The utility grid-connected market is a key market to help accelerate the commercialization of photovoltaics (PV). The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is embarking on its fifth year of a continuing commercialization effort based on the sustained, orderly development of the utility PV market. As part of this effort SMUD has installed about 5 MW of distributed PV systems including over 400 rooftop systems as well as parking lot and substation systems. SMuD is evaluating proposals for up to 10 MW of PV systems for 1998 through 2002 and has incorporated PV as a key business opportunity under its new competitive business strategy responding to changes the utility industry is undergoing. SMUD has established a partnership with its customers through the PV Pioneer 'green pricing' program and with DOE and UPVG through the TEAM-UP program to advance PV commercialization and to develop rooftops as 'PV power plant' distributed generation sites.
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