California-based KB Homes and Chinese solar firm, BYD, have partnered to develop affordable solar homes in Lancaster.  

BYD Co. is known for producing plug-in cars, solar equipment, and batteries.  Now they have entered the renewable energy-real estate industry.  Combining powers with KB Homes has allowed for traditionally off-grid solar technologies to be introduced into a densely grid-tied residential area.

These modestly priced homes will be pre-equipped with solar modules and lithium-ion battery storage systems.  Normally, this technology is used in off-grid properties, but KB Homes and BYD hope that this new development will help pave the way for new impressions on residential solar energy and plug-in vehicles.

As opposed to traditional lead-acid batteries in off-grid electric systems, the lithium-ion battery storage systems will be located in the garage in dark, sleek housing units that flash led lights communicating performance levels.  They will be capable of storing up to 16 kWh of electricity.  The average Southern California household usually uses about 20kWh of electrcicity per day.  These lithium-ion ferrous phosphate batteries are the same that are used in BYD's plug-in electric vehicles which they will premiere later this year in Los Angeles.

Executive VP of KB Homes in Southern California, Thomas DiPrima, explained their goal was to first provide the solar panel-battery combo to the model home and four other production homes at no upfront cost to the homeowners.  The package would then bec ome optional to other homes in the West Lancaster subdivision and others.  These homes have starting prices from $210,000 to $257,000.

"Our long-term goal is to get to where we can do this nationwide," said Mr. DiPrima. "Our hope and our goal is to make it so affordable that it can be offered in a new home as a standard feature."

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Obama Calling for Clean Energy

After visiting the victims of the BP oil spill in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, Obama commits the United States a new future of clean energy.

After a BP oil rig exploded and sank off the coast of Louisiana in April, an estimated 35,000 barrels of oil have been released into the Gulf of Mexico each day. The oil has caused irreversible damage on the eco-system and destroyed the jobs of many fisherman that live on the coast.

As part of its commitment, BP must pay for all clean-up costs and reimburse those affected by the spill, totally near $1.6 billion (still rising).

As one of the largest environment disasters in United States history, President Obama may use this as an opportunity to promote renewable energy. In addition to the environmental costs of drilling for and consuming oil, citizens give billions of their hard-earned money to unstable foreign countries for more. Obama wants to change the way America produces and consumes energy.

This includes investing into energy efficiency and renewable energy. Through these retrofits, America will become energy independent and create quality green jobs. 

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Why Solar Sales Jobs are as Abundant as Ever

Not many people have researched solar sales jobs for a new career simply because the renewable energy industry has not received the type of promotion it deserves.  The traditionally popular use of credit in the automobile and real estate industries has attracted many valuable sales professionals to those two lines of work.  This dependence on credit has driven our financial system up until very recently.  Banks have not truly capitalized on the practical investment of solar.

Though solar sales jobs have existed ever since solar energy has been offered to utility customers, most professionals drawn to this industry commonly come from technical employment backgrounds.  This includes scientists, engineers, electricians, and other such technicians.  Construction and roofing contractors have found great interest in solar energy as well.  Though there still is a great need for all of these types of professionals, there is a greater to need for the creation of solar sales jobs.    

Solar sales jobs will attract many Americans that have been dislocated from their respective employment industries due to the devastating recession.  While many have been long-unemployed, there are also those professionals who struggle to find financial reward and fulfillment in their current line of work.  Making the career transition into solar sales may seem impossible without the proper skills and experience, but there are many sales professionals who find the right direction and build their own path to success.

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How to Choose a quality Solar Installer in Los Angeles

The age of renewable energy is upon us.  Going green in one's daily routine is easier.  However,  making a renewable energy retrofit on your home can be a chore if you do not know where to begin.

Here are some things to think about when choosing a quality solar installer in Los Angeles. 

First, you can always think about looking up a quality solar installer in the Los Angeles Yellowpages.  Those professionals tend to be dependable because they wouldn't be listed in the Yellowpages if they were not dependable.  If you don't use that method to find a quality solar installer, try locating a Los Angeles contractor on the internet.  There are many directories that provide lists of certified and experienced quality solar installers.

