From "State of Solar California" post by Jim Jenal:  In the first two installments in this series (Part 1 and Part 2) we looked at the most recent data from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) covering the first half of 2011 in Southern California Edison's (SCE) service area. Using that data we identified trends in cost, equipment and system efficiency.

Who Charges What?
Here is a chart of the Cost per Watt for the largest installation companies in the SCE service area (you can click on the chart to see it full size):

First, let us give credit where it is due.  The low end outlier is HelioPower, Inc., at $6.56/Watt, and they did it with an efficiency factor of 87% – second best of anyone on that chart. Nice.

But who is that way off in left field?  Coming in at a staggering $13.32/Watt – a full $1.40 higher than their nearest competitor and more that twice what HelioPower is charging – is Galkos Construction, Inc., also known as GCI Energy, out of Huntington Beach.  For that money, they must surely be offering only the most efficient and sophisticated technology, right?  Not so much.  To the contrary, the average installation efficiency for Galkos is only 84.9% – the second worst on the chart and well below the average of 86.11%.  In fact, 99% of the time Galkos appears to use Sharp panels – not exactly an exotic solar panel brand – and in particular the Sharp ND-224UC1 panel (66.5%). A quick Google search reveals that the Sharp ND-224UC1 can be purchased, at retail, for $2.65/Watt or less.  Given that Galkos handled 400 projects in this data set, it is hard to believe that their price for all of their equipment, particularly the Sharp panels, would not be not heavily discounted.

Quality Counts

Quality, of course, is important, and the data does not reveal – though the Internet hints at – the quality of installations from Galkos.  Here is how the company describes its own product offerings (from the “Services” page of their website):

Solar by GCI [Galkos Construction, Inc.] Energy
GCI Energy is the largest solar company in Southern California with over 30,000 customers. So you get the most knowledgeable professionals, excellent customer service and a better price.GCI Energy solar offers the highest efficiency solar panels on the market – those manufactured by Sharp. With Sharp Solar Panels, GCI Energy can tailor a solar panel installation to your specific needs and lifestyle, so you get maximum performance without a maximum investment.
(Emphasis added.)

Does Galkos actually have 30,000 solar customers?  Certainly not (nobody does).  Are they providing “a better price"?  It is not clear what their standard of comparison might be – but their price is not better than any of their major competitors in that chart.  And of course, the statement does not define what they mean by “the highest efficiency solar panels on the market,” but it seems unlikely that Sharp would make that claim.  Here’s one chart that concludes that they couldn’t (note the efficiency of the SunPower and Sanyo panels first, then search for Sharp).

All we can say in response is, caveat emptor.

Oddities – SolarCity

Now we turn to the Oddities section of this post.  Unlike the outliers, which were always of interest to us, we were not looking for the oddity we report here – it literally just jumped out at us.

Sold versus Leased

Question: What is the difference in reported cost between systems sold directly to the end customer and those that are leased (i.e., have a third-party owner in CSI parlance)?

The initial difference that we stumbled upon was so startling that we knew we needed to narrow our focus and control for as many variables as possible to isolate that one factor.  To achieve that end we restricted the data to those residential systems (i.e., between 1 and 10 kW) that were “pending” in the CSI/SCE data (thus, the newest proposed systems in the data which, based on our Part 1 analysis should mean the lowest cost systems). That way our project sample would be as homogenous as possible, eliminating cost variations based on system size and timing.

Given those restrictions, the top 5 installation companies in which the system is owned by a third party are: Verengo (482 systems), SolarCity (468), American Solar Direct (124), Sungevity (99), and HelioPower (63).  Of those five, only two also have direct sales projects pending: Verengo (7) and SolarCity (9).  Let’s see how they compare:

What is going on here?  For Verengo, as the number of systems increases – which it does in going from sold systems to leased systems – their cost per Watt decreases – which is what we would expect.  But not so for SolarCity – even though they are leasing 50 times as many systems as they are selling, their cost for the leased systems went up – way up – as in up by $3.12/Watt!

For the complete post by Jim Jenal of Run On Sun, please link here: http://runonsun.com/~runons5/blogs/blog1.php/solecon/state-of-solar-california-part3

Are you curious if solar will help your family budget?  Maybe you've gone solar and would like your friends and family to enjoy the same benefits you are getting from solar? If yes is the answer for either question then we'd like to invite you to one of our upcoming solar community events.

