Solar By and For Treehuggers

At its core, Solar Forward is driven by environmentalist principles.  Yes, we love to save our clients money and keep ourselves afloat, but the company was founded out of a desire to preserve and better the world around us.

Before establishing Solar Forward in 2005, Mark Smith was educated by one of the first environmentalists to warn of global warming, Barry Commoner.  Commoner was essential to the environmentalist vanguard of the 1950’s and beyond, advocating for now common ideas like recycling, bans on nuclear atmospheric testing, organic farming, and renewable energy.

Today, American electricity consumption has climbed steadily since the 1960’s.  Since the majority of this energy comes from greenhouse gas emitting fuels like coal and natural gas, this upward trajectory is undeniably dangerous.

With iPhone 5 sales surpassing 5 million in 3 days, curtailing energy consumption seems like a losing proposition.  While energy conserving efforts are important, they alone won’t keep our planet from melting.  What we must shift are the sources that keep us powered.

Each solar system we install moves us one step further away from damaging fossil fuels, which is why we like to say we're, "Saving the planet, one solar system at a time!”

Many of our clients are also environmentalists.  Others are not.  Either way, we are grateful to you all for making the decision to power with the sun.  Forward!

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.    

SCE Power Outage Alert: 755 Homes Affected in Santa Monica

Word on the street is the power is out, but here at the Solar Forward office, we had no clue.

At approximately 11:17am this morning, Santa Monica residents in the Sunset Park neighborhood lost power.  At the same moment, Solar Forward’s Outback Power battery back-up system kicked into gear.  The result: seamless transition to back-up power. 

No crashed computers.  No waiting around.  No delays to business.

Southern California Edison has yet to determine the cause of the outage.  The number of affected homes is growing, and ETA to restore power is unknown.

How can you make your home immune to the ins and outs of the grid?

Solar Forward's Outback Power battery back-up system

Go solar with battery back-up.

While solar without a back-up system is a great way to save money on your Edison electric bill, and reduce the amount of carbon being spewed into the atmosphere, it won’t keep you running during routine outages or emergencies. 

Safety precautions require that when the grid goes down, your solar goes down.  That is – unless have a battery back-up system. 

Solar Forward has installed a number of these systems in Santa Monica, leaving signs of activity and light, while the rest of the city sits stalled.

To inquire about solar and/or battery back-up systems, give Solar Forward a call at 310.433.3770. 

Watch our battery back-up video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAcbTzQDJLg.

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.

Plug-in Hybrids: An Electric Step in the Right Direction

If you’re anything like us, you may also feel the end of the world is just around one very hot corner.  Seeing America’s infrastructure snap under rising temperatures is terrifying.  

Tailpipe emissions account for one-fifth of worldwide carbon emissions.    Ideally, we would combat this by pouring funding into public transit, and single passenger car trips would become a rarity. 

Instead, we’re clinging to life as usual.  How do we have our automobile cake, and eat it too? 

Plug-in hybrids. 

Consumer habits have shown that most Americans fear the fully electric vehicle.  Unfortunately, the climate can’t wait for us to adjust to the idea of going to a charging station rather than a gas station. 

Luckily for future generations, drivers are willing to compromise.  Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are up 381% in just the first half of this year.  We won’t completely give up petroleum, but we are dieting. 

This new breed of hybrid can travel 20 miles before switching to gasoline.  And, the cost to charge at night is equal to a mere 75 cents per gallon of gasoline.

Plug-in hybrids are a great alternative to traditional EVs.  They ease consumers into the ways of electric vehicles, while allowing drivers their gas tank security blanket.

Call Solar Forward to learn about powering your plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle with the sun.   

What’s the “deal” with Unleash Solar?

Fed by abundant sunshine and a seemingly bottomless marketing budget, you may have noticed the Unleash Solar billboard garden that recently sprouted up across LA.

A cursory search led me an Aussi message board ripping into Unleash Solar, as well as this priceless video.  From the disappointment in the customer’s voice, you might think he was talking about Pluto’s removal as a planet rather than a shoddy inverter installation.

“You get what you pay for,” states one disgruntled message board poster.

Despite the highly publicized undoing of Solyndra and the like, the solar market is hot.  Venture capitalists eager to jump on board have yielded a number of companies like Unleash Solar, with more marketing expertise than understanding of solar technology and installation.

The model is simple: market big, install cheap by cutting corners, and cash in on the booming market.

At Solar Forward, we’ve proudly installed quality products with a skilled crew since 2005.  Because, after all, we’re a solar company.

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. 

Solar Pinball

Combine solar permitting bureaucracy and a no nonsense Solar Forward employee, and the result is a frustrated (and illustrating) work of art.  See creation above.

Gaining a permit may be the most cumbersome step involved in solar.  As city departments acclimate to the ever-increasing demand for renewable energy, contractors and clients sit.  And wait.  And wait.

In some cities (cough Van Nuys, cough Calabasas) obtaining a permit to install solar can feel like a cruel game of pinball, bouncing from one hurdle to the next.  The diagram above depicts a recent Building & Safety Department adventure.

Three hours, eleven lines, one permit.  I’d rather deal with the DMV.  

