The future is in renewable energy. We are here to help you Our goal is to keep the Temecula valley green and use our natural sunlight to power our lives

solar energy is hot

If you're hesitating because you think a PV system might be aesthetically unattractive, think again. These streamlined, high-performance PV systems are about as close to the rooftop eyesores of the 1970s as iPods are to eight-track players. And installing a PV system can actually increase your appraised property value without impacting your lifestyle. So if you're concerned that a PV system would limit you to running your washing machine only on sunny days, not to worry: With a grid-tied PV system--one that is connected to the electricity grid--you'll still have the same energy capabilities as before.

Financial incentives are another attraction. A federal tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost is now available (thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005) for installing a PV system on your house. And many states (california is paying for a large portion) are offering additional tax credits and rebates--from reduced permit fees in San Diego to cash back in many cities--that can bring the cost down significantly. Visit www.dsireusa.org and for more information on tax credits and incentives in your area.

Solar 101

There are three types of solar energy: passive solar (designing your house to be oriented toward the sun); solar thermal (which includes hot water systems); and photovoltaic (or PV, which uses the sun's energy to create electricity to power your home). There are two types of PV systems--solar direct and battery-based. Most people who live in urban areas and are connected to the utility grid purchase direct, grid-tied PV systems. These systems work when the sun is out and generate electricity that your home uses immediately. Any extra energy that you don't use is fed back into the grid, which helps the utility because the demand for electricity peaks during the day. At night, your home draws energy from the grid when demand--and cost--is usually lower. Battery-based, off-grid PV systems are for remote homes and cabins with no access to utility lines. A standard 3-kilowatt PV system will produce an average of 18 kilowatt-hours (Kwh) of electricity a day, and the average U.S. household uses between 20 and 30 Kwh of electricity a day.

How solar panels work

The main components of PV systems are solar panels built from solar cells, which are usually made from silicon (the primary material in computer chips). Solar cells work because "electricity is created when sunlight strikes the cell and electrons are released to form a current of electricity," explains Brad Collins, executive director of the American Solar Energy Society. There are three types of solar cells--single crystal, polycrystalline, and thin film. Thin film panels offer more flexibility in how and where you use them (you can even put them on boats and RVs), but they're less efficient and more expensive than the other two cell types.

RELATED ARTICLE: Where to start

The Internet is a good way to research solar energy. You can also take workshops offered by organizations such as solarpanelsfinder.com

Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced that new homes powered with SunPower solar electric power systems are selling more than twice as fast, on average, as new homes without solar.

Additionally, a survey of owners of new homes with solar systems indicates that 92 percent would recommend a new solar home to a friend, the company noted.

currently installing, solar power technology in more than 75 new home communities throughout California. A recent study conducted by The Ryness Company found that new homes in 13 communities with solar systems were selling at an average of 3.46 homes per month, while sales of comparable homes without solar in adjacent or nearby communities were selling at a rate of 1.71 per month. Comparable communities were selected based upon geographic location, square footage and lot sizes, publicized sales prices and development concept. The data was gathered from sales in 2006 through March 2008 from three regions in the state.

-- In the Sacramento region, new solar homes are selling at a rate of 3.20 per month, while comparable non-solar homes are selling at a rate of 1.90 per month.

-- New solar homes in the San Francisco Bay Area are selling at a rate of 3.24 per month, while comparable non-solar homes are selling at a rate of 1.33 per month.

-- In the Central Valley region, new solar homes are selling at a rate of 4.72 per month, while comparable non-solar homes are selling at a rate of 2.37 per month.

Click her to find out more about solar power

Winery invests in solar power

Jarvis Winery will be producing as much energy as it uses, and will have a net zero utility bill. It will take approximately seven years to pay for itself, after which all electricity will be free from the sun. This system is warranted for 25 years, but industry experts say that solar panels will still produce power for 40 years or more.