Our solar community events are designed to be no-pressure, informational

The Needham's in Murrieta watch their meter spin backwards as solar by HelioPower cuts their electric bill.

style meetings.  They will give you, your friends and family members a chance to learn how solar works and if it can help you reduce or eliminate your electric bill.  As our utility bills continue to rise, freeing up the money spent on electricity can help your family's budget and return financial benefits for years to come.

Free community events will be conducted for solar information in San Diego, solar in Corona, solar in Redlands, solar in Valley Center and The Frontier Projects event for solar in Rancho Cucamonga. You can find out about the specific programs available in your region and if solar can assist you in reducing or eliminating your rising electric bill.

To reserve your seat at a solar community event near you click here or call us directly at 1 87-SOLAR-888.

One solar customer's story

From the Needhams’ in Murrieta, HelioPower solar power customers since 2006: Over the past few years we have been seeing our energy bills rise as much as 30% annually with no end in sight. Having always had a passion for energy conservation, we thought it was time to take action. When we heard about the state solar rebate that covers one third of the cost, the $2,000 federal tax credit (is now 30% no cap), and the instant increase in our property value… we figured that even at our age it was worth the investment.

After researching solar providers, we found HelioPower provided the best solar panels on the market and offered the lowest price. The installation was a treat for us. They were the most efficient and neatest installers we have ever seen in action. There was never any mess at the end of the day and it took a short 3 days to install. The panels blend nicely into our roof and if we did not brag about it so much, we doubt our neighbors would ever notice.

About six weeks later we received our rebate check from the state. Our panels were turned on April 19th, 2006 and we have not paid for electricity since. We LOVE to watch the meter run backward, especially with all the heat this past summer. We would recommend HelioPower to anyone interested in Solar Power.

Bill and Peggy Needham

Solar Home in Murrieta, CA

By Tyler Michael
Director/New Solar Homes Division, HelioPower

How much solar do I need?

This is the first question that we hear when asked to design solar for a new custom home. If you get an answer to that question from someone who does not ask you at least four or five questions back, you might consider showing them the door in a hurry before either of you wastes too much of your time. A good solar contractor will always carefully prioritize the customer’s interests.

Generating more electricity for a residence than is required to run that

New solar home installation by HelioPower

residence is not a very good way to spend money. Utilities are increasingly being called upon to pay for “over-production” by residential customers; however your best value is eliminating only the power you actually use. Most people building their “Dream Home” tend to overestimate the energy requirements of their new home because they are thinking in terms of their older home’s requirements.

Why do people overestimate electrical use in their new home?

In most cases, the new home is substantially larger than the old one. Naturally, there is good reason to assume that if the new home is twice as large, the energy required to run that home will be greater. This is not necessarily the case. In California and in most other states there are far more stringent “Energy Efficiency Requirements” in place for building new homes than were in place when the owner’s previous residence was built. Before you can get a building permit in California, you must show that some minimum energy efficiencies have been designed into the home.

For clarification, speak to your architect about your “Title-24” or CF-1-R form. Because of these design requirements, a 3000 square foot home built in 2010 is likely to require about 60% of the electricity that the same size home, with the same amenities built prior to 1985, will require. This difference is not quite as evident in the mildest climates. 

Some of the most important energy efficiency improvements in recent materials and design are:

• Radiant barrier roof sheeting
• Higher insulation ratings
• More efficient HVAC Systems
• High efficiency lighting systems, including activity sensors
• Low ”E”  windows and doors, with better sealing
• More efficient pool pumps

While all of the above greatly reduce electricity loads, there is still the ”Lifestyle Factor” to consider in calculating true energy usage. Your personal habits are an important factor. Just because we design homes with automated systems and better features, there is nothing that will guarantee the occupants will not override the automated controls or ignore the opportunities for energy savings built into the new home. Your energy consumption in your own home is still, and rightly so, your own business. If you choose not to take advantage of the systems in your home you may not realize the benefits of those systems.

