Overview

The Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy Group focuses on multiple aspects of research, demonstration, and engagement related to Solar Energy. The Advanced Materials and Energy Devices Laboratory (AMEDL) focuses on basic research and technology development, while the Distributed Energy Resources Laboratory (DERL) works on applied research related to the design, integration, deployment, demonstration, and validation of renewable energy, green infrastructure, and new clean technologies. The Solar Valley Consortium (SVC) works with key stakeholders in public policy matters of high importance for transforming the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino into the Solar Valley of California.

2023 Highlights

The Solar Valley Consortium convened its eighth annual conference on September 14, 2023, with a central focus on the ambitious goal of deploying 20,000 acres of solar and storage annually over the next 25 years, in alignment with California's clean energy objectives. Centered on crucial themes such as land and transmission availability, permitting processes, and policy frameworks, the conference assembled leading experts from various sectors of renewable energy. These discussions yielded essential insights and strategies pivotal for advancing California's renewable energy agenda. View the conference recording at https://www.cert.ucr.edu/svc-webinar-91423-virtual-conference.

The Solar Valley Consortium at UCR hosted a webinar on the 8th of June, 2022, to delve into the implications of California's transition from Net Energy Metering 2.0 to 3.0 on the adoption of rooftop solar and battery storage systems. Prominent industry leaders and experts participated in the discussion, providing their insights. The panel effectively illuminated the expected shifts in rooftop solar adoption and the evolving utility strategies in the wake of this new regulatory environment, offering vital perspectives for stakeholders in the solar industry. View the webinar recording at https://www.cert.ucr.edu/svcwebinar-rooftopsolar.

CE-CERT, in partnership with Climate Resolve and the Council for Watershed Health, developed the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians' Tribal Climate Resiliency Plan. This plan, which integrates traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary scientific approaches, prioritizes community engagement. It strategically addresses the crucial transition from fossil fuels — the primary source of U.S. energy and greenhouse gases — to electricity increasingly sourced from renewable resources, such as solar energy. The plan aims to combat climate-related hazards, preserve cultural heritage, promote economic growth, and enhance environmental sustainability. Its strategies focus on ensuring clean water, maintaining healthy forests, revitalizing urban areas, and fostering comprehensive community involvement, all orchestrated through the Outreach Framework Plan.

Caption: In a questionnaire among respondents living within Tribal Territory, extreme heat was the most popular climate change-related impact of concern, followed by wildfire then drought. These responses correlate with the study’s findings of climate vulnerability within Tribal Territory.

The SOLSTICE (Stakeholder Collaboration on Land and Transmission Availability for Solar and Storage in Inland California's Energy Transition) Project, funded by the Opportunity to Advance Sustainability Innovation and Social Inclusion, is focused and actively engaged in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Its primary focus is exploring land and transmission availability for solar and storage to support California's clean energy and environmental justice goals. SOLSTICE addresses critical challenges including land-use policies, zoning, environmental constraints, and transmission capacity. Collaborating with state and federal agencies, utilities, and solar developers, the project is dedicated to developing actionable strategies for efficient land acquisition and transmission enhancement.