
First Solicitation Funded Projects--Grid Integration
Summary pages are now available that provide information about the eight projects funded under the first solicitation. Each page includes deliverables and contact details, and the information will be updated throughout the life of the project.
Full list of the projects with links to their summary pages.
March 15, 2010
CPUC Approves Grant Awards from First CSI RD&D Solicitation
The CPUC has released Resolution E-4317, which approves eight grant recipients of the CSI RD&D Program's first grant solicitation. The grants were approved in the March 11, 2010 Commission meeting.
February 23rd, 2010
Reply comments due on First Solicitation Recommended Awardees.
February 16, 2010
Second Grant Solicitation submission period closed at 4pm.
January 29, 2010
CSI RD&D First Solicitation Recommended Awardees Announced
CPUC Draft Resolution E-4317 approves eight winning grant recipients of the California Solar Initiative Research, Development, Deployment and Demonstration (RD&D) Program's first solicitation. This solicitation focused on grid integration of photovoltaic energy.
Comments are due February 18th, 2010. Reply comments are due February 23, 2010.
The process for commenting is described in the Draft Resolution Comment Letter.
December 29, 2009 - CSI RD&D Second Grant Solicitation – DEADLINE EXTENDED The deadline to submit proposals has been extended to
FEBRUARY 16, 2010 by 4:00 p.m. (PST).
(The original deadline was January 13, 2010).
December 7, 2009 - Questions & Answers about Second Solicitation document posted. (updated 01/15/2010)
November 18, 2009 - Second Solicitation Pre-Bid Webinar Held
Itron held the pre-bid webinar for the CSI RD&D program's second solicitation. The webinar was very well-attended, with over 100 participants.
Download the Pre-Bid Presentation (PDF) (revised 11/19/2009)
Download the List of Attendees (PDF)
Watch the Webinar Recording
November 9, 2009 - First CSI RD&D Program Strategy Workshop Held
Itron, as Program Manager for the CSI RD&D, conducted the first Program Strategy Workshop on behalf of the CPUC. The purpose of the workshop was to:
- Provide an overview of the goals and objectives of the CSI RD&D Program
- Provide a status on activities conducted to date on the program
- Compare the program status against the goals and objectives
- Obtain feedback
Download the Program Strategy Workshop Presentation (PDF)
Reference document: CSI RD&D Adopted Plan (PDF)
November 4, 2009 – Second Grant Solicitation Released
The California Solar Initiative is pleased to announce the release of its second Grant Solicitation for the RD&D Program. This second solicitation focuses on improved PV production technologies and innovative business models.
Key Dates:
Pre-Bid Webinar: November 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. (PST)
Deadline for Questions: November 18, 2009
Deadline for Grant Proposals: January 13, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. (PST)
Deadline Extended to: February 16, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. (PST)
Useful Links:
Read a Summary of the Second Grant Solicitation
Download the Second Grant Solicitation Document (Word 2003)
Submit Proposal
October 12, 2009 - Comments due for draft Second Grant Funding Solicitation.
September 25, 2009 - Draft Second Grant Funding Solicitation released for public comment.
August 24, 2009 - Proposals due for First Grant Funding Solicitation.
July 24, 2009 - Questions about the First Grant Funding Solicitation were submitted prior to an information webinar held on July 24th. A "Questions and Answers" document summarizing these questions and the webinar questions and answers is available here.
July 8, 2009 - First Grant Funding Solicitation released.
June 2009 - First Draft Grant Funding Solicitation released for public comment.
Febuary 28, 2011
Program and target area factsheets
