Friday, November 18, 2016
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Solar Financing Options
Recap of Solar Financing:
There
are many different financing options available for PV systems. You may
purchase a PV system or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement
(PPA). Below you will find information about owning vs. leasing/PPA and
the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
You may purchase a PV system or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). Each has its own benefits and disadvantages.
| Owning | Leasing | |
| What are you buying? | ||
| Buying an asset | Buying a service, usually with a purchase option | |
| What is included in the purchase? | ||
| Generally will not include inverter replacement, O&M, insurance, may include monitoring | Generally includes O&M, inverter replacement, insurance, monitoring | |
| What are the tax implications? | ||
| Need to have the tax appetite to make use of the 30% ITC. If financed through home equity loan, then get tax deduction | Solar services provider has the tax appetite for the 30% ITC AND can make use of commercial depreciation tax benefit | |
| What are the risks? | ||
| Responsible for O&M | Longevity of the solar services provider | |
| What happens if I move? | ||
| New homeowner buys the asset | Can transfer payments to new homeowner or must buy out the remainder of the contract at 'fair market value' | |
| What are the financial benefits? | ||
| Return on investment in the form of lower electricity bills and increased home value | No or little up-front cost, benefits from commercial depreciation tax credit, usually cash positive or neutral in year 1 | |
You may purchase a PV system or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). Each has its own benefits and disadvantages.
| Advantages | Disadvantages | ||
| Purchasing | 30% federal investment tax credit (through 12/31/16) You own the asset/investment Home value increases without property taxes increasing | Responsible for operation and maintenance (O&M) Responsible for replacing inverter after 10-year warranty | |
| Leases | Little to no money down Fixed monthly payment O&M covered for 20 years Inverter & module replacement for 20 years Electrical production guarantee | 20-year lease term Do not own system Possible restrictions when selling your home | |
| PPA | Fixed $ per kWh produced by system Little to no money down O&M covered for 20 years Inverter & module replacement for 20 years Electrical production guarantee | 20-year PPA term Do not own system Possible restrictions when selling your home Pay for all kWh produced, even if you do not use it |
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Published on Jan 10, 2014
In this episode of the Electric Samba Project we start assembling out first 18650 cell module. Soon we will be testing out said module. Join the fun, come along for the ride.
List of parts used to make this project:
Laptop Batteries http://j35.us/Ebay-Laptop-Battery-Lot
18650 Holders http://j35.us/18650-spacer-clips
Copper buss bars http://j35.us/1NGpBo4
Cell Fuse wire http://j35.us/1k-Ohm-resistor
*** For Stickers - Send self stamped/addressed envelope to:
JAG35.COM - STICKERS
9007 Arrow Route #170
List of parts used to make this project:
Laptop Batteries http://j35.us/Ebay-Laptop-Battery-Lot
18650 Holders http://j35.us/18650-spacer-clips
Copper buss bars http://j35.us/1NGpBo4
Cell Fuse wire http://j35.us/1k-Ohm-resistor
*** For Stickers - Send self stamped/addressed envelope to:
JAG35.COM - STICKERS
9007 Arrow Route #170
Monday, June 6, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
The Economics of Solar -- your Roof is an Asset!
Published on May 12, 2016
San Diego Renewable Energy Society,
Presents: The Economics of Solar -- your Roof is an Asset!
With
Keri Helmer
Project Assistant, Renewables
Center for Sustainable Energy
and
Michael Powers
Director of Marketing, Stellar Solar.
100% Renewable San Diego
http://wrsc.org/node/19629
Reduce your Energy Costs and
Add Value to Your Home --
your Roof can be an Asset!
Wednesday May 11, 2016, 6-8pm
The Economics of rooftop Solar PV are in your favor.
Tax credits, net metering plus great financing can make your roof a cash flow asset -- not just empty shingles.
Join us!
REGISTER
San
Diego is 2nd in the nation for the number of homes and businesses with
rooftop solar. Our leaders have committed our City to being 100%
Renewable by 2035 -- making us the largest US city with such a
progressive target.
