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.

LADWP attacked by greedy solar lease companies

http://chatsworth.patch.com/articles/cardenas-says-dwps-solar-incentive-is-too-low

Edison goes back in time, not back to the future!

In all honesty this is turning into a case of the gang that can’t shoot straight.

Out of the blue and without consulting the solar industry, Edison is asking for a NEW single line diagram that is different from the diagram used by Building and Safety. This doubles the work for solar contractors.

And they want a solar contractor to meet them at the solar installation for a very silly inspection that is the same as checking to see if your car starts by itself with the key out.

And they want to keep the solar system off line for a month till they get around to inspecting 70% of the solar installs.... the other 30% are ok??? All solar systems have already passed building and safety inspection. These inspectors have more experience that any of Edison's inspectors inspecting solar systems.

And after inspection and everything checks out - Edison wants to keep the solar system off till the "paperwork is processed and permission to operate is given in two or three days." So they want us to keep it off till a high priest at Edison blesses the paperwork?

This is an effort to make more money and waste energy. This will cost Edison, clients and the industry over $1000 per job.

Today on a job site I met an Edison employee who was nice, but ineffective.

The entire inspection took ten minutes and only confirmed that a state of the art inverter is working normally. If you set your microwave for one minute, does it stay on.

In the list below there are items that have never been requested by Edison in the ten years I have been installing solar systems.

We need to clear up this radical change in policy that only adds work and accomplishes nothing more.

I also learned that there is a back log of over 2000 applications in the interconnection department. This is not an easy fix.

Please feel free to contact me - no one in the solar industry or any Edison client should accept this new effort to slow down and confuse the safety of a solar installation.

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

July 4 th solar and car MPG

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration and the auto industry are locked in negotiations over new vehicle mileage and emissions standards that will have a profound effect on the cars Americans drive and the health of the auto industry over the next decade and beyond. NYT 7/4

So, what does this mean solar fans? More solar electric for sure. Who needs a drop of gas if the sun is charging your car, your motorcycle and your electric bike? Less oil to buy from overseas and less pollution here at home AND all the $$$ that went overseas now stays here making our economy stronger. So buy more solar so Solar Forward can be the first solar company with an all electric fleet of cars and trucks!

http://www.facebook.com/solarforward new pictures!

KCBS CH 2 Monday Night 11 PM

CBS News Investigates LADWP issues.

Solar Forward in the news.

Thank you for supporting Solar Forward and the Solar Industry.

Solar Forward in Solar Industry Mag

http://issuu.com/zackinpublications/docs/sim1106_online/36?zoomed=&zoomPercent=&zoomX=&zoomY=&noteText=&noteX=&noteY=&viewMode=magazine

Interesting news report on LADWP and interconnection issues. Mark Smith, CEO of Solar Forward is quoted.

Inverters are totally safe and and there is nothing to fear. We are wasting energy and burning a pound of coal for every Kw-h we consume in Los Angeles.

We have three systems that have still not been turned on by LADWP, this is a crime against humanity.