Boxer’s San Diego stop continued a string of visits to highlight “green” energy and job development in the state. On Monday she participated in

Senator Boxer receives book created by the children at Las Serenas to describe the solar power system installed at their community. The solar installation was done by HelioPower. Photo by Susan Riggs Tinsky.

the solar dedication at the Santa Clarita Transit Maintenance Facility. Last week she was in the San Joaquin Valley talking about job creation and green energy at the University of California at Merced.

CHW CEO Susan Reynolds welcomed the senator reminding visitors Boxer has played a leadership role developing green jobs and environmental protection as the first woman to Chair the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works.

In November 2009, Community HousingWorks was awarded the first CA Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Track 2 grant to install solar energy at Las Serenas. The MASH funds supported the installation of a 67.5 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic facility with 100% of its production going to residents.

CHW worked with HelioPower, a California based solar integration firm, to engineer and construct the Las Serenas project. The solar facility will offset approximately 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per unit annually, and save each family over $100 of their anticipated yearly electricity expenses. One resident, Lillian Wellman said, “when my first bill went from $60 a month to $36, it made a huge difference for my family.”

Sen. Barbara Boxer with Las Serenas children. Photo by Lauren Montague.

About 40 people attended the recognition event including Paul Kealey, Acting Chief Operating Officer of NeighborWorks America; Irene Stillings, Executive Director for the California Center of Sustainable Design; David Alvarez, San Diego Council member; Karen Bucey, CHW board member and San Diego city planner; Susan Riggs Tinksy, Executive Director for the San Diego Housing Federation and Glenna Wiseman, VP Marketing, HelioPower, along with CHW board members, community residents and supporters.

Source: HelioPower, Inc.

In southern California, HelioPower will stage its first free solar educational event of the year on Thursday, January 20 in Canyon

HelioPower home solar installation

 Lake, CA.  This free solar informational event will be presented by Scott Gordon, VP Residential Sales, HelioPower Inc.  The event is at Pepe's Restuarant in Canyon Lake, CA and will feature refreshments.

Scott will explain the do’s and don’ts of solar energy systems, and what to look for when researching solar contractors. From there, the discussion will move to the past, present, and near-future status of electricity distribution and billing methods. Scott will show the financial benefits of going solar now, and how the benefits will be even greater with the onset of time-of-use billing and other projected future changes.

In northern California, HelioPower energy consultants are working with two organizations to help homeowners with green goals.  On Tuesday, January 25, homeowners can attend a free “green” event and learn how to use less electricity and generate their own clean energy at home by going solar.

This green event is sponsored by Daniel Blum, Financial Services Professional for Mass Mutual Financial Group. Dan will open the seminar by explaining the soundness of investing in energy efficiency upgrades and solar power systems.

Dan will be followed by energy efficiency experts John Richau and Tommy Young of E3NorCal. John and Tommy will enlighten homeowners about financial incentive programs, basic efficiency concepts and how solar power and efficiency go hand in hand.

The remainder of the presentation will be done by Scott Gordon who will explain how solar power systems work and what to look for when researching solar contractors. From there, the discussion will move to the past, present and near-future status of electricity distribution and billing methods. Scott will show the financial benefits of going solar now, and how the benefits will be even greater in the near future. This is a powerful presentation that generates many great questions by people trying to determine if solar is right for them.

For more information and reservations call 87 SOLAR 888 or visit HelioPower online.

According to a Reuters report the poll said, "When it comes to renewable sources of energy and natural gas, the public overwhelmingly indicates that the benefit of the source outweigh the risks. At least two-thirds of Americans believe that when used, the benefits of solar (82%), wind/turbine (78%), hydroelectric (water) (73%) and natural gas (66%)outweigh any risks associated with the different sources.

Coal, which provides approximately half (49%) of electrical power production in the United States and is the most heavily used source of energy, is perceived differently. Two in five Americans (42%) say the risks of using coal outweigh the benefits while 36% believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

So What?

With limited knowledge and interest in the topic, as the debate over the Energy bill rages on, public opinion can be based on incomplete or inaccurate information about the various sources of energy and their perceived benefits and risks. Significant room exists to educate the public on the pros and cons of
each source of energy, including factors such as; current and future use of each source, reliability, cost, environmental impacts and ways to become more energy efficient. Much work is needed by Congress, energy companies and communities to engage consumers in the dialogue around this new energy economy.

"$500B Plan for U.S. Green Building Retrofits Touted."

