March 2009

HelioPower is pleased participating in EcoBuild San Diego 2009 as a Light Green Sponsor at this second annual event.

From the foundation, to the finishing touches this expo features everything you need to know about sustainable building! EcoBuild San Diego offers education and outreach for fire survivors and homeowners looking to rebuild or remodel more sustainably.

On hand will be HelioPower’s New Home Solar Program (NHSP) expert, Tyler Michael, along with Charles Curley of the sales team.

The event will be at the California Center for Sustainable Energy , 8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite #100 San Diego, CA 92123 this Saturday, April 4 from 9am to 5pm.

Tyler has developed a specialty working to help homeowners take advantage of this program. Working in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) utility territory, Tyler was recently quoted in the utility’s NSHP Program Fact Sheet.

Tyler works with homeowners and builders to meet the criteria of NSHP. Tyler has also worked with many “fire survivors” in the San Diego area to help them navigate the program.

“This program requires extensive cooperation between the architect, the contractor, the homeowner, and Heliopower to qualify them for the rebate. NSHP has a much higher rebate allowance per watt than the normal CSI program,” said Tyler.

It is very important to plan the solar power system at the beginning of home design so that all the requirements can be met for this program.

Advance planning is critical to qualify without adding more cost in the future. Upfront planning results in an energy efficient home in the future, which saves money every month on energy bills. “If you wait and install the solar power as a retrofit, you lose up to $1.00/watt in rebate. For an average home that would be about $5000,” said Tyler.

Today San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) marked over 1 megawatt of solar power they have installed in the region

High Tech High Chula Vista installed by HelioPower

at the grand opening of “green” charter school, High Tech High Chula Vista.

High Tech High Chula Vista and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) showcased how the sustainable design of the school itself will be used as a living classroom on renewable energy.   SDG&E owns the school’s rooftop solar panels, installed by HelioPower, which provide locally generated power to the school and the community. 

“This solar system marks a milestone for SDG&E, because, with its installation, we now have more than 1 megawatt of solar-generating capability on the rooftops of 10 highly energy-efficient commercial buildings throughout San Diego County,” said Hal D. Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E.  “The project at High Tech High is the third largest solar system in Chula Vista and will support nearly two-thirds of the school’s own energy use.”

Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the grand opening include Colleen Green, Director, High Tech High; Cheryl Cox, Mayor, City of Chula Vista; Greg Cox, Supervisor, County of San Diego; Tyree Dillingham, Deputy Director, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger; Dave Geier, VP, SDG&E and Steve LoRusso, Vice President of Sales, HelioPower.

“We are very proud to have participated in the High Tech High solar electricity system with SDG&E,” said Steve LoRusso, vice president of sales for HelioPower. “SDG&E is a forward-thinking utility with a great commitment to green energy.  This project is a stand-out example of how solar photovoltaic technology fits into a larger, green building program.  In teaching students now about the benefits of renewable energy it also contributes to solar awareness in future generations.”

With 640 solar modules from Mitsubishi, the solar power system will produce 172,114 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year.  For more project specifications, click here.

On Thursday, March 19, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the installation of a new solar panel system at the Porsche Logistics Center in Ontario, CA. The solar power system was designed and installed by HelioPower at 5100 E. Ontario Mills Parkway, using 372 solar modules from Sharp and will produce 135,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year.

Following is a recap of what our esteemed speakers had to say about this landmark achievement.

“At Porsche we a have an employee program called Green Choice. It basically says let’s think before we act and make environmentally responsible choices. That’s exactly what we’ve done here with the installation of our new solar panel system.”

Tim Quinn, Vice President of Aftersales, PCNA

Rob Nemchik, General Manager, Porsche Logistics Services

“This is another important milestone in Porsche’s long-term strategy for environmentally friendly and sustainability projects that also makes sound business sense.” 

Paul Leon, Mayor, City of Ontario, CA

 “We hope many more companies in the area will catch the green initiative they have demonstrated here today.”

Jess C. Vizcaino, Jr., Senior Congressional Representative to Congressman Joe Baca, 43rd District

 “California is in the forefront of green technology investment. The new solar power system here in Ontario is an investment that will pay huge dividends for our future.”

Bonnie Montoya-May, Chair, U.S. Green Building Council-Inland Empire

 “I didn’t realize how much Porsche had done to support sustainability until a couple of days ago. I hope you will continue to bring that initiative forward so that other companies will follow your example.”

Steve LoRusso, Vice President of Sales, HelioPower

"The world is on fire and it is companies like Porsche who are doing something about it." 

