Tecate Mission International, a well-known outreach ministry on the U.S. side of the Tecate border crossing, will celebrate the installation of an energy-saving array of nine racks of sun-tracking solar panels with a “Solar Energy Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony” at 3 p.m. on June 3. Dignitaries from both sides of the border are expected to attend, along with officials of rural fire departments and local business leaders. The public is invited to the event, which will feature music and refreshments. Representatives of AET Solar will be on hand to explain how the system works and answer questions on how solar systems can reduce monthly utility bills.
 
“Compared to fixed mounting systems, these tracking systems are able to follow the sun throughout the day, turning the panels from east to west, and providing as much as 30% more savings than fixed arrays,” said Bob Carson, president of AET Solar of Santee, which installed the system.

Empowered Energy Solutions finds hot market for rapid residential audit program
 

By Dennis Moore

March 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Saving money while converting to green energy sources is viewed by many consumers as both desirable and a necessity in this day and age.

At the forefront of this movement is Empowered Energy Solutions, a Solana Beach, California based business that is helping homeowners county-wide save money from day one on sustainable, energy efficient projects for their homes, offices and commercial buildings, from small restaurants to huge factories. One of the company’s diagnostics was on a building that previously had an annual electric bill of $11.5 million a year.

“Right now in San Diego, thousands of homes are running inefficiently, wasting their owners’ money,” Ted Torre-Bueno, president and founder, told East County Magazine. “Dollars spent on energy efficiency have the highest return on investment and in effect, are free for the homeowner and for the community. If we can reduce power use, we save on utility bills and help eliminate the need for new power plants in the future.”

 
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.