Here are some questions that you should hear when a solar contractor discusses sizing a solar plant for your new home:

1. How much (kWh) electricity do you use now in your current home?
2. How many square feet is your old home?
3. How any square feet is your new home?
4. Are those homes in the same “Climate Zone”?
5. Will there be the same number of occupants with the same habits?
6. What are the ages of the occupants? (Small children will grow up to use more energy, and elderly occupants may have special comfort requirements.)
7. Are there “guest rooms” or other parts of the home that will not be in constant use?
8. Do you plan to occupy the home ”full time”?
9. Is your new home serviced by the same utility company as your old home? (rates differ)
10. Do you have or plan on purchasing a Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV)?
11. Are there any other major changes in your lifestyle that you will be making in the new home?

Of course, you can see where these questions are leading. There are many other pertinent questions, depending on your specific requirements, lifestyle and design. The absence of these questions will let you know immediately that you are talking to the wrong contractor, and the presence of these kinds of questions that will at least assure you that you are speaking with someone who MAY be qualified to design an appropriate solar plant for your new home.

New homes are a very specialized sector of the solar marketplace. There are hundreds of solar contractors in California but only a small percentage of those are qualified to design and install solar for new homes, and secure the generous New Solar Homes Partnership Program (NSHP) Rebates for their customers.

For more information contact Tyler Michael at his email, TMichael@HelioPower.com

In the early 20th century, America’s largely rural population was transfixed by an exciting new technology – the automobile. For most of mankind’s history, people either walked or rode horses, carts or wagons to get from point A to B. The invention of trains and streetcars enabled long distance travel and people could now move about easily within growing urban areas. But travelling from your family farm in Greenville to the market in Mudville was still either a hoof or heels proposition.

Henry Ford’s invention of assembly line production of the venerable Model T brought personal transportation to the masses and expanded mankind’s footprint geometrically across the globe. The implications of this transportation revolution a century ago are dramatically evident today.

How does this relate to solar energy?

Until now, and for the vast majority of people, electrical energy generation has been in someone else’s hands – the local utility. Weekend engineers and survivalists have pieced together their own homegrown solar arrays for over a decade, but recently, and for the first time in history, you can easily and economically generate much of your home’s energy. Yes, most businesses and homes are still dependent on their utility for energy from the grid when the sun’s not shining, but even cars are confined to roads and dependant on gas stations. Harnessing solar energy has brought man an unprecedented level of energy independence, especially in rural areas. Water pumps, lighting and refrigeration have been freed from the shackles of a mass produced energy system.

Those early transportation pioneers overcame their unfamiliarity with this new technology. The first people to buy Ford’s cars didn’t have a father or uncle they could turn to with experience buying cars. They surely didn’t think of cars as being almost disposable either! Within a short time, and no doubt driven by necessity, these new drivers were experts on repairing flat tires and plugging leaky radiators. New industries servicing the auto industry sprang up overnight. America’s and the world’s industrialized economies were on the move.

HelioPower solar installation

Today’s solar pioneers are also addressing their unfamiliarity with this new technology. They diligently educate themselves online about mono vs. polycrystalline efficiencies, optimum tilts and azimuths, and minimizing shading issues while pensively calculating when to jump in and commit to having their own solar power system installed. Fortunately, solar energy systems have virtually no moving parts and are relatively maintenance-free. New service and manufacturing industries including solar financing (not unlike GMAC!), system maintenance and low-energy use fixtures are emerging. Commercial and residential solar system installations have grown from thousands to hundreds of thousands and soon millions within just the last decade.

There is, however, a crucial difference between the personal transportation revolution and the solar energy revolution that cannot be overstated. Although the mass production of the automobile has freed mankind in many respects, automobiles are directly responsible for significant worldwide environmental destruction. Large swaths of the planet have been paved for roads and parking lots. Fuel sources and refineries pollute our lands and waterways. Emissions from hundreds of millions of internal combustion engines choke our skies. Renewable energy sources like solar offer the only hope of breaking carbon-based fuel’s grip on our planet’s health. Today’s solar pioneers are the first responders in the healing of the planet!

This solar revolution promises, at the very least, to slow the rate of global environmental degradation and may be the killer app that turns the tide on the general adoption of renewable energy sources and generation technologies. Ironically, these solar energy arrays will be fueling our plug-in electric vehicles – the equivalent of a Model T and a gas pump on your homestead. A century from now, we may look back on today’s rooftop arrays and be reminded of those pioneering farmers, their trucks laden with the fruits of their labors, smiling as they thank Henry Ford for saving their feet from that long walk to Mudville!

