Cool Cities/Cuperino reviews the Kick Off

The following was sent to me by Linda Hagen of Cool Cities/Cupertino. Linda is one of the co-leaders of the group, and I am deligted to be working with her and helping spread the word about renewable energy and the Cool Cities goals.

From Linda:

REC Solar Presentation – Cupertino Community Center , July 9, 2008

Cool Cities Cupertino and City of Cupertino citizens were participants in a very good presentation by REC Solar of its approach to Solar Energy/Installations. It was very well organized, to the point, and opened nicely to questions from the audience (about 35 people) which turned out on this VERY HOT night!

We learned that Solar Energy is very widely used as an alternative energy in Europe for many years. They don’t have as much carbon based energy resources! About 75% of the Solar Market is in Europe, United States is about 8%. Hmmm? Need to fix this.

The REC Solar staff is to be commended for its organization, presentation and discussion facilitation. Although I am a current SOLAR owner, I was able to see facts and figures that ‘squared’ with our own initiating a ‘solar’ system on our roof!

Let’s get SOLAR – Cupertino ! We’d feel less ‘guilty’ about air conditioning?

Thanks,

Linda Hagan
Cool Cities/Cupertino co-leader

Cupertino Kick Off a huge success!

Our first meeting last night was a huge success, with over 35 people in attendance to learn about the components of a solar energy system, installation processes, and the benefits of solar electricity, both environmental and financial. After an animated question and answer period, most people were interested in following up with an in-home site evaluation, so Max Greenberg, the REC Solar sales consultant for the Cupertino Area, will be working on contacting all who expressed interest in the program.


We got a nice mention in the Cupertino Courier as well, which I will post here:

Solar discount program to be introduced in Cupertino

By Matt Wilson
Cupertion Courier

Article Launched: 07/09/2008 01:27:11 PM PDT

Cupertino residents will have the opportunity to plug into a solar discount program at 7 p.m. today at Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road.

The kickoff event will include a presentation on the benefits of joining a citywide solar energy movement. It is being sponsored as a partnership between Cool Cities Cupertino, a citizens environmental group, and vendors Sun Run and REC Solar.

Residents will be allowed to take part in time community discounts as well as get information on cost, installation methods and financing of the systems.

"People are going to learn about the benefits of having a solar electric system and how easy it is," said Max Greenberg, a REC Solar energy consultant.

REC Solar features an aggregate, community-buy discount. If enough people sign up for consultations, a discounted rate for all participants kicks in. For example, if 30 kilowatts worth of solar panels are purchased, then a $250 across-the-board discount takes effect for everyone who purchases.

Solar energy has been a popular issue in Cupertino recently. A June 24 planning commission meeting was devoted entirely to speaking with a PG&E representative on incentives available for installing photovoltaic systems in city buildings and individual homes.