There are hundreds of solar companies that
would like to help you make an informed decison. The Center for
Sustainable Energy is a national leader in rebate assistance. SDG&E
is permitting dozens of homes daily.
What will you learn? How
do I analyze my roof to determine the size of the optimal system?
Can I really pay nothing down? What are the best PV panels on the
market? How long does it take to get my investment back? Who can
help me with those promised tax credits? Should I wait for solar
prices to come down even more? Can I get real time results of my
electricity production on-line?
Michael Powers
Director of Marketing, Stellar Solar.
Keri Helmer
Project Assistant, Renewables
Center for Sustainable Energy
Moderated by: Peter Meisen
Director, Global Energy Network Institute
Join us for this unique policy perspective
World Resources Simulation Center
Location: 1088 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(SW corner of Third Ave & C Street
— next to the Civic Center Trolley stop)
In Partnership with the San Diego Renewable Energy Society.
SDRES.org is committed to making
San Diego a 100% renewable city
The evening is Sponsored by:
Stellar Solar
Recorded on Wednesday, May 11, 2016
@SIMCenter http://www. wrsc.org
1088 Third St., San Diego, CA 92101
Venue available for rent - (619) 234-1088
Presents: The Economics of Solar -- your Roof is an Asset!
With
Keri Helmer
Project Assistant, Renewables
Center for Sustainable Energy
and
Michael Powers
Director of Marketing, Stellar Solar.
100% Renewable San Diego
http://wrsc.org/node/19629
Reduce your Energy Costs and
Add Value to Your Home --
your Roof can be an Asset!
Wednesday May 11, 2016, 6-8pm
The Economics of rooftop Solar PV are in your favor.
Tax credits, net metering plus great financing can make your roof a cash flow asset -- not just empty shingles.
Join us!
REGISTER
San
Diego is 2nd in the nation for the number of homes and businesses with
rooftop solar. Our leaders have committed our City to being 100%
Renewable by 2035 -- making us the largest US city with such a
progressive target.
There are hundreds of solar companies that
would like to help you make an informed decison. The Center for
Sustainable Energy is a national leader in rebate assistance. SDG&E
is permitting dozens of homes daily.
What will you learn? How
do I analyze my roof to determine the size of the optimal system?
Can I really pay nothing down? What are the best PV panels on the
market? How long does it take to get my investment back? Who can
help me with those promised tax credits? Should I wait for solar
prices to come down even more? Can I get real time results of my
electricity production on-line?
Michael Powers
Director of Marketing, Stellar Solar.
Keri Helmer
Project Assistant, Renewables
Center for Sustainable Energy
Moderated by: Peter Meisen
Director, Global Energy Network Institute
Join us for this unique policy perspective
World Resources Simulation Center
Location: 1088 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(SW corner of Third Ave & C Street
— next to the Civic Center Trolley stop)
In Partnership with the San Diego Renewable Energy Society.
SDRES.org is committed to making
San Diego a 100% renewable city
The evening is Sponsored by:
Stellar Solar
Recorded on Wednesday, May 11, 2016
@SIMCenter http://www. wrsc.org
1088 Third St., San Diego, CA 92101
Venue available for rent - (619) 234-1088
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) preserves net metering in 3-2 vote
As California's Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) fight to raise rates for home solar investors, the CPUC rebukes their bid to move directly to "Time Of Use" pricing and claims that the Utilities have not made a documented case for why rates should be raised.
- The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday voted 3-2 to preserve retail rate net metering for rooftop solar systems, adopting a Proposed Decision released last month with a few notable revisions.
- The decision is a victory for rooftop solar installers in the state, which lobbied the commission to preserve retail rate remuneration for solar facilities that send excess power back to the grid. The state's utilities filed an alternative proposal last week that sought to reduce net metering rates.