Deniene Husted, Communications Director, Green Valley Initiative

“Porsche is saying it’s sexy to go solar. I hope people are hearing that message loud and clear.”

Photography:

Marie Bunke

http://www.photoartbymarie.com

This commercial-scale solar power system will avoid the emission of more than 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. It represents one of the more significant solar installs in the Ontario metro area.

Media Advisory: Porsche to Receive First-Ever Certificate of Recognition for New Solar Panel Installation at its

Porsche Solar Panel Installation at its Ontario, CA Facility Installed by HelioPower

Ontario, CA Facility on Thursday, March 19

Award to be Given to Porsche by Green Valley Initiative at Dedication Ceremony

Porsche will dedicate and reveal its extensive new solar panel system at a ceremony being held this Thursday, March 19, 10:30am at its Regional Support Facility in Ontario, California. The solar panel power array is the first on a Porsche facility in the U.S. and one of the area’s most significant. Porsche partnered with HelioPower and Sharp on the project.

At the ceremony, Porsche’s new solar panel installation will receive the Inland Empire’s Green Valley Initiative (GVI) award, the first ever “Certificate of Recognition” for environmentally sound projects in the region.  GVI is a regional effort to establish the Inland Empire as a leader in green and clean technologies, a collaborative effort that will bring jobs, commerce and a better quality of life to the region.  The Green Valley Initiative is a cooperative effort between government, business, academic and community leaders from throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and is a project of the nonprofit Green Institute for Village Empowerment.

The Ceremony will feature speeches from Porsche Cars North American (PCNA) representatives, and city and state officials, HelioPower, Sharp, as well as attendance by local environmental organizations.

WHO:             

• Tim Quinn, Vice President of Aftersales, Porsche Cars North America, Inc
• Paul Leon, Mayor, City of Ontario, CA
• Jess C. Vizcaino, Jr., Senior Congressional Representative to Congressman Joe Baca, 43rd District
• Mike Lasky, Director of Reseller Channel Sales, Sharp
• Steve LoRusso, VP Sales, HelioPower
• Bonnie Montagna-May, Chair, U.S. Green Building Council-Inland Empire
• Deniene Husted, Communications Director, Green Valley Initiative

Media interested in attending please contact:

Tony Fouladpour, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. , via email at: tony.fouladpour@porsche.us

Featuring Patrick Conlon of the Palm Desert Energy Independence Program, HelioPower will host a

Patrick Conlon at Bright Ideas Expo, this past Saturday, March 14

free Solar Financing Q&A session, Tuesday, March 24 at 6pm.  The event will be held in Conference rooms 1 & 2 of the Henderson Community Building, 72559 Hwy 111 Palm Desert, CA  92260-3306. Financing solar power systems for residential and commercial properties will be the focus of the free seminar.

Palm Desert’s Energy Independence Program is a model initiative for cities in California.  Based on AB 811 legislation, the program works to support energy efficiency and renewable energy installations financed through city loans which are paid back through property tax assessments.  For more information, click here. 

"Solar in our community is becoming more and more affordable with the help of Palm Desert's Assembly Bill 811 which will cover their costs of their system and is paid back though their property taxes at a low interest rate,” said HelioPower Energy Consultant, Matt Rifkin.  "We want every single homeowner in the city of Palm Desert to realize the opportunity that their community is offering them," he explained.

Rifkin and his “Team Desert” partner, Matt McPherson, are hosting the event on behalf of HelioPower.  They most recently participated in the “Bright Ideas Expo” held by the city on March 14.

HelioPower's "Team Desert" supporting Bright Ideas Expo

“Team Desert is excited to host the event on March 24^th at the Henderson Building. We are hoping to get a great turnout from Palm Desert residents and commercial building owners,” said Matt McPherson.  “HelioPower would like to educate the residents of Palm Desert on the amazing program that their city is providing, which allows residents to install solar for almost no money down. By educating homeowners and business owners we hope to help the city of Palm Desert reach its goal of reducing city wide energy consumption by 30% by 2011.”

Palm Desert continues to participate in pushing initiatives that further solar deployment, not only in their city, but statewide.  Area newspaper, The Desert Sun, quoted Mr. Conlon on March 12 concerning his efforts to get AB 432 addressing utility feed in tariffs passed.  For K. Kaufman’s article, “Palm Desert eyes new solar plan,” click here.

For information to attend the March 24 event or on solar in general call, 1-87-SOLAR-888.

Breaking news on rising rnergy costs in California…

From Associated Press: "Calif. regulators approve SoCal Edison rate hikes"

ROSEMEAD, Calif.—California regulators have approved a Southern California Edison Co. rate hike that adds $2 to $4 a month to the average residential bill.

