November 12, 2009 – San Diego resident Michael Huff, who is unemployed, found a way to save 1,400 a year on his utility bills with just a $1,000 up front investment. “It all started when I read an article in the Union Trib about 1BOG (One Block Off Grid),” said Huff. He obtained a group discount through the solar buying cooperative—without buying a thing. He’s so pleased with the results that he has referred over 20 other people.(For info on 1BOG's current program for San Diego homeowners seeking group discounts, see our story at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2227.)  
 
While many homeowners invest $25,000 to $30,000 to own their own solar energy systems, Huff chose a “buy-back” option which 1BOG arranged through SunRun. Under the arrangement, SunRun actually owns the system on Huff’s roof. “They charge me for the KWY the system produces, but at a much lower rate than SDG&E,” said Huff, who paid only $1,000 out of pocket to get the system installed.

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
November 10, 2009 (San Diego) - One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar buying collective, today announced launch of its second solar community buying campaign to help San Diego County homeowners and small business owners purchase solar energy at group discount rates of $5.29 per watt from now through February 12, 2010.
 
“That’s the best price we’ve ever seen, by quite a bit,” Brad Burton, head of product and development for 1BOG, told East County Magazine. “We provide group discounts, typically about 15% off the marketplace, and we also streamline the process for large numbers of people who all go solar at the same time.” Those going solar now can also take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit plus a statewide rebate, sharply reducing payback time for their solar systems.

Governor signs AB 920 to compensate solar and wind powered homes for surplus energy
 

SAN DIEGO— Owners of home solar and wind energy systems that generate extra kilowatts can soon turn those surplus electrons into compensation thanks to new legislation signed by the Governor this week.

Assembly Bill 920, which earned strong backing from Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, allows electric utility customers who install solar or wind generation systems on their properties to be paid by their electric utility for the surplus electricity they produce.

October 2, 2009 – The San Diego Solar Home Tour 2009 offer working examples of residential solar energy technology on a tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year, the California Center for Sustainable Energy is joining the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Tour to showcase residential homes using solar technology at locations throughout San Diego County—including many homes in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — A unanimous vote by the San Diego Board of Supervisors in November requires the County's Chief Administrative Officer to provide county-sponsored legislation making it easier for residential power customers the ability to sell surplus solar energy back to utility companies.