Making the Case for Solar Energy

Solar panels, tilted and embedded in a wooden rooftop structure, shaded a group of about 15 people at the Mar Vista home of community activist James Brennan on Sunday. 

The small gathering of city officials, environmental leaders and residents was intended as a demonstration of the potential of residential solar power. Mathew Rakocija of Martifer Solar, the company that completed the installation, directed guests' attention to the panels above their heads. 

“[This model] is taking off because of the architectural qualities,” Rakocija told the group. “It [also] provides an additional 10 percent of [energy] production.”

The panels are an innovation over traditional flat solar panels. The project cost Brennan, president and co-founder of the community networking organization Open Neighborhoods, about $18,000 to install, he said. 

After incentives and tax rebates, Brennan expects to pay about $8,000 out-of-pocket. He also installed a set of traditional solar panels on an adjacent roof several months ago. 

"You can go solar today and save 25 to 35, even 40 percent on your electric bill," Brennan told Patch. "It's not indefinite, it's not unlimited, it's here now." 

Open Neighborhoods partnered with Martifer Solar to launch a “Go Solar” initiative, which aims to increase the accessibility of solar power in Los Angeles communities.

Guests on Sunday included L.A. City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who chairs the panel's Energy and Environment Committee. Environmental leaders, government representatives and members of the Mar Vista, Venice and Silver Lake communities were also in attendance.

Before the demonstration at his house, Brennan led Perry on a tour of residential solar projects in the area. Since 2006, 32 homes and one school have been equipped with solar panels in the greater Mar Vista area. 

Perry said she was very encouraged by what she saw. In addition to solar panels, she noticed that homeowners were also using drought-tolerant plants to save water and thus energy.

“It reflects an obvious overall hunger … to change one’s behavior to become more energy efficient to save money,” Perry said.

Leasing options are available for those who do not want to do a permanent install, Brennan said. John Ayers, co-founder of the Open Neighborhoods team, said he is renting solar panels. 

After contracting with the solar company, the homeowner is eligible for incentives through the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and tax credits at the federal level.

The Sunday gathering preceded a public workshop that the LADWP is holding Thursday to gather input on its solar incentive program. The project was suspended in April after high demand caused the system to become heavily backlogged.

The department's new incentives will be reduced in accordance with the reduced cost of building solar panels, said DWP Commissioner and GREEN LA Institute Director Jonathan Parfrey, who was also at Brennan's house.

“Right now is the perfect time to get involved with putting on solar panels,” he added. “There are so many options with saving costs.”

The goal is to get communities on board, Brennan said. Paul Neuman, who works for L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz and is a member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, said his 5th District is specifically looking at what can be done in different communities. 

"There is a significant effort about to kick off," Neuman said, adding that Brennan has been "very gracious and generous in energizing others to go solar."

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