One of the businesses that received a Beautify Lincoln makeover was TRiP, recently named Best Neighborhood Music Venue of 2013 by the LA Weekly. In addition to the huge splash of color that Evan’s mural added to TRiP’s entryway, TRiP’s owner had a vision to immerse a tree adjacent to his business with light.

To help him out, we installed twelve 35-watt solar panels recycled from a previous project that charge a gel battery throughout the day, and light up LED flood lights aimed at the tree at night. Here’s how it works: the solar panels, lights, and battery are hooked up to a charge controller. During the day, the panels charge up the battery, and when the sun goes down, a timer sequence is initiated. As soon as the timer winds down, the tree is lit up by the battery powered LED lights, and these lights stay on for about 6 hours throughout the night.

TRiP tree lit up by solar powered lighting

Between art murals, solar powered lights, live music, and a great beer selection, there’s no reason not to include TRiP on your next weekend outing.

SMA inverter with emergency back up power.

Yesterday we installed a state of the art SMA TL inverter with Emergency Backup power!

This allows for appliances to be used even when the power is out.

All you have to do is flip the switch below the inverter during a power outage and you’re free to use your refrigerator, coffee maker, cell phone charger or any other item in the house up to 1880 watts!

Check out our satisfied customer plugging in an appliance using solar power. As long as the sun is shining during a power blackout, you have power!

Client plugging in to power from her solar array.

Rooftop solar power plant

This news comes at a particularly opportune time as the San Onofre nuclear power plant, once Southern California’s largest electric generating station, is shutting down due to safety concerns. The amount of solar power generated last Friday was just about on par with the megawatt output of the soon to be decommissioned power plant.

At Solar Forward, we think last Friday is just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more rooftops across California waiting to absorb the power of the sun and make California’s the cleanest grid in the nation.

Calling on LA to go solar

In a city blessed with year round sunshine and plenty of roof space to absorb it, why is only 1% of LA’s electricity being generated by solar? Whatever the excuses may be, we’ve joined a diverse coalition that will not wait around for change; we’re demanding an increase now.

On Tuesday April 30th, Solar Forward stood among a broad coalition of elected officials, leading businesses, public health professionals, environmental groups and veterans to push for rooftop solar to provide 20% of LA’s energy needs by 2020.

As LADWP looks to replace a large portion of its power supply, we have to make sure to push them in the right direction. Polluting fossil fuels need to be a thing of the past.

Both mayoral candidates have endorsed the 20% by 2020 goal, so after you vote on May 21st, make sure you hold the next mayor to it!

Coalition members calling for 20% by 2020

Replacing defective solar roofing tiles

The old solar system is comprised of solar roofing tiles, that have been recalled. These panels are deteriorating and severely discolored. Cheaply manufactured panels such as these deteriorate over time from everyday weather and ultraviolet radiation.

SunPower makes the best quality and most powerful solar panel on the market. Due to their quality craftsmanship, SunPower panels are also extremely durable and reliable. It is the only type of panel we install since we can get more energy on the roof in the least amount of space compared to other panels.

Contact us today and let us design a custom solar power plant for your home.

The Solar market out there is competitive.  And with competition comes sneaky marketing.

Incentives like a free iPad or cash-back to seal the deal with some companies are commonplace.  Unfortunately, kick back incentives are illegal.  (If you’re the legal type, you can check out the facts: §7157(b).)

Why do these companies opt for shady promotions over traditional marketing campaigns?  Most are selling a financial lease product that makes money for investment bankers who have no concern for you or your home.

When solar marketers can’t distinguish their products from competitors with quality, they turn to kick backs.  Inferior Chinese panels that are being dumped on the market are cheap to buy, but have no track record.   Many of these installers cut corners during installation.  Who do you want making holes in your roof?

Quality is important in this industry.  Your system will be with you for 20+ years – that’s more than time than your kids expect to live under your roof.

Our recommendation – be an informed buyer.  Know the brand of panels that are going on your roof, know who is installing them, and what the method of installation is before anything is signed.  Read consumer review sites like Yelp, and ask lots of questions.

There is a reason we are an Elite SunPower Dealer – quality work, the most powerful solar panels and impeccable customer support.