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! 

A growing number of states are moving to require home builders to offer solar electricity and hot-

New home solar power system in California installed by HelioPower

water systems in new homes, right alongside more traditional options such as fancy kitchen countertops and special window treatments.

"It's just like the granite countertop upgrade or the two-car garage or the larger closet — these are options the homeowner can choose to purchase," said Jeff Lyng, the renewable energy program manager for Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's Energy Office.

In Colorado, lawmakers are considering a bill that would require builders to offer a range of options, from pre-wiring the home for solar power to full installation of a solar system. The legislation would also require builders to tell buyers they can roll the cost of the system into their mortgage, reducing up-front costs, Lyng said.

"What this begins to do is standardize things. We're trying to build Colorado's infrastructure to be ready for solar," Lyng said.

The Colorado proposal has passed in the state House and awaits Senate consideration. Ritter, a Democrat who had solar panels installed at the Governor's Mansion in Denver several years ago, said he plans to sign the bill.

Elsewhere:

•New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill last month that would require builders in developments of 25 homes or more to offer solar panels to home buyers and to discuss during construction the benefits of clean energy.

•A California law taking effect in 2010 will require builders to offer solar panels on homes in developments of more than 50 houses.

•Hawaii, starting Jan. 1, will require all new single-family homes to include solar hot-water heaters, said Russell Pang, a spokesman for Gov. Linda Lingle, a Democrat. Hawaii imports 90% of its fossil fuel energy sources, Pang said. "Living on an island, that's not the kind of thing we want to be depending on."

•New Mexico home builders must offer solar-ready wiring but are not obligated to offer solar installation, under a law that took effect last year.

The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels or solar water heaters through 2016, said Karen Schneider, spokeswoman for the federal Energy Star program. The credit covers materials and installation costs, with no ceiling on claims.

Colorado officials hope at least 10% of the 12,000 new homes expected to be built in the state this year have solar systems installed, creating at least 300 jobs for installation technicians, Lyng said.

Daniel Glick, of Lafayette, Colo., helped persuade more than 25 families in his neighborhood to install solar systems over the past several years. Glick said residents agreed to use homeowners association dues to make low-interest loans to their neighbors to cover installation costs. Glick now gets a monthly check from his power company because his home is generating more power than it uses.

"It's not just the right thing to do. It makes economic sense," he said.

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.

Initially he talked with Kyle Lynn, the company's sales coordinator.  "Kyle, you were the first person I talked to that got me started on an exciting journey.  Thanks for taking the time to answer all my fact finding questions" said Mr. Price.

Kyle asked HelioPower energy consultant, Vanessa Wendling to work with James on his new system.  Mr. Price said, "Vanessa, thank you for being so patient with me.  I've lost count of how many times I called you at work and at home, late in the evening, not to mention the numerous times you called me keeping me well informed about what was going on.  I finally had the chance to meet you after (your) five hour drive to Lompoc for the on-site evaluation.  You had no fear when you climbed up onto my roof to take the necessary measurements.  After crunching all the numbers for the roof instsallation, the pole and ground mount systems and reviewing all the pertinent dates, I decided that the ground mount would be the best way to go."

Next Vanessa worked with New Resource Bank to secure the financing for James' system.  Rebates are a critical component to savings on a new solar power panel system.  On the HelioPower team, Jane Kamangar assisted James with his rebate paperwork.  He says, "Jane thanks for all the documents you sent to me and keeping me well informed on what was happening with the extremely important rebate program."

Bert Paddie, project manager, moved the Mitsubishi 185 Photovoltaic ground mounted system forward with his design drawings and project implementation.  Bert kept the track record on this project going well with, as Mr. Price describes, "impressive paperwork and drawings.  When I submitted the plans to the city for review I was informed that it would take at least 2 weeks for approval.  The permit to install the system was issued to me in just one week."

The project was now in the installation phase.  Tim Molek was the Lead Supervisor, working with technical assistants Tony Molek and Ryan Williamson.

Mr. Price describes the installation process:

On 5, 6 and 7^th August 08, I had a ground-mounted Photovoltaic System installed in my back yard. 

After obtaining all the necessary materials and equipment, they (the crew) immediately went to work filling ten pre-dug holes with galvanized pipe and concrete.

