Tag Archives: solar energy

Charles Paddock Zoo Adds Solar Energy System

The solar energy system was donated and installed last summer by local solar installer, Solarponics.

Atascadero, CA, USA — The Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero adds solar energy system as part of their ongoing conservation mission. They join other zoo’s including; Cincinnati Zoo, Toledo Zoo, Knoxville Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Oakland Zoo, and San Diego Zoo, who have made a similar move to renewable energy.

The solar energy system was donated and installed last summer by local solar installer, Solarponics. The starter solar energy system produces about 5% of the zoo’s total energy demand and will save the zoo more than $75,000 over the life of the system. The ultimate goal is to install a solar array large enough to supply 100% of the zoo’s energy needs, saving hundred’s of thousands of dollars, savings that will go directly to the conservation and care of the zoo’s residents.

“We are excited about the future of our Zoo, adding solar, and upgrading our facilities to better manage the animal collection and enhance the experience for our zoo visitors,” said Alan Baker, zoo executive director. “We are dedicated to the conservation of local and exotic species in everything we do, including our entire energy and environmental footprint.”

Globally, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon and other pollutants into the air, which directly contribute to climate change. It is these changes to our climate that are destroying critical wildlife habitat, causing habitat ranges to shift, increasing incidence of pests and invasive species, and decreasing availability of food and water. A failure to take decisive action now to reduce carbon pollution will affect one-third of all wildlife species facing increased risk of extinction within the next century.

The good news is the zoo is taking action to advance clean energy solutions that will protect wildlife and reduce their environmental impact.

“It was a great fit for us to be able to donate the starter system to the zoo. The donation supports our local community, builds solar awareness, and fits with the zoo’s conservation goals”, said Kristian Emrich, Solarponics Vice President.

Visitors are invited to Party For The Planet on Saturday, April 13 to check out the new solar energy system on the roof of the zoo’s gift shop, and learn about conservation programs happening at the zoo and throughout the central coast. Doors open at 10:00 AM.

About The Charles Paddock Zoo
The Charles Paddock Zoo was established in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a county parks ranger, who nursed animals back to health. Today the zoo is home to hundreds of local and exotic species from around the world. Many of the zoo residents are part of globally managed programs to preserve animals and their habitats. The zoo is located on five wooded acres, and is family friendly with the opportunity for children and adults to experience animals up close. The Charles Paddock Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, placing them in an elite group of only 220 accredited institutions in North America. For hours, admission prices, events, visit http://www.charlespaddockzoo.org.

About Solarponics
Solarponics was founded in 1975 by Cal Poly engineering graduate, Mike Emrich, and is the oldest continuously operating solar energy company in California. Today, Solarponics installs solar electric, battery backup, EV charging systems, radiant heating & cooling, solar pool heating, water conservation and LED Commercial lighting for residential and commercial projects on the central coast. Their vision for the central coast is for every building to have a net-zero energy and resource consumption footprint. Visit http://www.solarponics.com or call (805) 466-5595 for more information.

Media Contact:
Frank Scotti
Solarponics, Inc.
805-466-5595
frank@solarponics.com

Local Solar Company

City of Paso Robles Reaches 1,000 Solar Home Installs

Last month, Paso Robles resident Dan Robinson applied for a solar energy permit. Little did he know that his application would be the 1,000th alternative energy permit filed in the city of Paso Robles.

Atascadero, CA, USA — Last month, Paso Robles resident Dan Robinson decided he wanted to save money and do the right thing when he called Solarponics and applied for a solar energy permit to install solar on his home. Little did he know that his application would be the 1,000th alternative energy permit filed in the city of Paso Robles. With Mr. Robinson’s solar install, Paso became the first city to reach 1,000 installs in San Luis Obispo county.

“These seven panels on my roof can do the same for me as a multi-billion dollar power plant… with no pollution,” says Mr. Robinson. “Solar makes so much sense on so many levels. It’s the right way to go.”

Solar energy first became popular in the late 1970’s when President Carter installed solar water heating panels on the White House. At the time, electric rates hovered around a low of 5¢/kWh. Solar electric and solar water heating systems were still quite a bit more expensive than ulitily-purchased energy.

Since the mid, California has seen a nearly 300% increase in the price of energy, currently averaging 19¢/kWh, while solar energy prices have dropped significantly, making solar electric far more affordable than grid-tied energy today.

