Have a Solar Powered Halloween
DIY Solar Pumpkin
Traditional solar pumpkins are made by disassembling a solar lamp. A simpler solution is solar xmas lights, stuff them all into the pumpkin and mount the solar panel on the side of the pumpkin.
The Manoogian Demirdjian School (MDS) in Canoga Park, CA. had a dedication ceremony for its 164 kW solar electric system to to celebrate the successful operation of one of the largest solar electric systems on any private school in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, California Assemblyman Paul Krekorian; chair of the new select committee on renewable energy, Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian the primate of the Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese, MDS School Board of Trustees Chairman Sinan Sinanian, parents and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
The 164kW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system generates approximately 300,000 kilowatt hours of electricity for the Pre-K thru 12 school. The 992 solar modules covering 15,000 square feet of roof space satisfy 40% of the school’s current electric needs.
“Ever since our Gymnasium facility has been covered with solar panels we have experienced a significant reduction in the need to use air conditioning for this building. The shade provided by the modules, is one of the incidental benefits, not to mention the protection of the roof material from direct sun,” says Levon Keshishian, director of Business Operations who oversees facilities management of the school.
The school monitors the production of the Solar Electric system and displays its up to the minute production on a special monitor in the administration building lobby, and on the school’s website, for students, parents, staff and the community to see.
The school staff and student body have incorporated other environmentally-friendly measures, such as recycling bins, and through various club activities and recycling programs over the past years. Use of paper has been reduced drastically, collecting of cans, bottles and paper for recycling have become a tradition among the students.
“When designing a Solar PV system we look at the economics of going solar,” says Sevan Varteressian the President of California Green Designs, the Solar Integration company responsible for the design and installation of the AGBU MDS Solar PV System. “The school operates 181 days of the year, but the sun shines an average of 300 days, in a year in Los Angeles. When designing a system for the school, to satisfy its operating needs, you have to bear in mind the production of the system throughout the year. Net energy metering makes it possible for the school to use the excess energy generated during off school hours.”
According to LADWP’s website Net Energy Metering means measuring the difference between the electricity supplied from the electric grid and the electricity generated on the Customer’s premises and delivered back to the electric grid or net energy recorded at the Service Point.
Furthermore, Net energy metering is a special billing arrangement for customers with renewable energy systems, such as solar electricity systems that permit customers to get credit for the full retail value of the electricity their system generates. Under net energy metering, the customer’s electric meter keeps track of how much excess electricity is generated by the renewable energy system and sent back into the electric utility grid, and how much electricity is consumed by the customer. Over a 12 month period, the customer has to pay only for the net amount of electricity they use from their utility over-and-above the amount of electricity generated by their renewable energy system (in addition to monthly customer transmission, distribution, and meter service charges they incur).
AltCar returns to Santa Monica this October for the 4th annual Alternative transportation showcase.
Free to attend and open to the public on October 2nd and 3rd from 10am to 5pm at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
We’ll be amongst the alternative vehicles showing off an actual size solar panel, an inverter, a solar meter, and a solar pathfinder. Stop by, pick up some literature, ask our rep a few questions, or get a quote.
The event offers latest choices of Electric, Hydrogen, Biodiesel, Natural Gas, Propane, Hybrid, Plug In, and Ethanol transportation technologies. plus the famous Santa Monica Bicycle valet, and a returning favorite Ride and Drive a lot that gives attendees the opportunity to test drive the alternative vehicles.
Panel discussions on Friday will focus on fleets, with both MEMA (Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association) and NAFA (National Association of Fleet Administrators) laying out almost a full day of activities for their members. There will also be the Transforming Transit Symposium featuring nationally renowned speakers providing a peak into the future of transit. The Big Blue Bus will also be unveiling THE BUS OF THE FUTURE.
Saturday speakers includes some of the top transportation decision makers in the State and legislation, all-technology debate, the latest success stories regarding large City adaptations, special address by Terry Tamminen and more.
This year also includes an greater bicycle section, while our favorite Santa Monica-based bike manufacturer wont be exhibiting, there’s a short education available for the commuter.
