Energy Upgrade California Kicks Off in Santa Monica 

Some 65 people filled the multipurpose room at the Main Library in Santa Monica on April 26 to hear more about Los Angeles County's rebate program designed to stimulate whole house energy efficiency upgrades. David Cohen, of EUC, gave an overview of the program. He was followed by four contractors who have qualified to participate in the program. They fielded questions from the audience, questions that ranged from "How long will it take? to "How much will it cost?" and "What's the very best upgrade for the average Santa Monica home?"

As it turned out, the nuances of the program, and of individual homeowners' circumstances, made for no easy answers. Solar Santa Monica has added two enhancements to the program for Santa Monica residents to help clarify things.

First, any resident with a question about the program, about a measure or about a contractor is encouraged to take advantage of Solar Santa Monica's Free Energy Advisory Service. Just send an email to Drew Lowell-Britt to schedule a live consultation.

Second, Solar Santa Monica will be continuing to make experts available through a series of Energy Efficiency Workshops. Now in the formative stages, we are planning Saturday workshops on windows, insulation, whole house fans, etc. If you want to be on the list to receive an invitation, please Register on our Energy Upgrade California micro-site.

Solar Santa Monica joined other local organizations at the 20th annual Santa Monica festival last weekend for a day of excitement, education and camaraderie. Solar Santa Monica, sharing a table with Energy Upgrade California, received a steady stream of traffic and was able to assist booth visitors in understanding how solar and efficiency upgrades work together to improve comfort and help reduce costs in their homes. In addition, an enthusiastic Mayor bloom stopped by our table to express his support.

The event was a great success and the partnership between Energy Upgrade California and Solar Santa Monica proved complementary. As always, Solar Santa Monica invites anyone that missed the fair to contact Drew Lowell-Britt with questions about any aspect of Solar or the Energy Upgrade California Program. 

The City of Santa Monica just signed a contract with one of Solar Santa Monica's Preferred Contractors to clean the solar panels belonging to the City

There are plenty of them: on the Library, on the Civic Center Parking Garage, at the Civic Center Parking Lot. HelioPower won the bid. They'll be using low-tech methods for this job -- a scissor lift, hose, and long-handled brushes and squeeges.

But for the City, as well as for your home, clean panels can result in increased electricity production.

How much? That depends on the array: size, orientation, etc.  

Solar Santa Monica would love to hear from Santa Monica Solar Champions who have actually measured BEFORE and AFTER production. Send your results to Virginia Nicols, and we'll share with everyone!

For tips on solar panel cleaning, check out Solar Santa Monica's User's Guide to PV or contact Drew Lowell-Britt. 

After the Energy Upgrade California Kick-Off Meeting, EcoMotion/Solar Santa Monica staff member Michael Ware called Kathryn Orfino of Alpine Green Property Services.

Within the week, Kathryn had come to Michael's home in Sunset Park for the initial walk-through. "My home is a classic Santa Monica bungalow," says Michael, "built around 1938, but never really updated. We have a couple of rooms that are way too cold, so we're hoping to find a solution to that comfort problem." Michael is also conscious of having an old furnace that has never been checked. 

Combustion Test (left) and Inspecting Crawl Space (right) 

(Fortunately, leaky old homes allow emissions from the heater to escape to the outside - but tightening up the home might cause those emissions to be trapped! That is the reason a safety combustion test is part of Energy Upgrade California's standard protocol for both Basic and Advanced Package.)

Blower Door (left) and the Blower Door Frame (right)

Kathryn went through the house from crawl space to attic - and then, a week later, came back for a full, four-hour testing session: blower test,  infrared, manometer pressure measuring.  The results, and recommendations, are not yet in. Stay tuned for more!

Staff from Solar Santa Monica and the Energy Upgrade California program are happy to come to your neighborhood association or organization to talk to your members about efficiency and solar opportunities.  

We are already scheduled to attend the following meetings:

Friends of Sunset Park

Next Meeting: May 21st, 2011

Time: 1:30-3:30pm

Location: Mt. Olive Church

Ocean Park Association

Next Meeting: June 6th, 2011

Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm

Location: SMASH/John Muir Library

North of Montana Association

Next Meeting: June 7th, 2011

Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Montana Branch Library

Northeast Neighbors Association

Meetings: First Wednesday of every month

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Montana Branch Library

Pico Neighborhood Association

Meetings: Second Thursday of every month

Time: 7pm

Location: Virginia Park

Contact Drew Lowell-Britt for the schedule of events.