Contact Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com

This past year’s tremendous growth in residential solar installations hasn’t gone unnoticed and new solar companies are hanging their shingles out every day!  Contractors that up until last year were busy installing aluminum windows and garage doors or wiring parking lot lights are now touting themselves as solar power experts. California alone has over 1,500 solar installers operating in the state. More than a few of these companies are very small operations run out of the owners’ garage.

Designing and installing a reliable and efficient solar power system requires expertise in engineering, roofing techniques, and electrical systems. Another overlooked skill is the ability to accurately submit your permitting and rebate application paperwork in a timely manner.

Selecting a contractor can be stressful! This is a significant investment and you’ll have to live with the results for decades. Some questions a homeowner should ask include:

Does the contractor have more than one crew? If not, managing your installation along with inspections and follow up visits will be challenging.

What is the likelihood of this contractor being around in ten years to back up their warranty? The California Solar Initiative requires all installers to warranty their workmanship for 10 years but if your contractors is out of business, you’re out of luck.

How does this contractor manage their cash flow? This is very important considering they may be floating literally tens of thousands of dollars in rebates. Cash flow problems can result in delays or substandard materials used on your home. Make sure your contractor is well capitalized. Evidence of a financially strong contractor can include direct relationships with their industry partners. Larger contractors are able to leverage their size to get the best pricing and availability of components from their vendors as well as offer residential solar financing services from companies that trust their installation abilities.

Fortunately for homeowners there are several on-line tools to help answer these questions and steer you to an experienced professional.

The first place to start is at the California Contractors Board website to check their license. Just type in the contractor’s license number (if they don’t provide you with a license number be suspicious!) and this website will verify that their license is current and in good standing. Confirm that the license number they gave you corresponds with their company name. You can also check the contractor’s bonding and workmen’s compensation policy information as well as if there are any complaints against them.

Next go to the California Solar Initiative website to find out a little more about your potential installer. This webpage has a search function so you can see how many, where, and what size installations they’ve done. The data is compiled from reservation requests filed within the last three years with Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, or Pacific Gas and Electric. (Municipal utilities like LADWP or SMUD are not included in this database.) Many solar water-heating installers with limited solar electric experience inflate their installation number claims – this is where you’ll see just how many installs they’ve done. Another red flag is an inordinate amount of withdrawn or cancelled applications.

One of the best features of this site is the ability to determine if your installer is actually the one doing their installations! Many new solar marketing companies function as a middleman and are not the actual contractor on the job. Note the two different fields “Seller” and “Contractor” in the search tool. If they aren’t the same, this may be the case.

Two other useful resources are Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau. You can see if anyone else has experience with your contractor. Of course, a potential contractor should be able to provide you with a few customers as references.

It’s a fact that a well-engineered and properly installed solar system will deliver you clean low-cost power for decades. Spending a little time researching your solar power contractor is the best way to avoid headaches and ensure that you get your money’s worth out of your investment!

Contact Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com

"Our team is already moving homeowners to solar power through the HelioPower-offered SunRun financing plans,” said Scott Gordon, Vice President, Residential Sales for HelioPower. “For as little as $1,000 out of pocket, our customers can lock in a low electricity rate for the next 18 years and save money every month. Imagine if you could have locked in your gasoline costs at $1 gallon or even $2 gallon? How much money you would be saving today?  HelioPower’s offering of SunRun empowers us to accomplish this kind of energy savings with your electricity costs. We are very pleased to be working with SunRun to offer our customers an affordable means to go solar.”

SunRun purchases home solar systems designed and installed by HelioPower for its customers, who pay only a low one-time installation fee, and then a low fixed rate for the solar electricity produced by their system. All SunRun customers receive money-back annual performance guarantees in addition to professional-grade monitoring, maintenance, repairs, and insurance, which remove the complexity and risk from going solar.

“In a very short time, HelioPower has inspired customers to go solar with SunRun, said SunRun President Lynn Jurich.  “Working with HelioPower, we look forward to helping even more California homeowners power their homes with clean energy and take control of their electricity costs.”

Vice President Sales, Residential, HelioPower

If you read the first part of this series, you were exposed to the aesthetically ugly side of solar – literally solar that looks unattractive up on the roof and detracts from a home’s curb appeal.  Such solar installations can have a negative impact on a community’s perception of solar technology.  After all, who wants to live in an ugly house?  Not many folks as far as I can tell.  Yet there is an uglier side; a side you can’t see.   It is an improperly installed system.    

