The security of our national electrical grid has always been a concern. Last year, snipers attacked a power substation in Northern California. Data and control lines were cut and over one hundred well placed bullets knocked more than fifteen transformers off line.

Aside from beefing up security at power plants and substations, an effective way to ensure our homes and businesses can keep running is by decentralizing the grid, i.e. installing solar panels so every home and business owner can have their own power plant right on their roof. Better yet, installing a battery backup system ensures you’ll still have power even if the grid does go down.

A huge group of jellyfish clogged the cooling pipes at a nuclear power plant, forcing one of its units to shut down. After a couple days, the jellyfish had finally been cleared and the reactor ready to be restarted.

So next time you’re up on your roof giving your solar panels a gentle cleanse, feel secure in knowing that the only thing you have to worry about is some bird poop. And while the jellyfish situation is comical, having to shut down a nuclear reactor can be dangerous. So you’ll be breathing a little easier knowing that going solar means relying less on conventional energy.

Why is everyone looking at me? I was just exploring a cool looking pipe.

A state bill is working its way through the Legislature that would charge customers (not just solar customers) with a $10/month fee to make up for revenue losses utility companies have experienced due to the rising popularity of solar panels.

We at Solar Forward think this another blunder by the utility industry.  Solar saves everyone money and reduces the need for power plants and transmission lines.   Solar energy is generated where it is consumed, saving 10% on normal loss in wires and transformers.

This fee would apply to customers within Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric territories.

Consumer groups produced the video below, prompting Southern California Edison to issue a cease and desist letter.

Now customers are making their voices heard by rallying outside Edison’s offices in Rosemead and expressing their outrage at utility companies creating even more roadblocks for clean, renewable energy.

At Solar Forward, we will do everything in our power to make sure the bill does not become law so California residents can continue to choose solar energy for their homes and businesses.

Nuclear power is toxic forever, a national security risk, and inefficient.  As with any centralized power source, more than 10% of the power produced is lost in the transmission lines before it gets to our homes.

Residential solar power plant

Solar on your roof is safe, clean, nontoxic, and decentralized.  The power you produce on your home is consumed on site or next door.  There is no transmission loss.  There is no risk to the Earth and no risk of terrorism or nuclear meltdown.  Solar power maintenance is simple, without risk of radiation, cancer or contaminating thousands of square miles.

Beware the atom, embrace the sun!

Monitoring a solar panel in the production line.

Energy independence is now within almost everyone’s grasp. Every day we delay the installation of solar energy, we make the Earth warmer, putting our well-being in jeopardy while raising the price of everything we value.

Political trade feuds are as juvenile as tossing tea into the bay and only make matters worse. The solar industry needs stable policy on a local, national, and global scale, before a refreshing glass of iced tea becomes an unaffordable part of history.

Workers repairing power lines

With more energy breakdowns in our future, now is the time to consider a battery backup system or a new SMA inverter with an emergency backup circuit.  Solar Forward is the most experienced installer of reliable grid interactive power systems in Southern California.

Example of California Friendly Landscaping

LADWP is increasing the cash rebate for switching from water-thirsty grass to California Friendly landscaping from $1.50 per square foot to $2.00 per square foot. With this rebate increase, homeowners can cover a significant part of their re-landscaping costs.

Start saving water and money today by visiting the California Friendly Program website.

SunPower Panel

SunPower performs a multitude of tests on their panels, to mimic the harshest real world conditions they may endure. This includes tests to replicate a barrage of 90 mile per hour winds, high humidity and heat, as well as rapid temperature fluctuations.

Think of it this way: while the chances of you writing a New York Times bestseller are 220 to 1, the chances of you having to act on your SunPower warranty are 39,000 to 1.

SunPower Panel

And don’t think we’re the only ones tooting SunPower’s horn. Check out the variety of independent articles that vouch for SunPower’s quality and staying power.