Solar Power Systems

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

Yesterday Solar Santa Monica announced the Preferred Providers selected to support the City-sponsored program, now in its second year. Preferred Providers install solar photovoltaic (electricity) and solar thermal (hot water) systems for homes and businesses at agreed-upon, fixed prices. HelioPower was selected to provide residential installations along with three other firms.

“We’re very pleased to be selected for this program,” said Steve LoRusso, VP of Sales for HelioPower. “Santa Monica is taking the risk out of going solar by pre qualifying each solar energy installation company.”

Firms were selected based on experience, prices for a fixed-price system, responsiveness, reputation and demonstrated interest in the program. The price they will offer for a small solar system is approximately $540 to $1,200 less than last year as a result of this competition.

“We want to increase solar activity throughout the City by offering a free Solar Service to residents,” said Susan Munves, who heads up Solar Santa Monica for the City. “The Service includes a site visit by a staffer to discuss energy usage and solar potential, before the referral to the Preferred Provider is made.”
Solar Santa Monica’s kickoff was in January, 2007. Since then hundreds of people have become aware of solar through meetings, advertising, and community outreach. And the amount of solar capacity in the City has doubled. The long-term goal of the program is to help move Santa Monica to energy self-sustainability by 2020.

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!

This blog is dedicated to information about solar power systems, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies of all types. We are dedicated engineers and professionals with extensive experience in solar power and other sustainable energy technologies. We want to share information and experience from within the renewable energy industry.

We understand the passion “to make a difference.” We're passionate about about our work in the green energy field. This blog is an exciting opportunity to share information about being as energy efficient as possible, saving money on your energy bills whether you own a home, run a business or manage a facility…all to do our part in the search and implementation of environmentally positive changes. We’ve making a difference and you can make a difference too!