Improperly installed systems can often look great up on the roof.  They may even encourage neighbors to not only go solar, but to use the very same company that performed the first shoddy install.  These badly installed systems may perform well for years before exposing their dark underbelly in the form of galvanic action (think rusting panel frames, rails, bolts, etc); leaky roofs, deck rot, short circuits, and even fires.  

In this article, I will cover many of the things that can happen if you choose an inexperienced contractor to install your solar project, how you can avoid signing up with the wrong company and online resources to allow you to gauge a company’s experience in the field.

First, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of shoddy solar installations.  There are hundreds of little details that go into any solar installation.  These need to be well understood by the procurement manager buying the equipment, the warehouseman loading the truck, the project manager and finally the installation team.  For example, if the procurement manager decides to save money and buys substandard equipment (think non galvanized steel, cheap mastic, etc), then there will be repercussions down the road regardless of how well the installation team does its job.  On the other hand, the best materials in world won’t spare a roof from the ravages of an inexperienced installation crew.

This photo shows a lag bolt (that thing that holds the solar foot and thus the panel on one’s roof), from the underside – the attic/crawlspace.

This lag bolt very obviously misses the roof truss.  It was one of seven I found on a recent botched installation my company rebid and fixed for a distressed customer left high and dry by an unscrupulous contractor.  You may be asking yourself why this matters.  Few people understand the harsh conditions their roofs endure day in and day out, season to season, year after year.  Extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, sleet, snow, and other elements beat on your roof, and consequently, your solar system.  Solar racking systems, like those offered by ProSolar, are engineered to withstand wind gusts up to 120 mph.  That’s some serious live load!!  But the racking systems only work if they are properly installed.

The installation sitting above this attic will be in serious jeopardy over time.  Wind (whether gusty or not) causes lift when it’s funneled under a solar array.  In most cases, this is a good thing.  The wind can help keep the solar array cool on a hot day, and thus result in higher energy yield.  However, if roof trusses are missed, the aggregate effect of this lift over time (especially from intensely gusty wind) is a gradual loosening of the feet holding the rails to the roof.  In some cases, the feet could detach from the roof altogether.  The most common result is roof leakage. If cheap components were used the result will often be rusty leakage (think of orange stains on your living room ceiling).

In this next example, roof leaks are inevitable.  This inexperienced crew was exceptionally bad at locating studs.  They left the roof littered with these unsightly holes as they poked around trying to locate rafters.  When we took the job over and removed the old feet, our crew discovered up to four penetrations per foot! The roof damage was so acute that we had to bring in a licensed roofer to repair it all.

Where the installers eventually decided to set their feet, they left the penetrations unflashed (we double flash everything) and messy.  Also notice the rusty bolt in the center of the rail.  While it may seem harmless enough now, galvanic action of dissimilar metals ensures that the corrosion will spread to the nut, the rail, and eventually the frames of your solar panels.  If the roof truss was missed underneath the attachment, you have the perfect recipe for rusty roof leaks.  Insist that your contractor uses only stainless, galvanized and extruded aluminum components for all roof attachments.

While avoiding roof leaks is of paramount concern, so is proper electrical etiquette.  Rather than use proper galvanized steel conduit for his electrical runs, the contractor used cheap flexible plastic and fastened it to a rusty lag bolt with a cheap indoor rated plastic tie wrap (which the sun will turn to dust in a matter of months). 

Obviously satisfied with the cheap tie wraps’ ability to hold things together on the roof, the inexperienced crew then used the same tie wraps to affix the electric conduit to the customer’s thermal pool system.  Notice also the exposed green ground wire running across the roof in clear violation of electrical code.  Exposure and corrosion virtually guarantee a future of annoying and system crippling ground faults.

While I could show you photos ad nauseum, I’ll wrap Part II with the scariest photo of all:

The system pictured here was so badly put together (from an electrical standpoint), that the fuse terminals continued to burn AFTER the fuse blew.  Fortunately, this problem was discovered before it caused a house fire, but it underscores the importance of choosing a qualified installer.

