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About Us
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The City of Santa Monica has an ambitious goal to become a net-zero, energy independent city by 2020.
Solar Santa Monica is a program of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment.
Solar Santa Monica helps residents, businesses and property owners reduce energy consumption and generate clean, renewable energy onsite. Our Contractor Network is a tool to help you find a licensed, reliable contractor.
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Summer: Making us all look at our low cost opportunities.
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Although many of us are fortunate to live in a moderate sea-side climate, there will be summer days that can heat up your home beyond comfort. Now is the time to make sure you are ready for hot weather.
No Air Conditioning?
Your southern facing windows are the main culprits for increased heat in the summer, so install awnings and/or close shades during the day. Use fans (ceiling or floor) to circulate cool air, especially when the sun goes down. For additional future savings, use strategically planted trees, shrubs, and vines to shade your home.
Those old incandescent bulbs are another culprit...in fact they release 90% of their energy as heat! Just one more reason to switch to Compact Fluorescent, or better yet, LED bulbs.
If you have an air conditioning system:
- Change the filter
- Do it once a month during the operational season
- Fix your home's leaks
- Weather-strip, seal, and caulk leaky doors and windows and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers
- Seal your ducts
- Leaking ductwork accounts for 25% of cooling costs in an average home, so have your ducts tested and have any leaks repaired. Note: duct cleaning is not the same as duct sealing.
- Increase insulation in your attic and walls
The new Energy Upgrade California program offers rebates for these measures. To learn more, visit:
http://solarsantamonica.com/energyupgrade
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.
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| Solar Santa Monica is out in the Community! | | |
Solar Santa Monica Project Manager Michael Ware and Energy Specialist Drew Lowell-Britt were both busy last Monday night speaking at two different community meetings.
Michael Ware spoke to the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) - reminding them about their energy saving options including solar PV and thermal technology. Often times apartment rooftops are ideal candidates for solar because of their size. Every building has unique physical features and combinations of utility rates, so please contact a solar contractor today to see if your building is a good candidate.
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| | CSI Solar for Homeowners Class |
Drew Lowell-Britt attended Southern California Edison's CSI Homeowner's Solar Class at the Santa Monica Library. After an informative presentation by Bruce Delling from SCE, Drew introduced Solar Santa Monica's goal to help any Santa Monica property owner understand their potential for increased efficiency and rooftop solar power. Thirty-two local SCE customers were happy to hear about the resources available to them, including Solar Santa Monica's list of Preferred Solar Contractors.
Contacting a solar contractor sooner rather than later assures property owners the highest level rebate possible. To see the list of Solar Santa Monica's Preferred Solar Contractors, please visit: |
Is your company hiring?
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At last month's Alt-Build Expo, many recent graduates of Santa Monica College and West Valley Occupational Center's (WVOC) Solar PV classes were making the rounds and networking with local solar companies. Graduates of these programs leave with a knowledge of electrical theories, terminology, solar installation techniques, safety, advanced calculations, string sizing, batteries, and often NABCEP certification.
If your solar or green building company is hiring, please call Prof. Mike Burns, of Santa Monica College at: (310) 434-4337
 | | Santa Monica College - Students in the PV-3 Course |
 | | West Valley Occupational Center Professors Jenkins, Burns, and Aloisi |
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| Want to stay up-to-date with Solar Santa Monica? |
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For the most up-to-date information, "Like" Solar Santa Monica on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SolarSM.
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Solar Santa Monica is a free advisory service available to all residents of the City. Its goal is to create an energy-neutral city by 2020, by employing energy efficiency and self-generation of power via solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations.
For questions and comments, please contact:
Susan Munves, Administrator
Energy and Green Building Programs
susan.munves@solarsantamonica.com
310-458-4992
Solar Santa Monica
1212 5th Street, First Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.solarsantamonica.com
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