XeroSolar & American Martyrs Approve Affinity Program

Manhattan Beach, Calif. (March 2012)

XeroSolar announced that it has been approved to run an affinity program for American Martyrs School (AMS) to help raise money. The prestigious school is currently installing a Xero Solar Photovoltaic Solar System on the roof of the new John Paul II Technology Building. The clean renewable energy produced is capable of providing all of the electricity demands for the new building as well as some of the electricity demands of the existing campus. As a result, AMS will save money on future electric bills while meeting the growing needs of the community in a sustainable manner.

American Martyrs will be supporting an affinity program with Xero Solar. Residential solar systems are becoming more affordable and commonplace and many families are considering solar for homes in Manhattan Beach or surrounding areas, or may have already made the switch to clean renewable energy. Xero Solar, together with their SunPower Lease option, will be able to provide a turnkey system at no cost the home owner.

Ben Lochtenberg, Managing Director of XeroSolar commented:
“We have found that this type of affinity model works extremely well for schools. Households across California are already switching to clean renewable energy. Our affinity program allows them to make this switch and save money from the first month. Additionally XeroSolar will make a donation to the school for every system installed.”

American Martyrs also plans on leveraging the educational aspects of the solar system by using information displays with real time system monitoring and academic curriculum that can use the solar system as a working case study. The opportunity to bridge the subjects of Math, Science and Social Studies into real world working example of what is learned in the classroom is an invaluable benefit.

About XeroSolar
XeroSolar utilizes a unique team concept, drawing from backgrounds in fields of renewable energy, commercial solar installation, and environmentally responsible technology. We possess years of hands-on installation experience, upstream solar cell manufacturing research, and financial expertise. Over the last several years, we have visited PV manufacturing sites around the world. With C10 licensed individuals and experience in the financial markets on Wall Street, XeroSolar has the breadth of expertise and experience to enable us to offer a unique analysis of each project from every possible angle. This helps our customers find the best solutions for their energy needs.

XeroSolar attentively covers all aspects of your project from site assessment, engineering, design and installation, panel and equipment purchasing to financing and completion of all of the interconnection agreements. Our use of multiple resources incorporated into a unified system, enables XeroSolar to lower your costs and maximizes your returns. Inquire with XeroSolar to see if you qualify for free solar in South Bay!

DWP Commercial Rebate going forward

DWP announced as of February 3, 2012 the LADWP Solar Incentive Program (SIP) will no longer be accepting non-residential solar incentive applications.

Since it’s relaunch in September 2011, over $33 million in rebate requests for solar power for commercial use had been received. The DWP SIP non-residential program has a $20 Million limit each fiscal year.

In effect, the budget of $20 million went within the first couple of months. Taking into account the built up demand because of the well documented previous issues, we still think there is a very strong case for:

a) Reducing the overall maximum size of the rebate, maybe to 250KW.

b) Reducing the amount ($/KwH) paid from $0.129 to $0,08-10

The speed at which the 2011 rebate for commercial solar installation was applied for, leads us to think this needs further consideration. Considering LADWP comments that this could be the last of the commercial rebates for LADWP, slower and smaller might be better this time around.

Aesthetically Pleasing PV Panels?

Let's face it, when a lot people think about putting photovoltaic solar panels in Manhattan Beach or other affluent areas of town they are leery of making their properties "uglier". These potential customers usually have beautiful homes that are sometimes worth millions of dollars. They're cost conscious consumers who want to save money with solar panels while also contributing to the betterment of our environment, but they may not want to jeopardize their homes' aesthetic value to accomplish this.

To appease these picky customers, when we do solar for homes in Manhattan Beach, or any solar installations in Los Angeles for that matter, we typically try to conceal the panels from view as much as possible. To achieve this we often have to use shorter brackets and smaller arrays. In some cases we even have to cut the size of the project to accommodate the fussiest clientele.

AS the solar industry continues to grow though, we will start to see a trend towards more and more aesthetically pleasing options from solar manufactures. In fact, we're predicting that solar panel design will become somewhat of an art form in the near future, looking more like modern art sculptures than works of science. The technology is already in place. Flexible PV materials that are just as efficient as the standard models most often used today, allow for some breathtaking designs. It's really only a matter of time until these options become readily affordable to the average consumer.

It's our hope that Los Angeles and Southern California will take the reigns in this effort. With so many elegantly designed homes, the area is ripe for modern panel designs that will ADD to their aesthetics as well as their property values. We definitely expect to see a greater demand for these architecturally unique solar panels in Los Angeles within the next 5 or so years- and maybe sooner!

Does the Solar Industry still need 1603 Tax Grant?

The solar industry is quick to point out that it is no longer a “cottage industry”! According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, more solar was installed in the third quarter of 2011 than in 2009 combined. Furthermore, industry experts tell us that in some areas/cases, pv solar power can be delivered at prices competitive with power made from fossil fuels!

Yet, those lobbying for the extension of the 1603 Tax Grant argue that by extending it for 2012, an estimated 37,000 jobs will be created. (EuPD Research)

The main argument for the extension of 1603 from the solar industry is that companies not making a profit, hence not paying taxes, cannot use the credit. From our experience, companies who in 2011/2012 are not making profits have no interest in commercial solar installations on their roofs as they cannot use the depreciation, which changes the payback dramatically. However, the real reason is that companies not making a profit will not invest in non-core activities. It has nothing to do with Grant vs. Credit.

