Energy Solutions

Have questions about the new meter installed on your home?  Do you wonder how it works?  Will it record energy use differently than the “old” version?   Will the new smart meter change your energy bill?

HelioPower's Scott Gordon answers all your questions in this new video, "How to Read Your New Smart Meter."

“While most homeowners are familiar with the installation of smart meters on their homes, many are seeking more information about the smart meters’ impact on their electric bills,” said Scott Gordon, Vice President, Residential Sales for HelioPower.  “We will cover the the things homeowners need to know about smart meters including how to read the meter and how the new digital meters record energy use."

Have questions about the new meter installed on your home?  Do you wonder how it works?  Will it record energy use differently than the “old” version?   Will the new smart meter change your energy bill?

These questions and more will be answered in a free seminar series that kicks off this week in California.  Called “Smart Meters & Solar – 10 things homeowners should know about their new smart meter,” the series is presented by HelioPower, a leading California solar installation firm.

Millions of homes have or will receive smart meters in California. Mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), all investor owned utilities including Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) are installing smart meters.

The “Smart Meters and Solar” series is designed to help homeowners understand their new smart meter, how it records energy use and affects

PG&E Smart Meter

their electric bill, and how the new digital equipment works with solar energy production.  Sponsored by Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar companies, the seminars will be most beneficial for homeowners whose electric companies are SCE, PG&E or SDG&E.

Smart meters are the residential point of information collection for the smart grid. They connect your home to the smart grid in much the same way a cable or DSL modem connects you to the internet.

“While most homeowners are familiar with the installation of smart meters on their homes, many are seeking more information about the smart meters’ impact on their electric bills,” said Scott Gordon, Vice President, Residential Sales for HelioPower.  “We will cover the 10 things homeowners need to know about smart meters including how to read the meter and how the new digital meters record energy use.  We will also look at how and when solar is appropriate in this new ‘smart grid’ world.”

As part of the education effort, HelioPower has created a resource section about smart meters. Homeowners can find this information here on the HelioPower website page, 10 Things About Smart Meters & Solar.

The free informational seminars will begin at 6:30 pm.  The first 20 attendees at each event will receive a free solar LED key chain.

More information for community events and directions to reserve space is available by calling Billie Rafferty at 1.951.398.9811 or by going to Smart Meters and Solar online here.

The city of Murrieta has added 38 more rebates to its popular Murrieta Solar Rebate Program.  The city committed to 72, $1,000 rebates for approved residential solar installations (purchased systems, not PPAs or leases) in April 2010.   It originally settled on 72 rebates by taking the average annual solar installation in Murrieta over a 3-year period, which came out to 24 per year.

According to city representative, Brian Ambrose, “We assumed, especially in light of a horrible economy where residents had little/no chance of home equity loans, that we would have funding for the full 3 years.  We were surprisingly mistaken.”

“We have now processed our 70th rebate.  Had we not had the commitment of our City Council to continue this funding, the program would be wrapping up now.  But I’m happy to announce we still have 40 rebates in total to pay out (there are up to 10 being installed right now, but rebates are paid out on a first come/first paid process after final inspection).  Fortunately, I am able to speak to many of the residents that come in to drop off their paperwork for the rebate, and I can say that an overwhelming amount are highly satisfied with their systems and the company that installed them,” said Ambrose.

Mr. Ambrose will update residents on the program at the headquarters of HelioPower on August 3.  HelioPower is located on Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta.  The company is doing a series of educational sessions on “Smart Meters & Solar” to help homeowners understand the new digital meters being installed by utilities and the applicability of solar in the “smart grid” world.

For more information about the Murrieta Solar Rebate program, call the city at (951) 304-CITY (2489) or HelioPower at 1.87.SOLAR.888.

Senior level executives within the electric, gas and water industries, local government representatives, manufacturers and vendors, environmental groups, and policymakers and stakeholders will all gather tomorrow at the Frontier Project for the first ever Inland Empire Smart Grid Summit.

The Frontier Project Foundation, together with Itron, will host the event on Thursday, June 30th, 2011, to address the unprecedented opportunity arising from the intersection of two core building blocks – utilities and communications. Local solar industry leader, HelioPower, is sending a team to answer queries about the role of solar with smart meters and the smart grid.

