Solar Energy

You are currently browsing the archive for the Solar Energy category.

New Study Shows Extending Solar Tax Credits Will Create Jobs, Increase Investment

September 15, 2008 in Federal Tax Credits, Green Collar Jobs, Green Energy, Solar, Solar Energy | 1 comment

Keeton Construction, Temecula, CA by HelioPower

Keeton Construction, Temecula, CA by HelioPower

From the PR Newswire today, 9.15.08: "If Congress Passes Bill, 440,000 permanent jobs will be supported by the U.S. solar energy industry by 2016."

WASHINGTON, Sept 15, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A new economic study issued today by Navigant Consulting, Inc., shows that more than 1.2 million employment opportunities, including 440,000 permanent jobs, and $232 billion in investment would be supported in the U.S. by the solar energy sector alone through 2016 if Congress extends the solar investment tax credit (ITC) for 8 years.
"By extending the solar investment tax credits, Congress can provide an immediate boost to the floundering U.S. economy by creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and injecting billions of dollars of new investment capital into the economy, while at the same time driving down energy costs for consumers," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), based in Washington, D.C. "The solar energy industry creates jobs that are the foundation of our economy — jobs for manufacturers, construction workers, engineers, roofers, electricians, and plumbers. These jobs are needed now and Congress is in a position to extend the ITC and ensure that these jobs are created here in the U.S."
According to the study, by 2016, the solar energy industry would create 440,000 permanent U.S. jobs with much of the direct growth occurring in domestic manufacturing, construction and the trades. This figure reveals the strength of the solar job creation engine when compared to the current 79,000 direct employees of the coal mining industry and the 136,000 direct employees in oil and gas extraction.
"There is the potential to create significant U.S. employment and investment opportunities," said Jay Paidipati, Managing Consultant at Chicago-based Navigant Consulting, Inc. "An 8-year extension of the ITC would allow the market to maintain or possibly exceed its current growth rate."
For the full story, click here.

Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) Announces "2008 Solar Special," Rebate Among Best in CA

September 4, 2008 in Clean Energy, Electricity Bill, Federal Tax Credits, Solar, Solar Electricity, Solar Energy | No comments

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 mv_new-logowith 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

Solar's Convention In The Sun

August 28, 2008 in Environment, Green Collar Jobs, Green Energy, HelioPower, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Electricity, Solar Energy | No comments

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.

Solar Works, Scam Artists Don't

July 11, 2008 in Commercial Solar Power, Residential Solar Power, Solar Electricity, Solar Energy | No comments

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:


Solar works. Solar products are available for your home or business that will produce electricity, heat water for your household uses and even heat your pool. There is no reason why any reputable company needs to oversell or hype the benefits of solar energy.

Many solar companies in California have been selling and installing solar systems for decades. Most companies started up their solar business in the last several years. Unfortunately, however, more recently the industry is experiencing something new: people who have created fancy websites and presentations and act like they will sell you a good product, when in fact they have little or no expertise. Customers should do their research to make sure that the solar company they are considering has a good reputation and sufficient experience.

In the last few months, there have been reports from several customers in California who gave very large deposits to a solar sales people but never received a solar system. These people lost their deposits and it is likely they will never get their money back. The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) is trying to help these unfortunate people but it also wants to make sure that there are no new victims.

Financing Residential Solar Power

June 6, 2008 in Financing, Santa Monica, Solar Energy | 1 comment

Mark Your Calendars: Increased interest in solar throughout California has given rise to new financing options, some available to homeowners for the first time in 2008. Solar Santa Monica invites interested residents, brokers and solar installers to attend a FREE panel discussion on solar loans and PPA’s (Power Purchase Agreements) featuring representatives from New Resource Bank, Sun Run and Helio Micro Utility. The program takes place on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. Seating is limited so call to reserve your place: (310) 458-4992. Source: EcoMotion for Solar Santa Monica

"Sweet Spot for Solar" – GE calls for cheaper, cleaner energy

April 22, 2008 in Green Collar Jobs, Green Energy, Solar Energy | No comments

In today's headlines, NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of General Electric, said Monday much of the technology to make energy generation cleaner and more efficient is available now. The challenge, however, is deploying it and making it cheaper.

CNNMoney.com staff writer, Steve Hargreaves, reports from an industry meeting sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute, a utility trade group.

Immelt said GE is investing in a wide range of energy technologies. He specifically mentioned solar as one that has great potential.
The cost of solar power should fall from 30 cents a kilowatt hour today to under 15 cents "in a relatively short time," he said. "That should open up a sweet spot for solar."
By comparison, American consumers currently pay about 10 cents an hour on average for electricity, according to the Energy Information Administration.
The U.S. utility industry will likely be a recipient of clean technologies developed outside the U.S., Immelt added, whether it be cleaner coal processes fine-tuned in China or renewable technology pioneered in Europe.
But he encouraged the industry and U.S. government to take the lead in capping greenhouse gas emissions and developing clean sources of energy.
"The time to act is now," he said. "When you lead in clean energy, you create jobs. This is a place the U.S. could lead."

Solar Energy in California…Saving 533 kilotons!

April 21, 2008 in Green Energy, Solar, Solar Energy | 1 comment

According to the statisticians over at Cooler Planet, by the end of 2007, solar power systems in California have saved over 533 kilotons of carbon emissions from going into our atmosphere. A kiloton is 1000 tons. That's a whole lot of carbon emissions NOT in our atmosphere. To look at these amazing stats yourself, visit the California Solar Power History page, brought to us by Cooler Planet.

Newer entries »