Solar Solutions

Environment California announced the winners of its first-ever “Sunlight. Camera. Action” video contest in which contestants submitted two-minute videos making the case for Los Angeles to become a world-class solar leader.

Congratulations to Alex Loverde on his first place finish. His video, It’s Time,  reflects the fact that LA is a city in the sun, perfect for generating clean solar power, and that it’s time to go solar in a big way because, as the video says, “Los Angeles is a place of what’s possible.”

Winning second place is the video, Go Solar!, by Ms. Vargas’ 6th grade class at Micheltorena Elementary School, whose enthusiasm for solar is infectious.

Third place and the People’s Choice Award goes to the 1st grade classes from Plasencia Math and Science Magnet Center with their video, “Let’s Go Solar: The Solution is in the Sky,” which reminds us that “there’s so much to gain and nothing to lose” by tapping into the power of the sun.

New features include upgraded calculator with cost benefit analysis, and the addition of solar hot water and efficiency projects.  Mobile access to solar information is also added.

(Los Angeles, Oct. 17, 2012) – Los Angeles County and Energy Upgrade California are pleased to announce the launch of the LA County Solar Map and Green Planning Tool, the next upgrade to the award winning LA County Solar Map website.

The site brings new visualization and analysis tools for residents and businesses interested in “going green” to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.  Local businesses that install green projects can use the tools to identify properties with the best potential for outreach.

“The site provides a single source for information about solar electricity, hot water and energy efficiency projects, and personalized information about their property, including where panels would go and what their production and savings could be,” said Howard Choy, manager of the L.A. County Office of Sustainability.  “It also allows the public to access Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County through the Green Planning Tool, and connect with solar and energy project installers.”

Recent updates to the map include an improved user interface, graphical ‘calculators’ detailing costs, savings and payback for solar systems,  addition of detailed rooftop shading visualization for panel placement, a birds-eye view option for inspecting rooftops, mobile access to solar data and printable property-level solar reports.

At the heart of the site is the largest high-resolution solar model in the world, covering  more than 3,000 square miles and including over 250 million calculations of solar potential including the impacts of trees, roof pitch and features, and nearby buildings.  The new site, developed by Critigen, BKi & Renewable Funding,  shows the County’s commitment remain at the forefront of improving the lives of County residents and businesses through the cutting-edge use of technology.

A major enhancement to the site is the new cost/benefit calculator, which estimates the cost, payback time, and cost savings over 25 years.  Interactive graphs allow users to change the interest rate and system size and see the impacts on cost and payback.  Users can then find qualified installers from the County’s Contractor Directory.

In partnership with Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles, the new LA County Solar Map and Green Planning Tool also recommends and informs citizens on efficiency projects and associated cost savings to those projects like adding insulation, installing energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and insulating pipes and ducts.

A free iOS and Android mobile application allows solar potential to be accessed on the go, so that users and installation professionals can view solar potential in the field.

The first solar map for La County was launched on Earth day 2009 and this release will mark the 3^rdversion of the LA County Solar Map.

“This application has evolved to provide citizens with new interactive tools that allow them to gain insight into cost savings and return on investment information for their solar rooftop, solar hot water, and energy efficiency projects quickly,” Choy said.

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Originally organized as Link & Sun Solar Co., AMECO Solar specializes in solar system services including design, installation and repair. As a licensed energy auditor (# 4181), we can provide a feasibility study that encompasses solar and details the complete energy picture for an entire facility. As a licensed solar contractor (# 483280), we do not represent just one manufacturer of solar equipment and reserves its recommendations until after the site is examined.

We are approved by The League of California Homeowners. The League approves only those contractors that meet the following criteria:

• Valid contractor’s license and bond, no outstanding complaints.
• Current Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Insurance.
• Pass a background check for liens, civil litigation, bankruptcy and tax defaults.
• Good business credit verified by the Building Industry Credit Association & Experian.
• Provide at least six satisfactory customer references.
• Provide at least three business references, including material suppliers.
• Abide by the League’s Code of Ethics.

We are a member of the Southern California Better Business Bureau.

We are a member of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA), and currently, its owner is a board member.

We are approved by the Southern California Gas Company to provide financing through the Fannie Mae program entitled: Home Energy Upgrade Finance Program.

We are a licensed Energy Auditor (# 4181). As an energy consultant, we can design a solar system to fulfill the needs of anybody from the do-it-yourselfer to the architectural, engineering and construction sectors.

We are a licensed Solar Contractor (C-46 – # 483289) and have been since 1974.

If you have any questions about solar installations in Long Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Lomita, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos/Seal Beach or San Pedro area, please call AMECO Solar today: 888-595-9570.