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Big Blue Bus Adds Solar
 Santa Monica continues to lead the way in solar installations. The Big Blue Bus, working with Morley Construction, Apollo Electric and Martifer Solar, anticipates "flipping the switch" this month on its docking station's 80 kW array. The contractors added special pads under the mounting feet to protect the roof surface, and added an anodized finish to the aluminum to resist corrosion from sea air. The energy created by the system will help the Big Blue Bus and Santa Monica take another step towards energy independence.
At the same time, the Bus is considering re-engineering a number of bus stops to add solar "off the grid" (that is, not connected to Edison) that will power lighting and LED informational signs. Watch for more information on bus stop progress.
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Solar on the Pier
 June 18th marked the 100th anniversary of the Santa Monica pier, where organizations and residents gathered on the wooden pier to celebrate not only its centennial but also to support the national energy legislation sponsored by Henry Waxman. Solar Santa Monica was one of the seven organizations recognized for its achievements in environmental sustainability and public awareness.
Distinguished as being "at the forefront of the Green Movement in America," Solar Santa Monica's Susan Munves accepted a special certificate of recognition from MoveOn.org. Crowds gathered to watch the presentations as well as to take advantage of the free solar-powered ferris wheel rides that day, courtesy of the City. City leaders present at the celebration included Mayor Ken Genser, Dean Kubani, Director of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and Councilmember Kevin McKeown.
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After the Party...
Taking Care of Your Panels
 The excitement of having a new solar system is contagious. We hear of people taking dinner guests ouside to view the inverter; one person we know actually hired a scissor lift so he could show off his whole solar array from above!
But what happens after the newness wears off? Here are some suggestions to keep your system front-of-mind, and functioning at its best.
1. Invest in monitoring. Depending on who is the manufacturer of your inverter, you may be able to buy a remote monitor that transfers the output reading from your inverter to your desk or kitchen counter. Price may range from nothing (thrown in by the contractor) to several hundred dollars. Or, you may be able to get web-based monitoring, where you log on to the internet to see your current production.
2. Clean your panels. Although there is some controversy about how often you need to do it, cleaning your solar panels will up their performance. Treat panels as you would a window: gentle attention with a paint scraper for bird or sticky pollen stains, water and "a mild surfactant" for surface cleaning. Be sure the rinse water doesn't puddle on the surface of the panels.
3. Trim back bushes and trees. Vegetation insists on growing, spreading debris and shade. Check out your system - it may have been in the clear when it went up, but things change over time.
4. Expect an "anniversary bill" from Edison. Under the net metering agreement, you are responsible each month for "non-energy charges," including city and state taxes, but your "energy charges" are tracked separately, and then, at the end of 12 months, there is a "netting out." Your anniversary bill could be several hundred dollars, depending on the size of your system in relation to how much electricity you use. Questions? Call Edison's net metering line (with your bill in hand): 1-866-701-7868. They are knowledgeable and helpful.
Can you add to our list of what to expect or what to watch out for? Send an email to Virginia Nicols.
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Caulking Workshop
 Solar Santa Monica and the Community Energy Partnership will teach two hands-on Caulking & Weatherization Workshops this September. Learn how to use a caulking gun and weatherization stripping to fix a drafty apartment, home or office. These simple efficiency measures eliminate heating and cooling loss, lower energy bills and make your living and working spaces more comfortable.
Caulking & Weatherization Workshops take place at the Solar Santa Monica office. They are scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, with a repeat on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 am - 12 Noon. Office location: 1212 Fifth Street, Ste. 100, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Please call (310) 458-4992 or email dlowell-britt@ecomotion.us to RSVP. Visit www.solarsantamonica.com for more information about the City's energy efficiency and solar program.
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Fourth of July Parade
 Solar Santa Monica was present and celebrating in the City's second annual Fourth of July Parade. Marching down Main Street to the beat of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," City residents, program participants, and solar enthusiasts alike joined together to represent Solar Santa Monica. Our band of bright yellow shirts made a big impression on the crowds that gathered to watch the parade acts. We even spotted several of our own program participants in the crowd, proudly wearing their own yellow shirts.
Watch for us in next year's parade!
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Campaign to let residents know about new tax savings
 With all the new changes to tax credits and CSI incentive rates, the Solar Santa Monica office is revising existing Energy Savings Analysis (ESA) reports to reflect current costs for solar photovoltaic and thermal systems. The biggest update is the new tax credit: instead of being capped at $2,000, the unlimited credit can result in thousands more dollars in savings for bigger systems. Combined with competitive bids, this is likely to result in much better prices. Also, check out your return on investment (ROI).
Residents are averaging 15-22% ROI depending on how much electricity they use.
So far, 76 ESA updates have been sent out, and about 150 are expected to be completed by the end of this update cycle, going all the way back to 2007 reports. To request a revision of your existing ESA, please contact Michael Ware at (310) 560-9273 or email us at mware@ecomotion.us.
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