Sailing with the Sun

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin

You could say we’re pretty passionate about solar around here. So when a client approached us wanting advice on how to install solar panels on his sailboat, we didn’t hesitate. DSC00935

We provided him with two 320 watt panels which now power his tracking system, coffee maker, entertainment center, lights and navigation.

Now he’s not just sailing off into the sunset, he’s being powered by it. You can follow his progress as he makes his way to French Polynesia.

BoatWhat are you solar aspirations? Don’t hesitate to contact us about your custom solar project.

Posted in custom, custom project, energy, green, Green energy, renewable energy, sailing, Solar, solar energy, solar forward, solar panel, solar panels, sun, sustainability, sustainable | Comments Off

LA Coalition Pushes for 20% by 2020

Posted on May 2, 2013 by admin
Calling on LA to go solar

Calling on LA to go solar

In a city blessed with year round sunshine and plenty of roof space to absorb it, why is only 1% of LA’s electricity being generated by solar? Whatever the excuses may be, we’ve joined a diverse coalition that will not wait around for change; we’re demanding an increase now.

On Tuesday April 30th, Solar Forward stood among a broad coalition of elected officials, leading businesses, public health professionals, environmental groups and veterans to push for rooftop solar to provide 20% of LA’s energy needs by 2020.

As LADWP looks to replace a large portion of its power supply, we have to make sure to push them in the right direction. Polluting fossil fuels need to be a thing of the past.

Both mayoral candidates have endorsed the 20% by 2020 goal, so after you vote on May 21st, make sure you hold the next mayor to it!

Coalition members calling for 20% by 2020

Coalition members calling for 20% by 2020

Posted in clean energy, electricity, energy, Environment California, green, Green energy, grid, LADWP, los angeles solar, power, PV, renewable energy, roof, Solar, solar energy, solar forward, Solar Los Angeles, solar panel, sun, sustainability, sustainable, unleash solar | Comments Off

More SunPower Than Ever Before

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin
Andrew and Mark at Antelope Valley

Andrew and Mark at Antelope Valley

Deserts may look barren to the untrained eye, yet as California’s Antelope Valley proves, they’re a fertile breeding ground for solar.

Last Friday, Mark and Andrew took a trip out to what will be the world’s largest solar power plant. Known as the Antelope Valley Solar Projects, the development consists of two solar installations side by side in Kern and Los Angeles counties.

The Antelope Valley Solar Projects are creating 650 jobs and injecting more than $500 million into the regional economy

The Antelope Valley Solar Projects are creating 650 jobs and injecting more than $500 million into the regional economy

Through a partnership with Sunpower and MidAmerican Solar, construction on the 579 megawatt project is anticipated to be done by 2015. Not only will this project provide enough clean, renewable energy to power 400,000 homes, but jobs are already being created for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project.

The panels used for the project exhibit the quality and cutting edge technology you’ve come to expect from SunPower. SunPower panels, which already provide the most energy in the least amount of space, will be mounted on Sunpower T0 Trackers, allowing the panels to track the sun throughout the day, resulting in a 25% increase in energy capture.

Check out more photos below from the kickoff celebration that took place Friday April 26th.

Posted in clean energy, climate, climate change, coal, electricity, energy, global warming, green, Green energy, photovoltaic, PV, renewable energy, Solar, solar energy, solar panel, solar panels, Southern California Edison, sustainability, sustainable, Uncategorized, wind and solar | Comments Off

Global Warming is Not Only Real – In Peru It’s Become Surreal

Posted on April 9, 2013 by admin

In the Peruvian Andes, glacial ice that took 1,600 years to form has melted in the span of just 25 years. This is a rapid change on the surface of our planet that will severely limit the water supply for millions of people.

Qori Kalis glacier in Peru

Qori Kalis glacier in Peru

The culprit behind this rapid melting is global warming.

And the culprit behind global warming? The heat trapping greenhouse gases we release each time we continue powering our homes and cars with dirty fossil fuels.

