Supervisor Ron Roberts Joins OneRoof Energy, Industry Nonprofit GRID Alternatives for Pre-Earth Day Event; Dignitaries Energize Donated Solar Electric System Saving Homeowners 75 to 90 Percent a Month in Electricity Costs
SAN DIEGO-April, 18 2013-Supervisor Ron Roberts joined OneRoof Energy and GRID Alternatives to participate today in an event signifying solar power’s contributions to environmental and economic sustainability. The event concluded a complementary installation earlier this week of state-of-the-art rooftop solar panels donated by Hanwha Solar at the family’s home in San Diego’s Oak Park neighborhood.
As part of the event, Supervisor Ron Roberts “flipped the switch�? to energize the solar electric system designed to save homeowners between 75 and 90 percent a month in electricity costs. The homeowners, the Saldana family, will save an estimated $436.26 annually with the 2.866 kW solar electric system.
The Saldana’s installation was a partnership between OneRoof Energy and GRID Alternatives, a non-profit that brings solar power and solar job training into underserved communities. “We are committed to making solar accessible to more American homeowners, to the benefit of our communities, our environment and our future,�? stated David Field, CEO of OneRoof Energy, one of the nation’s fastest growing solar finance providers.
“More than ever before, homeowners here and throughout the country are looking for renewable energy solutions that enable them to live in both an environmentally and financially responsible way,�? said Field. “This donation signifies our commitment to helping bring these opportunities to all American homeowners who share these values.�?
The Saldanas, who have lived at the Oak Park residence for 16 years, have three children, two of whom are in college. They also raise chickens on the single-family property, using the fresh eggs on a weekly basis for homegrown family meals.
The solar panels at the Oak Park home were donated by Hanwha Solar, the flagship company of Hanwha Group, an OneRoof Energy strategic investor. Hanwha Solar is one of the top 10 photovoltaic manufacturers in the world, providing cost-competitive, high quality PV modules.
Supervisor Ron Roberts praised OneRoof Energy’s commitment to bringing residential solar systems to more San Diego homeowners. “I am proud to partner with OneRoof Energy, GRID Alternatives and the Saldana family on this Earth Day initiative,�? said Roberts, who represents the Fourth District on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “In addition to its environmental benefits, solar energy creates significant jobs in our community, something we can all get behind.�?
Last year third-party owned solar generated more than $900 million to the California economy. The single-year record means that California third-party owned solar generated about the same amount in 12 months as the previous five years combined.
CleanTECH San Diego, another participant at the event, supports OneRoof Energy’s local influence as an innovative solar company working to make solar energy accessible to more American homeowners. CleanTECH San Diego aims to stimulate innovation and advance the adoption of clean technologies in the region. OneRoof Energy CEO David Field has been involved with the organization since its inception.
“We are thrilled to work with OneRoof Energy to bring solar to a family who otherwise couldn’t afford it,�? said Paul Cleary, Regional Director at GRID Alternatives. “OneRoof’s investment today will have a positive, measurable impact for the Saldana family and for our community for the next 30 years.�?
OneRoof Energy estimates that it will supply solar to more than 7,000 homes in 2013. Since its inception in 2011, the company has expanded staffing by more than 300 percent, creating 60 green jobs in the local community.
Already in 2013, OneRoof Energy has secured $100 million in funding to support sales and residential leases, as well as an additional $30 million in development financing from Hanwha Group, enabling the company to better support its growing network of solar dealers and installers. With these new investments, OneRoof Energy has raised and secured commitments for more than $200 million in corporate capital, project financing and tax equity funding since it closed its first tax equity fund in September 2011.
For more information about simple solar financing options, visit www.oneroofenergy.com. For more information about GRID Alternatives San Diego, visit www.gridalternatives.org. For more information about Hanwha Solar, visit http://www.hanwha-solarone.com/en.
About OneRoof Energy
Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., OneRoof Energy® has quickly become one of the nation’s fastest growing solar finance providers. OneRoof Energy offers simple and affordable solar financing programs that people can trust. OneRoof Energy provides homeowners with financing options for solar electric systems, while receiving industry-leading, warranties, eliminating the prohibitive up-front capital investment and providing ongoing maintenance. Beyond exceptional financing, OneRoof Energy offers highly innovative technologies, and some of the best warranties in the industry. OneRoof Energy believes in the collaborative power of people and their ideas. We bring together the most reputable electricians, solar installers, roofers, project managers and solar finance experts to manage the entire process with ease and expertise.
OneRoof Energy is expanding into Colorado, with additional markets opening soon. Strategic investors in the company include Hanwha Group, Black Coral Capital and Altenergy Holdings, LLC. For more information, visit www.oneroofenergy.com.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that brings the benefits of solar technology to low-income communities. Using a barn-raising model, GRID Alternatives leads teams of volunteers and job trainees to install solar power on qualifying homes, providing needed savings for families struggling to make ends meet while preparing workers for jobs in the fast-growing solar industry. More than 3000 families have received solar systems through GRID Alternatives to date, and more than 11,000 individuals have gained hands-on experience in solar installation, helping prepare them for jobs in the industry. For more information about GRID Alternatives, visit http://www.gridalternatives.org.