You must know what questions to ask when you select a quality solar installer.  In Los Angeles, there are many quality solar installers; this may result in a bidding war if you decide to contact several.  This may not be what you want.  Getting the lowest estimate is not the best course of action.  Contractors can easily take shortcuts to win your business with the lowest bid or they may not be experienced and are willing to go lower than quality solar installers.  You must ask pertinent qualifying questions of your installer to determine if they are experienced and trustworthy.  You will naturally gravitate toward a quality solar installer in Los Angeles if they can demonstrate these characteristics.

Ask them to show you all the proper licenses that are required of a solar installer in Los Angeles.  Not all electricians know how to install solar and not all certified photovoltaic installers know how to tie in the system to the utility grid.  Make sure they are experienced in both or have a team who can do each task competently.  In some cases, experience can be interchangeable with formal training.  You have to like your quality solar installer but make sure they have the proper credentials.

Also, ask if they have any references of past jobs.  It gives you a resume of their work.  You can find out if there were any complications with their service on prior projects.  

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How to be a Renewable Energy Entrepreneur

Though our climate and energy crisis is primarily based on social responsibility, there are many avenues for entrepreneurs to grow our economy using the renewable energy industry.  If planned and executed properly, a renewable energy company can kill two birds with one stone - reduce our impact on the environment while being profitable.

Homeowners tend to complain about the price of renewable energy though they would admit it is one of the few options that can improve our economy and address our environmental and energy issues.

It is the responsibility of a renewable energy entrepreneur to engage consumers into a discussion about what they can do to improve their energy independence and minimize their carbon footprint while saving money long-term?

A renewable energy entrepreneur must first establish their goals.  In what sector of renewable energy do I want to pursue business?  What do I need to accomplish in order to gain business?  What would be the focus of my operation?  Who is my market or customer base?  How do I communicate my message to consumers?  How do I show my company's value?  How will I deliver my products and/or services?  How will I ensure my profitability?

All these questions are the tip of the iceberg.  They actually help you focus on how you must perform.  

In the end, you cannot do everything on your own.  There is something called human resources.  This doesn't mean you have to hire the best people to be successful.  It means that you must simply surround yourself with people who can tell you how to get things done.  You can already remind yourself of all the ways that you can fail.  You need minds around you that will focus on developing solutions and not problems.  

It always helps to have a mentor as well.  Someone who can always point you in the right direction.

If you think you have what it takes to be a renewable energy entrepreneur, particularly in the solar industry, this would be me reaching out to you to be your mentor.  I can personally prepare you to sell the benefit of solar to homeowners all across the country.  

Visit www.pvsolarsalestraining.com to learn about Rich Hessler Solar and how we can support you to becoming a successful renewable energy entrepreneur. 

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The Death of Arizona Anti-Solar Bill HB 2701

Arizona house bill 2701, introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko, was on its way to killing the state's solar sector until it was recently dropped.  HB 2701 was to allow the state to include nuclear and hydroelectric power in the renewable energy standards of Arizona's 2025 goal of generating 15% of all its energy from renewable sources.

Representative Kris Mayes, chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission and author of the state's current RES program, said HB 2701 "would surely be the death knell for advancing solar energy in the state."

HB 2701 would prevent solar investment in Arizona by sending the wrong message to utility companies.  Permitting nuclear and hydroelectric sources to be used for distributed energy transmission would not leave room for solar companies like SolarCity, Kyocera Solar, and Suntech to provide renewable power to the grid.  Needless to say, HB 2701 would also prevent all the solar jobs that were bound to develop in the state.  HB 2701 contradicted a mandate for utilities to generate 30% of their power from rooftop systems.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's office issued a statement about HB 2701 and its author: "Representative Lesko's wise and thoughtful actions today to withdraw HB 2701 should be lauded. This sends a clear and united message to employers around the world - Arizona remains the premier destination for solar industries."

HB 2701 would have made Arizona the only state to include existing nuclear power plants in a renewable energy standard.  It's amazing to think that in 2001, Arizona was one of the first states to introduce an RES attracting many opportunities for solar manufacturing, installation, and research/development.

