ALPINE AIMS TO GO SOLAR IN RESPONSE TO POWERLINK

Sullivan Solar has vision for Alpine “solar revolution”; hosts community meeting Sept. 25
Property owners can start saving money immediately, with no money down

September 23, 2010 (Alpine) – Sullivan Solar Power, a San Diego firm ranked among the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine, is offering group discounts to help Alpine homeowners and businesses create a solar-powered community. 

“When the powers-that-be such as the PUC, Sempra and SDG&E don’t respect the wishes of the constituents, it’s time for the constituents to declare independence,” Daniel Sullivan, president of Sullivan Solar Power, told East County Magazine. “What we are doing is setting the stage for them to declare independence at a cost that’s less than they would find anywhere else.” 

Sullivan is hosting a free educational seminar on September 25th at 11 a.m. in the Alpine Community Center. A second free seminar will be held on October 23 at the same location, or call 1-800 SULLIVAN for info on additional seminars in our region. Initial responses from residents in Alpine has been positive, Sullivan said, noting that opposition to Sunrise Powerlink has heightened interest in solar.
 

The company has already completed similar programs in Coronado and Poway. The more people sign up, the greater the discounts. In Poway, 17 people signed up, Sullivan said.

For the average home in Alpine, going solar would have a gross cost of $49,000—but a 30% tax credit drops off $14,000, then the state of California pays another $3,000 via a rebate program. That leaves $32,000. “If financed through conventional methods, the monthly payment for the loan is less than what you would have paid the utility,” Sullivan said.
 

For example, a homeowner paying $300 a month currently to SDG&E would have a payment of around $250 for photovoltaic (PV) solar system each month—a savings of $50 a month, starting immediately. Group discounts can be as much as 10%, depending on how many homeowners and business owners participate. There is no down payment or closing costs required, Sullivan added. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Energy predicts a 6 to 7% increase in utility costs each year as fossil fuel supplies decline, so savings are likely to increase exponentially.
 

A solar system can be paid for in cash, financed through a first or second mortgage, or a home equity line of credit. Sullivan also offers unsecured loans for customers to go solar. Unlike some competitors, Sullivan does not offer leased systems; its customers own their solar systems and pocket all savings on their utility bills.
 

“Our tagline is `leading the solar revolution,’” said Sullivan. “The average person doesn’t know that solar is cheaper than what they are doing right now. If you can go solar and do it cheaper than paying the utility, why wouldn’t you do it?”
 

He cites other advantages to using solar. “When you generate electricity at point of use, we don’t have to spend our money overseas for fossil fuels or pay to burn CO2 into the atmosphere. It makes sense from an environmental point of view, from a national economic point of view, and for the end user’s pocketbook.”

He is interested in hearing from people in other communities who would like to have a seminar on group solar discounts. “Anytime a group wants a presentation, we are more than happy to accommodate,” he said.
 

Sullivan launched the company in 2004 out of his garage. “It was just me and a pickup truck,” he recalled. “I had $2,500.” As foreman of a large electrical firm in San Diego, he approached the owner and suggested going after the solar market, which he believed offered significant business potential. “He told me nobody is ever going to buy that stuff, so I made the leap of faith,” said Sullivan, whose company is now the sixth fastest-growing privately held firm n San Diego County, according to San Diego Business Journal. Sullivan has installed more than 5 million watts of solar power, ranging from small-scale residential to large-scale commercial and municipal systems.

“We’ve been very fortunate, “ Sullivan concluded, “and I feel very blessed.”
 

For more information on Sullivan Solar Power, visit www.sullivansolarpower.com or call (858)271-7758.