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Murrieta is one of the most “solar friendly” cities in southern California.  Not only is the weather ideal for solar electricity generation, but the city officials have worked hard to create an atmosphere conducive to solar installations.

On Wednesday, March 30 at 6pm HelioPower will host an open house at the company’s headquarters located at 25767 Jefferson in

Solar installation in Murrieta by HelioPower. Van Dam family received Murrieta solar rebate in 2010.

Murrieta.  Residents will be able to tour the solar installation facility and get a status from city officials.  Brian Ambrose, Senior Management Analyst for the City of Murrieta will be on hand to provide an update on the city's solar friendly initiatives including the popular $1,000 solar rebate.  The program will also feature Scott Gordon, Vice President of Residential Sales and a popular speaker on solar, smart grid and smart meter related subjects.

Murrieta city officials report that the rebates for solar in their city are being claimed more quickly than they had anticipated.  As of March 14, the city has processed the 45th $1,000 rebate (out of a total allocated of 72).  So there are a total of 27 rebates remaining, although there are about 10 in the process of permitting, construction or final inspection stages.

In April 2010, the City of Murrieta began the Solar Rebate Program to incentivize residents to purchase a solar power system.  The rebate is open to purchased solar electricity systems on homes, not PPA’s or leases.  The City made available seventy-two $1,000 rebates with the expectation that it would take a minimum of 2 years until the rebates were fully paid out (based on past history).  However, as of March 14, there are only 27 remaining rebates.

On the business front, Murrieta is a solar installation company friendly city.  Officials understand that the permitting process costs solar installation firms added time and staff expense.  In an effort to save solar installation companies time (and therefore money!!), the City of Murrieta has recently implemented a more efficient permitting process for solar installations.  Instead of driving down to City Hall and waiting in line to submit permit paperwork, the city has adopted a scan and email submission system for solar permits.

Finally, Murrieta city officials have been very involved in the Western Riverside County Energy and Water Efficiency Conservation Program.  Last year the City of Murrieta and other area cities joined with the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to implement a PACE/AB 811 program.  Everything was going smoothly until Fannie Mae sent out a directive to mortgage companies to not honor PACE loans (not take a subordinate position).  The city reports they have worked through the details and are ready to move forward with the program.  Brian Ambrose will give a brief update on this program.

For information on the HelioPower open house please call 1 87 SOLAR 888 or save a seat by reserving it here online for the free Murrieta solar event.

See for yourself how solar is working for America. Following the sun across the nation, the SEIA film crew take a first-hand look at how solar is working for America and meet today's solar generation: the project developers, manufacturers, installers and of course, the clients – the people who are using solar power in its various forms for their homes, businesses and public buildings.

This 4-minute film highlights the Solar Generation USA Road Trip as the team discovers how widespread solar energy has become from the East Coast across the Midwest to the West Coast. Learn more about the role solar plays at a boat marina, fire station, New York City rooftop and the Crayola Crayon manufacturing plant, a zoo (with 'solar bears'), a gas station converted to a solar charging station for electric vehicles; and see how solar is putting people to work at a manufacturing site and a solar rooftop installation in the West; features a Crayola Crayon factory, Denver International Airport, a Garbett Homes community where solar comes standard, Colorado State University, the San Francisco Giant's ballpark and a Napa Valley vineyard.

Learn more and take the solar quiz to win a limited-edition tour cap. Visit http://www.solargenerationusa.org

At the October 26 Town Hall for Solar Santa Monica, a crowd of about 60 people listened and asked questions of a panel of solar marketers addressing ways to get solar "with no money down." 

In the marketplace today, "no money down" means via a lease or a Power Purchase Agreement.  Both methods of financing are now being offered for residential systems in Santa Monica.   

The speakers came from Solar Santa Monica's list of Preferred Contractors. In the picture above, from left, they were Scott Gordon (HelioPower/SunRun), Jesse Raynes (SolarCity), and James Brennen (OpenNeighborhoods/ Martifer). 

Naturally, every "deal" is different, but the basics to understand are these:

  ·  With a lease, you pay a fixed monthly "rent" for panels on your roof.The leasing company takes care of maintenance; you get the power. To be eligible, you must have a good credit rating.

 ·   In a PPA, you pay directly for the power your system provides, but at a price that is less than you would pay for power from the utility.  Again, you must qualify, and again you are freed from system maintenance.

  ·    In some cases, you can "pre-pay" – that is, put down an amount at the beginning of the deal – and thus buy down your monthly payment.  (It's like buying power for the next 10 years at today's prices.)

   ·   At the end of the lease or PPA period, typically 20 years, you will have to decide what to do: extend the arrangement, buy the system from the company, or ask that it be removed.  (Not a lot of detail on this, since no leases have yet come to an end.) 

