Solar Energy Switch Could Add Jobs

Motorists traveling busy Ventura Avenue in Fresno can't catch a peek of the
solar panels that sit on the roof of the sprawling building that houses Weco
Supply Co. Inc.

They're part of some well-kept secrets that some people are starting to
whisper -- loudly: The use of renewable energy in California is growing, it has
potential to grow still more, and that growth could mean creation of a lot of
jobs.

That's the hope of Tommie Nellon, owner of the company that put the
solar panels on Weco's roof. He has 10 employees and ambitious plans to
grow his Fresno-based Unlimited Energy to as many as 75 employees within
the next seven years.

It's why Nellon met at that building Tuesday with a representative of the California Public Interest Research Group Charitable Trust to point out the power of job creation that could result from using renewable energy such as the solar power that provides electricity to the business.

"If planned renewable-energy projects are completed in the San Joaquin Valley, it means at least 1,330 jobs in construction and 150 jobs for operators of new wind and landfill gas facilities," said Susannah Churchill, energy advocate with the trust.

The group Tuesday issued a study comparing employment rates for natural-gas power plants and renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal energy.

The report states that if the state increased its usage of renewable energy to 20%, it would mean creation statewide of 28,000 yearlong construction jobs and 3,000 permanent operating jobs.

The report says that the equivalent amount of new natural-gas-fired power would generate only one-fourth as much employment statewide.

Churchill touts a move to renewable sources as a way to achieve two goals: meeting energy needs and jump-starting the state's economy.

It would mean creation of jobs in manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance of the clean energy sources.

"This could be the new high-tech industry for the state," Churchill said. "It could be the new Silicon Valley."

Unlimited Energy is an example of a budding business in the new arena. Nellon said he has offices in Fresno and Bakersfield and plans to open an office in Stockton. In addition to the Weco installation, the company has installed solar panels on a nursery in Bakersfield and for a home builder in Los Banos.

"We've also done 15 homes, and we've got 18 homes waiting in the wings," said Nellon, pointing to demand that is being boosted by rebates the state is providing for businesses and homeowners to encourage use of renewable energy.

Churchill's group has urged the state to provide market guarantees for renewable-energy production with long-term contracts or requirements that utilities obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable-energy producers. The group is pressing for the state to require that at least a fifth of its electricity comes from wind, solar or geothermal energy by 2010 and half by 2030.

Churchill points to the fact that "large flat roofs" throughout the Valley are perfect nesting spots for solar panels such as those atop Weco. The California Power Authority is considering six wind projects and 16 landfill gas projects in the Central San Joaquin Valley.