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.

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.

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.

Evan Meyer felt this way about Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, except he was able to put his finger on what was missing: artwork and community. He initiated Beautify Lincoln, a self-funded volunteer effort to bring life and energy to the often overlooked streetscape.

Flip through the slideshow below to see how vibrant once bare walls can become.

With over 15 projects under his belt, Evan is fostering community and partnership one mural at a time. He’s experienced tremendous positive feedback from business owners and volunteer artists, with some businesses reporting increased sales after their artistic makeovers. One such business, Metropolitan Cleaners, has seen its highest revenues since 2008 after their artwork went up.

One area Evan could use more help with is having community advocates to keep the momentum going and create a demand for the type of environment Evan envisions. Here at Solar Forward we praise Evan’s efforts and fully support his goal of improving the quality of life in our local neighborhood, especially since Lincoln Boulevard is right in our office’s backyard!

We’re working on a collaboration effort to provide solar powered lighting for Beautify Lincoln so that the amazing artwork can be put properly on display, day and night.

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.

At approximately 11:17am this morning, Santa Monica residents in the Sunset Park neighborhood lost power.  At the same moment, Solar Forward’s Outback Power battery back-up system kicked into gear.  The result: seamless transition to back-up power.

No crashed computers.  No waiting around.  No delays to business.

Southern California Edison has yet to determine the cause of the outage.  The number of affected homes is growing, and ETA to restore power is unknown.

How can you make your home immune to the ins and outs of the grid?

Charged by solar, this battery back-up system keeps the Solar Forward office running when the grid goes down.

Solar Forward’s Outback Power battery back-up system

Go solar with battery back-up.

While solar without a back-up system is a great way to save money on your Edison electric bill, and reduce the amount of carbon being spewed into the atmosphere, it won’t keep you running during routine outages or emergencies.

Safety precautions require that when the grid goes down, your solar goes down.  That is – unless have a battery back-up system.

Solar Forward has installed a number of these systems in Santa Monica, leaving signs of activity and light, while the rest of the city sits stalled.

To inquire about solar and/or battery back-up systems, give Solar Forward a call at 310.433.3770.

Watch our battery back-up video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAcbTzQDJLg.