March 2011

By Derek Girling

Solar Energy Consultant, HelioPower

There’s a word being batted around with increased frequency these days and it’s making me nervous. The last time it reared its ugly head in this country I had long hair, side burns and wore bell-bottom jeans.  Jerry Brown was the governor of California and Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the White House to address the “Energy Crisis!"

The word is INFLATION and anyone who remembers the 70’s experienced its devastating effect on the U.S. economy.  In 1980, prices rose on average 13.58%!*

During inflationary times, prices and costs rise in lockstep (wages, unfortunately, lag behind!).  Every month your paycheck gets squeezed tighter. Unless your returns are equal to or higher than the rate of inflation, the value of your savings actually gets smaller as it takes more money to cover the same expenses.  Many of us are nearing or in retirement now and can’t increase our income to offset our greater expenses.

So what’s the best strategy to deal with inflation before it starts running away?  Fix as many of your recurring monthly expenses now when prices are relatively low!

The first place to start is with a fixed rate mortgage.  Housing typically accounts for a homeowner’s greatest expense and a fixed rate mortgage at today’s low rates is the best hedge against inflation.

Installing a solar power system is another great way to fix your monthly electricity expense at a lower cost than you are currently paying.  This helps insulate you from higher than average electricity rate increases.  Programs like SunRun’s Solar Power Service allow you to fix your monthly electric costs typically below your current electric costs with no money down.  They even maintain and insure your system further protecting you from unexpected energy expenses down the road.

Homeowners with capital in reserve can save even more by taking advantage of prepaid plans or system purchases that virtually eliminate their current electric bill.  This delivers a positive net cash flow from the first month the solar system is commissioned.

Hopefully the direst inflationary predictions will not occur.  There are varied opinions as to the length and extent of this upcoming inflationary cycle.  However, even if we enter a short period of higher than normal inflation, going solar will easily save you tens of thousands of dollars (or more!) and provide certainty from one of the most important expenses you incur!

You can reach Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com.

*Source – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1914-present

Murrieta is one of the most “solar friendly” cities in southern California.  Not only is the weather ideal for solar electricity generation, but the city officials have worked hard to create an atmosphere conducive to solar installations.

On Wednesday, March 30 at 6pm HelioPower will host an open house at the company’s headquarters located at 25767 Jefferson in

Solar installation in Murrieta by HelioPower. Van Dam family received Murrieta solar rebate in 2010.

Murrieta.  Residents will be able to tour the solar installation facility and get a status from city officials.  Brian Ambrose, Senior Management Analyst for the City of Murrieta will be on hand to provide an update on the city's solar friendly initiatives including the popular $1,000 solar rebate.  The program will also feature Scott Gordon, Vice President of Residential Sales and a popular speaker on solar, smart grid and smart meter related subjects.

Murrieta city officials report that the rebates for solar in their city are being claimed more quickly than they had anticipated.  As of March 14, the city has processed the 45th $1,000 rebate (out of a total allocated of 72).  So there are a total of 27 rebates remaining, although there are about 10 in the process of permitting, construction or final inspection stages.

In April 2010, the City of Murrieta began the Solar Rebate Program to incentivize residents to purchase a solar power system.  The rebate is open to purchased solar electricity systems on homes, not PPA’s or leases.  The City made available seventy-two $1,000 rebates with the expectation that it would take a minimum of 2 years until the rebates were fully paid out (based on past history).  However, as of March 14, there are only 27 remaining rebates.

On the business front, Murrieta is a solar installation company friendly city.  Officials understand that the permitting process costs solar installation firms added time and staff expense.  In an effort to save solar installation companies time (and therefore money!!), the City of Murrieta has recently implemented a more efficient permitting process for solar installations.  Instead of driving down to City Hall and waiting in line to submit permit paperwork, the city has adopted a scan and email submission system for solar permits.

Finally, Murrieta city officials have been very involved in the Western Riverside County Energy and Water Efficiency Conservation Program.  Last year the City of Murrieta and other area cities joined with the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to implement a PACE/AB 811 program.  Everything was going smoothly until Fannie Mae sent out a directive to mortgage companies to not honor PACE loans (not take a subordinate position).  The city reports they have worked through the details and are ready to move forward with the program.  Brian Ambrose will give a brief update on this program.

For information on the HelioPower open house please call 1 87 SOLAR 888 or save a seat by reserving it here online for the free Murrieta solar event.

Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino builds on green initiatives at

Maplewood Homes community with job training by HelioPower

Gerard Auer, HelioPower program manager, presents solar and smart grid basics at the green job training kick off meeting, March 3. The training session was conducted at the Whitney Young Community Center for Maplewood Homes residents. Photo courtesy: HACSB.

What is a solar power installation?  How does it work?  How is a solar power system installed?  These solar energy basics are part of the new green job curriculum initiated this month for residents of Maplewood Homes in San Bernardino, CA.

The solar training is part of a green initiatives program adopted by the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) at Maplewood Homes.  Located on West 9^th Street in San Bernardino, this HACSB community includes 296 housing units and is home to over 1100 residents.  The solar training is presented by HelioPower, a leading California solar installation firm, through its HelioUniversity program.

The training is a component of an overall green program at the development supported by a California Solar Initiative (CSI) Multifamily Affordable Solar Homes (MASH) Track 2 grant received last year.  The MASH funding includes the installation of solar power systems by HelioPower on 98 residential homes and 3 community buildings in the development.  HACSB is monetizing the savings from the green energy generated on the common area meters and channeling those funds into the green job training programs now underway.

“The solar panel installation courses are a great opportunity for our residents to learn a new trade, gain knowledge of the upcoming solar efforts in the community, and potentially get hired by HelioPower to do the installations at Maplewood Homes.  This project is the first of many that the Housing Authority is pursuing to show our commitment to implementing green initiatives not only to increase sustainability and save energy, but also to provide employment opportunities for our clients in the growing green-building industry,” states Gus Joslin, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Real Estate Development at HACSB.

HelioPower Vice President of Business Development Tom Millhoff said “HACSB’s demonstrated outstanding initiative, creativity and financial savvy in developing this solar project in conjunction with a major energy efficiency retrofit and property upgrades at Maplewood Homes.  The result is substantially improved living environment for tenants, reduced living expenses, and a shining legacy that sets the “green standard” for other Housing Authorities.”

The Housing Authority was organized in 1941 and is the largest provider of affordable housing in the County.  HACSB owns or manages more than 10,000 housing units and serves approximately 30,000 individuals, the majority of which are children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. HACSB is not only a housing provider and developer, but a community resource and advocate for the residents of San Bernardino County.

HACSB is celebrating its 70^th anniversary in the community this year.  The solar power system at Maplewood Homes will be dedicated in an anniversary open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 14^th at 10am.