- The dissenting commissioners expressed frustration with revisions to the Proposed Decision, released only last night, that removed increases to non-bypassable charges for solar owners. Commissioner Carla Peterman, who voted for the measure, said the commission would have to revisit the issue and lower remuneration rates by 2019.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Center for Sustainable Energy Unites with Equinox Center
Newly formed Equinox Project will enhance and expand quality of life research and analysis
As a long-time supporter of Equinox Center, and the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) we want to let you know that we’ve merged Equinox into CSE’s operations to form the Equinox Project, in order to scale our collective impact to larger audiences locally, and new markets around California and the U.S.
We made this decision knowing that Equinox’ and CSE’s values are aligned. CSE is accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean energy. We’ll continue finding innovative solutions to quality of life issues and expand some of CSE’s reach into areas outside of the energy sector.
Equinox’ research including the Quality of Life Dashboard and H2Overview, will continue to grow and address quality of life issues regionally through the Equinox Project. And, our young professionals program, Leaders 2020, will continue its progress recruiting millennials to help drive sustainable change.
We hope you can continue to support our work in this next phase. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.
We're very excited about these new steps forward. Please see the text from today’s press release (below) for your reference and contact Stephen Heverly at Stephen.Heverly@energycenter.org with any questions.
------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO, CA (Jan. 27, 2016) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) today announced a merger with Equinox Center. The union officially creates the Equinox Project, an initiative to be directed by CSE to enhance and expand the work of the former Equinox Center, which focused on environmental, economic and civic affairs in the San Diego region.
Since its founding in 2009, the nonprofit Equinox Center has conducted research and analysis on quality of life issues in the San Diego region. By engaging policymakers, local leaders and other key stakeholders, the Equinox Project will continue this valuable work in San Diego and expand services to other communities in California and other states, according to Len Hering, RADM, USN (ret.), and CSE executive director.
“Equinox Center provides high-quality, transparent data useful for better understanding the intersection of business, government and the environment in San Diego County,” Hering said. “As a part of CSE, we look forward to the new Equinox Project delivering innovative solutions that balance regional growth with available resources to help create more vibrant communities.”
Equinox Center is well known for its annual San Diego Regional Quality of Life Dashboard. As an initiative at CSE, the Equinox Project will continue to produce this annual resource that measures progress and development related to sustainability and economics. The dashboard also analyzes topics such as energy and water supplies, housing infrastructure, land use and transportation systems.
Among the many policy products that also will continue to be published under the Equinox Project is the H2Overview report series. The reports focus on San Diego County’s water supply, providing an ongoing analysis of water issues and solutions such as seawater desalination and purified water recycling.
Equinox Center’s Stephen Heverly joins CSE’s research and analysis staff as the senior project manager of the newly formed Equinox Project.
“This merger with CSE aligns directly with the vision and values of Equinox Center,” said Martin Brown, former Equinox Center board chairman and founding member. “The Equinox Project will continue to measure what matters for the benefit our local region but now will have the potential to replicate that success in other regions of the country.”
# # #
About the Equinox Project
After six years as Equinox Center, the Equinox Project was initiated in January 2016 following a merger with the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Now managed by CSE, Equinox Project assists policy-makers, community leaders, decision makers and other stakeholders in crafting better solutions to address community growth challenges in the areas of energy and water resources, housing infrastructure, natural resources and transportation systems. Through in-depth research, policy analysis, communications and convenings, Equinox Project turns research into action to inform and engage the public to help create more vibrant communities.
About the Center for Sustainable Energy®
Accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean energy
Founded in 1996, the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a mission-driven nonprofit, providing clean energy consulting services and program management. Governments, regulators, utilities, businesses, property owners and others look to CSE as an objective implementation partner to develop customized solutions that help lower energy costs and increase consumer choice and accessibility to clean energy technologies. CSE’s suite of services includes expertise in transportation, energy efficiency and building performance, research and analysis, emerging technologies, policy support, workforce development, and marketing, education and outreach. Headquartered in San Diego, CSE works nationwide with support of offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., and Boston. Learn more at energycenter.org and on Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn.
