KYOCERA to Manufacture Solar Modules in the U.S.

March 9, 2010 – 4:55 pm

Source: http://www.kyocerasolar.com

San Diego module assembly will support company’s goal to reach 1 gigawatt of annual production capacity worldwide

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — March 3, 2010 — Kyocera Solar, Inc. today announced plans to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego, Calif., to serve theU.S. market’s growing demand for clean energy. The U.S. module manufacturing will support a new milestone for Kyocera’s solar energy business — global production capacity targeting 1,000 megawatts of solar cells per year (equal to one “gigawatt” per year) by March 2013.

“Today’s announcement is further proof that California’s nation-leading green policies play a vital role in our state’s economic success,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Even in this recession, green jobs inCalifornia have grown steadily, and Kyocera’s decision to locate its solar manufacturing operations in San Diego will create even more jobs at a time when they are needed most.”

The new solar module manufacturing will begin in San Diego at Kyocera’sBalboa Avenue facility during the first half of 2010, with an initial production target of 30 megawatts per year. The new operations will leverage Kyocera’s world-class U.S. manufacturing capabilities to produce the company’s most powerful and efficient solar modules. The production venue was selected to cater specifically to the U.S. market’s increasing demand for large-scale solar electric generating systems.

“The U.S. is experiencing extraordinary growth in its adoption of solar electricity,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Kyocera’s San Diego plant will provide high-quality, high-efficiency solar modules to serve this expanding market. With a 35-year commitment to providing clean energy through solar modules, Kyocera is adding capacity globally to meet worldwide demand.”

Solar energy has become one of Kyocera’s fastest-growing businesses globally, with the company expecting to double its production of solar cells in the two fiscal years from 2009 to 2011. In addition to the operations coming to San Diego, Kyocera currently has solar module manufacturing facilities in Japan, China, theCzech Republic and Mexico.

Solar power offers a hedge against electricity cost increases and serves as an environmental countermeasure to acid rain, ozone depletion and rising carbon levels.  As an illustration of Kyocera’s global expansion plan, the one-gigawatt capacity will allow the company to supply 3.5-kilowatt solar-electric systems for about 285,000 homes each year.

Kyocera established U.S. operations in 1969, and started a trend as the first Japan-based corporation with manufacturing operations in the State of California(in 1971).  Kyocera Group companies currently employ approximately 4,000 people in the United States.

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AutoCad Drafter Position

March 2, 2010 – 5:00 pm

AutoCAD Drafter

Solar Electrical Systems, located in Westlake Village, CA is Southern California’s largest and most experienced solar contractor. In business since 1982, we have installed over 1,000 residential and over 250 local commercial systems. We recently won multiple large solar projects and need to expand.

Solar Electrical Systems has a rewarding opportunity for an AutoCAD Drafter in Ventura County to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have Solar, Mechanical, Architect, or similar AutoCAD experience with formal training. Must be able to work in a fast paced working environment and meet deadlines.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Accurately develop 4-6 detailed AutoCAD drawings daily, of solar electrical system components on Residential and Commercial solar projects.
  • Communicate with Project Manager, Field Engineer and Sales team on solar electrical system specs to meet customer and permitting needs.
  • Prepare Residential and Commercial permit packages, with Building & Safety and Fire Department Code regulations

Job Requirements:

  • Must have at least 2-3 years of AutoCAD education and experience in solar or similar construction field.
  • Experience designing solar electrical systems preferred.
  • Knowledge of Residential and Commercial construction and electrical engineering.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with Engineering and Sales team.
  • Candidate will be a highly organized self starter, detail-oriented and able to meet strict deadlines.
  • Proficient in AutoCAD 2010, Microsoft Office, and Google Earth. Additional knowledge in Adobe Photoshop a plus.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, and Profit Sharing. Hourly wages based on experience and education. Send your resume via Fax (805) 497-6199 or E-mail hr@solarelectricalsystems.com

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Marketing Manager Position

January 14, 2010 – 4:40 pm

Marketing Manager

Solar Electrical Systems, located in Westlake Village, CA is Southern California’s largest and most experienced solar contractor. In business since 1982, we have installed over 1,000 residential and over 250 local commercial systems. We recently won multiple large solar projects and plan on rapid corporate growth.