Rich Hessler Solar
Tools to start a Solar Business
Solar Financing, Marketing, Sales Training, Business Development, Email and Website tracking, marketing metrics, Solar Quickbooks, Solar Project Consulting/Design

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Why the Green Revolution and America Need Each Other

Other than Green Revolution, it has also been referred to as a "Green Economy" or the "Green Industry".  What I speak of is the movement to rethink our energy consumption, resource conservation, and environmental impact while still growing our economy and creating jobs at home. 

We have a lot to clean up as a nation.  Not only does our environment need cleaning up but so does America's reputation across the globe.  Being at the forefront of this Green Revolution will help us to achieve both of those. 

The Green Revolution needs America just as much as we need to participate in this movement.  Actually, we need to do more than participate.  We need to use the Green Revolution as an opportunity to reestablish the confidence that other countries once had in us. 

Post 9/11, America has suffered huge public relations losses with the rest of the world.  In an age of fear, America has engaged in two wars and has been blamed by other nations for our globalized collapse.  The state of our world has not been a result of recent decisions and actions.  This has occurred over time and America naturally must be part of the solution for any success to be reached.  

Just as America is seen as part of the problem, they must also be seen also as be part of the solution. America needs to begin taking advantage of renewable energy, participating in wide-spread recycling, and energy conservation. As energy will continue to cost more and less secure, we need to begin investing in secure energy resources.

Rich Hessler Solar
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Clean Coal:  Pulling the wool over American eyes

Have you heard of the "tooth fairy"?  Have you heard of "Bigfoot"?  Have you heard of "clean coal"?  You've heard of the tooth fairy and Bigfoot, but you've never seen either.  Why is that?  Because they are not real.  This may be a huge let-down, but "clean coal" is not real either.  It is make-believe just like the other two.  The coal industry would like you to believe that clean coal is the new and improved energy of the future, but this could not be any further from the truth.

America was built upon coal. For decades we have used coal as the primary source of energy.  We still use coal today.  However, coal is not a renewable energy and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Energy (ACCCE) wants you to believe otherwise.  They have spent over $60 million on a "Clean Coal" campaign that markets coal as a renewable source of energy when it actually is not.

Coal has the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than any other fossil fuel- 29% more than oil and 80% more than gas.  Mercury is also an environmental concern since the burning of coal to produce electricity and heat is the single largest contributor to atmospheric mercury emissions.

Clean coal technologies (CCT) refer to the attempt to reduce pollutants of coal burning.  Thus, no coal-burning power plant is really clean.  Clean coal is simply the new method of handling the coal.  Pollutants are redirected from one waste stream to another, still to be released into he environment.  From start to finish, the process of burning coal for power is extremely harmful to our environment and a major risk to public health.

Scientists have spent over 10 years researching technologies tha t can make "clean coal" but no viable, commercial solution has been discovered.  The United States alone has spent over $5 billion to make "clean coal" a reality.

Rich Hessler Solar
Find out more about solar financing 

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Maricopa ED-3 Board Brings Back Solar Rebates

Arizona. With an average of 211 sunny days a year and one of the largest cities in the United States (Phoenix at number 5), Arizona seems like a prime candidate for photovoltaic solar systems. To help finance solar installations, Electrical District number 3 voted to continue with the solar rebate program. 

After starting the program in 2009, it quickly ran out of money. Already, the rebate program has caused the company to spend $300,000 more than originally set aside.

Electrical District 3 continued to fund the solar rebate program until it was no longer possible. At this point, 32 customers have installed solar systems and 14 more were on the waiting list.

The surge of solar customers appears to be valley-wide. 113 APS customers applied for solar rebates in 2009. The total number of solar installations in 2009 is greater than the past eight years combined.

Electrical District 3 is now continuing the solar rebate program, except the rebate has been reduced from $3 per watt to $2.15 per watt. The program is funded by charging electricity consumers 30 cents a month and commercial users $12/month.

Electrical District 3 is researching how much consumers are willing to contribute a month to renewable energy. Until this information is collected, Electrical District 3 will hold off on tariff increases.

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