By Miriam Raftery

Photo: rooftop solar, CC via Bing

January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unveiled a proposal on December 13 that would take away most financial incentives for homeowners or businesses to install solar power.  But after backlash from outraged consumers and elected officials, the CPUC has postponed action.

Learn about key details to legally claim your tax credit next year

East County News Service

Image via Pixabay

August 2, 2019 (San Diego) - The solar investment tax credit has proven to be one of the most important federal policy mechanisms to incentivize clean energy in the United States and it is scheduled to sunset in the coming months. Those who have yet to go solar are now rushing to take advantage of this federal incentive before it reduces in 2020, then disappears shortly after.

By Maryanne Jackson. Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My spouse and I will be getting a substantial refund this year from our income taxes.

We both agree that the refund should go into improving our home. We really want to install a solar system. Is this an improvement that would get us a good return on our investment?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

--Jannine S. Crest, CA.

Two proposed solar projects have been revived under new owners

By Paul Kruze

Photo: Map shows site of Boulevard Solar, one of the two former Soitec projects back in the planning pipeline.

September 22, 2017 (Boulevard) -- Boulevard, CA is a small rural community located about 50 miles east of downtown San Diego on Interstate 8,  nary half-an-hour to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.  While residents – a mix of retired people and younger people who work in San Diego but want to experience rural living – are able to experience the best of both worlds, the stark realities of modern life do punctuate the overall quiet and serene quality of this hamlet.

This was apparent at the Sept. 7th meeting of the Boulevard Planning Group, where the dominant topic was the main threat to the area’s rural atmosphere – the development of alternative energy projects, including the revival of two former Soitec Solar projects now moving forward under new ownership.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 19, 2016 (Jacumba) - The County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a permit Wednesday to build a solar farm in Jacumba that could generate enough electricity to power 5,000 homes.

Proponents and County staff said the plant fit the guidelines of the County’s general plan, would help the region meet state goals of producing one-half of all electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

$3 million+Saved by customers installing solar panels

Source: SDG&E

April 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Over the last eight months, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) says it has helped nearly 3,000 private solar customers collectively save more than $3 million on the costs to go solar. August 2015 was when SDG&E first announced its Renewable Meter Adapter invention, a technology that was developed as an alternative for expensive and time consuming electric panel upgrades that are often required to accommodate solar.

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – In 2012, we reported on a potentially promising new technology to build roadways out of glass capable of producing solar power.

By Miriam Raftery

December 20, 2012 (Boulevard) –Soitec Solar has applied for amendments to the Boulevard Community Plan in order to build for commercial/industrial-scale solar projects totaling 8,938,000 square feet  (over 1,400 acres) of  concentrating solar PV. The “super modules”, each 30 feet tall, would track the sun to produce renewable energy.  The largest of the projects, Rugged Solar, is proposed for property owned by Hamann Companies of El Cajon.

At a meeting with county staff in Boulevard on December 18, about two dozen people braved cold and stormy weather to attend.  “None of the local property owners supported the projects,” Boulevard Planning Group Chair told ECM after the meeting.  “They were in shock when I distributed copies of the attached photos.”