The 107 DC kW system is comprised of 520 SunPower SPR-205 panels, one Xantrex GT100 inverter, and balance of system components including disconnects and mounting hardware for a ground mount on the winery premises.

According to winery owners William and Leticia Jarvis, "This completes our latest shift to a green operation. Since the winery is completely underground and has a constant temperature of 62 degrees year round, it requires no power for air conditioning which is normally the greatest usage factor for a business. The next greatest usage factor is for lighting. Jarvis employs fluorescent lamps of the new lower energy type. From now on all of our electrical energy will be sunpowered."

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Stone brewing company invests in solar energy

Stone Brewing Co. Harnesses the Power of the Sun with a Solar Electric System

PR Newswire July 2 , 2008

Award-winning Brewery to Host 'A Celebration of Sol' Event on July 8 to Unveil 312 kW System that will Supply up to 43 Percent of Stone's Energy Needs and Save More than $3 Million in Energy Costs over its Lifetime

EL CAJON, Calif., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced that Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, Calif., one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated breweries in the U.S., has installed a 312 kW solar electric system at its brewing facility in the Escondido Research & Technology Center (ERTC). To unveil the $2.5 million system, Stone will host a launch event, "A Celebration of Sol,"

Executives from Stone, Bank of America and Hamann Construction will provide an overview of the project and outline for guests how innovative design and creative financing can enable any home or business to enjoy the lasting benefits of solar energy.

"Environmental conservation is a core philosophy of the Stone Brewing Co. We're always looking for opportunities to conserve energy, to incorporate sustainable design and reduce our impact on the environment. We've been interested in adding a solar electric power system since we started planning our new building in Escondido, so we were very enthused when Solar came highly recommended to us by our contractor" said Steve Wagner, President of Stone Brewing Co. "We have been very excited to work with Solar as it has exceeded our expectations customized

Stone's 312 kW system consists of 1,561 roof-mounted solar modules, placing it in the top 12 percent of solar energy systems in California in terms of size. The system will supply up to 43 percent of the brewery's energy needs. Over its lifetime, the system will save Stone more than $3 million in electricity costs and it is expected to pay for itself in just five years. The clean energy produced by the solar array will offset more than 538,000 pounds of carbon emissions over its lifetime, which is equivalent to planting 204 acres of trees.

"As solar continues to help solve the world's energy problems, the ongoing commitment from forward-thinking companies like Stone Brewing Co. is vital to secure the accelerated adoption of solar energy, ,ensuring the consistent production of renewable energy -- and reinforcing Stone's commitment to environmental sustainability -- for years to come."

Bank of America Leasing structured a 10-year lease purchase that maximized the available federal solar investment tax credits, utility incentive payments and the reduction in electricity bills to provide the $2.5 million in financing for the project as part of its $20 billion environmental initiative.

"Bank of America provides strategic and cost-effective financing solutions for renewable energy projects for our private and public sector clients," said Kate Collier, Bank of America commercial bank executive for San Diego and Orange County. "This exciting effort with Stone Brewing demonstrates that small and large businesses alike can afford to go solar, save money and reduce their carbon footprint."

About Stone Brewing Co.

Founded in 1996, Stone Brewing Co. is located in Escondido, CA and is one of the fastest growing breweries in the country. Additionally, Stone Brewing is one of the highest rated breweries in the world according to both RateBeer.com and BeerAdvocate.com. For more info go to http://www.stonebrew.com/ , or call the brewery at 760.471.4999 x1500.

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial products and services. The company's Global Corporate and Investment Banking group (GCIB) focuses on companies with annual revenues of more than $25 million, middle-market and large corporations, institutional investors, financial institutions, and government entities. GCIB provides innovative services in mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital raising, lending, trading, risk management, treasury management and research. Bank of America serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 80 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Many of the bank's services to corporate and institutional clients are provided through its U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries, Banc of America Securities LLC and Banc of America Securities Limited. For additional information, visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/ .

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