The summit speaker line-up includes Key Note: Kenneth Chong, Honeywell International and panel speakers: Ken Devore, Southern California Edison; Pat Petersilia, Southern California Gas Company; Pat Hayes, City of Glendale Water and Power; Chris Couper, IBM; Pam Greene, Southern California Edison; Darron Poulsen, Cucamonga Valley Water District.

The Smart Grid Summit will educate local municipalities, environmental groups, and policymakers about the latest updates in Smart Grid and Smart Metering throughout the State. This unique event is based on the joint vision of the Frontier Project and Itron to create a forum to actively engage the region in the forthcoming Smart Grid and Smart Meter systems.

HelioPower is an integrated energy solutions company with nearly 2000 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001. The company is headquartered in Murrieta, CA and regularly participates in industry events at the Frontier Project.

The Frontier Project is a 14,000-square-foot LEED Platinum demonstration building dedicated to educating residential consumers, commercial builders, and sustainable energy advocates on the latest trends and technologies in water, power, and site conservation.

For more information about the Frontier Project, visit http://www.frontierproject.com

For more information, visit http://www.HelioPower.com

Information on Smart Grid event tickets can be found here

Murrieta, a solar friendly California city, has added more incentives for resident homeowners.  This month the city passed the Home

Solar in Murrieta installed by HelioPower

Improvement Incentive Project to “promote home improvement projects for its residents and encourage job creation and local shopping for home improvement supplies and materials.”  The project also benefits energy efficiency upgrades including solar.

The permit and inspection fees for applicable projects with the completed permit fees submitted during  July 5 to July 13^th period will be refunded to the applicant following the completion of the work.  City officials said this week that the average savings will be up to $250.  The program applies to Murrieta residents working with Murrieta located businesses.

To support the Murrieta Home Improvement Incentive Project, HelioPower, a Murrieta based solar installation firm, will extend its $500 cash back offer to Murrieta homeowners who go solar on or before July 13, 2011.  The HelioPower $500 cash back offer is due to close on June 21, 2011. Local retailers including Home Depot and Lowe's will be offering discounts to residents during the Home Incentive week.

The HelioPower extended $500 cash back solar offer is designed to cover the estimated $250 permit fee rebate from the city.  HelioPower cannot guarantee that project construction plans would be completed in time to meet the city’s window of July 5th to July 13th for permit applications.  Thus the company will extend this cash back offer to cover the cost of the permit.

City officials also offer a $1000 solar rebate, of which approximately 45 remain for residential solar installations, as of this post date.

Murrieta residents who are interested in the program and want to get a list of participating local businesses can see city officials at the upcoming 20^th anniversary Birthday Bash to be held Saturday, June 25^th at California Oaks Sports Park or call City Building Officials at 951.461.6051.

For more information about the HelioPower program in the city of Murrieta visit us at www.HelioPower.com or call 877 SOLAR 888.

by Glenna Wiseman
Vice President, Marketing, HelioPower

Children running in the grass.  Volunteers securing tents.  Dignitaries making their way to a donor’s reception. The many hands that have helped shape a sustainable community where once violence ran amuck all gathered last Thursday.  Those who have volunteered, supported and helped build this bright light of an affordable housing community in an oppressed neighborhood in San Diego came together to celebrate another milestone in the history of Las Serenas.  Las Serenas Goes Solar!

Donors, dignitaries, politicians, federal and state program representatives, construction partners and the community itself all rallied to help Community HousingWorks (CHW) celebrate another accomplishment for Las Serenas.

Las Serenas, on the border of National City and San Diego, is a shining example of the impact CHW has on communities as the rehabilitation of this 108-unit apartment complex transformed a formerly high-crime block into an attractive safe-harbor anchor in a struggling lower income community.  This time the cause for celebration was free solar energy for its tenants and the many tenant based benefits derived from a creative combination of state and federally funded initiatives.

In November 2009, CHW was awarded the first Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Track 2 grant by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) to install solar energy in the Las Serenas affordable housing community. CHW worked with HelioPower to develop and fulfill the Las Serenas project.

The grant funds provide free solar energy to the low-income families at Las Serenas. The program also provided residents with job training and educational support on all aspects of sustainable living.   The simultaneous  “green” apartment improvements grant from federal NeighborWorks funds provided  installation of low-e, dual paned windows, water-saving tub and kitchen fixtures, and related kitchen and bath repairs.

On Thursday, Community HousingWorks staff was joined by Congressman Bob Filner (D-Calif.),  NeighborWorks America CEO Eileen Fitzgerald,  Irene M. Stillings, CCSE Executive Director and solar installation partner, HelioPower, among many others to celebrate their solar and green building initiatives.

