January 2009

Fat Spaniel Technologies, the market leader in monitoring and reporting services for distributed energy systems and HelioEMS, Energy Management Solutions, recently announced a partnership to develop a Demand Side Monitoring Channel focusing on energy monitoring services.

“Since you can’t save what you don’t measure, monitoring the energy use of a building and selected systems within it, is the critical component to meeting energy efficiency goals.  Our breakthrough service is offered in partnership with Fat Spaniel to give building owners real-time actionable intelligence to understand energy use and proactively manage costs,” said TR Bietsch, Managing Director of HelioEMS.  “We are pleased to offer an intelligent energy decision service at a time when our country reaches for new and expanded goals in energy efficiency.  We are very  pleased to work with Fat Spaniel to bring real-time energy analysis and performance measurement to property owners and facility managers.” 

The technology gathers on-site energy information and delivers real-time energy  analysis via an online portal to make energy use decisions. The on-site set up, proprietary energy analysis and load management recommendations are provided by HelioEMS, Energy Management Solutions specialists.  The online technology delivery and portal user interface elements are powered by the industry leader, Fat Spaniel Technologies.

“Fat Spaniel has built a market-leading position based on our ability to deliver intelligent monitoring solutions to our renewable energy customers.  Ever-changing marketplace dynamics require methods to reduce installation costs for our customers,” said Chris Beekhuis, President and CTO of Fat Spaniel Technologies. “Combining the strengths of the two companies will aid that effort. Together with targeted industry leaders, we can meet our customers' solution needs.”

From the Mercury News, writer Matt Nauman, "Solar-power industry remains hot in California:"

Glen Ivy Resort Solar Power System installed by HelioPower

Despite the turbulent economy, or perhaps because of it, solar energy remains a growth industry in California.

The amount of electricity generated in the state by solar energy soared in 2008, and applications for rebates under the state's Million Solar Roofs program reached record levels in the last five months of the year.

"While we don't have the final numbers yet, it appears we nearly doubled the amount of solar installed in 2008 versus 2007," said Molly Tirpak Sterkel, director of the California Solar Initiative. "That's a magnificent story."

Experts attribute the surge in solar sales to a big increase in the federal tax credit, an ongoing state rebate and new innovative financing programs, as well as to mounting consumer concerns over global warming. The growth comes despite a U.S. economy suffering from a battered stock market, severe declines in house and car sales, and growing unemployment.

Perhaps 150 megawatts or more of new solar panels were installed in California in 2008, Sterkel said, up from 81 megawatts in 2007. (In California, one megawatt is enough electricity for 750 houses.)

She noted that California has more than half of the solar capacity in the United States, and that the state ranks as the world's No. 4 solar entity after Germany, Spain and Japan.

For the full article, click here.