So, how can you check up on those clamoring for your solar business?  First, start with the standard protocol:

1.       Get at least three bids

2.       Check your state’s state licensing board and the Better Business Bureau for suspension and complaints

3.       If you live in California visit: http://www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov/application/search/

Select the solar contractor(s) you’re considering from the list and see how many and what types of systems they’ve installed.  If a contractor is not listed, precede NO FURTHER.  Cross them off of your list.  If a contractor has less than 10 installations, they may still be learning.  Ask yourself if you want them learning on your house.

4.       Ask for their solar certification credentials. NABCEP is the gold standard in the industry.  A NABCEP certified installer has years of experience and several difficult tests under his belt.

5.       Look at the other businesses they may be involved in.  Today scores of companies and individuals are flooding into the solar marketplace.  These include window companies, flooring companies and even food companies (it’s scary, but true).  Your best bet for a quality installation is to go with a company that specializes in solar (specifically photovoltaics, PV) and is dedicated industry specialist.  They will be the most knowledgeable and best overall value.

6.       Ask for references and to see local installations in your area

Well, that’s it for Part II.  Stay tuned for Part III where I’ll explore the final frontier of ugly solar, the true ‘dark side’:  Shade.

According to a Yahoo! Finance report yesterday, August 10, “Technology, Tenacity Drive Down Solar Power Costs,” solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has changed little since the energy crisis of the 1970s, but it's finally getting cheaper.

The report goes on to say:  Large-scale rollouts of solar farms in Europe in the past few years have virtually commoditized PV as an energy source, and huge installations on the way in the United States and China will cement that process.

Edison International (NYSE: eix) subsidiary Southern California Edison got the go-ahead last month from California's energy regulators to build and manage 250 megawatts of solar power generation and contract for another 250 MW from outside developers within the next five years, making it the largest solar PV program ever undertaken.

Independent solar industry consultants Solarbuzz estimates that worldwide solar PV installation hit almost 6,000 MW in 2008, nearly double the 3,000 MW of 2007.”

In its August review of solar photovoltaic modules, Solarbuzz states “This month we have good news for solar electricity consumers and also for the solar industry.

The first area of excitement for PV end-customers is the rapid fall in solar module prices. The August 2009 survey set two records – the largest number of price declines in one month and for the magnitude of the monthly decline in both the US and European price indices.

There were 176 price declines this month. In the eight years of this survey, there has never been anything close to this number of moves in a single month. The previous high was 126 declines in May of this year. In past times when prices were rising, the largest number of price rises in a single month was 142, back in August 2005.”

More from the Yahoo! Finance report: The economic downturn has lead to a collapse in the price of silicon, a key ingredient in the making of solar cells, and short-term drop in demand for modules.

State-level renewable portfolio standards (RPS) have mandated that an increasing amount of renewable energy be generated. There is also a national RPS-like mandate currently in the Markey-Waxman energy bill making its way through Congress. And an array of tax credits and renewable energy mandates have also subsidized solar PV to bring its cost per kilowatt hour more in line with that of "brown" power, usually coal-fired in the U.S.

Finally, the efficiency of the solar cells themselves has improved. Early this year, researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems created a solar PV cell that's 41.4% efficient, beating the record held by the Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory by almost percent.

The cost of solar energy production on a kilowatt-hour (kwh) basis, with all government subsidies netted out, has dropped 8 percent from a peak of 22.04 cents/kwh in January 2002 to 20.40 cents/kwh in July 2009.

That efficiency is trickling down the supply chain to customers.

Solarbuzz estimates that the "customer price" of an average, flat-roof-installed, 500-kilowatt solar energy system – a size typically used by an industrial user that includes the panels, inverter and grid connection hardware – dropped by 0.7 percent alone from June 2009 to July 2009, to about $2.4 million.

Manufacturers and installers of solar modules are looking for new ways to decrease costs, lower prices and attract customers, at a time of rising demand; that race for profit could be seen at the second annual Intersolar 2009 trade show, was held in mid-July in San Francisco.

In addition to silicon ingot, wafer and solar cells makers like Canadian Solar, (NASDAQ: csiq) there were firms like Applied Materials (NASDAQ: amat ) and Alcatel (: aclu), which are intent on squeezing efficiency out of the process of making solar PV modules.

All of these gains in efficiency could see solar energy reach the key goal of parity with coal within the next few years.

Right now, consumers, businesses and community building owners can purchase solar power systems at an all time low.

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.

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.