The first thing I noticed was how well they worked together as a team.  The work was hard and dirty but the coordination of the crew was phenomenal.  They continued to work until the concrete was poured and the posts properly distanced and perfectly aligned according to the post detail specification drawing.

All went well the following day, with the installation of the solar modules, inverter, three electrical disconnect boxes, conduit and all the necessary wiring required for final inspection.

Thanks to everyone for a job well done. You’re the BEST!”

James L. Price, pictured here, with his new solar power system in Lompoc, CA

Editor's Note: Photo is of Scott Gordon residence and his solar power array system

"I live in a 2000 square foot house. How many solar panels do I need?"

If I had a 200 watt panel for every time I've been asked this question, I would've solved the world's energy problems long ago. Alas, I wish there was a simple answer to this question. The answer lies not in 'how big' your house is, but rather 'how big' your appetite for energy is. A simple illustration of two identically sized houses should shine some light on this topic.

Tommy and Eric live next door to each other in identical tract homes.

To the casual observer, the only obvious difference between Eric’s house and Tommy’s is the paint color. However, if we analyze the cost of operation of each of these buildings (yes although you may not like to think of your cozy little home this way, it is indeed just a building) we’ll discover dramatic differences in both the volume and application of energy.

Knocking on Eric’s door we discover he’s a friendly bachelor who works at home as an outside sales rep. He travels a lot on business, so he often asks Tommy to feed his cat. Of course, Eric has the usual things, a 60” flat screen tv with surround sound and the latest gaming consoles of choice. As to be expected he also has a refrigerator, electric stove, dishwasher, central air, washer & dryer, and home office complete with computer, printer, wireless internet, Gibson electric guitar, amplifier, and a charging station for all of portable electronics. The lighting in his house has been almost entirely changed to compact fluorescent bulbs. Since Eric travels a lot he doesn’t get to enjoy his home theater as much as he’s like and since he prefers eating take-out his kitchen appliances (other than the fridge) are hardly touched. In addition, the local cleaner happily washes and presses most of his clothes. Eric’s annual electric bill is around $600.

Tommy on the other hand is a father of three: Jimmy (age 12), Johnny (age 8), and Sally (age 4). Tommy’s wife Molly is a homemaker and makes the best chocolate chip cookies in town. Upon entering Tommy’s house, we find many of the very same appliances Eric has, with one major difference – they actually get used!

With three kids to look after, Molly is very busy. Every morning she turns on PBS for Sally and throws in a load of laundry. It’ll be the first of many throughout the day. While Tommy and the boys take showers, she makes breakfast (and later dinner) for the family using some combination of electric and microwave oven. She empties last night’s clean dishwasher load and fills it right back up after breakfast with plates, glasses, coffee cups, utensils and pans. Then Molly runs a vacuum over the house.

Even though the sun is shining in the house’s east windows, almost every lightbulb in the house is on and they’re all incandescent! Jimmy left the bathroom lights on as he hurried out to school (he also left his computer and stereo on). Three of the bedroom closet lights are on. The lights in the family room where Sally enjoys morning cartoons and the twelve canned lights in the kitchen are always on – 24/7.

At 11:00am every morning, the pool pump kicks on. This bad boy runs for 6 hours a day everyday of the year. To make matters worse, it’s 102 degrees outside, so Molly cranks up the AC and leaves it on late into the night since the second floor gets incredibly hot and the family has a terrible time sleeping in such heat.

Can you guess what Tommy’s annual electric bill looks like? Well, I can tell you that if Tommy lives in California his average monthly electric bill is in the $500 - $600 range putting his annual nut at a whopping $6,000 - 7,000!

This financial drag would be bad enough for poor Tommy and his family, except his utility just notified him that they’ll be increasing tariffs next year by 14%. This is the equivalent of adding a thirteenth month to his bill! I hope Tommy gets a pretty hefty raise next year. He’s going to need it.

I wish I could say that I made this story up, but it’s based on the very real differences in power consumption I see every day. Are you more like Eric or Tommy or are you somewhere in the middle? You must answer this question for yourself before buying solar panels from anyone. This self analysis is critical if you’re to get the biggest bang for your solar buck.

In my next post, I'll help you determine your 'Energy Profile' and how your use of energy impacts the cost of going solar.