The United States can build a low-carbon economy by retrofitting existing homes and businesses for energy efficiency, which would reduce waste and pollution, jumpstart an economic recovery, create good jobs and deliver energy cost savings, while reducing global warming, according to a new report. The report is calling on Congress and the Obama administration to ensure that investments will be made in weatherization and energy efficiency as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The $500-billion plan with public and private investment would retrofit 40 percent of the nation’s buildings within the next ten years, create about 625,000 full-time jobs, generate $32 billion to $64 billion in annual consumer energy cost savings, and reduce global warming pollution by 20 to 40 percent for 50 million homes and small businesses, according to a proposal released by the Center for American Progress and the Energy Future Coalition.

Rapidly improving the efficiency of existing buildings is essential to meeting clean energy and climate legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, according to the report.

The report also identifies five key areas where focused national policy leadership is required immediately to launch a nationwide energy efficiency retrofit industry. These include technical assistance and capacity building, retrofit financing and cost recovery mechanisms, retrofit performance standards and quality assurance, smart codes and regulations and workforce development programs and job quality standards.

The plan to retrofit buildings, which consume 70 percent of all U.S. electricity and emit 40 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gases, will be discussed at an energy conference in Las Vegas, which is co-sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and the Center for American Progress, reports Bloomberg.

(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

On his tour today of the photovoltaic array at Nellis Air Force Base, President Obama saw first-hand how solar energy is being used to generate clean electricity supplies – including 25% of the base’s total power.

Located in Las Vegas, NV, the Nellis Air Force Base solar array generates more than 30 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually and supplies approximately 25% of the total power used at the base, where 12,000 people live and work.  The solar power system was completed in December 2007, and is America's largest solar photovoltaic array.

President Obama was led on the tour by Col. Howard D. Belote, the Commander of the 99th Air Base Wing, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Excerpts from President Obama's speech today:
"Because right now, we're standing near the largest solar electric plant of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere — the entire Western Hemisphere. More than 72,000 solar panels built on part of an old landfill provide 25 percent of the electricity for the 12,000 people who live and work here at Nellis. That's the equivalent of powering about 13,200 homes during the day.

It's a project that took about half a year to complete, created 200 jobs, and will save the United States Air Force, which is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, nearly $1 million — $1 million a year. It will also reduce harmful carbon pollution by 24,000 tons per year, which is the equivalent of removing 4,000 cars from our roads. Most importantly, this base serves as a shining example of what's possible when we harness the power of clean, renewable energy to build a new, firmer foundation for economic growth.

Today, projects like the one at Nellis are still the exception to the rule, unfortunately. America produces less than 3 percent of our electricity through renewable sources of energy like wind and solar — less than 3 percent. In contrast, Denmark produces 20 percent of their electricity through wind. We pioneered solar technology, but we've fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in generating it, even though they get less sun than we do. They certainly get less sun than Nevada.

Nellis Air Force Base installation of over 72,000 Sunpower solar modules

So we've got a choice. We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, sending our money and our wealth away, or we can become the world's leading exporter of clean energy. We can hand over the jobs of the future to our competitors, or we can confront what they've already recognized as the great opportunity of our time: The nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st-century global economy. And that's the nation I want America to be and I know that's the nation you want America to be."

For the text of his speech, click here.
The White House briefing document including information on the Nellis Air Force Base installation, click here.

ACES, a combined energy and climate bill, was released by Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) in May.  A summary of the legislation from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce web site can be found here.

The Wikipedia entry on Feed-In Tariffs gives this definition “an incentive structure to encourage the adoption of renewable energy through government legislation. The regional or national electricity utilities are obligated to buy renewable electricity (electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar photovoltaics, wind power, biomass, hydropower and geothermal power) at above-market rates set by the government.”

More from Wikipedia, “The German federally managed program that has proven to be the world's most effective practice for boosting adoption of renewable energy technologies. Feed-In Tariffs (REFIT) have been associated with a large growth in solar power in Spain, Germany and wind power in Denmark. These countries now boast the supply of 9%, 5% and 20% of their electricity respectively. These systems involve fixed payments that are guaranteed in the long term; 20 years in the cases of Spain and Germany.”

For points of view on the ACES, here are a few resources:

Solar Energy Industries Association Improvements to the ACES, pdf summary.

Alliance to Save Energy, offers an energy efficiency perspective. From their website, “This legislation represents our first real chance for a national carbon reduction plan in the United States.”

IEEE, the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology, is conducting its first ever Energy Fly-In to Washington, DC June 15-16.  A review of their energy policy’s can be found here.  From their website, “Energy underlies and connects three converging challenges that face the United States in the early 21st century: security, prosperity, and the environment.  To address these issues, President Barack Obama and Congress have vowed to make energy issues a priority this year.”

