First Free Solar Seminar Accomplished

Well, the first of five free solar seminars is done. We had a good turnout, with 24 attendees, most from Foster City, including Mayor Pam Frisella and Councilmember Linda Koelling, and Owain Chilton, member of Cool Cities Foster City.

I'd like to thank all who attended, our Solar Champions who helped get this program off the ground--Emil Michelotti, Owain Chilton, Marah Curry, and Alex Haines--by getting the word out by dropping flyers at homes, Mayor Frisella and Councilmember Koelling for their support of green initiatives, and the staff of SolarCity for putting on the presentation, Troy Pittock, our presenter, and Bruce Karney, the community programs director.

I learned a few things such as the state solar rebate will be diminishing probably in the March time frame due to the success of statewide solar installations. I had read previously that permits and rebate applications for solar installation in 2007 was 50% higher than in 2006.

I also learned that Foster City has an elevation of three feet. With the polar ice cap having melted 20% since 1979, that trend could have disastrous effects for our city if the seas rise a few feet in the coming decades.

Now is the right time to go solar. It's right for our planet, it's right financially--especially with the big Solar Community Program discount--it's what we owe our kids and their kids.

Going solar last year made so much sense for my wife and I. It was really simple, we could pay PG&E $150 per month, year after year to rent our power or we could take that same $150 and use it to pay off a loan for our solar system and get tax benefits, environmental benefits and feel good for doing it. Now, how's that new, fancy driveway with paving stones going to pay for itself every month? Besides, solar panels look pretty cool!

I look forward to seeing more of my neighbors at the next free solar seminar on Tuesday, January 22 at 7PM, Courtyard Marriott (across the street from Costco), Foster City.