We all know “time is money”.  Are you familiar with this one, “wasted time is wasted money”?

This is not a meaningless gripe.  Attention must be given to these issues if we hope to see the solar industry and government work symbiotically.  When this happens, we will see more efficient, cost-effective, and greener cities.   

Why kick back gifts and cash for solar?

What could a solar company offer you to sweeten the deal?  How about throwing in an iPad or cash gift for signing a lease contract?

The Solar market out there is competitive.  And with competition comes sneaky marketing.

Incentives like a free iPad or cash-back to seal the deal with some companies are commonplace.  Unfortunately, kick back incentives are illegal.  (If you’re the legal type, you can check out the facts: §7157(b).)

Why do these companies opt for shady promotions over traditional marketing campaigns?  Most are selling a financial lease product that makes money for investment bankers who have no concern for you or your home. 

When solar marketers can’t distinguish their products from competitors with quality, they turn to kick backs.  Inferior Chinese panels that are being dumped on the market are cheap to buy, but have no track record.   Many of these installers cut corners during installation.  Who do you want making holes in your roof?

Quality is important in this industry.  Your system will be with you for 20+ years – that’s more than time than your kids expect to live under your roof.

Our recommendation - be an informed buyer.  Know the brand of panels that are going on your roof, know who is installing them, and what the method of installation is before anything is signed.  Read consumer review sites like Yelp, and ask lots of questions.  

There is a reason we are an Elite SunPower Dealer – quality work, the most powerful solar panels and impeccable customer support.

Out with Oil & Coal, in with Jobs & Clean Energy

Oil as a fuel source is dirty.  Coal, even dirtier.  Both are leading contributors to global warming, and pose major public health risks from asthma to mercury poisoning.  Nonetheless, oil and coal dominate our energy mix, with about half of all electricity consumed coming from coal-powered plants.  Like lead-based paint and driving without seatbelts, it’s time we add dirty energy to the laundry list of American bad habits of the past.

Today, an ideological battle plays out on the campaign trail as “drill, baby, drill” Republican hopefuls claim forward looking energy policy kill jobs and raise fuel prices.  Though politically convenient, it’s a lie.  In a New York Times Op-Ed, Krugman highlights a simple yet key point: domestic oil production has little to no impact on the price of oil, an international commodity subject to worldly influences such as the explosive demand for crude in China.

Meanwhile, the EPA released proposed legislation that would effectively eliminate development of new coal plants by placing unreachable emission requirements on power plants.  Implementing the policy would mean demand for electricity would have to be powered by low emitting sources, such a solar and wind, leading to new jobs as these industries grow.

The fight over America’s energy future is this: business as usual vs. innovation, job creation, and safe, clean energy sources.  We must move away from policies destructive to public health and the environment (i.e. policies fostering oil, coal, and now fracking).  Alternatives are available in solar and wind.  Let’s not drag our feet in adopting these as our energy mainstays.            

Utilities Fade in the Sun

Back in 1880 a new company called AT&T grew out of the work of Alexander Graham Bell. For almost 100 years it maintained a monopoly over telephonic communication lines until the federal government used antitrust laws to break up AT&T. Technology matured and new telephone companies were born. Even before the breakup, competition was eroding AT&T’s market share. That was thirty years ago. Now there are hundreds of telephone companies providing services utilizing state of the art fiber optic, wireless and satellite technologies.

Welcome to the solar age. The sun shines all over the world and has the potential to create unregulated, independent energy everywhere. Currently electric utilities are in control of the lines of distribution, the cost of electricity and the ability for others to interconnect with “their” electric grid.

Modern electric utilities are no different than AT&T was fifty years ago. The solar industry is a growing threat to the monopoly of centralized utility generated electrical power.

It is just a mater of time before the public demands that policies shift and there is a true free market for electricity.

Solar energy will eventually force the electric utility industry to become a team player. The environment and the consumer will benefit with cleaner air and lower costs.

The evolution of decentralize energy is happening before our eyes. Electric utilities will become another monopoly dissolved by the evolution of technology and public policy.

Net Metering is fair for everyone!

Shop Local… for Energy

You have heard the term “buy local”, but we’re not talking about vegetables this time. Like locally grown carrots, solar energy produced by your neighbor is far more efficient when you cut out the economic and environmental costs of transportation.

More than 10% of the electricity generated at a centralized power plant is lost by the time it reaches your home. This means you are being billed for 10% more energy than you are actually consuming. Solar energy fed into the local grid not only addresses the issue of wasted energy due to transport, but also provides residents with an incentive to go solar when they receive payment for this market good through a program called Net Energy Metering (NEM).

Sounds like a win-win. Here’s the problem – utility companies don’t want to pay the fair market value of energy to those creating it on top of their roofs. Currently, producers of dirty energy receive greater compensation than those individuals creating solar power at home. The price paid for electricity should be consistent, regardless of how or by whom it was generated. When a home equipped with solar panels yields more energy than it consumes, these kilowatts are pushed back into the grid and distributed locally. However, the extra 10% saved thanks to decentralized distribution is not factored into NEM pricing. Meanwhile, utilities make out like bandits off the free solar energy returned to the grid by those who have invested personal dollars in sun power.

