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PG&E Recognized for Solar Efforts By Solar Electric Power Association

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company has again been recognized for its support of solar energy with an award from the Solar Electric Power Association. This is the second time in two years that PG&E has received SEPA's Solar Business Achievement in the category of public awareness and industry leadership. This is also the first time SEPA has honored any company with a "repeat" award.

"PG&E's solar programs are arguably stronger this year than last," said Julia Judd, SEPA executive director. "In addition, PG&E demonstrated its leadership by supporting legislation for the California Solar Initiative, including an increase to the state's net metering cap, a concept that would have been opposed by many 'traditional' utilities. PG&E serves as an excellent role model for other utilities."

"For years PG&E has been promoting solar energy as a source of renewable power and a means for our customers to manage their energy bills," said Tom King, chief executive officer of PG&E. "Supporting solar is one of the many ways we can delight our customers by delivering sources of clean renewable power. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in doing what is the right thing to do for the environment."

PG&E has interconnected more than 13,000 customers with solar generating systems to the power grid -- representing more than 100 megawatts and more than any other utility in the nation. In just the past 24 months, PG&E has interconnected nearly 4,000 customers representing 35 megawatts of solar power. PG&E has also provided more than $150 million in rebates to nearly 300 solar customers through the utility's self-generation incentive program, which helps offset the cost of installing solar and other forms of clean, on-site generation such as wind and fuel cells.

PG&E is hosting the Solar Power 2006 conference being held in San Jose from October 16 to 19. King made introductory remarks to welcome over 4,000 conference attendees.

Also happening today at the conference, PG&E will announce the 2006 winners of the PG&E Solar Schools Program, which provides a 1.3 kilowatt solar generation system and the Bright Ideas solar education curriculum, made possible by a $20,000 grant to each winning school. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) presented PG&E with an award for its Solar Schools Program at the conference on October 16th.

For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company's efforts in providing clean green energy, please visit our website at http://www.pge.com/environment

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

CONTACT: PG&E News Department, +1-415-973-5930

Web site: http://www.pge.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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