LA City Council Set to Approve DWP Rate Hike

They’re at it again.  LADWP is raising electricity rates 11.1% over the next two years, unless the LA City Council votes against the hikes, which they won’t.

After internal LADWP approval, endorsement from the LADWP Rate Payer Advocacy Group, and now tentative backing from the LA City Council before a second vote next week, the increase appears destined to hit our pocketbooks. 

What might be the reason behind the rise? To bloat the salaries of utility employees?  No.  Well, at least not directly.  More on that later… 

A LADWP issued press release from September 12, 2012 states:

“The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners moved forward today with a proposed 2-year electric rate change to pay to pay for investments needed to comply with legal mandates that are driving a complete transformation of LADWP’s power supply, to invest in replacing rapidly aging infrastructure to maintain reliability and expand customer opportunities through additional investment in money-saving energy efficiency programs which also comply with state requirements.”

Solar Forward crew installs SunPower Panels on a tile roof

Whether we continue charging our lives off finite fossil fuels, or invest in pricier renewable energy (which thankfully we are shifting towards), the fact is our energy expenses will and must rise.  Here in California, electricity rates are rising at an average of 6% each year.

And there's more.  According to a LA Times article, “Independent ratepayer advocate Fred Pickel told the council that the DWP's financial plan called for possible increases of 7.8% in 2014, 7.6% in 2015 and 6% in 2016.”

Yes, it’s a drag.  No, we can’t change it.*

Still, LADWP’s publicity battle would have been easier had it not just been revealed that their staff are paid approximately 26% - 46% more than workers at other utilities.  While levelheaded Angelinos may accept higher energy costs during an economic downturn, it’s a bit hard to swallow in light of these generous salaries.

*Here’s the secret: you can avoid utility inflation.  Go solar.  Produce your own energy by purchasing a solar system, with an average ROI of 7-9 years.  After that, your electricity is free.  Or, lease a solar system for no money upfront, paying only a low monthly payment for the next 20 years.  Zero-percent interest.  No catch.  Contact Solar Forward for a free estimate, www.solarforward.com.    

Back to the Future: DWP Shuts Down Solar Again

The LADWP solar program has deteriorated into chaos. 

New applications into LADWP for solar are experiencing over two month delays!  Solar contractors and homeowners are being held captive by the utility.  Until given the go ahead by LADWP, we are unable to move forward on pending projects.

In the peak summer months, LADWP has effectively shut down the solar industry by dismissing their entire solar inspector staff.  And this isn’t the first time.

All trained and experienced solar inspectors have been replaced by a new group of  “union” employees with no background in solar energy. 

The delays are mounting.  During the sunniest months of the year, when demand for electricity is greatest and we’re asked to flex our power, we have solar systems switched off!  

Calls, emails, more calls.  It is nearly impossible to reach anyone at LADWP to air grievances and find solutions. 

What can be done by the City Council and the Mayor’s office to create oversight for LADWP?

The people of Los Angeles want renewable energy.  Sadly, LADWP has repeatedly made it impossible, and is still wasting taxpayer money at every turn.

LADWP Slows Solar in Hottest Summer on Record

The act that granted the right to interconnect solar systems with the power grid is called PURPA.  It was passed by Congress in 1978.

Solar Forward installed its first grid-tied solar system in Los Angeles in 2005.

Solar is not new.  So why now, in 2012, do utility companies still struggle with its implementation?

The issue is not demand.  Californians thirst for more solar.  In July alone, over 600 solar rebate applications were submitted to LADWP.

During a summer which may be the hottest ever on record, installation of solar panels must be a priority.  President Obama gets it.

At Solar Forward, much of our summer has been spent speaking with new clients who are exasperated that their homes are still powered by coal.  "We're really sorry, LADWP has not processed your rebate application."  "We're really sorry, we don't know when LADWP will be out to inspect your system."

It seems no amount of anger or frustration penetrates the antiquated walls of LADWP.

Out in Northridge where the daily temperature this month will average around 97 degrees, one of our clients has been waiting for a LADWP inspection for 6 weeks.  And counting.

In Tarzana, another client has waited months to install his 18 kW solar system.  He rightly wonders why systems like his, which would take a much needed burden off the grid, are not rushed through LADWP's solar program.

In a world where most people who fail at their jobs are fired, LADWP gets a pass.  Los Angeles homeowners are left with high electricity bills, and polluted skies.

Meaningless Mandates?

