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SunGreen Commercial Solar Energy Systems: Everything You Need To Power Your Business
SunGreen Systems provides comprehensive solar-power solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Our team consists of highly trained professionals with an unrivaled level of experience, expertise and resources:
- extensive education and experience in architecture, real-estate development and management
- mastery of finance, business strategy, public policy, and government solar rebate programs
- painstaking attention to technical quality and error-free installation
- direct relationships with solar panel providers to guarantee the right specifications at the right prices
- Warehouses in southern California to ensure an ample supply of solar equipment.
We leverage these skills and resources to create customized solutions for your financial, energy and architectural needs.
We also meticulously supervise all elements of the project, from evaluation to product procurement, installation to post-installation service.
8 Steps to Meet Your Energy and Business Needs
- 1. Take a sun's eye view: Solar power might not be right for all buildings. We begin by viewing your property on Google Earth to study its layout, structural orientation, shading and other critical factors.
- 2. Evaluate utility bills: We analyze and model your current costs and rate structures, and your energy consumption and demand patterns.
- 3. Perform a site survey: We visit your property to take detailed measurements and examine your existing electrical system, sun exposure and structural requirements
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4. Design and engineer a solution: Based on our analysis and your preferences, our team of licensed professionals will design a commercial solar energy system to your
building and business needs. If you would like your property to make a statement, we can also design an impressive visual symbol. We’ll also consult with you and our financing
partners about your capital and return requirements.
- 5. Manage government policies and rebate programs: Energy systems may require lengthy city reviews, approvals and permitting. Our professionals have expertise in navigating these channels.
In addition, we handle all the paperwork to ensure you capitalize on local, state and federal solar incentive programs.
- 6. Submit proposal: We will carefully prepare a detailed proposal to include gross system costs, all applicable rebates and incentives, other tax benefits, investment internal rate of return (IRR),
key facts about solar energy and an overview of signature SunGreen projects including client references.
- 7. Installation: Our crews consist of experienced commercial contractors. We know your property is an investment, so we uphold meticulous standards while completing your solar installation and interconnection
efficiently and on-time with minimal disruption to you, your business and your customers or guests.
- 8. Post-Installation Service: After installation, we will instruct your staff on how to maintain your system, and provide any assistance you may need. We will monitor the performance of your solar system in our
office and in the unlikely event there is a problem, we will likely know it before you do.
Critical Links:
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Regional Bank Headquarters, Southern California:
A bank sought a solar power production investment and a statement of its commitment to sustainability and community service. The majority of SunGreen's proposed photovoltaic system was in the form of
"solar-ports" in the parking lot south of the building. These ports would provide car shading as well as the infrastructure necessary to mount solar panels. Our engineering team selected the appropriate
equipment, designed the electrical system, and oriented the solar array. Additionally, we worked closely with our architects and even a well-known Cantonese Feng-Shui expert to enhance the modern look of
the bank’s new flagship headquarters.
I am a strong believer of community services, and therefore I spend much of my free time actively involved in the community where I live.
I served as a committee member for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and as a Community Advisory Board Director for KCET, L.A.'s public TV channel.
I also served as President of both the Taiwanese-American Chamber of Commerce and the Taiwanese United Fund here in the U.S. I travel frequently to
visit various conferences, clients and our suppliers. As they say, when you're doing something you love, it doesn't feel like work.
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Central Health Plan of California
An HMO located in Diamond Bar, CA, Central Health wanted to reduce their electricity bills and promote the benefits of going green (such as reduced overhead costs and environmental impact) to their customers.
The Challenge: Central Health needed the project completed by the end of the year to take advantage of accelerated depreciation benefits, and to beat the rainy weather expected for the late winter months.
This gave us only 12 weeks to get the job done right. The challenge was intensified by the fact that the ideal panels had to be imported from Taiwan.
The SunGreen Solution: We expedited the panel order by leveraging our close relationship with the Taiwanese supplier. We then accelerated the installation of a complete 87.1 kW system by running weekend shifts
quickly and efficiently.
The Results: Central Health Plan now saves approximately $2000 per month on their electricity bill, while reducing their carbon footprint (a great statement by a health services company). "I am glad I chose
SunGreen Systems," said Central Health's Facility Manager Jason Hsiao. "SunGreen was prompt with our service needs. They answered my questions patiently, took proactive measures to prevent future problems, and
not on one occasion have they overcharged me." In addition, the project enhanced our relationship with the solar panel provider.
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Best Western Thousand Oaks Inn
Like all fully operating hotels, the Best Western Thousand Oaks Inn uses immense amounts of energy for constantly running lights, air conditioning and televisions in the guest rooms, as well as the hotel's industrial vacuums,
refrigerators and laundry facilities. They wanted to reduce their electricity costs and environmental impact.
The Challenge: Located in the growing city of Thousand Oaks, CA, this hotel was already open and fully occupied, so any construction had to minimize disturbing the guests. This meant that installation of the sizable system
(a total of 273 panels) could not start too early or run too late. In addition, the hotel had a relatively thin roof and limited space in the electrical room for inverter placement.
The SunGreen Solution: We worked daily with the Thousand Oaks Inn's manager to arrange a flexible installation schedule that did not disrupt hotel guests. We also located the original roofer and provided additional roof strength
to support the panels, all at no additional cost to the client. In addition, we determined an alternative location for the inverter and constructed an extra concrete pad.