NEM benefits everyone – customers, utility companies, and the environment. We should all be championing the efficient production of electricity by fairly rewarding those who create it locally. What can be done? An independent review determining the hidden value of local power generation is an important first step. Let your state representatives know free market energy rate start at home!

New Solar Forward Van

China and US – Green policy and solar politics

How does the China and the United States get along when it comes to green energy and clean air policies? Not well.

Reports from the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Durban South Africa indicated that the biggest polluters acted like children without adult supervision. One attendee said, “China and the United States are hijacking the conference with game a of ping pong politics…frustrating the rest of the world."

China and the United States are the two largest producers of green house gases. China does so with sheer numbers in population and the United States with its unmatched appetite for energy consumption. China is rapidly increasing its annual output of carbon dioxide while the US and the European Union have actually reduced emissions.

The US wants China to be bound by the same clean air standards as the rest of the world, but China contends, that due to it’s millions of poor people and rapid economic growth, it is an unfair standard.

And then there is the solar trade issue. Are the Chinese are dumping solar panels on the US market? Seven US solar panel manufactures appealed to the United States International Trade Commission, who agreed the Chinese are selling solar panels far below market value. It is quite clear that the Chinese government is supporting the solar industry in China and it is reported that the US could implement tariffs on Solar Panel imports as early as January 2012.

So here we are. Two very different countries, on the same planet, with the same problems, but stuck in a game of international politics.

China has the point of view they need freedom to pollute more, in order to compete with the rest of the world. A small part of that pollution is caused by the production of solar panels that are being exported at a rapid rate. Solar panels, when installed, would help eliminate green house gases.

Recent atmospheric studies show China and the US are totally intertwined. Pollution and dust from China travels over the Pacific Ocean, directly affecting precipitation levels and air pollution in the US. We are learning the Earth is a small island that we all share.

Solar panels from China travel by boat and the pollution travels by air. The real cost of sub market pricing of Chinese solar panels is far higher than just crushing the American solar industry. Industries can recover in a few years; the long-term impact of pollution is unknown.

If China installed all the solar panels they manufactured they would get closer to the goals of the UN Climate Change Conference. This would let the US fend for itself and increase production of solar panels domestically eliminating the need for tariffs. Local problems would be addressed on a local level. Pollution floating over the Pacific to the US would be reduced since China would burn less coal.

What have we learned from the recent Climate Change Conference? Environmentalists are not politicians and neither are economists. Before matters get worse, these two mega economies need to find a way to play nice on this warming sphere floating in space.

The most responsible action is to work on a local level to curb the consumption of energy that produces green house gasses and install as much renewable energy as possible.

It is our universal responsibility to install a solar panel made in America, China or wherever – without disrupting economies and creating more pollution in the process. It needs to be logistically and economically sound to install a quality solar system, designed to last decades, right now – on a local level.

Utilities melt in the Sun, just like...

Utilities melt in the Sun, just like, vampires.

Imagine a new TV show: Those who walk during the day gathering energy from the sun and those who are willing to live forever with policies that keep solar energy in the dark.

A Vampire, by definition, "subsists by feeding on the life essence...of living creatures."

Most utilities are draining the life essence out of the earth and the people that live here. It is an undisputed fact the process of extracting and burning coal infects the planet with toxins killing human beings.

So, really, it is not much of a leap to think of the three hundred year old coal/utility industry as a vampire. They have very old traditions and the older they get, the stronger they get. But, no vampire is immune to the sun.

Look out vampires, in this reality TV show, the day walkers are bringing you into the sun one solar panel at a time.

Where is the Sun?

The sun is not in the ground. It may not be obvious, but Solar energy requires no invasive surgery on our planet. Every day we look below the Earth's surface for energy. Why are we drilling and fracking when we know there are huge environmental costs?

BP has spent over $10 Billion on Deep Water Horizon and the checks are still being written.

These are long term liabilities that cause us more then just financial harm. Pollution is preventable disease.

The adolescent failures of the solar industry have zero environmental impact. When Solyndra imploded it didn't leave a pile of goo and almost kill off an entire ecosystem.

The sun is a clean billion year energy source. Unlike companies, the sun is not susceptible to failure. Solar companies may come and go, but they will not prevent the sun from shining or create an environmental tragedy.

Look up, the sun is shining in the sky.

Too much Green Power?

It seems there can be too much green power at times. In June 2010 up in the Pacific North West, the wind was blowing and rain was falling out of the sky in large proportions. With all this green energy from a good sized summer storm, windmills and hydro electric stations were spinning up excess electricity at a time when there was not much demand.

What is a utility to do? Is there a way to store all this energy?

Bonneville Power has developed ways of remotely turning up water heaters and other home devices to make use of this excess energy, storing it in a way that the home owner is unaffected. Mixing valves keep the hot water at a safe level while the hot water tank may be 50 or 60 degrees above normal. The excess energy is saved and will be used later.

This is a great example of a utility thinking out side the box and creating new policies as green power generators become a greater percentage of the overall power generated.

We all need to think forward and create methods for creating and storing energy in an efficient manner.

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