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You're Invited: Visit This Unique Green Property!
Architect Jesse Bornstein has just put
finishing touches on the first green spec house in
Santa Monica and the Westside. Per Jesse, "A few
years ago it would
have been too much of a risk to build green without
having a committed buyer. But the City's efforts have
helped create a real market for green building and
solar
power."
Jesse is planning a special tour of the 5-unit
property
for "friends of Solar Santa Monica" on February 20,
starting at 10:30 a.m. If you're reading this newsletter,
this includes you!
Please come next
week, tour the property, and meet
the architect and a number of green feature experts.
You'll have the chance to examine and
discuss:
- Solar system: SANYO high-efficiency panels (dual-
sided,
capturing both direct and reflected sunlight)
cover
each unit
- Cabinets and floors: made from Plyboo (bamboo)
- Use of natural light and ventilation: electronically
thermostatically controlled skylight
- Efficient appliances: kitchen, water heater, and
flueless, alcohol burning fireplace
- Water use and landscaping: Xeriscape and storm
water retention
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Tour These Homes!
Join the City of Santa Monica and the
Solar Santa Monica team in celebrating Green on 19,
the new addition to the Westside
neighborhood.
Wednesday,
February
201035 19th
Street
10:30 a.m. - 11:30
a.m.
Please RSVP to the Solar Santa
Monica office: (310)
458-4992.
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| Fire Safety and Solar |
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With the recent success of Solar Santa Monica and
with the general growth in the solar industry statewide,
solar installations have drawn the attention of fire
safety officials in jurisdictions across the state.
Rather
than have a patchwork of conflicting requirements in
neighboring jurisdictions, Solar Santa Monica and the
Santa Monica Fire Department have worked closely
with state authorities, the solar industry, and other
municipal officials to develop standards to ensure that
solar energy installations are safe, efficient, and
productive for years to come. The SSM team's
experience and the City of Santa Monica's pro-solar
stance were critical to this complicated process,
which
will result in a more efficient and streamlined approval
process for solar installations.
Solar Santa
Monica
will help distribute final guidelines as soon as they
are
available.
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| Buy Organic Solar at Santa Monica Farmers' Markets |
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Well, maybe not organic, but certainly green! If you
visit any of Santa Monica's four Farmers' Markets,
you're likely to see the gold shirts of the Solar Santa
Monica team. The City has kindly agreed to squeeze
us in to these busy events, to help get the word out
about our FREE ENERGY ASSESSMENTS.
If
you have been considering taking action with regards
to solar, having a free energy assessment from the
City's service offers these benefits:
- A look at your current energy usage
including a discussion of your utility bills
- Check of your household appliances
- Survey of your roof and its potential for a solar
system
Then, we can refer you to
one of the preferred solar installers for an official
estimate.
This is a unique service offered by Santa
Monica.
To schedule your assessment, call the office at (310)
458-4992 or go to
www.solarsantamonica.com
and fill in the online Questionnaire.
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| Solar With No Money Down? |
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Solar Santa Monica has made arrangements with four
different financial institutions to offer financing to
participants. Financing revolves around cash flow.
The goal is to get a loan whose payments are equal
to - or even less than - what you would have been
paying the utility, anyway. Then, when you've paid
back the loan, you get that electricity for free.
Questions about
financing? Give Virginia Nicols a call to discuss and
get a referral. (949) 450-7153.
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| Solar Tax Credit Disappearing? |
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If you've been watching carefully, you know that the
Solar Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of
2008. Several members of Congress have stated
they
will introduce legislation to extend the credit. But until
they do, 2008 is the year to act! Solar Santa Monica
will keep you up to date.
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| One of Our Newest Solar Champions |
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Richard Bencivengo, with the crew from EE Solar on
the roof behind him, celebrates the installation of the
final panels of his new system.
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| Solar Santa Monica is administered by the City of Santa Monica's Energy & Green Building Programs office. |
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