Many questions were raised:  What happens if the property is sold mid-contract?  How is the system sized?  What if the company goes out of business?  Each contractor had slightly different answers, so be sure to compare carefully before you make a decision between a lease or a PPA.  And don't overlook that old standby, direct ownership, if you have the money to invest and want the very best return.

Source: Solar Santa Monica

Local Homeowners Benefit From Discounted Install Costs And Impartial Advice Buying Solar Panels

One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the largest national solar group discount company, today announced a new Coachella Valley program to offer homeowners relief from high electricity bills. By organizing homeowners interested in home solar, One Block Off the Grid can offer a significant group discount through pre-selected installation company HelioPower. Designed to make going solar easy and affordable, One Block Off the Grid’s program provides free, impartial advice and education about going solar and offers support through every step of the process.

“This is our second Coachella Valley solar group discount program with HelioPower,” said Dave Llorens, CEO 1BOG. “Last year, we helped almost 40 homeowners make the switch to solar by making the process easy and offering a great fixed price. We’re excited to see how many more people can benefit this year.”

Rancho Mirage homeowner Cecile Morgan went solar through last year’s program. “I liked that 1BOG did the leg work and answered my questions. The system wiped out 100 percent of my electric bill. It makes me feel better about the environment, and I like that the system will pay for itself soon and add value to my home.”

HelioPower is offering "Go solar for $0 down" financing which is also available to qualifying homeowners who are participating in the 1BOG program.

The 1BOG Coachella Valley solar program is available now to homeowners throughout the entire Coachella Valley area until February 8, 2011. For more information or to sign up for free, visit http://SolarCoachellaValley.1BOG.org. Interested homeowners can also call HelioPower at 1 87 SOLAR 888 and arrange a free on site solar evaluation.

HelioPower Rangers solar entry debuts in this year’s “Halloween Extravaganza!”

Editor's update:  The HelioPower team took second place!

HelioPower-team-takes-second-place-at-PD-golf-cart-parade

The mighty HelioPower Rangers bring the first ever “solar powered” entry to the world famous Palm Desert Halloween Golf Cart Parade.  Now in its 46^th year the parade draws thousands of local residents, desert vacationers and press from around the world.  It will be held this Sunday, October 31st at 1pm.

Whimsically decorated golf carts and bands march down Palm Desert's famous shop-'til-you-drop El Paseo, in the first major event of the season.  The HelioPower Desert Team of Matt McPherson and Matt Rifkin will steer the “solar” powered golf cart, making it the parade’s first ever solar company entry, according to sources at the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce.

The World Famous Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade originated in the early 60s, put together by several individuals who just wanted to have fun.  Production was “iffy” depending upon whether a chairman could be found for that year or not. The parade wasn’t an every year event until 1983. 

In the early days, it was “Christmas in July” for the benefit of local residents who found the summers boring.  The FireCliff Lodge served up turkey dinners and the carts were all decorated for Christmas. Now the parade is in October with over 10,000 spectators.

HelioPower has installed electricity generating solar power systems to many Coachella Valley residents.  Preparation by the HelioPower Rangers team was conducted out of the company’s Palm Desert facility. 

For parade schedule, pictures and more information visit http://golfcartparade.com

HelioPower, an integrated energy solutions company with over 1600 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001,  joined SunRun, the nation’s leading home solar company, in its rallying demonstration at Solar Power International (SPI) reaching hundreds of voters and raising thousands of dollars to support the “No on Prop 23” campaign.  If passed, Proposition 23 will threaten the environment and California green job creation.   The rally was a guerrilla demonstration, emphasizing the need for continued industry collaboration to reduce our dependence on fossils fuels.  As part of the effort SunRun donated $100,000 to the Sierra Club California No on Prop 23 Committee, and HelioPower and SunRun will host voluntary phone banking events.

When the SPI exhibit hall opened to the public last night at 5:30 pm, SunRun and its team of participating companies draped their

HelioPower shrouds Solar Power booth in show of solidarity with No On Prop. 23 rally

 booths in black netting, posted “No on Prop 23 signs,” dressed in black, and passed out fact sheets, stickers and ribbons about Prop 23 to educate consumers.  The black theme symbolizes the environmental destruction Prop 23 would cause, and the Proposition’s threat to the growth of California’s clean economy.  SunRun brought extra black netting, flags and educational materials to encourage more companies to join the cause on the spot.  The Sierra Club also joined the cause, providing No on Prop 23 fact sheets, on-site support and strategic guidance.

“Defeating this proposition requires financial contributions, grassroots efforts, and collaboration across industry sectors such as business and non-profit, and our demonstration at SPI was designed to bring those elements together,” said Lynn Jurich, president of SunRun and a recent appointee to the Sierra Club Foundation Board of Directors.  “Prop 23 is another example of how the industry needs to continue to collaborate to build a stable solar infrastructure, and this campaign is a critical starting point.” 

