SMUD Stalls "PV Pioneer" Program

Higher than anticipated industry costs for photovoltaic panels together with funding and budgeting shortfalls have forced the

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to delay new PV installations under its “PV Pioneer” program. SMUD’s recent allocation of $4.4 million (and potentially $1.9 million more) to the program will allow the continuation of all existing contracts. Begun in 1993, the PV Pioneer program has been responsible for over 750 PV system installations atop residences and other buildings in the Sacramento area. SMUD’s Distributed PV System generates 8 million watts of power. SMUD remains committed to the goal of providing 20% of its customer’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2011.