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.    

Demand German Solar Prices

In the golden state, solar is booming with over one gigawatt of rooftop solar installed.  Still, many of us Californians are frustrated with solar – frustrated there is not more of it.

We shouldn’t stop at frustration.  We should be outraged.

Greedy utility companies, and complacent politicians are depriving Californians of clean and affordable energy. 

Powering much more our state with solar is absolutely doable.  That is, if the major energy players put the full weight of their agencies behind it. 

A slew of articles in recent weeks featured this graphic comparing equal sized solar systems in Germany and the U.S.

Why in Europe, where most goods cost twice as much as in the U.S., are solar systems half the price? 

The answer is Red Tape.  Mountains of it.

Paperwork, fees, delays, changes in policy…  These are the problems that mire American solar, making it twice as costly as German sun power.

Demand for solar will increase as prices drop (really).  Residents, alongside the solar industry, must demand the roadblocks holding back renewable energy be removed. 

Insist on German-priced solar in the U.S.  Support Vote Solar and Citizens Climate Lobby. 

Solar Forward

www.solarforward.com

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.