Colfax Motor Lodge is going SOLAR!

Lifetime Solar and the City of Colfax announced last week that the city’s leading motel, Colfax Motor Lodge is going to be more than 75  percent powered by solar energy starting this fall.  A  solar photovoltaic (PV) system, to be installed by Lifetime Solar of Auburn, California, will supply 75%  of the motels electrical needs.

The new photovoltaic system will expand the roof tops of the motel’s five buildings.   Colfax Motor Lodge  is financing the solar installation via Placer’s MPOWER (PACE) solar funding program. 

“Colfax Motor Lodge took advantage of the Placer MPOWER solar funding program and Lifetime Solar’s guidance in procuring the MPOWER loan to build and own an emission-free solar system at their facility with 100-percent financing, said, Pete Negri, Vice President of Marketing/Sales for Lifetime Solar.   “We applaud the Colfax Motor Lodge for taking the lead with this showcase installation that demonstrates how solar makes good financial sense for businesses in Colfax and the surrounding areas.  Additionally, we are pleased with their decision to finance the project through Placer mPower.  Preserving operating capital and borrowing capacity with no money down  is often a plus for many businesses – making solar leasing so attractive to many companies.  But with mPower unlike a lease, the Colfax Motor Lodge will own the system and their payments will be spread out over twice as long as a lease.”  

The Colfax Motor Lodge is located on South Auburn Street in downtown Colfax.  The solar array system will be the largest in the Colfax area and will save Colfax Motor Lodge money.  “I think we got a really good contract for the Colfax Motor Lodge, said, Stacy Williams one of the partners of the Colfax Motor Lodge.  ” I think it was well worth everyones time and effort to go through the negotiation process.  I think it is a win-win for Lifetime Solar, Placer mPower, the City of Colfax and the Colfax Motor Lodge. “

Northern California Solar Powered Wineries

High electrical rates have become one of the more expensive and unpredictable costs of running a winery.  Average electricity rates have increased approximately 2 cents per kilowatt hour in 1970 to approximately 15 cents per kilowatt hour in 2001,  an average rate of increase of approximately 7% per year.  Rate data supplied from California Public Utility Commission (CPUC)

Solar photovoltaic electricity allows a vineyard to lock in low electricity rates for the next 30 years.  If rates increase as they have historically, the price of electricity from electric service providers in 30 years will be over a dollar per kilowatt hour!

With a Lifetime Solar—solar photovoltaic power system, you can run your winery utilizing clean and abundant solar electricity, which will reduce your operating costs with at least a 12% Return On Investment (ROI) and a payback of just a few years!   In other words, your business can take control of energy costs for the next 30 years!

Pay the electric service providers and have nothing to show for it, or take that money and invest in a Lifetime Solar installation to reduce operating costs, increase your competitive advantage, improve your company image, and help the environment.

As a Northern California solar power installer, Lifetime Solar is helping its customers save millions of  dollars on their electric bills.  But it’s not just the value of the electricity produced that drives the cost down, it’s also the ability to sell the excess solar electricity back to the electric service providers, known as net metering.  These savings are dramatic, especially for wineries and vineyards with high electricity demands.

National polls consistently show that the general public (by a 48%+ margin) want to see increased usage of solar energy.  Being a green business can not only reduce your operating costs, but can also be a great source of public relations.  Studies have shown that the general public responds positively to businesses that implement energy-conscious technologies, even when its knowledge of how these technologies work is limited.

Lifetime Solar believes what’s right for another business may not be right for yours.  We thoroughly assess your specific needs so we can design, engineer, and integrate the most
cost-effective solar photovoltaic system that also provides optimal results for your organization.

It’s this careful, upfront planning that allows us to build a solar panel system that maximizes your solar output – as well as your investment.  We apply this same thoroughness and attention to your needs at every step of the process.  As a result, you get the customized solar power system that you deserve.

Your Solar Vineyard Pays For Itself with a Lifetime Solar Installation.  Contact us for a FREE solar consultation.  http://www.lifetimesolarenergy.com/free.html

No Smart Meter Sign

By 2012, PG&E expects to have installed smart meters for every one of its 10 million customers.  The new meters are just beginning to be put  in the foothill, Placer County, and Northern California areas and already complaints are starting to come in.  Hundreds of  PG&E customers have filed formal complaints with the State Public Utilities Commission, arguing that the smart meters are leading to higher bills.  

However, Lifetime Solar asks, “Is PGE and the PGE smart meter getting a bad rap?”

Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Peter Darbee recently gave some answers regarding PGE s smart meter at a public forum held at the California Public Utility Commission.   According to Peter Darbee:

One of the main reasons why consumers find their power bills jumping once a new smartmeter is installed is due to the method in which PG&E is forced to charge for power.  Northern Californians pay for power according to a five rate tier program. Power bought under Tier 1 and 2 costs around 10 cents a kilowatt hour. When you exhaust your Tier 1 and Tier 2 kilowatt hours, you start paying the much higher rates that are in  Tiers 3, 4, and 5. 

“I don’t think people understood the tiered system,” he said. “I think the rate structure was the primary driver.”

We  also did a terrible job in communicating the benefit of the meters.   We should have left control analog meters in place — i.e., have two meters at one house — to show that they work the same way and are equally accurate. Ninety-nine-percent-plus of the meters are accurate, he said.  One more note: many of the meters were in place a year before the complaints started.

According to Darbee it is the mandated utility rate hikes and not the smart meter that is the culprit for higher utility bills.   Many do not understand that PGE rates have changed over the last months.  Before the rate changes of 2010, PGE’s tier 1 and tier 2 rates were low and remained somewhat static.  If your energy usage stayed within tiers 1 and 2 your energy bill was manageable compared to a heavy energy user whos usages went into tiers 3, 4 and 5.    

The reason why PGE’s tier 1 and tier 2 rates were so low before the middle of 2010 was because there was a Gov’t deregulation in 1995 and 2001 that mandated that none of the California Utility companies could elevate the base tiers ~ in other words, the Gov’t FROZE tiers 1 and 2.  As a result PGE had to make up for the difference in potential loss and elevated tiers 3, 4 and 5 to compensate for the growth of inflation in tier 1 and tier 2.   Tiers 3-5 have risen 5 times faster (30, 40 and 50 cents) than average rates in order to compensate for the regulated cap on tier 1 and tier 2.

However California Senate Bill 695 (Kehoe) was passed last year and it ruled that the Utility companies could unlock tiers 1 and tier 2.  PGE is now able to increase  rates up to 5% a year.  It also means that tiers 3,4 and 5 will drop in order to compensate… 

What this means is that the PGE smart meter is, in most cases, a victim of circumstance.   The smart meters are being installed at the same time that PGE’s base rates are increasing.  Your bill was destined to increase regardless of whether you had a smart meter installed or not,  because tier 1 and tier 2 rates are increasing.  If you are a high end user you will find your bill reduced because tier 3, 4 and 5 are decreasing – regardless of whether you have a new smart meter or not.  PGE provides detailed reports on Smart Meters http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/newsreleases/20100510/pgampe_provides_detailed_reports_on_smartmeter_program_announces_further_steps_to_address_customer_questions.shtml

The problem is not the smart meters, the problem is the step tiered program, mandated rate changes and utility rate inflation.  Switching to a solar system shields you from the above listed problems.  Wanting more information regarding PGEs rates and interested in learning about the plethora of benefits installing solar – Contact Lifetime Solar for more information.  http://www.lifetimesolarenergy.com

Placer County mPower Logo - Commercial Solar Financing

Placer County’s mPower  solar loan program is still on hold for homeowners but staying alive for commercial clients.  Placer MPower website http://www.mpowerplacer.org/

Last month the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the resolution which suspended  the mPower’s residential loan division, but kept it going for commercial clients.  Mpower posted the following statement on their official website:

 “We regret to inform you that due to directives contained in a statement issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on July 6, 2010, mPOWER Placer can no longer accept or process residential applications. Here is the link to the Federal

Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) statement http://www.mpowerplacer.org/forms/FHFA07062010.pdf“

Placer MPower’s plans are still to make $33 million in loans for green and solar projects and that  the residential loans will once again resume.

“Placer County Treasurer, Windeshausen said that work is taking place on three fronts – legal, legislative and with the Obama administration – to find a way to restart the residential loan program.”  “In the meantime, it’s important to pursue non-residential green-loan business because of the need to recover startup costs, Windeshausen said.” ~ Auburn Journal.

It is important that Businesses in the Placer County area of Northern California understand that they can still take advantage of this source of solar financing.   The entire mpower program has not been suspended ~ only the residential component.  The MPower (PACE) funding program gives businesses in Placer County another Solar financing option ~ that in many cases is a viable option.

Moreso than any other Solar company, Lifetime Solar can successfully guide you through the Placer MPower Solar Loan Program.  Lifetime Solar has negotiated 20% of the total amount of MPower Program’s Commercial Solar funding  since its conception and we are responsible for one of the largest MPower financed Commercial projects in Placer County. 

If you are interested in the Placer County MPower commercial solar funding program or in finding out how it might be a financial solution towards you procuring a solar system ~ We Can Help You.

Visit Lifetime Solar’s http://www.lifetimesolarenergy.com/solar.html to learn more about the Placer County PACE Commercial Funding Program.