Nationally, solar installs in the U.S. have grown from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2008 to an estimated 34GW today. Paso Robles has gone from under 20kW of solar installs in 2008 to over 6 megawatts (MW) of residential solar today. This equates to more than $50 million in collective energy savings for Paso Robles homeowners over the next 20 years.

“Even with the recently imposed solar panel tariffs, solar energy continues to be a significant money-saver. The more energy rates increase, the more solar makes sense. And rates are always increasing.” says Kristian Emrich, Solarponics vice-president.

To celebrate the 1,000th residential solar energy install in Paso Robles, Solarponics is donating solar powered systems for electric golf carts to north county schools, and converting those electric golf carts to solar-power.

“Five years ago, we could not have imagined reaching this milestone…1,000 solar roofs in Paso… 10,000 county-wide. And now, here we are. Our vision is to see renewable energy systems on every single structure in the county. So, there’s a lot of work to do still,” says Mr. Emrich.

About Solarponics
Solarponics is the Central Coast’s go-to renewable energy installer, helping businesses and homeowners save money and achieve energy independence. Solarponics has installed over 5,000 energy systems throughout the county since 1975. The longest continuously owned and operated solar company in California, Solarponics is still privately owned and locally operated. For more information, visit http://www.solarponics.com, or like them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/solarponics).

Media Contact:
Frank Scotti
Solarponics, Inc.
805-466-5595
frank@solarponics.com

More Than Just Solar

SunGreen Systems Inaugurates New 521 KW Solar System for YKK U.S.A.

New Photovoltaic Installation Delivers 97.6% Power for Anaheim Zipper Manufacturer.

Anaheim, CA, USA (March 6, 2016) — SunGreen Systems, experts in the design and construction of commercial solar systems and sustainable, smart energy solutions, will be attending the ribbon-cutting to inaugurate a new 521.5 KW solar power systems that SunGreen designed and installed for YKK U.S.A., Inc. The new photovoltaic systems will generate sufficient power to meet 97.6 percent of the energy needs of YKK’s zipper manufacturing facility and it will be the fourth largest solar array in operation in the city of Anaheim.

SunGreen Systems designed and installed the new solar system using 1,968 solar panels provided by Mitsubishi Electric. The total power output for the new solar system is 521.5 kW of DC power, with an annual power capacity of 843,336 kWh. The new solar installation will not only deliver all of the power needed for YKK’s Anaheim plant, but it will also help fulfill the YKK’s mission of environmental protection and sustainability for its global operations.

“This is the first solar system we designed and installed for YKK and we are extremely proud of this project,” said Rick Hsu, CEO of SunGreen Systems. “This solar installation will be able to meet all of YKK’s power requirements and is part of this fastener company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and promoting sustainable operations worldwide.”

The new YKK solar system will offset 896 tons of carbon dioxide annually, or an estimated 27,000 tons of CO2 over the life of the solar system. That’s the equivalent of planting 4,484 trees each year or 134,520 trees over the life of the system.

Using solar power for YKK’s Anaheim facility supports the company’s 1994 Environmental Charter to support conservation and preserve natural resources for future generations. YKK has 109 affiliated organizations in more than 70 countries with more than 39,000 employees.

About SunGreen Systems
SunGreen Systems offers sustainable energy solutions including commercial solar energy, LED lighting, cool roof systems, and battery backup power systems. SunGreen Systems serves its customers as solar and energy consultants with a team of renewable energy consultants, designers, engineers, architects, general contractors, and customer service specialists.

For more information about SunGreen Systems and its comprehensive smart energy services, visit http://www.sungreensystems.com.

Media Contact:
John Hoffman
SunGreen Systems
626-851-0008
johnhoffman@sungreensystems.com
http://www.sungreensystems.com

SunGreen Systems Cuts Ribbon on 204.52 kW Solar System Designed to Power Allstate Floral

Rooftop Photovoltaic System Expected to Meet 93% of Allstate Floral’s Energy Needs.

Cerritos, CA, USA (March 4, 2016) — SunGreen Systems, experts in the design and construction of commercial solar systems and sustainable, smart energy solutions, will be cutting the ribbon today to signal the completion of a new 203.52 kW photovoltaic power system at Allstate Floral facility here. The new solar power system is expected to provide 93 percent of the company’s current electrical load.

