How To Use Property Tax Assessments to Finance Your Solar System.

California passed AB 811 in September 2008, giving all California cities and counties the ability to offer low-interest loans for renewable energy projects to homeowners and small businesses. The cities are able to finance the installation costs through either City internal funds or the issuance of a bond and the project is secured through a property lien. The cost of the bond is then recouped over a specific time frame and repayment is made through tax rolls. For example, in the City of Palm Desert, AB811 offers a low interest rate loan (so far at 7% amortized over 20 years) from the City and is repaid every six months along with the County property tax payment.

Some of the advantages to AB811 are:
• Transferability - Residents would pay back the loans through assessments on property tax bills; if they move, the outstanding loan balance is taken over by the new owner.
• Little to No Out of Pocket Money - The renewable energy property owner immediately enjoys a greatly reduced electric bill with no out-of-pocket expense.
• Access to Capital - It requires NO credit check and can pass to new owners of property without future credit checks through title transfer at escrow. Loans have a minimum of $5,000 and no maximum limits.
• Small Payments Over Longer Time - The interest rate is fixed and paid bi-annually through property taxes.

California cities currently offering this financial vehicle are:

- Berkeley - Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology (FIRST)
- Palm Desert - Energy Independence Program
- Santa Monica - Solar Santa Monica
- Sonoma County - Energy Independence Program

For more information on how you can access AB 811 or other solar financing options, contact us at info@djhconstruction.com. You can read this press release at:
http://www.prlog.org/10260739-how-to-use-property-tax-assessments-to-finance-your-solar-system.html

Street Smart San Diego 2009

The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) presented the 3rd Annual Street Smart San Diego event. The latest alternative fuel vehicles were on display throughout the expo. Some of the green technology featured at this event were: electric, solar, hybrid, and water. DJH Construction attended this event to view the latest in solar technology for everything from solar powered golf carts to big wheels. To learn more about future events, visit:
www.streetsmartsandiego.org

DJH Construction, Inc. Completes the Installation of a 6.44kW Solar System Incorporating a Direct Monitoring System

Another California homeowner in San Clemente goes green with solar. DJH Construction, Inc. recently completed a 6.44 kW DC/5.434 kW AC installation at the residence of John Franks. The estimated annual production is expected to be about 9,750 kWh. The solar system ties together a total of 28 Sharp 230W solar panels and will reduce an estimated 167 tons of CO2 emissions over the next 25 years.


The Franks home is the first to go solar in this mobile homes community and incorporate a direct monitoring system. ShoreCliffs Mobile HOA manages the mobile parks community and sub-meters out a monthly utility invoice to each of its residents. By installing the direct monitoring system the Franks will receive a monthly utility credit in direct proportion to the energy production of their solar system. Through the implementation of this direct monitoring system, our homeowner will not only be able to retrieve data on production but also consumption habits. The monitoring system helps homeowners increase their awareness of electricity use and encourage more energy efficient behavior. The data recorded allows users to view historical data for seasonal or other comparisons and access live system data in real-time through the web or web-enabled mobile devices. In addition to this, the system performance is monitored and automatic maintenance alerts are generated when the system is not functioning optimally.