The Results: The new panels generate 87600 kWh of energy annually, reducing power costs by 30% and carbon emissions by 62.8 metric tons per year. "SunGreen Systems has provided extraordinary service and has been extremely
accommodating to ensure every aspect of the process, from equipment to rebates to installation, has been handled properly, resulting in minimal disruption to daily operations and most importantly our guests," said Felix Wang,
Manager of Best Western Thousand Oaks Inn.
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Western Regional Delivery Service
Headquartered in Fullerton, CA, WRDS runs consolidation and distribution facilities serving the entire United States. Their vast roofing areas provided the perfect space to capture and convert solar energy to meet their high electricity needs.
The Challenge: The solar panels needed to be installed on top of an extremely busy truck loading area. Since WRDS's business is based entirely on providing on-time, dependable deliveries, we could not risk disrupting their
operations for an extended period. In addition, the structure of the roof looked like it might not support solar panels, and it was located far from an electrical room.
The SunGreen Solution: We're always extremely cautious about structural integrity, so we consulted several engineers about the building. We then relied on our architectural expertise to design a proper configuration for the
panels and several
alternative routes for the electrical conduit. We then worked side-by-side with the client to ensure that any blockage of the loading dock area was held to an extreme minimum of space and duration.
The Results: The 59 kW system saves WRDS approximately $1000 per month on electricity, while reducing CO2 production by 60.4 metric tons. "It has been a pleasurable, professional, and efficient
experience working with SunGreen Systems," said Elias Youkhehpaz, President of WRDS. "We're very satisfied with the bid and performance of work in the installation of our solar energy system. Their performance was not only superb,
but they were fast in finishing their work and attentive to details. Even after they finished the installation, they followed up with us to make sure everything was running smoothly. It has been one of the best investments our company
has made, and we look forward to doing more business with SunGreen Systems in the future and referring other business to SunGreen."
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Commercial Rebates & Incentives For Solar Power
30% Federal Investment Tax Credit/Grant: For systems installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016, business owners will receive a solar tax credit equal to 30% of the
net system cost after rebates. Or, for systems placed in service by December 31, 2010, corporate tax filers can take a 30% upfront cash grant not subject to federal tax in lieu of
the tax credit.
California Solar Power Rebates and Incentives: The state of California allocates solar rebates on a sliding scale pegged to the total number of systems installed statewide. As the number
grows, the rebate declines. If you are considering investing in a commercial solar system, now is the time. The actual rebate you receive is determined by a variety of individual factors
including system wattage and actual electrical output.
5-Year Accelerated Capital Depreciation: Businesses can recover a substantial portion of their investments in solar power systems through MACRS and applicable state depreciation deductions.
City specific programs:
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Glendale, California: Glendale Water & Power Solar Solutions Program
Glendale, California offers some of the state's highest cash incentives for customers who install grid-connected solar
photovoltaic systems. However, these systems must meet new project guidelines. At SunGreen, we will ensure your new commercial solar energy system follows those guidelines to the letter.
Showing you the money: For 2011, Glendale Power and Water’s (GWP) Solar Solutions Program provides up to $3.22 per watt for installed systems sized 30 kW dc or less. Actual incentives on the larger
commercial solar systems will be paid on a per kWh basis for electricity production over the first five years of system operation. Solar panels installed on affordable housing projects are eligible for
even higher incentives. (Note that incentive calculation will not exceed 50% of the total costs of the system.)
Why you need to act quickly: Glendale is already accepting residential rebate applications for 2011. Although rebates will not be paid until July 1, 2011, it is important to act quickly to get in the
rapidly growing queue.
How SunGreen will help: In addition to designing the right system to meet your needs and GWP program guidelines, we will handle all of the following.
- Calculating how much you can save in power costs, and how much you can receive in cash incentives.
- Applying all other solar rebate options at the county, state and federal levels.
- Determining whether Green Energy Credits* will provide more value than GWP's cash incentives.
- Administering all necessary paperwork and securing all required permits.
- Providing recommendations for finance. In some cases we may credit you the solar rebate value up front.
- Reviewing all the fine print to ensure complete compliance with the GWP.
- Providing post-installation service.
*According to the GWP, "Renewable Energy certificates (REC's) also know as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power
produced from renewable energy projects. If you choose to keep the Green Energy Certificate, your incentive will be less."
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SunGreen Systems Wholesale: Providing High-Quality, Cost-Effective Solar Tech To The Trade
At SunGreen Systems, our goal is to help convert the world from fossil fuels to green energy. So in addition to providing solar power solutions for homes, businesses and communities, we're
selling high-quality, cost-effective solar technology equipment for resellers and solar contractors.
Developed to exacting European and American standards and UL & CEC listed, our products offer high efficiencies and carry industry standard warranties. We ship quickly to your warehouse or
jobsite from our Southern California distribution center. In addition, our strong relationships with top manufacturers result in low prices on your solar panel and inverter needs, including
volume discounts.
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Sunlight In The Spotlight: SunGreen Commercial Solar Solutions Case Studies
These are just a few of the many commercial solar energy systems we have designed and installed. In addition, we've provided some case studies of proposed projects.
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