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What’s New at Sun Light and Power

Now Hiring!

Sun Light and Power is growing.  We are now interviewing for the following positions.

• Solar Thermal Installer
• Controller

Please read the information on the Employment page for complete application instructions.  Thank you.

SLP’s Gary Gerber Now Heads CALSEIA

January 3, 2008 (Berkeley, CA): Gary Gerber, co-founder and president of Sun Light and Power was elected president of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) in its December, 2007, annual election of officers.

Gary has been involved with CALSEIA since shortly after its formation in 1977. For the past two years he has been chairman of the Policy Committee, addressing:

• Issues related to determining the industry position on the many provisions of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP)
• The rate design and Time of Use policies,
• The shading calculations for the Estimated Performance Buy-down Program, and
• The federal Solar Tax Credit extension and the state Solar Thermal rebate program, among other activities.
  

Most recently Gary has represented CALSEIA and small solar contractors in a meeting with the governor’s staff and the CPUC regarding improving the CSI; he has worked with the CALSEIA team in months of regular meetings with the CA state Fire Marshal regarding state-wide design guidelines; and has traveled to Washington DC to lobby for extension of the solar ITC and elimination of the residential $2,000 tax credit cap.

Gary feels that the major challenges facing CALSEIA and its members include:

• Continuing to improve the CSI, NSHP and EPBB rules and policies,
  
• Continuing to lobby for the federal Solar Tax Credit extension,
  
• Helping to create a viable feed-In tariff for California,
  
• Working with the State Fire Marshal on a statewide guideline for solar system design,
  
• Creating a CALSEIA-branded solar installer training program.

Energy Award to San Francisco Zen Center

December 12, 2008 (Berkeley, CA): San Francisco Zen Center has earned an “Energy Oscar” for its efforts to use renewable energy. As part of its efforts, the center utilizes a photovoltaic system designed and installed by Sun Light and Power. The award was one of several presented by California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) to its member organizations. The CIPL unites almost 500 congregations statewide who are dedicated to addressing global warming within the faith community. The awards event, held on December 11 at the First Congregational Church in Berkeley, was hosted by Rev. Sally Bingham, Environmental Minister at Grace Cathedral and founder of CIPL. Former Abbess Jiko Linda Cutts received the award for the Zen Center.

Since its founding in 2001, CIPL has mobilized religious support for landmark legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California, educated hundreds of thousands of congregants, and worked with every major religious denomination in the state. CIPL member congregations have reduced CO2 emissions in their own houses of worship by over 20 million pounds.

The Zen Center offers meditation, retreats, classes, and workshops. Its members are committed to community outreach, working for peace, and environmental protection. Over the past ten years, the Zen Center's efforts to reduce its use of fossil fuels have included the design and installation of solar energy systems at its facilities.

In August 2005, Sun Light and Power (SLP) completed the design and installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system that would provide significant energy but not disrupt the building’s original architecture, as designed by Julia Morgan in 1922. Mounting brackets to support the PV modules were installed close to the roof, so that the profile of the array is not visible from the ground and does not contrast drastically with the historical architectural style of the building. Power is provided by 120 Sharp 175-Watt modules and three Sunny Boy 6000 Inverters producing 21 kilowatts of peak power

As of March 2007, the system had produced over 400,000 kWh of electricity and offset the release of over 499,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Please see our case study on this site:
http://www.sunlightandpower.com/casestudies/zencenter.html
CIPL: http://www.interfaithpower.org/index.htm
Zen Center: http://www.sfzc.org/zc/display.asp?catid=1,5&pageid=1

Solar Employees Cut and Clip to Save The Bay!

SLP employees Aurora Meerjans and Jesse Quay take a turn as amateur barbers as they assist coworkers Katie Branagh and Roger Williams in their effort to clean up the bay.

Everyone in the San Francisco Bay area is concerned about the recent spill of crude oil into bay waters. Learning that special high-absorbency mats used to mop up oil are made from human hair, and that donations of human hair are being accepted, employees of solar energy company Sun Light and Power stepped up… to the clippers. Twelve of its employees lined up in front of their Berkley offices to get their hair cut by a coworker and gather the clippings for donation. Requests ranged from “just a little off the ends” to “buzz it all off”. Two one-gallon bags were nearly filled by the time the scissors stopped flashing and the clippers stopped humming.

For more info on hair donations, see: http://matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html

A Welcome To The Neighborhood

SL&P project manager, Aurora Meerjans, inspects the completed solar array

Ashby Lofts Grand Opening

A new five story affordable housing apartment building now graces the corner of Ashby Avenue and 9th Street in the city of Berkeley. Located less than two blocks from the offices of Sun Light and Power, this Affordable Housing Associates (AHA) project provides 54 dwellings as well as a community room, a children’s play area, a tenant computer lab, and onsite tenant services. In addition, it boasts several green construction features from its roof to its ground floor. In fact, Ashby Lofts was designed and constructed for sustainability, conservation, and environmental friendliness.

A photovoltaic (solar electricity) system, designed and installed by Sun Light and Power (SL&P), is mounted on the roof and provides power to the common areas and all outdoor lighting. Other features include: natural linoleum, carpets of recycled materials, non-toxic paint, Energy Star certified appliances, high-efficiency water heaters, and hydronic heating system. The general contractor was Nibbi Brothers Construction, a major San Francisco firm; the architect was Kava Massih Architects, with offices in San Francisco and Berkeley. AHA, working to address the high cost of housing in the San Francisco region, has developed over 600 units of affordable housing in the East Bay, many employing alternative energy or green construction features

The Grand Opening Celebration held on October 10 was a festive gathering that included the honorable Tom Bates (Mayor of Berkeley), some of the building’s new tenants, and representatives of the many organizations involved in financing, developing, designing, and constructing the project.