From Obama, to Brown, to Villaraigosa, everyone has a plan to wean us off fossil fuels.  Elections are near, but are we any closer to the renewable energy goals mandated by our political leaders?

We’re talking the green talk, but are we walking the green walk?

Unfortunately, not yet.  Well, maybe a little.

First, let’s take a look at the goals.

In Los Angeles, we’ve been tasked with generating 30% of energy from renewables by 2020.  According to LADWP, 39% of the utility’s power comes from coal, while less than 1% comes from solar. 

On a macro level, CA is expected to be 33% renewable by 2020.  As of 2010, only 14.6% of generated electricity in the state was renewable.   Governor Brown will earn himself a name upgrade to Governor Green should he succeed in meeting this goal, but it’s looking unlikely. 

Just 10 years away from our deadline, it’s obscene that a tiny fraction of our roofs are carpeted in solar in the “Golden State”.  There is enormous untapped potential in CA.  To unleash solar, drastic policy changes must occur, including inside the utilities where officials are slow to adapt. 

The highly anticipated Feed-in Tariff program is a great start.  However, for a state using more than 59,000 MW at peak demand, the program’s pilot 10 MW is a drop in the bucket. 

What good are mandates when policymakers are dragging in compliance?  We’ve elected these leaders expecting results.  It’s time to move.  The clock is ticking. 

Edison / LADWP and the stealing of the Sun

Edison is stealing from all new solar customers. If you install a new solar system and you generate power - Edison is not giving you credit for three months. Some or our customers are loosing over $1000. This is unfair and will backfire for Edison. So far the response from Edison has been " NEM legislation (is) becoming more complex" and "each NEM Package is now reviewed by our Field Engineers (P.E.), which added to the review time." These excuses all add up to $ in Edison's pocket. Edison Field Engineers have no business being involved in a solar installation under 10 Kw. Period. They are not qualified, do not have the staff and have no incentive to do anything in a timely manner. All solar installations pass building and safety inspections. A utility can not justify the need for two inspections. Modern inverters are safe and smarter then the grid - they turn off when the grid goes too high or too low. Anyone who suggests a solar inverter is unsafe is living in the 1970's - period. LADWP is in a simular boat with different problems. They are having staffing issues and have no ability to approve and inspect systems over 10 Kw with a staff of four inspectors who do not carry a cell phone or return emails. The Solar industry is growing. The power companies are unable to keep pace and are doing, what appears to be their best efforts, to slow down the solar industry. What will it take to teach a utility how to play nice? Send suggestions and concerns to 411@solarfoward.com

Solar and the SO CAL utilities, Edison and LADWP

Edison is stealing from all new solar customers. If you install a new solar system and you generate power - Edison is not giving you credit for three months. Some or our customers are loosing over $1000.

This is unfair and will backfire for Edison. So far the response from Edison has been " NEM legislation (is) becoming more complex" and "each NEM Package is now reviewed by our Field Engineers (P.E.), which added to the review time."

These excuses all add up to $ in Edison's pocket. Edison Field Engineers have no business being involved in a solar installation under 10 Kw. Period. They are not qualified, do not have the staff and have no incentive to do anything in a timely manner. All solar installations pass building and safety inspections. A utility can not justify the need for two inspections. Modern inverters are safe and smarter then the grid - they turn off when the grid goes too high or too low. Anyone who suggests a solar inverter is unsafe is living in the 1970's - period.

LADWP is in a simular boat with different problems. They are having staffing issues and have no ability to approve and inspect systems over 10 Kw with a staff of four inspectors who do not carry a cell phone or return emails.

The Solar industry is growing. The power companies are unable to keep pace and are doing, what appears to be their best efforts, to slow down the solar industry.

What will it take to teach a utility how to play nice?

Send suggestions and concerns to 411@solarfoward.com

LADWP is lost in the sun

To LADWP,

RE; RES # 1065430

Muhl 13858 Weddington St

This job has been in the hands of LADWP since 2010. The job passed LADBS final in March 2011.

The paperwork has been lost by three departments at various stages and now it seems to be lost again. This seems to be an issue with jobs over 10 Kw.

We are willing to do anything possible to enable the completion of the ESR process but we can’t get anything done when there is a total lack of communication. We can not fax a 11x14 sheet and we have been advised in the past that 8 x 10’s are not acceptable. This paperwork was submitted and approved, for the second time in the spring. This would be the third review of the paperwork.

Andrew Hoesly has been attempting to resolve this for two weeks and has spent over 15 hours restarting an inspection request - after I was informed it was inspected five months ago.