100% of the clean energy generated from the solar power system will benefit the Las Serenas tenants, offsetting on average 20% of their annual electricity bills.  Additional ‘green’ apartment improvements, funded through a grant from NeighborWorks America, will also lower tenant utility bills and create a more sustainable community.

Community HousingWorks President, Susan M. Reynolds spoke eloquently of the victories accomplished by her team and those at the

community itself, “Today we are celebrating the victory of our residents over those who would say we cannot be free from violence and despair,” she said.

Las Serenas tenant, Lillian Wellman, brought the benefits of the solar energy system to life when she spoke to the gathered crowd. “When I got my electric bill, I was so excited because I could afford my bill now,” said Lillian. “My first bill went from $60 a month to $36, which makes a huge difference for my family.”

“Look around you.  We are surrounded by energy.   And just about all of it comes from the Sun.   Wind comes through differential solar heating, hydroelectric power from the sun driven water cycle.  The food we eat – biofuels – calories – come from the Sun via plant photosynthesis.  Food is energy – human energy.  And Las Serenas is ultimately a story of energy,” said Tom Millhoff, Vice President of Business Development for HelioPower.

“We are surrounded by solar energy.  Some of it you can see. These 300 solar panels will produce about 100,000 kWh annually – enough to replace 76 tons of carbon dioxide– or the amount of C02 sequestered by a 15 acre pine forest.  You may see sleek black glass on these roofs… I see an urban forest and it’s beautiful.

These photovoltaic panels absorb photons – light – and that energy knocks loose electrons, which race through the panels and electrical

equipment, and every single kWh benefits Las Serenas residents… enough to reduce their electric bills by 20%.  The hardware you see is supported by software that monitors and measures the solar production and shows just how much clean solar energy is benefiting residents – you can see it today in the community center, and you’ll see it soon on the web.  But that’s just part of the story.

We are surrounded by human energy.  Creative, energetic and inspired people who’ve taken this effort far beyond a solar installation, and created a truly integrated energy initiative, who’s components include:

• Energy Workshops – conducted in both Spanish and English to increase resident awareness and appreciation of the benefits of solar & energy efficiency
• Ongoing Outreach – “Green” bi-lingual curriculum that teach residents how to live a more environmentally conscious life.
• Green Job Training and Job Creation – as part of this initiative HelioPower conducted solar installation workshops and hired Las Serenas residents to participate in the installation and get hands-on job training.
• Wireless Internet access – to improve this community’s communications and access to information and educational resources.
• Energy Monitoring – in the community center and soon on the web

This Las Serenas Clean Energy Initiative is a shining example of what can happen when the public, nonprofit and private sectors work together,” closed Millhoff.

At the solar celebration, CCSE presented CHW with its $412,000 rebate check for their MASH Track 2 initiative at Las Serenas.

Irene M. Stillings, CCSE Executive Director, started her remarks quoting the June 7^th New York Times Thomas Friedman column, “You really do have to wonder whether a few years from now we’ll look back at the first decade of the 21st century — when food prices spiked, energy prices soared, world population surged, tornadoes plowed through cities, floods and droughts set records, populations were displaced and governments were threatened by the confluence of it all — and ask ourselves: What were we thinking? How did we not panic when the evidence was so obvious that we’d crossed some growth/climate/natural resource/population redlines all at once? The answer is denial.”

"But not in California, not in San Diego and not at Las Serenas," proclaimed Stillings.

To memorialize the day’s celebration, the children of Las Serenas created a storybook about solar at the community, which they presented as a thank you gift to Congressman Filner. “The families were able to use the gift from the sun to supply energy to their homes and lighten their burdens,” stated one young resident!

PHOTO CREDIT:  Maria Robinson, www.DRMPhotography.com

Kent Miller builds on solar and related energy industry experience with move to HelioPower

HelioPower, an integrated energy solutions company with nearly 2000 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001, today announced the appointment of Kent J. Miller to Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales.  HelioPower engineers and constructs integrated energy solutions to solve the complex energy challenges facing organizations today.  Miller and his team will work to bring the company’s expanding energy solutions portfolio to a growing list of commercial and public sector clients worldwide.

“HelioPower has created a fully integrated suite of energy services,” said Miller. “This is critical in today’s energy market, when businesses and public sector clients face increasingly complex energy challenges.”