If a company is not making a profit today, why would they make a non-revenue related investment which will pay back in 4-5 years should their machines still be running?

The sooner the solar industry weans itself from Washington, the better the chances are for the industry growing and maturing into a truly sustainable energy source.

For more information, download this quick Fact Sheet.

5 Reasons You Should Switch to Solar

If you're thinking of making the switch from normal electricity to solar for home, then you've come to the right place. This week we've outlined the top five reasons that switching to a green energy system will change your life for the better:

5. Safeguards
Installing a PV solar power system is, in effect, a form of insurance for your finances. The United States Energy Information Administration is currently predicting a 49% increase in residential energy costs by the year 2035. By utilizing solar power, you guarantee that you won't be affected by this price jump because you're not drawing power from the grid. In addition, solar power safeguards your home from electrical blackouts caused by downed power lines and natural disasters.

4. Flexibility
One of the best parts of solar for your home or solar power for commercial use is that most systems are modular. This means that you can start off with just a couple of panels, if you so choose, and add more any time you want. This is a great option for people who have a tight budget but are committed to helping the environment through renewable energy use.

3. Be A Leader
I take the same route to work every morning and inevitably I pass by this amazing old Victorian house with photovoltaic solar panels in Manhattan Beach. Every time I see it, I'm inspired because the person who owns this renewable energy solar system is a leader in the fight to preserve our natural resources. They're visibly telling everyone on their block that they care about responsible energy consumption and conservation. Maybe I'm weird, but it gives me goosebumps every time I see it.

2. Do The Right Thing
Whether you're using solar energy in Los Angeles or New York, you're making a difference for the entire world. You're making a responsible and sensible decision about your own personal energy consumption and taking a big step to reduce our carbon foot print on Earth. You're helping to conserve our planet's natural resources for not only our generation but our children's and grandchildren's generations as well!

1. Save Your Wallet
Perhaps the biggest incentive to switch to solar for home is the savings. Without even factoring in the rebates that you get for solar power in Los Angeles, the monthly savings are usually more than what you pay for a typical electricity bill. In addition, some companies offer zero down payment options for residential and commercial solar installations which means you basically get free solar!

XeroSolar ranked number 1 for 2011

XeroSolar installed more pv solar power systems in Manhattan Beach than any other local company according to data obtained from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Go solar California website for year ending 2011.

Additionally XeroSolar cost per watt to install was over $1 less than SolarCity and Verengo.

Please feel free to contact XeroSolar to see where we ranked in other California cities.


Solar Contractors

Contractor       Ave Cost per watt
Solar City               $ 8.53
Mohr Power            $ 8.16
PermaCity              $ 7.95
Verango                 $ 6.68
XEROSOLAR         $ 5.52

Data obtained from CSI (SCE) website

Obama’s contradictory statements regarding his State of the Union Address-Clean Energy

Two statements during President Obama State of the Union 2012 address stood out with regards to his renewable energy use policy. At first glance, Obama’s statements could be seen to contradict each other with regards to helping the end consumer and even enabling the solar industry to mature and become less reliant on government subsidies.

Firstly, we all applaud President Obama’s commitment to, “Not walk away from the promise of clean energy…….. “. While laying out few detailed plans, President Obama proposed several avenues to support renewable energy solutions. In his speech he called for new clean energy tax credits, as well as an end to oil subsidies.

Which begs the question, why then did Washington let the Federal ITC 1603 Grant sunset then? The tax grant vs. credit has had a major impact on commercial solar installation projects either being cancelled or pushed out. The Congress on both sides of the isle has perfected the art of “double accounting”. Would it have been that difficult to extend the tax credit into a grant for another year if they really wanted to? The ITC Credit is written into Federal law till 2016, i.e. it has already been accounted for.

As a solar integrator, I believe we don’t need new or more solar subsidies. What we need is a more stream lined permitting and engineering process. Compare the city of South Pasadena to Santa Ana in California. South Pasadena took 1 hour to obtain a commercial solar permit, while Santa Ana took over a month and several thousand dollars to obtain a commercial permit.

The second statement which will be received with mixed emotion in the solar industry was, “I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here……….”

On the surface this seems like a fair or even a common sense statement. However, ask any solar integrator in the US for his comments on customer service from US solar manufactures vs. China? 18 Months ago ask the same group just how difficult it was to place an order with a US manufacturer if they were a small “mom and pop” installer?

These issues have nothing to do with government subsidies, rather mind set and attitude with US manufacturers. Taking that history into account, we might not simply want to step in and protect the likes of SolarWorld too quickly. Additionally, whatever side of the agreement you fall on, it must be remembered the Chinese manufactures have played a large part in driving down the costs of solar panels over the last 18 months.

The result being a more affordable product for everyone! Good for the environment? Good for Main Street? Good for small business? So which therefore is better for America? Protecting higher priced US manufactures or seeing more affordable clean energy?

Image by Getty Imagaes