Rosemead-based Edison says rate hikes are necessary to upgrade transmission lines and buy equipment.

The California Public Utilities Commission approved the increases Thursday. The hikes go into effect April 4.

PUC president Michael Peevey says it will add $2 to the average monthly residential bill of $85, but consumer groups estimate it's closer to $4. Rates for business firms also increase.

Edison estimates 65 percent of its 4.3 million residential customers would see little or no change in their monthly charges because they participate in special programs for low-income families or consume little power.

From Orange County Register: "Regulators approve $2.1 Billion electric rate hike"

State regulators have approved a rate hike that will give Southern California Edison an extra $2.1 billion in revenue over the next three years.

The hike will raise the average residential bill $2 or so, to $85 a month, officials said.

Some details of the proposal changed on the dais, but regulators granted the utility $106 million for employee incentive pay, and $4.4 million to start re-licensing San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, where licenses expire in 2022.

Thursday morning, the California Public Utilities Commission chose the greater increase of two rate hike proposals before it, on a 4-1 vote. Emerging victorious was a slightly-scaled-down plan penned by commission president – and former Southern California Edison executive – Michael Peevey.

The rejected proposal would have given Southern California Edison a smaller increase – about $1.4 billion over three years. That was not enough.

"I cannot support a decision that would leave California hamstrung," Peevey said. The less-expensive rate hike "would require deferral of vital infrastructure projects and potentially lay off hundreds of workers," he said.

Commissioner Dian Grueneich was the only one to disagree.

"If ever there was a time to leave these dollars in the hands of Southern California Edison's customers, now is the time," said Grueneich.

The smaller increase was robust and prudent, she said. It would have saved ratepayers $765 million over the next three years, while still allowing Southern California Edison to invest in infrastructure.

Grueneich took particular exception to Southern California Edison's claims that the smaller increase would force it to lay off 1,000 workers. "Edison's claim defies logic," she said, suggesting the utility was "crying wolf."

More excerpts:

"Edison is taking advantage of economic concerns to drive through rate hikes that can only add to the pain," TURN executive director Mark Toney said in a prepared statement. "The CPUC did all Edison customers a disservice today."

That sentiment was echoed by the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, the PUC's independent consumer advocacy arm. This decision gives Edison "excessive revenue increases," it said in a prepared statement.

"The cumulative amount of the increases and the resulting rise in electric rates will impose an additional financial burden on Edison's Southern California customers and households during these difficult economic times," said DRA Deputy Director David Ashuckian in the statement.

For the full story click here.

HelioPower joins other environmentally oriented companies to support the city of Palm Desert's Bright Ideas Expo, this Saturday, March 14, from 11am to 3pm. The focus of this family oriented & kid-friendly Expo is: Ideas to save money on your energy bills, and living “green.”

The Expo will be held in the Palm Desert Civic Center Park, located at Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue. HelioPower local solar energy experts, Matt Rifkin and Matt McPherson, will be at Booth 29!  Talk to our Palm Desert team about how we can help you reduce or eliminate your electric bill and use the city's Energy Independence Program to finance the purchase. 

For more information about the Palm Desert Energy Independence Program, click here.

HelioPower residential solar panel system in Palm Desert, CA

The New Solar Homes Partnership Program (NSHP) is part of the $3.3 billion California solar Initiative.  In the New

San Diego County Residential Solar Power installation by HelioPower

Solar Homes Partnership, a solar home is a highly energy efficient home that uses photovoltaic (or PV) modules to generate electricity from the sun. The program offers help financial incentives to make building new homes with solar easier and more cost effective than ever. Over the next 13 years this program will reward builders with $400 million in solar rebates.

HelioPower’s energy consultant, Tyler Michael, has developed a specialty working to help homeowners take advantage of this program.  Working in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) utility territory, Tyler was recently quoted in the utility’s NSHP Program Fact Sheet.

Tyler works with homeowners and builders to meet the criteria of NSHP.  Tyler has also worked with many “fire survivors” in the San Diego area to help them navigate the program.

“This program requires extensive cooperation between the architect, the contractor, the homeowner, and Heliopower to qualify them for the rebate..  NSHP has a much higher rebate allowance per watt than the normal CSI program,” said Tyler.

It is very important to plan the solar power system at the beginning of home design so that all the requirements can be met for this program. Advance planning is critical to qualify without adding more cost in the future.  Upfront planning results in an energy efficient home in the future, which saves money every month on energy bills. “If you wait and install the solar power as a retrofit, you lose up to $1.00/watt in rebate. For an average home that would be about $5000,” said Tyler.