BILL NUMBER: AB 415	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  612
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 7, 2013
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 7, 2013
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 25, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 24, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 3, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Garcia

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2013

   An act to amend Section 2864 of the Public Utilities Code,
relating to solar energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 415, Garcia. Solar energy: water heating.
   The Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 requires the
Public Utilities Commission, in consultation with the State Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Commission, to establish
eligibility criteria for solar water heating systems receiving gas
customer funded incentives under the act. The act requires the
criteria to include eligibility requirements for residential solar
water heating systems or solar collectors used in systems for
multifamily residential, commercial, government, nonprofit,
educational, or industrial water heating systems, as specified.
   This bill would revise those eligibility requirements to require
the solar water heating systems or solar collectors be certified by
accredited listing agencies in accordance with standards adopted by
the commission, and would specify that the commission may adopt
consensus solar standards applicable to products or systems as
developed by accredited standards developers.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 2864 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   2864.  (a) The commission, in consultation with the Energy
Commission and interested members of the public, shall establish
eligibility criteria for solar water heating systems receiving gas
customer funded incentives pursuant to this article. The criteria
should specify and include all of the following:
   (1) Design, installation, and energy output or displacement
standards. To be eligible for rebate funding, a residential solar
water heating system shall be certified by an accredited listing
agency in accordance with standards adopted by the commission. Solar
collectors used in systems for multifamily residential, commercial,
government, nonprofit, educational, or industrial water heating shall
be certified by an accredited listing agency in accordance with
standards adopted by the commission. Energy output of collectors and
systems shall be determined in accordance with procedures set forth
by the listing agency, and shall be based on testing results from
accredited testing laboratories.
   (2) Require that solar water heating system components are new and
unused, and have not previously been placed in service in any other
location or for any other application.
   (3) Require that solar water heating collectors have a warranty of
not less than 10 years to protect against defects and undue
degradation.
   (4) Require that solar water heating systems are in buildings or
facilities connected to a natural gas utility's distribution system
within the state.
   (5) Require that solar water heating systems have meters or other
kWhth measuring devices in place to monitor and measure the system's
performance and the quantity of energy generated or displaced by the
system. The criteria shall require meters for systems with a capacity
for displacing over 30 kWth. The criteria may require meters for
systems with a capacity of 30 kWth or smaller.
   (6) Require that solar water heating systems are installed in
conformity with the manufacturer's specifications and all applicable
codes and standards.
   (b) Gas customer funded incentives shall not be made for a solar
water heating system that does not meet the eligibility criteria.
   (c) The commission may adopt consensus solar standards applicable
to products or systems as developed by accredited standards
developers.