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Solar Power Now More Affordable for San Diego Area Fire Victims

Posted on: Thursday, 21 July 2005, 12:00 CDT

SAN DIEGO, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Diego Regional Energy Office (SDREO) and Kyocera Solar, Inc. have teamed up to offer highly affordable solar power (photovoltaic or "PV") systems to residents whose homes were destroyed in the October 2003 wildfires. The complete systems, which allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, are now available at a special discount through the Rebuild a Greener San Diego program.

Rebuild helps San Diego area residents rebuild using greener and more energy efficient technologies through rebates and education. While some homeowners have taken advantage of the program's incentives, more than $4 million in rebate funds remain, offering program participants up to $20,000 toward the purchase of a solar power system.

Citing overall high system costs as one of the hurdles to Rebuild program participation, SDREO issued a request for special pricing proposals from major PV suppliers nationwide. Kyocera, with North American headquarters in San Diego, was the winning bidder.

"We are deeply committed to the San Diego community and this discount will make residential solar systems a reality to those San Diegans rebuilding on a tight budget," said Tom Dyer, Kyocera Solar's VP of Marketing and Government Affairs. "Rebuild program participants can purchase Kyocera's MyGen(TM) Complete Solar PV Systems at a special discounted price through the program."

SDREO's Director of Policy and Planning, Scott Anders, who lost his own home in the October 2003 fires, gives an example. "Kyocera's special pricing reduces total costs, including on-site installation, from $21,800 to $17,600 on a typical 2.5 kilowatt system. After a $10,000 rebate from Rebuild, the final cost to the homeowner is only $7,600. At that price, the system can pay for itself in lowered utility bills much faster."

Since the deadline for solar rebates is November 30, 2005, Anders cautions, "Time is running out on the program. If you are rebuilding your home, get your application in as soon as possible. And, if you know someone rebuilding, let them know about this special deal right away."

For more information, visit the Rebuild website at http://www.rebuildsandiego.org/ or call the Rebuild hotline toll-free at 1-877-284-5373.

Rebuild a Greener San Diego is a partnership between SDREO, the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego and SDG&E. Major program funding is provided by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

The San Diego Regional Energy Office (SDREO) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that helps residents, businesses and public agencies save energy, reduce grid demand and generate their own power through a variety of rebate, technical assistance and education programs. SDREO also provides the community with objective information, research, analysis and long-term planning on energy issues and technologies. For more information, visit our website at http://www.sdenergy.org/ or call us toll free at 1-866-SDENERGY. We are working for a sustainable energy future.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is a world-leading supplier of environmentally-sound, solar electric energy solutions, with headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ and sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc. of San Diego, the North American holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

San Diego Regional Energy Office

CONTACT: Media, Tom Geldner, +1-858-244-1184, or cell, +1-858-610-9020,om.geldner@sdenergy.org, or Program Contact, Ben Airth, +1-858-244-1194,enjamin.airth@sdenergy.org, both of San Diego Regional Energy Office

Web site: http://www.sdenergy.org/http://www.rebuildsandiego.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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