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 stroPower Inc., the largest fully independent US manufacturer
of solar cells, modules and panels, and Altair Energy, an alternative
energy service company known for its full-service approach to
solar electricity, announced that they have joined forces to
help San Diego residents take advantage of some of the best cash
incentives in the nation toward solar electric systems.
 The
two companies have opened a San Diego office and will market
their packaged solar electric systems and full-service approach
under the banner of Sun-ChoiceSM. "We are confident that
the SunChoice program will make it easier than ever before for
San Diego residents to tap solar electricity," said Dr.
Allen M. Barnett, president and CEO of AstroPower. "The
SunChoice program also will help this community take advantage
of cash rebates and discounts that can reduce system costs by
as much as 50 percent."
Barnett said
that Californians have some of the best incentives in the United
States to invest in home solar electric systems right now, thanks
to a California Energy Commission rebate that is available on
a first come, first serve basis. He said that their company also
can add a special discount of about 10 percent since they are
one of a few companies nationwide to be awarded federal funds
to help reduce system hardware costs.
Barnett said
that AstroPower currently has a marketing campaign underway to
promote their packaged solar electric systems in five US markets.
"We believe that 2000 and beyond will be marked by rapid
growth in residential rooftop solar electric systems," said
Barnett.
AstroPower
chose to partner with Altair Energy in San Diego because of its
recent success in marketing full-service solar electricity in
Colorado. In just 1-1/2 years, Altair Energy has triggered a
600 percent statewide increase in the use of solar electric systems
located on Colorado homes that already have utility power. The
company is known for its partnerships with electric utilities,
including Public Service Company of Colorado, and with homebuilders
who wish to offer their customers clean electricity options that
offer more self-sufficiency, especially during utility outages.
"We have
found that people really like the idea of using their rooftops
to produce their own environmentally-friendly electricity,"
says Kirk Stokes, president of Altair Energy. "At a time
when fossil fuel prices are on the rise and solar electric system
costs have dropped, we believe there has never been a better
time to own a solar electric system in California."
Unlike the
solar hot water systems frequently seen on the rooftops of California
homes, solar electric systems convert sunlight into electricity
using photovoltaic technology (PV). PV technology has been used
on satellites for more than 40 years but has only recently become
affordable to homeowners. PV panels are thinner and less bulky
than those used for hot water and they are usually mounted flush
on rooftops or on the ground.
Altair Energy's
local office will offer San Diego residents a wide range of services
under the AstroPower SunChoice banner, including utility-quality
system installations through licensed local contractors, warranty
and maintenance contracts, and financing options through lenders
such as GMAC Mortgage. Customers also will benefit from net metering,
meaning that Altair Energy will help them receive retail credit
for excess solar electricity they sell back to San Diego Gas
& Electric.
With current
price incentives, a typical homeowner in San Diego can expect
to spend anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000 to meet a quarter or
more of their electric needs. Homeowners also can get a system
that offers backup power to critical appliances during utility
outages at an additional cost of 10 to 20 percent. To find out
more about SunChoice solar electric systems, contact Altair Energy
at (760) 752-0051. 
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