9325 Sky Park Court, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
United States
As a long-time supporter of Equinox Center, and the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) we want to let you know that we’ve merged Equinox into CSE’s operations to form the Equinox Project, in order to scale our collective impact to larger audiences locally, and new markets around California and the U.S.
We made this decision knowing that Equinox’ and CSE’s values are aligned. CSE is accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean energy. We’ll continue finding innovative solutions to quality of life issues and expand some of CSE’s reach into areas outside of the energy sector.
Equinox’ research including the Quality of Life Dashboard and H2Overview, will continue to grow and address quality of life issues regionally through the Equinox Project. And, our young professionals program, Leaders 2020, will continue its progress recruiting millennials to help drive sustainable change.
We hope you can continue to support our work in this next phase. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.
We're very excited about these new steps forward. Please see the text from today’s press release (below) for your reference and contact Stephen Heverly at Stephen.Heverly@energycenter.org with any questions.
------------------------------------------------------
SAN DIEGO, CA (Jan. 27, 2016) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) today announced a merger with Equinox Center. The union officially creates the Equinox Project, an initiative to be directed by CSE to enhance and expand the work of the former Equinox Center, which focused on environmental, economic and civic affairs in the San Diego region.
Since its founding in 2009, the nonprofit Equinox Center has conducted research and analysis on quality of life issues in the San Diego region. By engaging policymakers, local leaders and other key stakeholders, the Equinox Project will continue this valuable work in San Diego and expand services to other communities in California and other states, according to Len Hering, RADM, USN (ret.), and CSE executive director.
“Equinox Center provides high-quality, transparent data useful for better understanding the intersection of business, government and the environment in San Diego County,” Hering said. “As a part of CSE, we look forward to the new Equinox Project delivering innovative solutions that balance regional growth with available resources to help create more vibrant communities.”
Equinox Center is well known for its annual San Diego Regional Quality of Life Dashboard. As an initiative at CSE, the Equinox Project will continue to produce this annual resource that measures progress and development related to sustainability and economics. The dashboard also analyzes topics such as energy and water supplies, housing infrastructure, land use and transportation systems.
Among the many policy products that also will continue to be published under the Equinox Project is the H2Overview report series. The reports focus on San Diego County’s water supply, providing an ongoing analysis of water issues and solutions such as seawater desalination and purified water recycling.
Equinox Center’s Stephen Heverly joins CSE’s research and analysis staff as the senior project manager of the newly formed Equinox Project.
“This merger with CSE aligns directly with the vision and values of Equinox Center,” said Martin Brown, former Equinox Center board chairman and founding member. “The Equinox Project will continue to measure what matters for the benefit our local region but now will have the potential to replicate that success in other regions of the country.”
# # #
About the Equinox Project
After six years as Equinox Center, the Equinox Project was initiated in January 2016 following a merger with the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Now managed by CSE, Equinox Project assists policy-makers, community leaders, decision makers and other stakeholders in crafting better solutions to address community growth challenges in the areas of energy and water resources, housing infrastructure, natural resources and transportation systems. Through in-depth research, policy analysis, communications and convenings, Equinox Project turns research into action to inform and engage the public to help create more vibrant communities.
About the Center for Sustainable Energy®
Accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean energy
Founded in 1996, the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a mission-driven nonprofit, providing clean energy consulting services and program management. Governments, regulators, utilities, businesses, property owners and others look to CSE as an objective implementation partner to develop customized solutions that help lower energy costs and increase consumer choice and accessibility to clean energy technologies. CSE’s suite of services includes expertise in transportation, energy efficiency and building performance, research and analysis, emerging technologies, policy support, workforce development, and marketing, education and outreach. Headquartered in San Diego, CSE works nationwide with support of offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., and Boston. Learn more at energycenter.org and on Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn.
9325 Sky Park Court, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
United States
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