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.
Featuring Patrick Conlon of the Palm Desert Energy Independence Program, HelioPower will host a
free Solar Financing Q&A session, Tuesday, March 24 at 6pm. The event will be held in Conference rooms 1 & 2 of the Henderson Community Building, 72559 Hwy 111 Palm Desert, CA 92260-3306. Financing solar power systems for residential and commercial properties will be the focus of the free seminar.
Palm Desert’s Energy Independence Program is a model initiative for cities in California. Based on AB 811 legislation, the program works to support energy efficiency and renewable energy installations financed through city loans which are paid back through property tax assessments. For more information, click here .
“Solar in our community is becoming more and more affordable with the help of Palm Desert’s Assembly Bill 811 which will cover their costs of their system and is paid back though their property taxes at a low interest rate,” said HelioPower Energy Consultant, Matt Rifkin. “We want every single homeowner in the city of Palm Desert to realize the opportunity that their community is offering them,” he explained.
Rifkin and his “Team Desert” partner, Matt McPherson, are hosting the event on behalf of HelioPower. They most recently participated in the “Bright Ideas Expo” held by the city on March 14.
“Team Desert is excited to host the event on March 24 th at the Henderson Building. We are hoping to get a great turnout from Palm Desert residents and commercial building owners,” said Matt McPherson. “HelioPower would like to educate the residents of Palm Desert on the amazing program that their city is providing, which allows residents to install solar for almost no money down. By educating homeowners and business owners we hope to help the city of Palm Desert reach its goal of reducing city wide energy consumption by 30% by 2011.”
Palm Desert continues to participate in pushing initiatives that further solar deployment, not only in their city, but statewide. Area newspaper, The Desert Sun , quoted Mr. Conlon on March 12 concerning his efforts to get AB 432 addressing utility feed in tariffs passed. For K. Kaufman’s article, “Palm Desert eyes new solar plan,” click here .