Prior to HelioPower, Miller served as the Sales Director of Services for SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a worldwide top five vertically integrated solar company.  Prior to SunPower, he acted as Director of Sales with SunEdison, the largest solar energy services provider in North America.  Miller built his expertise in managing emerging technology companies, leading a turnaround effort as vice president of sales and marketing for EnFlex Corporation, an energy monitoring company which was subsequently acquired by SunEdison in 2008. Miller's early background includes 5 years of sales experience with Apple Computer, and 14 years of sales, sales management, and business development with Microsoft Corporation.

“Kent has a remarkably broad experience in both energy and enterprise solutions,” said Ty Jagerson, President of HelioPower.  “Increasingly, renewable energy is about delivering compelling financial and technical solutions integrated with corporate customer requirements.  I’m thrilled to have Kent leading up this complex sales process.”

HelioPower's Derek Girling will address, “Realizing Your Solar Dreams” at the upcoming 2011 BodhiFest at the Malibu Jewish Center on Sunday, June 19.   BodhiFest brings together numerous traditions of Buddhism, with yoga, live music, films and more, under the United Dharma banner.

Derek trained with the Hopland-based Solar Living Institute and has worked with hundreds of homeowners and businesses in attaining their goal of switching to clean, sustainable solar energy. He will share his insights on solar’s role in renewable energy technologies and what’s in store for the future. Part of the discussion will focus on the various financial programs that have enabled many more environmentally conscious homeowners to realize their solar dreams.

Ironically, Derek got into solar because of his concern for the environment, but now finds that he spends most of his time talking about money. “Fortunately,” Derek says, “most homeowners now don’t have to choose between sustaining the environment and sustaining their pocketbooks!”

For more information about BodhiFest, go to www.BodhiFest.org

Source:  Bill Opalka, Energy Biz.com

California homes with solar systems sell at a price premium over similar properties, according to a new study.

A new Berkeley Lab report, “An Analysis of the Effects of Residential Photovoltaic Energy Systems on Home Sales Prices in California,” provides some evidence that a significant benefit comes with selling a home with a solar power system.

What are the implications for utilities if the trend continues or is experienced outside of California? The study doesn’t consider those prospects, but the obvious impact might be to encourage wider adoption of home systems.

“Relatively little research exists that estimates the impacts of those PV systems on home sales prices.  A clearer understanding of these effects might influence the decisions of homeowners considering installing PV on their home or selling their home with PV already installed, of home buyers considering purchasing a home with PV already installed, and of new home builders considering installing PV on their production homes,” the report says.

Almost 100,000 PV systems have been installed in California alone, more than 90 percent of which are residential. Innovative financing methods, called into question by lending underwriters, have played a major role in that.

To determine whether PV homes sell for significantly more than comparable non-PV homes, Berkeley Lab analyzed a dataset of approximately

HelioPower solar panel installation in Rancho Mirage, CA

72,000 California homes, almost 2,000 of which had PV systems installed at the time of sale. The analysts found strong evidence that California homes with PV systems have sold for a premium over comparable homes without PV systems.

The premium coalesced at nearly $17,000 for a relatively new “average-sized” based on the sample of homes studied PV system of 3,100 watts (DC). This corresponds to an average home sales price premium of $5.50/watt (DC), with the range of results across various models being $3.90 to $6.40/watt.

Other key findings include:

• When the data are split between new and existing homes, a large disparity in premiums is discovered: The research finds that new homes with PV in California have demonstrated average premiums of $2.32/watt, while the average premium for existing homes with PV has been more than $6/watt.
  • The research suggests several possible reasons for the lower premium for new homes, including that new home builders may also gain value from PV as a market differentiator, and may therefore have been willing to accept a lower premium in return for faster sales velocity.
  • The research finds strong evidence that homes with PV systems in California have sold for a premium over comparable homes without PV systems. More specifically, PV as a standard (as opposed to an optional) product on their homes and perhaps been willing to accept a lower premium in return for faster sales velocity and decreased carrying costs.
  • The research also finds that, as PV systems age, the premium enjoyed at the time of home sale decreases, indicating that buyers and sellers of PV homes may be accounting for the decreased efficiency and remaining expected life of older PV systems.

Solar homes are getting increased traction in some markets. That’s good news to both the developers and to those who might want to sell their home.

Bill Opalka is editor of RenewablesBiz Daily