The Muhl family deserves decent service and we are doing our best to provide it. I fail to see how a third submittal of the paperwork via fax, is going to resolve anything.

We need prompt email communication and confirmation that the requirements have been met. And we need cell phone numbers for inspectors that only return calls in the early morning - if they have time. This just drags things on for days, weeks or months.

The appearance is that there is no oversight and no concern for the time line that clients and contractors are forced to deal with.

I look forward to suggestions and a completion of this interconnection approval.

Sincerely,

Mark Smith

Thank you LA City Council!

LADWP has been given the go ahead to start the solar program on Sept 1, 2011.

We think this was the right decision. The council made several points that Solar Forward and the Los Angeles solar community will follow up on. We have mutual goals.

It is shocking to me that large solar lease companies were asking for larger amounts of free money. "Install less solar in Los Angeles and put more money in my pocket," was their business plan.

I hope these companies have a nice flight home. Don't mess with the Los Angeles based solar community. Did they learn their lesson or will they be back?

We have a Sunpower lease product that works with the reduced rebate. We have a great customer base.

Give us a call and get solar on your roof. The money will run out and the program will shut down again. But at least we are going to start installing and prevent more coal from being burned. We will find more funding and do our best to bring the price down.

RESTART THE LADWP SOLAR PROGRAM NOW!

REMOVE THE 245

RESTART THE SOLAR PROGRAM NOW!

· Los Angeles-based solar companies and LADWP customers overwhelmingly want the solar incentive program (SIP) restarted on September 1, 2011.

· The revised LADWP solar program is a fair and workable plan that will allow Los Angeles-based solar businesses to continue selling and installing solar systems for Los Angeles homeowners and businesses.

· The lower proposed rebate levels extend the limited program funding allowing more solar systems to be installed. This enables a sustained solar business to flourish in Los Angeles.

· We have a lease product that works with the proposed program, now. This gives all consumers equal access to a solar powered home.

· The mega Solar leasing companies with huge overhead and overblown advertising budgets want to take a larger chunk of LADWP’s rebate money and spend it on fewer solar systems. This helps their profit margin, not the people of Los Angeles.

· Our employees want us to run a business that keeps them working. Los Angelinos are eager to invest in solar systems. Restarting the program now will maintain the health of local businesses, keep consumers happy and help LADWP meet its solar program goals.

· Any further program delays will cause more local jobs and income to be lost while we burn more coal.

Solar, Bankers, Coal and a lease deal in LADWP land

Solar Forward supports starting the LADWP solar program as it is proposed in two weeks - we all want a sustainable solar business in Los Angeles.

LA residents are eager to go solar but are handcuffed by the rebate programs roller coaster ride.

Some greedy solar leasing companies want to take LADWP’s rebate money and move it to their bank account as fast as possible, as easily as possible. They are able get double dip on the tax breaks compared to the average consumer and the federal government ends up picking up the tab. Why do they want LADWP to pay for a cheaper solar system owned by an out of state banker?

The bottom line is the solar business will continue to be successful here in Los Angeles based on the solar program that LADWP has presented to the the people of Los Angeles.

We even recommended making the rebates 10% lower to stretch the funding even further and help avoid another shutdown.

Of course, everyone would like more money in the solar program but we know that the funding is limited at this time.

The real story is we can sell a leased solar system (with the new lower rebate levels) and still make it work! Sunpower has a great product! So the old school solar lease companies need to stop crying.

Please do not delay in restarting this solar program. It may not be perfect, but we feel that LADWP has made an honest attempt to improve and streamline the program and we can and will make it work.

Any hesitation today will delay the program by at least a month causing more local jobs and income to be lost - and the burning of more coal.

Solar Forward supports working with the proposed LADWP solar program - we have customers that are ready to go solar!

We need to start installing more solar systems in Los Angeles as soon as possible. The greedy bankers can work on a better financial product while we put people to work installing solar systems and stop burning coal.

Burning coal for Los Angeles electric power

What keeps LADWP alive. Coal. The more coal they burn the more money they make. Does anyone in LA see this? LADWP is broke. They are addicted to coal. How can we help? Rase rates. The residential customer costs the city of LA $ with every Kw-h consumed. The business customers support the residential customers. It is a bizarre business plan. It promotes the burning of coal to survive.

Solar energy costs money to install and stops the coal from being burned. Solar saves the environment and saves big bucks for many years to come.

Solar Forward. Saving the earth one solar system at a time.

Questions? 411@solarforward.com