 “Companies like SunRun are leading in the development of a clean energy economy here in California,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.  “The Sierra Club is committed to defeating Proposition 23 so that this economic growth, and the job creation that comes with it, remains in the golden state.”

“It is incredibly important that voters in California hear about the damage Proposition 23 will do to clean energy job creation in California and there isn’t a better spokesperson to deliver that message than a company like SunRun,” Brune continued.

SunRun offers additional information on Prop 23 on the company Web site here: www.sunrunhome.com/no23.  To help stop Prop 23, anyone can:

• Register to vote NO on Prop. 23 (the last day to register to vote is Monday, October 18)
• Join the official campaign, Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition
• Spread the word: Tell a friend or neighbor and write a Letter to the Editor
• Connect with the cause on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Voting takes place on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Power Purchase Agreement Fund Will Finance Solar Photovoltaic Projects in United States; Funding Not Dependent on the Federal ITC Grant

HelioPower,  an integrated energy solutions company with over 1600 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001, announced at the Solar Power International industry show, a new power purchase agreement (PPA) fund to finance solar photovoltaic projects in the United States.  The fund offers attractive solar financing terms and is not dependent on the Federal Grant in lieu of ITC under Section 1603 of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ITC Grant).   

“This is our second fund and it allows us to specifically focus on the 350 kilowatt (kW) to 3 megawatt (MW) project range,” said Ty Jagerson, President of HelioPower.  “It’s also good timing for those projects that are at risk of losing funding from the federal tax grant at the end of this year.”

The HelioPower solar fund is available to solar integration firms, commercial property owners, and municipal or educational institutions for solar photovoltaic projects from 350 kW to 3 MW in size. The energy off taker must have an investment grade debt rating.  The program is particularly well suited to projects that require flexible terms up to 20 years. 

This is HelioPower’s second project fund. The company’s initial fund, the Green Energy Community Investment Fund, was a joint financing program of HelioPower and Citi Community Capital, a division of Citi, to finance solar power systems on qualifying commercial and public sector facilities throughout the U.S.  The fund had an emphasis on underserved communities and included such high profile installations as the solar photovoltaic system on The Tech Museum of Innovation (The Tech), located in San Jose, California.

For more information contact Sue Sparks, Vice President of Project Finance, SSparks@HelioPower.com

350.org is organizing a Global Work Party across the world on Sunday 10/10/10 to celebrate climate solutions and send our politicians a clear message: "We're getting to work—what about you?"

So far, there are 5127 events planned in 174 countries.

HelioPower will be supporting our clients, Barbara and Steve in Malibu, to host a solar electric system information event this Sunday, 10/10/10 at 5pm.   

Said Barbara, “Our concern for our environment led Steve and I to look into things we could do to help. Solar was a logical option for us because of its positive impact on the planet as well as our savings on our utility bills. We recently installed panels on our roof with a monthly payment program and want to share the good news.  Our HelioPower representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about solar.”

The HelioPower solar energy expert on hand will be Derek Girling. For more information, contact Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com  or go to the solar event in Malibu registration page on 350.org.

HelioPower,  an integrated energy solutions company with over 1600 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001, today announced the promotion of Ty Jagerson to President and the appointment of Todd Lindstrom as Chief Operating Officer. 

Jagerson, formerly co-founder of SolFocus and CEO of Simple Energies, joined HelioPower as executive vice president of commercial sales when HelioPower acquired Simple Energies in early 2010. 

“Ty’s performance since he joined HelioPower speaks for itself and this promotion is well deserved,” said Ian Rogoff, HelioPower’s executive chairman.  “We’re also excited that Todd has agreed to join HelioPower.  Todd brings extensive sales, engineering and construction experience in solar and renewable energy to our management team, and we look forward to his contributions to the company’s continued growth.”  

Lindstrom joins HelioPower from Solar Power Inc., where he was a founding executive and led numerous activities including business development, construction, engineering, financing and franchise operations. Lindstrom joined Solar Power Inc. in 2006, and was most recently executive vice president. He drove over 16 megawatts (MW) of completed solar power construction and developed the renewable energy pipeline of awards and contracts to over $150 million.

“Todd joins us at a key juncture and we’re expecting his energy industry experience to be an important growth accelerator for us,” said Ty Jagerson, President of HelioPower, Inc. “ Todd is an established figure in the industry and it’s a strong validation that he’s chosen to join HelioPower.”

Our friends over at SunRun have a great solar video series online.  SunRun founders, Ed Fenster and Lynn Jurich, cover many tips and their thoughts on the growing home solar movement.  SunRun is the nation’s leading residential solar financing company and we at HelioPower are proud to offer their successful financing programs to our clients. 

Here the founders discuss their business model and how it is helping thousands of homeowners enjoy lower, controlled electricity costs while using clean energy to power their homes:

You can check out the solar information series online at SunRun here.