Self-Generation Incentive Program—Measurement and Evaluation Reports

Impact Evaluations

Impact evaluation analyses the impacts of the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) in each year of operation. Areas of assessment include: Electrical energy production and demand reduction; operating and reliability performance characteristics; electrical, thermal and overall efficiencies and the contribution of SGIP technologies to electricity system efficiency and reliability; the impact of employment of renewable fuels by SGIP technologies; the extent to which SGIP technologies provide net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions; and the relationship between distributed generation (DG) technologies and operation, and transmission and distribution (T&D) system performance and operations.

Impacts of Distributed Generation

This report provides an overview of the current status of California's distributed generation resources. Also included is a summary of some of the current challenges and activities of interconnecting these resources to the utility grid, taking into account both SGIP-funded DG systems and non-SGIP-funded systems (e.g., photovoltaic (PV) systems funded by the California Solar Initiative). The report was prepared in response to Assembly Bill (AB) 578 (Blakeslee, 2008).

Process and Retention Evaluations (including PA Comparative Assessments)

Analyses of SGIP processes and the interaction between these processes and current market needs. Process evaluations and PA comparative assessments include reviews of administrative styles and processes, marketing and outreach, implications of different approaches, and external variations. Retention studies assess the long-term persistence of impacts from self-generation technologies, and find the technical degradation factor (time and use related change in efficiency) and the effective useful life (the median number of years that the technologies are still in place and operational).

Process Evaluations

Retention Studies

PA Comparative Assessments

Market Characterization Studies

Cost-Effectiveness Studies

These studies describe the cost-effectiveness of the SGIP, based on SGIP-specific projects and incentive structures. The September 2005 preliminary cost-effectiveness assessment was based on the cost-effectiveness analysis framework report (posted below) using metered project performance information. In accordance with that framework, cost-effectiveness was evaluated from three perspectives: participant (project owners within the SGIP), nonparticipant (ratepayers) and society as a whole. The 2007 report on solar PV costs and incentive factors was intended to provide information on metered PV performance and reported PV system costs for PV systems implemented under the SGIP. It was also meant to examine the relationships of PV performance, cost, and incentive design. In August 2009, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision 09-08-026 adopted a cost-benefit methodology for evaluating distributed generation (DG). The 2011 report evaluates the cost-effectiveness of DG technologies using an economic model based on the adopted methodology. Results from the cost-effectiveness evaluation provide the framework, model and data to help the CPUC in identifying DG technologies eligible for the SGIP. The report examines technologies currently eligible under the SGIP, technologies that were previously eligible for the program, and additional technologies being considered for the future program.

Renewable Fuel Use Reports

The Renewable Fuel Use (RFU) Report assesses the extent that SGIP technologies employ renewable fuels. Reports include analysis of the compliance of renewable fuel use projects receiving incentives under the SGIP with renewable fuel use requirements, identification of the operational and cost characteristics of RFU projects and evaluation of the implications of increased renewable fuel use on the SGIP.

Miscellaneous

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