SunPower Announces Industry's First 25-Year Combined Power and Product Warranty

This month, SunPower announced the launch of the industry's first combined warranty that covers both power and product for 25 years. The company is also shifting to a linear power warranty that offers the lowest power degradation over the life of the system.

SunPower is the only solar company to offer a straightforward 25-year global product warranty, which is 15 to 20 years longer than conventional solar warranties. Integrated into SunPower high-efficiency solar panels are the company's patented Maxeon® all-back contact solar cells which are built on a solid copper foundation, making them extremely resistant to cracking, corrosion and stresses from temperature variation. In the unlikely event a solar panel needs to be repaired or replaced, an identical or functionally equivalent panel will be provided or the cost of the panel will be fully refunded. The associated labor and transportation costs for customers whose solar panels were installed by SunPower or SunPower dealer/partners are covered. The new warranty is also written in plain, simple terms that detail the coverage.

"SunPower's 25-year combined power and product warranty is possible due to our proven, differentiated Maxeon solar cell technology," said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. "These cells make our high-efficiency panels incredibly durable, allowing SunPower to offer our customers this first-of-its-kind warranty increasing performance with more energy delivery. SunPower is standing behind its products with this new easy-to-understand warranty, which serves our customers well for any issues that may arise."

SunPower's new warranty now offers the industry's lowest power degradation with more warranted energy. The company guarantees at least 95 percent power for the first five years, followed by a maximum degradation rate of 0.4 percent each year thereafter. This results in an unprecedented 87 percent power level at the end of 25 years, warranting a total of 9.1 percent more energy than the industry standard over the first 25 years of the solar panel life.

The new warranty went into effect on July 1, 2012 and is available to all residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers installing SunPower solar panels.

Learn how you can reduce or eliminate your monthly energy bill, and have the security of the best-backed product in the solar industry. Sign up for a free in-home evaluation today. 

Call Solar Forward, an Elite SunPower Dealer, at 310.433.3770.

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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

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.   

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.            

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.

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

China dumping Solar Panels?

Maybe. Or for sure, depends on your point of view and who is wining and who is losing. Solar is a great investment for anyone, but if the solar panels are 40% less in price and the quality is 25% less - China is going to be competitive in the market place.

We don't install the cheaper panels since there is not enough room on most roofs to make enough energy with the less efficient solar panels. We use Sunpower products on all residential jobs. Sunpower is the most powerful solar panel in the market. For us it only pays to use made in China panels on commercial jobs where space is not limited and a name brand is not as important.

This issue is not going away since their is a good possibility of an over abundance of made in China panels for the next year or two. As solar panel factories go out of business, there will be dumping of products and prices may drop for the short term.

Welcome to the wild west of Solar!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/business/global/us-solar-manufacturers-to-ask-for-duties-on-imports.html?emc=eta1

Sungevity: Alien Solar Invader

Sungevity is an alien solar space ship invading our town.

Sungevity is spending an estimated $250,000 in advertising in Los Angeles this month. They are like aliens flying their space ship over Los Angeles and sucking the solar rebate money out of LADWP before they fly away and raid another city.

There is only enough money for an estimated 700 residential solar installations in Los Angeles before the solar program runs out of money and shuts down till July of 2012. Already there are over 300 solar applications filed with LADWP. That leaves enough money for 500 lucky homeowners.

We estimate the money will run out by November. So for the next eight months – no new solar sales or installations will take place in Los Angeles. Since all rebate reservations need to be permitted within 60 days or they will expire, it will be a gold rush to get all the paperwork done. Sungevity has no staff to speak of in Los Angeles. They out source all the work including the installations. Who are they going to hire? New unqualified workers that will then be out of work in two months!

This is not a sustainable solar business plan for Los Angeles. This is a money grab at the expense of local businesses. When Sungevity leaves town - who provides the customer service on the cheap solar panels they install?

Solar Forward has 30 years of experience and we install quality Sunpower products – the most powerful solar panel in the world. We are a local business with solid relationships with LADWP, LADBS and 100% customer satisfaction. Our goal is a sustainable business with employees we don’t have to lay off.

Investment bankers masquerading as solar contractors need to have their cloaked spaceships shot down and treated like the alien invaders that they are.

The solar business has become the wildwest. Support your local solar installer. We live here and we will still be here after the alien space ship crashes.

CALSEIA meeting in Los Angeles

Southern CALSEIA meeting at the Western Justice Center in Pasadena.

Solar contractors discuss issues effecting solar installations in southern California.

The times they are a changing.

Check back on Saturday for updates and full debrief.