Solar Electricity

Residential Ground Mounted Solar Power system in Temecula, CA by HelioPower

In concert with the solar industry’s biggest U.S. event, Solar Power International 08, HelioEMS, Energy Management Solutions, and HelioPower have announced a joint promotion to assist California customers.  The promotion, which runs through the end of the year, involves both energy savings technologies and a $500 discount on any residential or commercial solar panel system installation.  Solar Power International 08 takes place in San Diego, October 13-17, 2008.

Energy evaluation and reduction is the initial step any company should take to improve energy efficiency.  All commercial clients who sign up for a solar power system during this promotion and/or at the show will receive a complimentary energy on site walk through of their facility with a HelioEMS team member. 

From HelioPower, residential and commercial clients who contract for a solar power system will receive a $500 discount off their system price and a check for $500 on any referrals they send that result in a new solar panel system being installed.

“This promotion could not have come at a better time,” said Steve LoRusso, Vice President of Sales at HelioPower.  “With the extension of the 30% Federal Income Tax Credit now in place and with the removal of the $2,000 cap from residential tax credits, that easily makes what was a good investment in solar an absolutely great investment!  With utility rates going up like a rocket, we just can’t wait to show our new customers why they need to take a look at what could be their best investment in a decade.  Even if you looked at solar previously, you need to re-visit this investment, as solar is now 30% more lucrative!”

The solar investment tax credit provisions in H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, passed last week include:

• Extension for 8 years of the 30-percent tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations
• Elimination of the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations, creating a true 30-percent tax credit (effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2008)
• Allowance for Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) filers, both businesses and individuals, to take the credit

These credits are in addition to local state, city and utility based rebates that vary according to each region. 

“We’re delighted to partner with HelioPower to insure commercial clients are utilizing energy efficiently, prior to investing in a solar photovoltaic (PV) system,” said TR Bietsch, Managing Director of HelioEMS, Energy Management Solutions. “An energy walk-through of their facility enables us to assist customers right away with ideas and suggestions to save money on their electric bill.” 

Customers of Moreno Valley Utility now have another reason to consider solar – a rebate that can cut the cost of their installation by 40% or more.  On August 26, 2008, the City Council approved the "2008 Solar Special Program," designed to help MVU customers at the same time it is helping the City meet its renewable energy goals.

"Our Solar Special reflects the basic standards set by the California Solar Initiative," declared George Hanson, Moreno Valley Electric Utility Manager. "But we wanted to make our rebate more generous, and our process simpler, to encourage more participation."

Moreno Valley Utility customers who take advantage of the 2008 Solar Special can get a rebate of $4.00/AC Watt.  Like the program offered through Southern California Edison, solar installations must be on the customer's premises, and offset part of all of the customer's own electricity demand.  Systems must have a meter that measures how much electricity is generated and therefore how much credit the customer earns against the monthly utility bill.  Under California's net metering law, customers can only "zero out" their bill – they cannot earn credit for excess electricity production.

The minimum rebate of $4,000 is for an installation of 1 kW (1,000 watts); the maximum rebate for a residential installation is $25,000 (on a system size of 6.25 kW) and for commercial, industrial or governmental is $100,000 (system size of 25 kW).  The actual amount of the rebate will take into consideration solar panel output, inverter efficiency and design factors such as climate, azimuth, tilt and shading.  All incentives are base on available funds and verification of installation.

In 2008, you can also receive an income tax credit based on 30% of the cost of your new system, up to $2,000 for a residential install.  There is no cap on a commercial install.  This credit is scheduled to go away in 2009, so if you’re serious, don’t delay.

Michelle Pierce, MVU Program Coordinator, worked with consulting firm EcoMotion to design a straightforward application process.  "We have a seven-step process that is as simple as we could make it.  It starts with a completed Application that will reserve your rebate." 

For more information on this program, see the MVU site by clicking here; and call your HelioPower team based just near by in Murrieta to assist.  We are at Toll Free 87 SOLAR 888

This in from Forbes.com writers Joshua Zumbrun and Brian Wingfield, in their piece "Solar's Convention In The Sun":

Beneath the blazing August sun, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the stage in front of Coors Field's outfield bleachers and said that importing energy "is the principal drag on American capitalism and American prosperity."

The solution to the problem was literally beating down on him. At least that's the message at solar energy's keystone event at the Democratic National Convention. Kennedy, environmental lawyer and son of Robert F. Kennedy Sr., was the keynote speaker at the Solar Energy Industries Association's SunFest 2008.

SEIA's Wednesday afternoon event epitomized just how far and how fast the industry has come. In addition to Kennedy, several congressmen, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., spoke at the event.

"People have been saying solar is out in left field, and today we are out in left field of Coors Field," said SEIA President Rhone Resch.

In Denver, at least, the solar industry is feeling loved, seizing on the twin issues of energy and the environment to boost its profile. "It's great to be wanted at a convention," Resch remarked. "By Tuesday, I'd lost my voice talking to people. It's a fundamentally different convention than in the past."

Click here for the complete story.

Editor's note:  HelioPower's Steve LoRusso reported from the scene after his performance, "It was hot.  It was exciting and it was very gratifying to see the kind of support the industry garnered here today!"  See HelioBlog post dated August 22 for more info.

From Renewableenergyworld.com this week, CALSEIA Executive Director, Sue Kateley, speaks out on finding a reputable solar panel system integration firm in her article, "Solar Works, Scam Artists Don't." Here's an excerpt:

The sun is shining bright! The best time to reap the highest returns on a solar electricity system is upon us! You can add a streamlined analysis to your solar panel system research with our "Solar Power System Advantages Disadvantages" document. Download it today for a comparative analysis to help you make the best decision for your home or business.

This message is brought to you by the group Environment California, an environmental advocacy organization.
Please consider filling out this questionnaire about Solar PV which is being requested by Environment California. California legislature may add more renewable energy incentives if huge numbers of Californians fill this survey out demonstrating the high value they place on solar and renewable energy. Here is the questionnaire:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/energy/solar-survey?id4=ES

The survey is pretty quick and painless. It asks general questions about how you feel about solar power and what types of things might make you more or less likely to put PV on your home.

For more information on Environment California and their energy initiative, you can check them out online at: http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/energy/fact-sheet.

See you in the field!

One of our own team, Kristin Underwood, is an accomplished blog author. She also happens to be an excellent solar power installer. She wrote up her experiences in Treehugger. This is a fact filled and personal view into how a residential solar power system is installed including photos. Kristin demonstrates how the passion for doing "green" can yield great results!