SunGreen Systems designed and installed the premium solar array consisting of 768 solar panels for Allstate Floral, which is one of the top importers of beautiful silk and artificial flowers, greenery, and home accessories. The solar panels were provided by Mitsubishi Electric and the completed solar system delivers 203.52 watts of DC power with an annual production of 330,997 kWh.

“The solar system for Allstate Floral is one of the largest installations SunGreen Systems has designed in the area and demonstrates the value any company can derive from solar energy,” said Rick Hsu, CEO of SunGreen Systems. “More companies throughout Los Angeles County are seeing the substantial return on their solar investment, not only from reducing energy costs but reducing pollution as well. We hope to continue our relationship with Allstate Floral to provide solar power for the company’s other buildings.”

The solar array will not only offset Allstate Floral’s energy costs but it will have a significant positive environmental impact. The newly commissioned solar system will offset 146.64 tons of carbon dioxide each year, or 3,668.8 tons for the expected life of the system. That’s the equivalent of planning 60 acres of trees every year, or 1,500 acres of trees for the life of the system.

About SunGreen Systems
SunGreen Systems offers sustainable energy solutions including commercial solar energy, LED lighting, cool roof systems, and battery backup power systems. The SunGreen Systems serves as solar and energy consultants to their clients with a team of renewable energy consultants, designers, engineers, architects, general contractors, and customer service specialists.

For more information about SunGreen Systems and its comprehensive smart energy services, visit http://www.sungreensystems.com.

Media Contact:
John Hoffman
SunGreen Systems
626-851-0008
johnhoffman@sungreensystems.com
http://www.sungreensystems.com

Renewable Home Energy.org Educates and Connects

Renewable energy – if you haven’t noticed, it’s the buzz around the world. We are using an alarming amount of fossil fuels every day; fossil fuels that won’t last forever. Some experts say we will be known as the generation that destroys the earth unless we change our energy behavior now.

“Renewable Energy makes sense from both a financial and a green responsibility” says Todd Sachs, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of www.renewablehomeenergy.org.

“We are committed in educating consumers on how to turn their homes into Renewable Energy Homes. We help by connecting consumers with qualified installers throughout the United States so they can save money on their fast rising energy bills, create more value in their home investment, and join together in reducing dependency on fossil fuels; together reducing the carbon footprint.” Sachs says.

A recent press release from the whitehouse.gov states the following:
“President Obama is committed to an “all-of-the-above” approach that develops all American energy sources in a safe and responsible way and builds a clean and secure energy future. That’s why the President’s plan:

Challenges Americans to double renewable electricity generation again by 2020. In order to double generation from wind, solar, and geothermal sources by 2020, relative to 2012 levels, the President called on Congress to make the renewable energy Production Tax Credit permanent and refundable, which will provide incentive and certainty for investments in new clean energy. Instead of continuing century-old subsidies to oil companies, the President believes that we need to invest in the energy of the future. During the President’s first term, clean energy tax incentives attracted billions of dollars in private investment in almost 50,000 clean energy projects, creating tens of thousands of jobs. Permanent extension keeps the momentum building, while creating new jobs in clean energy.”

Once Americans realize just how possible it is to remove their home from the grid completely and/or partially, many will turn to clean energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal for home energy systems. Renewable Home Energy (www.renewablehomeenergy.org) just launched last week and is serving-up a great way to connect homeowners with qualified renewable energy installers throughout the entire United States.

Renewable Home Energy is committed to working with local governments, manufactures and installers to help develop affordable ways for consumers to save money with Renewable Energy to remove them from the grid and reduce the carbon footprint by reducing the usage of the finite fossil fuels.

The process is easy. Just click on www.renewablehomeenergy.org and learn about Renewable Energy for your home. You can also complete a form to connect with a Renewable Energy Installer. You will be contacted by qualified installers in your immediate area. They will review your current energy consumption and suggest the best Renewable Energy alternatives for your home.

There are great tax incentives for you to install renewable energy in your home, and great finance options with 4% or less interest rates for up to 10 year terms for qualified buyers.

Press Contact:
Todd Sachs – Co-Founder & CMO tsachs@renewablehomeenergy.org

Renewable Home Energy
Hunt Valley, MD 21030

http://www.renewablehomeenergy.org