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Taking on the Challenge
SunShot Innitiative
Read about the U.S. DOE SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge. Our project is off and running!
In this issue
DIA's leadership team offers a regional vision of innovation
U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge grant
Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Plan on track
Working toward a supportive public policy environment
The benefits of DIA membership

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The DIA is a sponsor of the
2nd Annual Crit of Clean Tech,
which coincides with the 3rd stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California bike race (May 13-20, 2012) 
News & Views for May 11, 2012
from the Diablo Innovation Alliance
Welcome to the first issue of News & Views. You will be hearing more from us about the activities of the Diablo Innovation Alliance, the business-led initiative to accelerate innovation, manufacturing, and market adoption of clean energy and water technologies in our region. Send us your ideas for items and tips to share with other innovators at [email protected].
Alex Mehran
Alex Mehran
DIA's leadership team offers a regional vision of innovation

The Diablo Innovation Alliance (DIA) is working closely with industry to accelerate market adoption and reduce barriers to innovative solar and other clean-energy programs throughout the region, says Contra Costa Economic Partnership Chair Alex Mehran, a member of DIA's Executive Committee.

Major programs and projects include the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge project; a Regulatory Reform Working Group, including regulatory reform work with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research; a Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Program (R-REP); and initial planning for an early 2013 water technology conference.
Regional Clusters map
"We want to become a global center of clean technology and innovation, and the DOE grant will help us get there," adds Mehran. Other DIA leadership team members include Linda Best, executive director of the Economic Partnership and president and CEO of the Contra Costa Council; Stephen Baiter, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County; and DIA Steering Committee members, David Gold, partner with Morrison & Foerster, who leads the Regulatory Reform Work Group; Gary Darling, general manager of Delta Diablo Sanitation District, who chairs the Water Technology Group; and Bobby Ram, managing director and director of Global Community Relations, SunPower Corporation, who heads the Clean Energy Group. Learn more about our leadership team here.

Check out our website at www.diabloinnovationalliance.org and review the industry clusters map (shown at above left) on the home page. List your company in the Regional Cluster Database. Contact Terry Shoaff at (925) 246-1880 for more information.
U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge grant
SunShot logo B&W
In February 2012, the DIA was one of 22 national organizations to receive a U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge grant to develop a model expedited-permitting and interconnection process for rooftop solar PV installations. Once perfected, the model can be scaled up and adopted by all cities statewide and nationally.

In recent months, DIA representatives have been meeting with solar installation contractors and designated building officials from nine Contra Costa County jurisdictions to take a close look at the realities of solar rooftop permitting and interconnection. Their goal: to discover ways to improve the process for all involved, and thus reduce the overall cost to consumers of installing rooftop solar PV systems. Learn more here or contact Terry Shoaff for details.
Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Plan on track
R-REP brochure
As of March 31, 30 public agencies in five Bay Area counties had expressed interest in participating in the Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Project (R-REP), a DIA collaboration with the General Services Agency of Alameda County and the program's original champion, Joint Venture Silicon Valley. To date, 25 of the agencies have submitted a total of 194 sites that will be assessed for the feasibility of renewable energy systems. That's real progress! Learn more here or contact Terry Shoaff for details.
Working toward a supportive public policy environment on several fronts
Regulatory reform
The DIA Regulatory Reform Working Group has met and established its primary objectives, which focus on issues that impact the implementation of clean energy technology (including biosolids, fuel cells, wind, solar and tidal energy) and related concerns, such as land use, permitting and financing. Under the direction of David Gold, the group is working to develop a supportive public policy environment that eliminates barriers to the adoption of new, innovative technologies, and encourages regional projects that implement locally developed technologies. Contact David Gold to learn more.

In addition, Gary Craft of Craft Consulting Group has been meeting with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, state building officials, solar industry representatives, and other SunShot Challenge grant recipients. Tasks are to develop a Solar Permitting Guidebook, propose changes to the California Building Code, and provide a tool kit of materials that can help local governments make their permit process for solar PV systems as efficient and cost effective as possible. By adopting a streamlined solar PV permitting process, local governments can eliminate barriers and encourage adoption of alternative energy throughout California. Contact Gary Craft for details.
The benefits of DIA membership

DIA works on behalf of members to create networks, accelerate market adoption, and promote the growth of each industry cluster. We are focused on creating an environment to support the development, growth, and competitiveness of businesses in the clean energy and water technology sectors.

Learn about the benefits of membership in the DIA, promote your business, and become part of an important regional sustainability effort. Contact Terry Shoaff with your questions.
Please consider becoming a member of the Diablo Innovation Alliance, and spread the word about our work. Thank you! 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Linda Best
Diablo Innovation Alliance

About the Diablo Innovation Alliance: The DIA is a membership-driven initiative focused on emerging clean technology sectors that will drive regional economic growth and job creation in the greater East Bay. It is an initiative of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, an association of business, education, and public sector leaders dedicated to creating and retaining quality jobs to maintain the region's quality of life.

For more information, visit www.diabloinnovationalliance.org. To comment on items in this newsletter, please contact Linda Best or Terry Shoaff at (925) 246-1880.

� 2012 Diablo Innovation Alliance
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