Solar Electrical Systems is looking for an energetic and creative Marketing Manager to lead and manage all marketing and advertising efforts. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, focus on the customer needs, solve problems creatively and demonstrate high integrity.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Manage all marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts.
  • Work with and support Sales Department in generating qualified leads through web, referral, direct mail, and other marketing and advertising techniques.
  • Work with CEO and Sales Manager on establishing marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives.
  • Manage all aspects of print production, receipt, and distribution.
  • Analyze and evaluate Residential and Commercial customer base, industry conditions and competitor data.
  • Assist in maintaining company website and web-related marketing activities.
  • Timely and positive media coverage for press releases to all available media.
  • Create and maintain marketing collateral, monthly Newsletter and annual calendar of events.
  • Manage all aspect of trade show and conference participation.
  • Establish and maintain memberships in appropriate trade organizations

Job Requirements:

  • Must have at least 5 years previous experience in sales and marketing. Preferably in the construction, remodeling, solar, or similar industries.
  • Extensive experience with complex organizations in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives.
  • Experience in event planning, website development and working with Co-Op programs.
  • Proficient in Adobe Acrobat Professional, Photoshop, Illustrator, Publisher and Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Highly self-directed.
  • Must be passionate about getting into the renewable energy industry.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, and Profit Sharing. Salary based on previous experience and education. Send your resume via Fax (805) 497-6199 or E-mail hr@solarelectricalsystems.com

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Federal Tax Credits for Solar and Energy Efficiency

December 18, 2009 – 10:09 am

When you install solar for your home or business you are eligible for a 30% Solar Tax Credit from the IRS when you file your taxes. Federal tax credits are an important part of the incentives offered to help make solar more affordable and shorten your return on investment. Over at Energy Star’s website they offer a pretty comprehensive list of the Federal Tax Credits offered for renewable energy projects like Solar Electrical Systems and other energy efficiency projects.

Installing solar power works hand in hand with energy efficiency. By increasing your efficiency and adding solar you can free yourself from the Utility company and bank all the extra cash. When Tax Day comes around you’ll be rewarded for your green improvements with money from the government and the peace of mind knowing that you helped make the planet a better place. This New Year’s Day make a resolution to go Solar and stop paying your hard earned cash to the Electric Company. Give us a call before the end of the year and we will help you make 2010 the year you finally go solar!

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Declaring the Solar Bill of Rights

November 2, 2009 – 10:07 am

On October 27th, Rhone Resch presented the Solar Bill of Rights to industry professionals, including the staff from Solar Electrical Systems, attending the Solar Power International Show in Anaheim. Resch is the president and CEO of SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) and a champion for solar policy in the country.

The goal of declaring the Solar Bill of Rights is to secure a policy environment that allows solar power to compete and empowers consumers to choose.

The Solar Bill of Rights

We declare these rights not on behalf of our companies, but on behalf of our customers and our country.  We seek no more than the freedom to compete on equal terms and no more than the liberty for consumers to choose the energy source they think best.

1. Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses Restrictive covenants, onerous connection rules, and excessive permitting and inspections fees prevent many American homes and businesses from going solar.

2. Americans have the right to connect their solar energy system to the grid with uniform national standards. This should be as simple as connecting a telephone or appliance. No matter where they live, consumers should expect a single standard for connecting their system to the electric grid.

3. Americans have the right to Net Meter and be compensated at the very least with full retail electricity rates. When customers generate excess solar power utilities should pay them consumer at least the retail value of that power.

4. The solar industry has the right to a fair competitive environment. The highly profitable fossil fuel industries have received tens of billions of dollars for decades. The solar energy expects a fair playing field, especially since the American public overwhelmingly supports the development and use of solar.

5. The solar industry has the right to equal access to public lands. America has the best solar resources in the world, yet solar companies have zero access to public lands compared to the 45 million acres used by oil and natural gas companies.

6. The solar industry has the right to interconnect and build new transmission lines. When America updates its electric grid, it must connect the vast solar resources in the Southwest to population centers across the nation.

7. Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility. Consumers have no choice to buy clean, reliable solar energy from their utilities instead of the dirty fossil fuels of the past.

8. Americans have the right, and should expect, the highest ethical treatment from the solar industry. Consumers should expect the solar energy industry to minimize its environmental impact, provide systems that work better than advertised, and communicate incentives clearly and accurately.

Let Solar Electrical Systems help you understand your rights as a solar consumer. SES can design a solar power system for your home or business that will give your freedom from your utility company and expensive electric bills. You have the right to clean, affordable Solar Power for your home or business. Contact us today for a free quote and site survey.

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Residential Project Coordinator Position

October 13, 2009 – 8:46 am

Residential Project Coordinator

Job Description:

This rewarding opportunity is a fast paced, and a fulfilling experience that deals with high profile and professional architects, builders and successful clients on a daily basis.  This is an integral pivot point in the process of installing quality high volume residential and commercial solar electric systems.  The position requires a well organized individual with evolved computer and management skills to plan and coordinate the company’s installation efforts.  The candidate will primarily be responsible for building department packages with a qualified CAD driver, customer project scheduling, roofer and subcontracting coordination, maintaining installation crews’ productivity and daily organization.  The project coordinator will be responsible for overseeing a multi-million dollar warehouse inventory and a fleet maintenance.  This position requires a high level of detailed communication skills set including written, verbal computer based.