Interested in getting a quote on a solar electric system? Fill out a form on California Green Designs website or give us a call at 818 705 3474.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Eagle Rock
Utility Company: LADWP
Electric rates: $0.04 – $0.14/kwh
Rebates available: Solar Installation Rebate
LADWP Solar Rebate Rates |
|||
| Installation Type |
System Size |
Incentive Rates |
|
| Residential | Less than 1 MW | Step 2
$0.13/kWh |
|
| Commercial | Less than 1 MW | Step 2
$0.10/kWh |
|
Last updated 9/01/2009
6.6 kw
A California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Eagle Rock
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Culver City
Utility Company: S0uthern California Edison and LADWP
Culver City has two different utility companies, if you are unsure which utility company you have you may find out by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP
Last updated 9/01/2009
LADWP Solar Rebate Rates |
|||
| Installation Type |
System Size |
Incentive Rates |
|
| Residential | Less than 1 MW | Step 2
$0.13/kWh |
|
| Commercial | Less than 1 MW | Step 2
$0.10/kWh |
|
175 kw
A California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Culver City
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Canoga Park
Utility Company: S0uthern California Edison
Electric rates: $0.12 – $0.34/kwh
Rebates available: Solar Installation Rebate
Last updated 9/01/2009
| Administrator | Customer Class * | Current Step | Initial MW in Step | Unused MW from Previous Steps | Revised Total MW in Step | Issued Conditional Reservation Letters (MW) | MW Remaining | MW Under Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCE | Residential | 4 | 19.70 | 0.43 | 20.13 | 3.61 | 16.52 | 1.22 |
| Non-Residential | 5 | 49.30 | 31.77 | 81.07 | 23.06 | 58.01 | 12.38 |
175 kw
A California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Canoga Park
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Acton
Utility Company: S0uthern California Edison
Electric rates: $0.12 – $0.34/kwh
Rebates available: Solar Installation Rebate
Last updated 9/01/2009
| Administrator | Customer Class * | Current Step | Initial MW in Step | Unused MW from Previous Steps | Revised Total MW in Step | Issued Conditional Reservation Letters (MW) | MW Remaining | MW Under Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCE | Residential | 4 | 19.70 | 0.43 | 20.13 | 3.61 | 16.52 | 1.22 |
| Non-Residential | 5 | 49.30 | 31.77 | 81.07 | 23.06 | 58.01 | 12.38 |
5.4 kw
A California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Acton
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Topanga Canyon
Utility Company: S0uthern California Edison
Electric rates: $0.12 – $0.34/kwh
Rebates available: Solar Installation Rebate
Last updated 9/01/2009
| Administrator | Customer Class * | Current Step | Initial MW in Step | Unused MW from Previous Steps | Revised Total MW in Step | Issued Conditional Reservation Letters (MW) | MW Remaining | MW Under Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCE | Residential | 4 | 19.70 | 0.43 | 20.13 | 3.61 | 16.52 | 1.22 |
| Non-Residential | 5 | 49.30 | 31.77 | 81.07 | 23.06 | 58.01 | 12.38 |
Last updated 9/01/2009
The Following are some of California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Topanga Canyon
11.1 kw
6.1 kW
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
There are two main reason why most installations are connected to the grid.
- There is no additional cost to being attached to the grid, whereas a battery system does mean buying large batteries.
- The solar rebate comes from the electric company, who will only give you a rebate if you are still connected to the electrical grid.
There are advantages to being grid-tied, you can have a smaller solar system and still have access to any additional electricity needs you may have, on the opposite end of the spectrum if you have more production than you’re using, the additional power is stored on the grid, and in California with net-metering, when your solar panels are not working (i.e. when its dark) you use the stored energy at no additional cost.
There is one main downside to grid tied solar electric systems: Blackouts.
When the electrical grid goes down, your inverter goes down. (The inverter is what transforms the type of energy your system produces DC into the kind used in homes AC)
There is a solution, the no downside solar electric system has a backup battery system. It requires an additional inverter and some batteries. The other inverter comes to center stage really only when there is a power outage. When the power goes out, this inverter allows you to still use your solar generation, if the outage occurs when its dark, the batteries that are connected to the second inverter can be used to keep the power on.
Would like a quote on a solar battery backup system for your home or business? If you’re in the Los Angeles area Fill out a form for a free estimate, or call us at (818) 705 3474.
Here’s a close up of the system.
The Solar Battery backup system is essentially the hybrid solar electric system.
“Solar in Los Angeles” – A new series covering all the Los Angeles Metro Area and their relationship with Solar.
Solar installations in Sylmar
Utility Company: S0uthern California Edison
Electric rates: $0.12 – $0.34/kwh
Rebates available: Solar Installation Rebate
Last updated 9/01/2009
| Administrator | Customer Class * | Current Step | Initial MW in Step | Unused MW from Previous Steps | Revised Total MW in Step | Issued Conditional Reservation Letters (MW) | MW Remaining | MW Under Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCE | Residential | 4 | 19.70 | 0.43 | 20.13 | 3.61 | 16.52 | 1.22 |
| Non-Residential | 5 | 49.30 | 31.77 | 81.07 | 23.06 | 58.01 | 12.38 |
Last updated 9/01/09
The Following are some of California Green Designs’ Solar Installations in Sylmar
3.7 kw
8.4 kw
What size system would you need for your home, have your electric bill handy and check out the Solar Calculator.
Interested in a quote fill out a form on California Green Designs website.
