SunRun

SunRun Uncovers California's Highest Electric Bills – Over $2400 of Financial Pain

An Oroville family growing food for veterans' shelters will receive free solar power for 20 years from SunRun after presenting the largest electric bill in California. The family submitted a June electric bill for over $2400 to SunRun's Battle of the Bill's contest.

Family members David Sato and his father and sister were delighted to learn they can take charge of their electricity costs and save money while switching to clean solar power from dirty power sources like coal. SunRun partner HelioPower will perform the Sato's installation.

"When we moved to California we bought 13 acres so we could have a more self-dependent and local lifestyle," said homeowner David Sato. "We have big gardens, we're building an orchard so we can grow our own produce, and we want to support our needs with renewable energy as much as possible. We're hoping to grow enough to be able to donate a large portion of the food to the local veterans' shelter."

Despite the Sato's best efforts to make their home as energy efficient as possible – for example, energy-efficient light bulbs, double-pane windows, new insulation – they struggle to keep electricity costs down. The Sato's noted that increasing rates and volatility with the local electric company are constant financial challenges.

"We're so excited to have SunRun," said Sato. "Even if we didn't win the contest we'd switch to SunRun because you can go solar without paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. The fact that this company lets you lock in low rates for clean energy is a huge draw. The first thing we want to do with our savings is invest in more solar!"

"We offered this contest to help educate more homeowners that solar can be a low-cost, smart investment, and that it's a great way to take control of your energy costs," said SunRun President and Co-founder Lynn Jurich. "We're looking forward to helping another home make the switch affordably."

"We were overwhelmed by the number of entries we received, and by the fact that so many people didn't realize solar is an option for them," added Jurich. "Even families with bills as low as $100 can save money with clean solar energy."

SunRun is the nation's leading home solar company and owns, installs, and maintains home solar panels so families don't have to pay $30,000 or more for them. Homeowners lock in low solar electricity rates for 20 years, protected from unpredictable utility rate increases. The company installs more than $1 million in solar every day. Details on Battle of the Bills can be found at: http://www.sunrunhome.com/landing-pages/highest-bill-ca.

Source:  SunRun

Industry report outlines strategies for accelerating solar to 50% of American homes

SunRun, the nation’s leading home solar company, has released an official report on how local governments can save $1 billion over the next five years and make solar affordable for 50 percent of American homes.  The report, “The Impact of Local Permitting on the Cost of Solar Power,” reveals that inconsistent local solar permitting and inspection processes add an average of over $2,500 per home installation. A direct response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) request for granular data on non-equipment solar costs, the report specifies how the DOE can take immediate action to solve local permitting problems and reduce unnecessary costs.

“Every city and town has its own set of regulations and requirements for solar installations. Our research identifies inconsistencies in local permitting as one of the most critical roadblocks to a sustainable, subsidy-free solar industry,” said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. “To tackle this challenge head-on, the DOE can use existing guidelines it has already funded to standardize local permitting and deliver the equivalent of a new $1 billion solar subsidy over five years.”

In the report, solar installers nationwide say repeatedly that local permitting is the most stubborn cost they face, preventing them from making solar affordable for millions of Americans. By comparison, countries such as Germany have simpler processes that keep solar installation costs 40 percent lower than in the United States. Germany reports about one million new home solar power installations in the past two years alone, whereas the total number of homes ever to go solar in the United States has just broken 120,000. SunRun’s report recommends the DOE lead a new Residential Solar Permitting Initiative, starting with high-volume cities that impact more than 50 percent of the solar market. The recommendations include a contest with grant rewards for cities that make the most effective and comprehensive improvements.

“Local permitting red tape keeps solar off of millions of American homes and businesses and seriously jeopardizes our ability to be competitive with entrenched fossil fuels,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. “Policymakers need to recognize that these additional costs put an undue burden on new, clean technologies like solar that are trying to create jobs in the U.S.”

Endorsements for SunRun’s report underscore the industry’s sense of urgency when it comes to standardizing the permitting process. A coalition of 22 leading installers from across the country endorse the report, including HelioPower, as well as industry organizations such as The Sierra Club, SolarTech, and Vote Solar. The report is currently under review with the DOE and available at www.sunrunhome.com/permitting.

Source: SunRun

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

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.

HelioPower's home solar financing partner, SunRun, has a cool new video to help explain home solar.  Check it out:

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.

The SunRun program, which HelioPower offers, enabling homeowners to receive 4 free months of electricity has been extended through the end of February.  If you sign up with SunRun through the end of February, your first 4 months of solar electricity are free! If you sign up in March you get 1 month free.

With HelioPower, this promotion is available to new customers who reside in California. The specific dollar value of the monthly credit will be equal to the value of an average monthly bill for the first year of your solar system. Each homeowner will see the specific value of the promotion credit before they sign a contract. Promotion credits will be applied when the solar system has been installed and is operating, and will appear as a credit on your monthly SunRun bill.

For more information, please visit us at www.HelioPower.com and click on the Four Free Months button.

Start your year with solar!

This year, make solar electricity your New Year’s resolution.  HelioPower has made it even easier for you to bring clean, renewable energy to your home with SunRun, the nation’s leading provider of home solar financing.  Sign up with SunRun in the first 3 months of 2010 and we’ll reward you with free months of solar electricity. 

·        January: first 4 months free

·        February: first 2 months free

·        March: first month free

This promotion is only available to new customers who live in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.  For more information, visit the SunRun promotion page.  Start your year off bright with 4 FREE months of solar!

4…2…1… go solar today! Call HelioPower today for more information, Toll-Free: 1-87-SOLAR-888!

Can you really afford another Summer without solar?

Solar In Palm Desert installed by HelioPower

 
Find out about solar for your home for as little as $1000 down*…
The best solar pricing ever in the Coachella Valley…
& insights from Coachella Valley residents who have gone solar!
 
Please be our guest on Wednesday, December 9 at 6pm to learn about how you can go solar for as little as $1000 down*.  You will also find out about how the 1BOG Coachella Valley solar discount program can save you money.  Martin Alvarez of the City of Palm Desert Energy Program will help you save money on your electrical bills with energy saving tips and neighbors who have gone solar will share their stories!
 
The program is hosted by the HelioPower Coachella Valley Team: Matt McPherson, Matt Rifkin and Scott Gordon. To RSVP or for further information, please call: 1-87-SOLAR-888 1-877-652-7888.

Where & When
Henderson Community Center
Rooms 1 & 2 – 72559 Hwy 111
Palm Desert, CA  92260-3306
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
6-8 PM

*Offer available to CA homeowners only.  Not applicable to commercial buildings. Other restrictions may apply.

HelioPower, a leading solar power design and installation firm since 2001, today announced that it is partnering with SunRun to bring affordable solar financing and service to its California residential customers.  SunRun is the nation’s #1 provider of home solar service. The company provides a smart, affordable alternative to traditional electricity.  HelioPower, through its California offices, will offer SunRun to homeowners in the state.

"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.”