DIY Solar Power System
May
Tyler Michael is HelioPower’s resident expert for the application of solar in new home construction. This week he is participating in the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Green Building Expo, a forum for sustainable
building technologies, in San Diego. The Green Building Expo is part of the ULI’s Smart Growth awards program and will be staged May 14 starting at 5:30 in the venerable Wonderhaus downtown.
The ULI provides leadership in the responsible use of land, and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. According to their website, as “the ‘go to’ land use organization for real estate issues in our region, the ULI San Diego/Tijuana District Council facilitates the open exchange of ideas among industry leaders, practitioners and policy makers.”
We asked Tyler about his interest in this region.
E. Tyler, are there special motivations that inspire you to be part of this San Diego Green Building Expo?
T. As a HelioPower specialist in solar for new construction, this event and the people and concepts that I encounter there are critical to my own growth and to my ability to contribute.
I believe that in San Diego/Tijuana we truly share a single urban landscape that is divided by a political line only. We are in the same region with the same beauty and the same challenges.
We are interdependent in resources and in the conservation of those resources. In my lifetime, I’ve seen Tijuana transform from just another “border town” to a thriving center of international commerce and I’ve seen San Diego transform from a quiet Navy town to a national force in research and technology. It seems only natural that we become an international leader in sustainability as well.
E. What in your background motivates your interest?
T. After moving to Chula Vista in 1952 and growing up within 7 miles of the Mexican border, I developed a real affinity for the bi-national mindset.
In my late teens, I became a true bi-lingual after studying Spanish for 8 years and hosting 26 Argentine foreign exchange students with others in my high school.
I’ve lived in Spain, Argentina, Ecuador, and nearly 14 years in Mexico. My time in Mexico and the lasting friendships I developed there have brought me a first hand awareness of the serious environmental sustainability practices being put into practice there. My career in solar for new construction in San Diego has broadened my perspective on sustainability in general and in green building methods in particular.
E. Do you have a vision for the area?
T. The resources we share tie our destinies together. Recognition of those who have dedicated themselves to the careful preservation of those resources is both inspiring and necessary to bring forth the future leaders in this field who are poised to make their contribution.
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April
AB 811 Helps CA Towns Go Solar!
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The intent of the Legislature is that AB 811 should be used to finance the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements that are permanently fixed to residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property.
AB 811 authorizes a property owner, upon written consent of an authorized city official, to purchase directly the related equipment and materials for the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements and to contract directly for the installation of those sources or improvements.
Funding options include using the general fund, issuing municipal bonds, partnering with a utility to get financing or setting up private financing.
Palm Desert and Berkeley led the legislative charge to put AB 811 in place, and have now enabled hundreds of properties to be outfitted with energy efficiency and renewable energy systems including solar. The “Berkeley First” program was launched Nov. 07. Their pilot program is fully subscribed at $1.5 million. The Palm Desert Energy Independence program is now in its third round of financing, having installed $7.5 million in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic systems in their town.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence program has completed a feasibility study and is planning on offering a $40 million program, which will also include water conservation systems.
San Diego is working on a “Solar Roof Program.” The pilot project will focus on 150 to 300 homes, and 1 technology – solar photovoltaic. Success for the pilot is deemed to be completing the financing cycle, collecting 150-200 loan packages, and aggregating those smaller loans into larger packages that can be sold off on the municipal bond market. Encinitas, Napa and Redlands are all in the exploration phase of AB 811 programs.
Cities like Anaheim and Santa Monica have solar supportive programs already in place. Santa Monica promotes solar adoption through its Solar Santa Monica program . Solar installation firms bid for program, and guarantee “group” pricing. HelioPower is a installer for this program.
All across California residents and property owners are working with their elected officials to find new and innovative ways to increase the use of sun to power our electricity needs.
For further information and a review of the legislation, click here . Support AB 811 adoption in your town!
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March
HelioPower is pleased participating in EcoBuild San Diego 2009 as a Light Green Sponsor at this second annual event.
From the foundation, to the finishing touches this expo features everything you need to know about sustainable building! EcoBuild San Diego offers education and outreach for fire survivors and homeowners looking to rebuild or remodel more sustainably.
On hand will be HelioPower’s New Home Solar Program (NHSP) expert, Tyler Michael, along with Charles Curley of the sales team.
The event will be at the California Center for Sustainable Energy , 8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite #100 San Diego, CA 92123 this Saturday, April 4 from 9am to 5pm.
Tyler has developed a specialty working to help homeowners take advantage of this program. Working in the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) utility territory, Tyler was recently quoted in the utility’s NSHP Program Fact Sheet.
Tyler works with homeowners and builders to meet the criteria of NSHP. Tyler has also worked with many “fire survivors” in the San Diego area to help them navigate the program.
“This program requires extensive cooperation between the architect, the contractor, the homeowner, and Heliopower to qualify them for the rebate. NSHP has a much higher rebate allowance per watt than the normal CSI program,” said Tyler.
It is very important to plan the solar power system at the beginning of home design so that all the requirements can be met for this program.
Advance planning is critical to qualify without adding more cost in the future. Upfront planning results in an energy efficient home in the future, which saves money every month on energy bills. “If you wait and install the solar power as a retrofit, you lose up to $1.00/watt in rebate. For an average home that would be about $5000,” said Tyler.
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March
Today San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) marked over 1 megawatt of solar power they have installed in the region
at the grand opening of “green” charter school, High Tech High Chula Vista .
High Tech High Chula Vista and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) showcased how the sustainable design of the school itself will be used as a living classroom on renewable energy. SDG&E owns the school’s rooftop solar panels, installed by HelioPower , which provide locally generated power to the school and the community.
“This solar system marks a milestone for SDG&E, because, with its installation, we now have more than 1 megawatt of solar-generating capability on the rooftops of 10 highly energy-efficient commercial buildings throughout San Diego County,” said Hal D. Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E. “The project at High Tech High is the third largest solar system in Chula Vista and will support nearly two-thirds of the school’s own energy use.”
Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the grand opening include Colleen Green, Director, High Tech High; Cheryl Cox, 
Mayor, City of Chula Vista; Greg Cox, Supervisor, County of San Diego; Tyree Dillingham, Deputy Director, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger; Dave Geier, VP, SDG&E and Steve LoRusso, Vice President of Sales, HelioPower.
“We are very proud to have participated in the High Tech High solar electricity system with SDG&E,” said Steve LoRusso, vice president of sales for HelioPower. “SDG&E is a forward-thinking utility with a great commitment to green energy. This project is a stand-out example of how solar photovoltaic technology fits into a larger, green building program. In teaching students now about the benefits of renewable energy it also contributes to solar awareness in future generations.”
With 640 solar modules from Mitsubishi, the solar power system will produce 172,114 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year .
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