To use the program . . . Enter your zip code (or leave it blank for a list of cities). Select the desired program version. Press the logo to start the program. Once the program loads, select the system and/or system components to be considered. DETAILED INFORMATION IS BELOW! Repeat above steps to evaluate different systems.

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Welcome to the Clean Power Estimator

The Energy Commission is making this cost estimating program available for use by retailers and potential residential customers of photovoltaics and small wind generating systems.

Before getting started you should have the following information ready:

1. A copy of your electric utility bill, or know your rate schedule.

2. Details about the generating system (or systems) you are considering purchasing, including the total estimated cost.

3. Your annual cost of electricity.

4. Ideas about how you plan to pay for or finance the generating system.

What is the Clean Power Estimator?

Clean Power Estimator^TM is an economic evaluation software program the California Energy Commission is licensing for use from Clean Power Research. The program provides California residential and commercial electric customers a personalized estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar or small wind electric generation system.

The program takes into consideration customer-specific information in order to provide the best estimate of a given system's costs and benefits. This information includes the estimated cost of the particular system under consideration, the customer's location, electric rate schedules, and other customer information.

The customer-specific information you provide is kept confidential and will not be stored or publicly disclosed in any way. A JAVA Script is downloaded from the Commission's Web site to your computer's memory after you select your location and electric rate schedule. The evaluation is then performed only on your computer (i.e., no information is transferred back over the Internet to the Commission's Web site or any other location).

Please note: The Commission is providing this program as a tool to aid potential PV and small wind customers in evaluating the economics of these generating systems. The program only provides estimates based on generalized system data and limited customer-specific data you supply. The Commission cannot guarantee that the estimates developed by the program will actually be realized in practice. The Commission makes no expressed or implied warranties, guarantees or assurances with respect to the Clean Power Estimator^TM or its use. For other limitations that apply to the Clean Power Estimator^TM or its use, as well as information provided on the Commission's Web site please refer to the Commission's legal disclaimer and Clean Power Research's legal disclaimer.

Helpful Hints

Potential rate increases: The Clean Power Estimator allows you to evaluate potential future rate increases. The Rate Increase button that you see on the next page is included to enable you to assess the effect of future rate increases. For example, if you believe that rates will increase at 1% per year over the present rates, select 1% in the Annual Escalation drop down list in the program.

Net metering rate schedules: A net metering arrangement allows a small PV or small wind customer with a system 10kw or under to feed surplus electricity back into the utility grid to be used later when the customer's electricity needs are greater. When evaluating a system, select one of the net metering rate schedules to take advantage of this arrangement. It will improve the economics of the generating system being considered.

Please confirm that you have the necessary minimum system requirements if you have difficulty viewing any results.