While we act locally, the effects are global. When you choose clean, renewable energy for your electricity needs, you won’t just lighten the load on your power bill; you’ll lighten the load on our planet.

 

 

Posted in glaciers, global warming, water | Comments Off

Out With the Old, In With SunPower

Posted on April 2, 2013 by admin

Not all solar systems are created equal! We’re currently removing a defective solar system for a client and replacing it with a high quality SunPower solar system with a full 25 year warranty.

Replacing defective solar roofing tiles

Replacing defective solar roofing tiles

The old solar system is comprised of solar roofing tiles, that have been recalled. These panels are deteriorating and severely discolored. Cheaply manufactured panels such as these deteriorate over time from everyday weather and ultraviolet radiation.

SunPower makes the best quality and most powerful solar panel on the market. Due to their quality craftsmanship, SunPower panels are also extremely durable and reliable. It is the only type of panel we install since we can get more energy on the roof in the least amount of space compared to other panels.

Contact us today and let us design a custom solar power plant for your home.

Posted in Chinese panels, clean energy, electricity, energy, green, Green energy, los angeles solar, photovoltaic, PV, renewable energy, roof, santa monica, Solar, solar energy, solar forward, solar panel, solar panel installer, solar panel warranty, solar panels, SunPower | Comments Off

Think Fossil Fuels are a Necessary Evil? Think Again.

Posted on March 26, 2013 by admin
Going solar together

Going solar together

When it comes to our energy future, we need to change the debate. Clean power is readily accessible but is there the political will to make it a priority? Or will old school oil barons continue to secure fossil fuels now in order to have them in the future?

A recent New York Times article  showed countries finding success while transitioning almost entirely to renewables. In 2011, the U.S. got 12.3% of its electricity from renewable sources, while our Canadian neighbors met 63.4% of their energy needs through renewables.

Countries in Europe have invested heavily in transitioning to renewables.

The U.S. has a great advantage: plenty of land to set up wind and solar projects.  The costs of wind and solar are decreasing as is the price of natural gas.  But the real cost of natural gas is not currently realized since fracking is ruing groundwater and the resulting CO2 produced is burned.

California has immense solar energy potential yet to be tapped. Let’s tap into this potential together. If you refer a friend, family member or co-worker to go solar with Solar Forward, both you and your friend can earn $200 each when you refer through our SunPower referral page.

 

Posted in clean energy, climate, climate change, coal, electricity, energy, fossil fuels, global warming, green, Green energy, grid, jobs, los angeles solar, New York Times, oil, power, renewable energy, solar energy, solar forward, solar panels, sustainability, unleash solar, wind and solar, wind power | Comments Off

The Solar Forward Roller is Portable, Silent and Fragrance-free!

Posted on March 14, 2013 by admin

Anyone who has ever used a gas generator knows three things: they are loud, run out of fuel and smell bad.  Often they don’t work when you need them most!

Solar RollerSolar Forward was generating 1,800 Watts all day with this portable and clean SunPower solar system.  Even without sunlight, our Solar Forward Roller will store two kilowatt-hours of energy—enough to watch a flat screen TV for 5 hours!

The cost-savings of using green energy can be huge for industries that rely on portable power.  On remote film shoots, nowhere near grid electricity, video village can run all day long!  Portable solar allows crews to work emission and noise-free, with no hassle.

The Solar Forward roller is perfect for disaster relief energy needs or at outdoor events like concerts and Farmers Markets.

Portable solar is a common-sense solution.

To inquire about renting the Solar Forward Roller, please call 310.433.3770.

Posted in battery back-up, clean energy, climate change, electricity, energy, Green energy, grid, no electricity, panel installer, photovoltaic, power outage, renewable energy, Solar, Solar contractor, solar energy, solar forward, solar panel, solar panel contractor, solar panel installer, solar panels, SunPower | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Rely on Solar Power when the Grid Goes Down

Posted on January 31, 2013 by admin

As a company with extensive experience in the solar industry, Solar Forward often takes on unusual or challenging projects.  Today’s challenge: repairing a mobile, solar-powered emergency response unit for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Solar panel will power this mobile response unit

During times of disaster, this command post will be deployed to coordinate disaster response efforts. Solar panels and battery back-up will keep the unit powered.

