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In this issue
Meet the Lenders workshop: Network and learn about solar-installation financing options at November 13 event
DIA joins region's business organizations to honor East Bay innovation leaders
Collaboration is key to streamlining interconnection for solar PV systems
Looking ahead to address the growth of clean technology projects
Regional Renewable Energy Procurement program moves ahead
Report says government-funded labs boost innovation for the private sector

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News & Views for October 29, 2012
from the Diablo Innovation Alliance
Welcome to News & Views with information 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] and follow us on Twitter.
Meet the Lenders workshop: Network and learn about solar-installation financing options at November 13 event
Meet the Lenders image
Meet the Lenders, a financing workshop for solar contractors and installers, will be held on Tuesday, November 13, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Brandman University, 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Walnut Creek. In addition to a continental breakfast, the free event will offer:
  • a lender panel presentation on project and business financing options;
  • an interactive roundtable discussion addressing the solar industry's financing needs; and  
  • networking and relationship-building opportunities with financial institutions.  
The workshop is presented by the Contra Costa Economic Partnership and the California Solar Industries Association (CALSEIA) and is supported by a U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge grant. Event sponsors include Umpqua Bank and Wells Fargo.

Attendees must register online to attend. Download our Save the Date flyer here.

Future events include a December workshop offering information about solar-installation financing for commercial-building owners, followed by an early 2013 event outlining financial options for residential home owners planning to install solar PV systems. Contact Kevin Stichter to learn more.
DIA joins region's business organizations to honor East Bay innovation leaders

The Diablo Innovation Alliance is partnering with the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the San Francisco Business Times, and other regional organizations in launching the inaugural East Bay Innovation Awards, which will be presented at a special awards event on January 31, 2013, at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The awards will honor companies, individuals, and organizations operating in Alameda and Contra Costa counties whose innovative products, services, or systems in the past year have significantly contributed to the East Bay's regional economy and culture of innovation.

The nine industry categories for awards include clean technology, advanced manufacturing, food, information and communication technology, life sciences, engineering and design, education, catalyst and legacy projects. Watch for more information about this special event, or contact Terry Shoaff for details. 
Collaboration is key to streamlining interconnection for solar PV systems
SunShot logo B&W
The DIA team of Terry Shoaff, Gary Craft of Craft Consulting Group, and Theresa Cho of Morrison Foerster is actively involved in the proposed reform of the Rule 21 interconnection tariff covering solar PV systems, currently before the California Public Utilities Commission. The team has met with PG&E representatives to discuss issues related to interconnection, operation, net metering, and standards for distributed power generation.

DIA is collaborating other California grantees of the U.S. Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge grant to develop a united voice in advocating on these issues. Contact Gary Craft for more information.
Looking ahead to address the growth of clean technology projects

DIA team members are working with Contra Costa County's Department of Conservation and Development to revise the county's General Plan with regard to renewable energy systems and projects. In DIA's view, counties and cities need to be prepared to address the ramifications of new, innovative technologies that are part of renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, biofuels and other forms of alternative energy. Contact Gary Craft to learn more. 
Regional Renewable Energy Procurement program moves ahead

R-REP brochure The Aggregated Solar Procurement project, a four-county collaborative (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties) has been created to seek projects that are aimed at procuring alternative energy solutions through an aggregated purchasing agreement. This project will save each jurisdiction initial costs and result in greenhouse gas reductions.

Eight jurisdictions from Contra Costa County are participating and 196 project sites have been identified region-wide.

Participants in the Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Project (R-REP)--a collaboration with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the General Services Agency of Alameda County, and Joint Venture Silicon Valley--have received copies of the final draft of the memorandum of understanding and are completing site assessments. Public agencies participating in the program will then be prepared for the process of releasing a competitive bid, negotiating and developing agreements, and choosing a financing option for their projects. Learn more about R-REP here and here, or contact Terry Shoaff.
Report says government-funded labs boost innovation for the private sector

A report prepared by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute for the Bay Area Science and Innovation Consortium finds that research funded by the government at federal laboratories is a source of innovation for private industry. The report, The Bay Area Innovation System: How the San Francisco Bay Area Became the World's Leading Innovation Hub and What Will be Necessary to Secure Its Future, was issued in June 2012. (Visit www.bayareaeconomy.org/ to review the full report. Read an article about the report that appeared in The Independent here.)

About the Diablo Innovation Alliance: The DIA is an 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 and follow us on Twitter. 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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