Solar Santa Monica | Solar Forward

Utility Customers Outraged Over Possible Fee To Cope With Revenue Loss From Popular Solar Panels

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 19:19:46 +0000

The relationship between some utility companies and solar customers has gone from lukewarm to downright hostile.

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.

Panel Cleaning System

admin — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 01:04:21 +0000

This is a panel cleaning system we saw at Intersolar 2013. Your panels will be clean and shiny, but surprise surprise, it’s more expensive than the panel itself.And it has lots of moving parts so it probably won’t last as long as our 25 year warranty panels!

State of the Art Backup Power Installed

admin — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:32:47 +0000

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.

Solar Pinball

admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:10:00 +0000

Combine solar permitting bureaucracy and a no nonsense Solar Forward employee, and the result is a frustrated (and illustrating) work of art. See creation above.

Gaining a permit may be the most cumbersome step involved in solar. As city departments acclimate to the ever-increasing demand for renewable energy, contractors and clients sit. And wait. And wait.

In some cities (cough Van Nuys, cough Calabasas) obtaining a permit to install solar can feel like a cruel game of pinball, bouncing from one hurdle to the next. The diagram above depicts a recent Building & Safety Department adventure.

Three hours, eleven lines, one permit. I’d rather deal with the DMV.

We all know “time is money”. Are you familiar with this one, “wasted time is wasted money”?

This is not a meaningless gripe. Attention must be given to these issues if we hope to see the solar industry and government work symbiotically. When this happens, we will see more efficient, cost-effective, and greener cities.