Solar Forward crew installs a solar panel

Solar Forward crew installs a solar panel on a mobile command post. When the sun is shining, the panel will charge the battery and provide power to the unit.

Following major disasters, government organizations and non-profits will set up incident command posts to coordinate emergency responders.  Power will be critical for these command posts, as they will be communicating with everyone from Red Cross shelter managers to the Los Angeles Emergency Operation Center.

The command post featured in the photo above will allow the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to provide essential services when the community needs them most.  Using solar power to operate the unit makes much more sense than a traditional gas generator, which relies on fuel that will be in short supply after a disaster.  Furthermore, solar power is silent and emits no toxic fumes.

When it comes to keeping your home or business online post-disaster, solar with a battery back-up system is a great option.  For questions about sustainable back-up solutions, contact Solar Forward at 310.433.3770.

Posted in battery back-up, clean energy, no electricity, power outage, Solar, solar energy | Comments Off

With Warren Buffet’s recent purchase of two major SunPower plants, the world is learning what we have long known: SunPower is the best.  As SunPower share prices jumped 41%, chronic skeptics changed their tune.  Those who invested early, aware of the company’s strengths, basked in the glory of being a winner.

When you install SunPower on your home, you are choosing the most advanced and most reliable technology available in solar.  SunPower solar panels will be on your roof longer than the 18 years your children will be under it.  With this type of commitment, quality is key.

SunPower solar panels installed in Santa Monica

Brian takes in the sun with the newly installed SunPower solar system in Santa Monica. These solar arrays will significantly reduce electricity costs for this business.

From the time SunPower first offered its products to installers, Solar Forward has been on board.  And since that time, with hundreds of installations to our name, not a single panel has failed.  In fact, the odds of that happening are 39,000 to 1.  Fact.

Then there’s the warranty.  Unlike warranties on standard Chinese panels that guarantee about 80% of power output after 20 years, SunPower guarantees at least 87% of power output after 25 years.  This deal is sweetened when you consider SunPower panels start at 20% efficiency, as compared to the 15% efficiency found in most traditional panels.  Furthermore, this warranty is given real meaning by SunPower’s strong balance sheet.

In 2013, we expect to see major consolidation of Chinese solar manufacturers.  Massive debt has led to poor balance sheets, weary investors, and uncertain futures.  Thanks to a strong product and prudent management, SunPower remains strong – even thriving – in this unstable environment.

So, yeah, I guess you could say we’re proud to be an Elite SunPower Dealer.

Posted on January 25, 2013 by admin | Comments Off

SunPower Announces Industry’s First 25-Year Combined Power and Product Warranty

Posted on October 17, 2012 by admin
SunPower solar array

The SunPower Warranty is the best in the industry, guaranteeing great power output for at least 25 years.

This month, SunPower announced the launch of the industry’s first combined warranty that covers both power and product for 25 years. The company is also shifting to a linear power warranty that offers the lowest power degradation over the life of the system.

SunPower is the only solar company to offer a straightforward 25-year global product warranty, which is 15 to 20 years longer than conventional solar warranties. Integrated into SunPower high-efficiency solar panels are the company’s patented Maxeon® all-back contact solar cells which are built on a solid copper foundation, making them extremely resistant to cracking, corrosion and stresses from temperature variation. In the unlikely event a solar panel needs to be repaired or replaced, an identical or functionally equivalent panel will be provided or the cost of the panel will be fully refunded. The associated labor and transportation costs for customers whose solar panels were installed by SunPower or SunPower dealer/partners are covered. The new warranty is also written in plain, simple terms that detail the coverage.

Continue reading →

Posted in 25-year warranty, energy, maxeon, panel installer, solar forward, solar panel warranty, solar rebate, SunPower, trusted solar company, warranty | Leave a comment