Responsibilities:

  • Fabricate and maintain weekly scheduling for three, four-man crews
  • Create coordinate project files with daily and weekly updates
  • Coordinate permit packages/inspections to be approved by local building authorities
  • Coordinate with sales, contracts, and CAD departments to execute all facets of project installation
  • Oversee and Manage installation crews
  • Coordinate repair effort: identifying, scheduling, prioritizing customer service
  • Uses experience and judgment to plan and accomplish productivity quotas

Minimum Requirements:

  • 5 - 10 years real working experience in construction, coordinating with a high quality General/Electrical/Roofing/HVAC contractor.
  • AA Degree in Construction Management or related field preferred
  • Multitasking experience and scheduling twelve to forty events per week
  • Candidate must have advanced computer skills (Excel, PP, and Word test will be administered)
  • Candidate relocation coordinated by the company is NOT an option

Please send resumes or questions to hr@solarelectricalsystems.com. No phone calls please.

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Conejo Valley Solar Home Tour a Resounding Success

October 5, 2009 – 4:18 pm

The Conejo Valley Solar Home Tour held this past weekend by Solar Electrical Systems was a big success, with over 40 people participating in the guided tour. Guests were taken by bus to view four solar homes, including two Solar Eichler homes, and given the opportunity to ask homeowners questions about going green with solar.

The residential solar electrical systems on the tour ranged from 2.4 to 12.2 kilowatts, and the commercial system on the tour was 24.4 kilowatts. Greg Johanson, president of Solar Electrical Systems, said “The tour showed how happy homeowners are with their solar homes. They’re saving money each month, doing something good for the planet, and they don’t have to change their lifestyle to do it.” Kevin Gray, one of the solar homeowners, said, “My solar electrical system is transparent. You don’t even know it’s there. It works, there’s no fuss, and we’re insulated against electric rate hikes forver.”

The tour was part of the American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar event. More than 150,000 participants visited 5,000 buildings in 3,000 communities across the U.S. The event is held in conjunction with National Energy Awareness Month.

Solar Electrical Systems has 30 years of experience designing and installing solar, and helping people reduce or eliminate their electric bills. For more information email us today.

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Steve Pedroza joins Solar Electrical Systems

September 21, 2009 – 10:22 am

It is our pleasure to announce that Steve Pedroza has joined our company in August 2009 in the position of Solar Consultant.

He brings with him over 20 years of experience in the assessment, design, construction, and commissioning of technology infrastructures and systems to support user requirements in the public and private sectors including numerous multi-site and campus-based corporate, institutional and educational clients.

Steve, a resident of Ventura for 10 years, is a council member of the US Green Building Council Central Coast Chapter in Ventura (USGBC-C4).  He has organized several LEED NC classes in Ventura and has brought LEED awareness to hundreds of Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Municipal employees as well as the general public in and around Ventura County.

He is also an active member of the American Public Works Association (APWA) for Ventura County and an officer for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for the Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter.

Please take a minute to call or email your questions to Steve in his exciting new position. Welcome Steve!

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Time Runs Out on Net-metering Bill AB560

September 16, 2009 – 10:17 am

What is net-metering and why is it so important for Solar?

Net-metering is a simple billing arrangement between you, the solar home or business owner, and your utility company. A net-metering agreement allows solar energy system owners to get credit for any excess energy the put back into the grid. These credits offset your usage when your solar system isn’t producing power. Net-metering is not only a fair practice for consumers, but an important tool in expanding the solar market in Southern California and the rest of the country. (For more information on net-metering feel free to contact us anytime.)

Under current law, California caps net-metering at 2.5% of a utilities peak demand and some utilities are already approaching this limit. AB560 would have increased the net-metering limit to 5% of peak demand and ensured future customers credit for their excess solar production.

According to Votesolar.org, despite widespread support certain interest groups tried to cut the proposed limit increase down to 3.5% before grassroots outrage returned the bill to 5%. After this and other delays AB560 was stalled in the Senate Business and Professionals Committee and the clock simply ran out.

Solar Electrical Systems has installed over 1000 solar power systems in Southern California involving net-metering that benefits you, the solar customer. For more information on net-metering or a free solar quote for your home or business email us today.

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How Much Does a Solar Permit Cost in Southern California?

June 30, 2009 – 11:47 am

Installing rooftop solar panels is becoming more affordable for homeowners in Southern California. While the material cost of solar modules is dropping, some municipalities are sill charging exorbitant solar permit fees, and others are waiving the fee altogether. So, how much does a solar permit cost in Southern California?

The Los Angeles chapter of the Sierra Club recently released their report summarizing average solar permit costs for cities in Southern California. The report includes ranking tables that list cities in the order of:

  1. Fees Charged
  2. Composite ranking based on both fee and time-to-issuance
  3. Alphabetical by municipality name
  4. Separate fee ranking charts for cities within each county

Visit the chapters website to view the summary or the full report.

Solar Electrical Systems has 30 years of experience pulling permits and installing residential and commercial solar in Southern California. Contact us fro a free quote for your home or business.

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