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!

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.