Related information:
Tracking of the bill can be found at OpenCongress.org.

Testimony on the bill can be found at the National Resources Defense Fund site.

Projected Senate and House Votes on 2009 Climate Legislation information can be found on E2.org site.

Excerpt:

Witnesses in today’s Congressional subcommittee hearing today said it would take multi-agency cooperation to balance expanding renewable energy with environmental and land disturbance concerns.

Today’s nearly three hour hearing, by the Energy and Minerals Resources subcommittee, started around 9:30 a.m. at the University of California-Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center. Their focus is solar development on federal lands.

Nine panelists, including representatives from the California Public Utilities Commission and Bureau of Land Management, discussed various projects underway as well as specific solar projects.

Many were California specific. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has set of goal of raising its dependency on renewable energy to 33 percent by 2020, as well as cutting global emission levels by almost 30 percent from current use levels.

“These are very, very important goals,” said Julia Levin, the renewable energy commissioner for the California Energy Commission.

“These are also critical for our economy. These will create jobs, these will create new business opportunities for California … and finally give us true energy independence.”

For the full article, click here.

The intent of the Legislature is that AB 811 should be used to finance the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements that are permanently fixed to residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property.

AB 811 authorizes a property owner, upon written consent of an authorized city official, to purchase directly the related equipment and materials for the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements and to contract directly for the installation of those sources or improvements. 

Funding options include using the general fund, issuing municipal bonds, partnering with a utility to get financing or setting up private financing.  

Palm Desert and Berkeley led the legislative charge to put AB 811 in place, and have now enabled hundreds of properties to be outfitted with energy efficiency and renewable energy systems including solar. The “Berkeley First” program was launched Nov. 07. Their pilot program is fully subscribed at $1.5 million.  The Palm Desert Energy Independence program is now in its third round of financing, having installed $7.5 million in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic systems in their town.  

The Sonoma County Energy Independence program has completed a feasibility study and is planning on offering a $40 million program, which will also include water conservation systems.

San Diego is working on a “Solar Roof Program.” The pilot project will focus on 150 to 300 homes, and 1 technology – solar photovoltaic. Success for the pilot is deemed to be completing the financing cycle, collecting 150-200 loan packages, and aggregating those smaller loans into larger packages that can be sold off on the municipal bond market. Encinitas, Napa and Redlands are all in the exploration phase of AB 811 programs.

Cities like Anaheim and Santa Monica have solar supportive programs already in place.  Santa Monica promotes solar adoption through its Solar Santa Monica program.  Solar installation firms bid for program, and guarantee “group” pricing.  HelioPower is a installer for this program.   

All across California residents and property owners are working with their elected officials to find new and innovative ways to increase the use of sun to power our electricity needs. 

For further information and a review of the legislation, click here. Support AB 811 adoption in your town! 

This April 22 is the 39^th anniversary of Earth Day.  HelioPower, founded in 2001 with a dedication to bring solar to as many rooftops as possible, will participate in several CA and Nevada events. The HelioPower energy consultants will help homeowners and commercial property owners understand how solar power can help put more “green” in their pockets and do their part for the planet.

A bit of Earth Day history…

“First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was spearheaded by a grassroots movement to shake up the political establishment and raise environmental awareness. Although planners had neither time nor resources to effectively organize the event, it took place across the nation with amazing results. An estimated 20 million demonstrators and thousand of schools and local communities participated.  The Earth Day founder, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, remembers, ‘That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.’ That first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Act.

The amazing energy associated with Earth Day propelled the movement forward, and in 1990 Earth Day went global, reminding us of our interconnectedness and mobilizing 200 million people in 41 countries, lifting environmental issues onto the world stage.  Today, huge climate changes impact everyone; the opportunity to raise awareness seems more important than ever.  Earth Day celebrations have a huge potential to impact change as more than a billion people participate in Earth Day each year.”

Source:  Claudia Abbott, “lastword,” a column in SOM Magazine

Dedicated HelioPower solar consultants will be at the following events.  Please join us in celebrating this 39^th Earth Day – 2009!

Tahoe / Reno

Tahoe Truckee Earth Day, Saturday, April 18, The Village at Squaw Valley

20/20 Earth Vision: Reno Earth Day Celebration, April 19, Idlewild Park,

Orange County, CA

Eco Fair 09, April 22, Cypress, CA

Earth Day Celebration at The Ecology Center, April 25, San Juan Capistrano

Coachella Valley, CA

Party for the Planet, April 25, The Living Desert

San Fernando Valley, CA

Earthfest Carnival 2009, April 25, St. Cyril of Jerusalem School