Open Neighborhoods Extends Solar Program Before LADWP Solar Rebate Moratorium

Open Neighborhoods Extends Solar Program Before LADWP Solar Rebate Moratorium










Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 3, 2010

After the Los Angeles City Council unanimously vetoed the LADWP’s proposed cuts to the Solar Incentive Program and called for a 90-day moratorium on new solar rebates, neighborhood advocacy group Open Neighborhoods announced the GoSolar 2010 community program will be extended until December 15th.

The Council vote came after the Department of Water and Power had proposed rebate cuts that were expected to dramatically slow the adoption of clean, renewable energy in Los Angeles — and would eliminate one million dollars per year in solar funding for Affordable Housing.

Council member Bill Rosendahl said “The bottom line is this: We should go solar; we’re in sunny Southern California, and the DWP has to figure out how to incentivize us to make it work.”

The Sierra Club, VoteSolar, a coalition of solar companies, and the community advocacy group Open Neighborhoods all voiced their opposition to DWP’s proposed cuts, which disproportionately reduced residential solar rebates for neighborhood homes.

Council member Richard Alarcon said “If we’re going to grow support for solar – use of solar energy – everyone in the world has to do it, not just select communities who are rich.”

According to a recent Solar Home & Business Journal report, “The council motion also called for a 90-day moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for solar incentives, to begin Jan. 1, 2011.” The report speculated that the moratorium could set off a “year-end run on solar by consumers seeking to lock in what could be decades-long bargain rates for electricity.”

Responding to news of the solar moratorium, Open Neighborhoods representatives announced they are extending the current GoSolar 2010 community program until Dec 15th. “This extension will ensure as many community members as possible are able to claim Million Solar Roofs rebates before the LADWP solar moratorium takes effect.” said Open Neighborhoods co-founder James Brennan.

The program extension applies to Los Angeles area customers of both LADWP and Southern California Edison. Program participants will join with over 170 Los Angeles area homes and businesses in receiving free solar assessments, accessing group savings of up to 30% with large-scale volume purchasing or leasing of solar panels, and reserving Million Solar Roofs rebate funds to help offset installation costs.

Participants must sign up to request a free solar assessment at http://www.openneighborhoods.net/gosolar prior to the December 15th program end date. LADWP rebate applications must be filed by December 31st in order to be processed prior to the January 1st solar rebate moratorium.

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Open Neighborhoods Selects Martifer Solar USA for Community Solar Program

Open Neighborhoods Selects Martifer Solar USA for Community Solar Program










Los Angeles (PRWEB) August 16, 2010

Open Neighborhoods, a local social networking organization, today announced the selection of Martifer Solar USA for GoSolar 2010, a community-based solar initiative allowing Los Angeles area neighborhoods to join together for an easy and affordable way to go solar.

After a rigorous evaluation process Open Neighborhoods selected West Los Angeles-based Martifer Solar USA as the most qualified solar installer for the four-month GoSolar 2010 program. Martifer Solar will offer discounted volume pricing and flexible financing options for residential and commercial solar installations.

“Martifer Solar has demonstrated an exceptional track record of local installations and a strong commitment to making solar power easy and affordable in the Los Angeles area,” said Open Neighborhoods co-founder James Brennan.

The four-month GoSolar 2010 program will offer solar workshops and information sessions, and participants will receive free solar assessments. The program is open to residential and commercial customers of both LADWP and SoCal Edison and includes options to lease or purchase solar power.

GoSolar 2010 runs through December 3rd, 2010. Interested participants can signup to request a free solar assessment prior to the program end date at http://www.openneighborhoods.net/gosolar.

A key goal of the program is helping neighborhoods switch to clean electricity through community-wide solar panel installations by local residents and businesses. Solar power can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the GoSolar 2010 project is expected to offset over seventeen million pounds of carbon.

“I would like to thank Open Neighborhoods for choosing a local company to install their solar panels,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, “Not only does this program engage the community to conserve energy, it also supports the growth of our local, green economy.”

The GoSolar 2010 program makes large-scale volume purchasing available to residents and businesses with price discounts ranging from twenty to thirty percent. Participants in the program can purchase all-inclusive fully installed solar panels made by SolarWorld USA for as low as $ 4.22/watt DC (STC). Federal tax credits and utility rebates bring the cost down further. Zero-down lease options are also available through Martifer Solar’s financing partners. The result is immediate electric bill savings of 35% or more for qualified customers.

“A family shouldn’t have to go broke while trying to ease their dependence on non-renewable resources. It’s all about taking that first step and these green programs are making it easier for communities to make that transition toward more earth-friendly power sources,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl about the program.

The GoSolar 2010 program includes installation of ground or roof-mounted panels, solar carports and shade structures at the same discounted price. Where applicable, Martifer Solar USA will also include its proprietary single axis tracking system that follows the sun’s movement and gets up to 25% higher productivity. Larger installations by SoCal Edison business customers may also qualify for revenue-generating power-purchase agreements (PPA).

Martifer Solar is currently installing solar panels on the new Santa Monica Place shopping mall. Recent projects have included Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, the Pasadena Unified School District and numerous residential homes throughout the Los Angeles area. “Martifer Solar is thrilled to be a part of the Open Neighborhoods initiative. Martifer Solar is committed to making solar energy accessible and affordable to the Greater Los Angeles community and the residents of the Westside,” said Raffi Agopian, CEO Martifer Solar.

About Martifer Solar USA

Martifer Solar USA provides the whole spectrum of photovoltaic solutions adapted to each client’s individual needs, whether the client is a family, a business or an entire city. The company maintains offices in the US, Africa, and throughout Europe, and has completed solar power projects in 19 countries on 5 continents.

Martifer Solar USA began in Southern California in 2001 under the banner of A & M Energy Solutions. In March of 2008 the company joined Martifer Solar, a leading European Solar Provider. This combination of local Californian knowledge and international resources is quickly establishing Martifer Solar as a premier player in the US solar industry.

Martifer Solar is both a systems integrator and manufacturer of PV Solar panels and related products. The company owns and operates one of the most advanced solar factories in the world and produces a number of innovative solar products such as photovoltaic skylights and carports.

Every Martifer Solar project is backed by the resources of the Martifer Group, an international, multi-discipline construction and energy company.

About Open Neighborhoods

Open Neighborhoods was founded in 2008 with a mission to connect and inform local neighborhoods with local social networking, open Internet access and clean energy programs.

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