Sun Light and Power wishes to express to all the tenants of the Ashby Lofts a hearty, “Welcome to the neighborhood!”

We’re Lighting Up mkLotus House

A centerpiece of the recent West Coast Green conference and exhibition at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (September 20 through 22) was the mkLotus House (Michelle Kaufmann, architect; Extreme Homes, builder). Constructed in adjacent Civic Center Park for exhibition during the run of the conference, the 725 square foot Lotus House is a modular show-piece residence with green building elements integrated throughout. Its electrical power is provided by a roof-mounted photovoltaic (solar electricity) system designed and installed by Sun Light and Power, utilizing ten Mitsubishi 175 Watt modules and an SMA Sunny Boy 1800 inverter.

Other green features include LED lighting, a reflecting pool that collects rainwater for irrigation, a gray-water system that collects water from sinks and the shower for use in the toilet, cabinets fashioned from certified wood, an on-demand water heater, native landscaping, and many other green features. A wall-mounted video monitor provides information on electricity, gas, and water use.

Gary Gerber, president and CEO of Sun Light and Power, said that his company was “pleased to be a sponsor of West Coast Green and glad we could contribute to the creation of the Lotus House by designing and installing its solar power system, one of the essential elements of a green home”.

Hard Earned Recognition – Inc 500 and Best of the East Bay

Sun Light and Power was recently recognized on both a national level and in our own back yard.

We are pleased to announce that we have been named an INC. 5000 Honoree for 2007, an award created by INC. Magazine to celebrate the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the United States. It recognizes the steadfast commitment and tireless energy that goes into building a company. For this achievement, we thank all our employees, business associates, and customers.

We are also pleased to have been named “Best Solar Contractor” in the annual East Bay Express Best of the East Bay 2007 Visions of Utopia edition. The Express serves San Francisco’s greater East Bay Region, our home. Its “Best of” list celebrates “some of the people and companies… dedicated to making the East Bay a better place to live, work, play, eat, and shop”. Our thanks go out to the East Bay Express and to the readers and customers who nominated and voted for us.

Celebrating A Job Well Done

San Francisco, January 27 - Hundreds of people gathered at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center for the center’s first annual green fair and the dedication of its new photovoltaic system, designed and installed by Sun Light and Power. On hand were a number of local dignitaries, including Assemblymember Mark Leno, San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros, and San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting.  Among the speakers was our own Gary Gerber, Sun Light and Power president and co-founder.

The 20,640 peak watt system of ninety-six SunPower 215 watt modules in two arrays and four SunPower 5200 inverters will save the center nearly $5,000 annually in energy costs and, of course, produce no greenhouse gas emissions.  The installation, funded by PG&E, was coordinated by The Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-profit organization with a mission to expand environmental awareness.  It partners with utility companies such as PG&E to develop educational programs and fund solar installation projects.  Tom King, CEO of PG&E, pointed out that the utility has committed to spending more than $7.5 million on solar installations throughout the city.

"The Center is honored to be the first chosen for this inspiring gift of solar panels. We are demonstrating that we are making intelligent choices with the money entrusted to us, and we are working hard to be an environmentally-friendly organization for other agencies to emulate," said Thom Lynch, Executive Director of The San Francisco LGBT Community Center.

“The people from Sun Light and Power were great to work with, said Rebecca Rolfe, deputy executive director of the center, speaking to SL&P’s Gary Gerber and sales manager Eric Nyman.  “Sun Light and Power is the best contractor we’ve ever worked with.”

We Are The Champions (of Sustainability)

Sun Light and Power was recently the recipient of a Berkley Sustainability Award recognizing us as a Champion of Sustainability.  The Sustainable Berkeley organization brings together leaders from the civic, business, education, and non-profit sectors to encourage the greening of Berkeley, California, and develop it as a center for green business entrepreneurship and innovation. Its awards recognize outstanding achievement towards these goals.

In a statement signed by Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and Dr. Joel Kreisberg, Sustainable Berkeley Chair, the organization stated: “We recognize and celebrate Sun Light and Power’s accomplishments in environmental responsibility, social equity, and fostering economic vitality in Berkeley.  Sun Light and Power is a leader and a model for our community’s residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations.”

The award was presented at a ceremony attended by a number of community leaders.  Other award recipients included: Biofuel Oasis, Vital Vittles, Alameda County Computer Resource Center, Rising Sun Energy, and UC Berkeley, Cal Dining.

On A Winning Team

Sun Light and Power’s design and installation of a solar thermal (hot water) system contributed to an award winning residential remodeling project.  The extensive remodel of a San Francisco residence was a collaborative effort headed by Jeff King & Company, general contractors, and designed by Malcolm Davis Architecture.  The team of Jeff King & Company, Sun Light and Power, Woodshanti, Amistad Envirotherm, and Earthsource received the 2006 Grand Prize for Overall Excellence from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).  This is the second NARI award received by a remodeling team of which Sun Light and Power was a member.

	Emeryville City Hall system
	City of Emeryville's Peter Schultze-Allen and SL&P's Gary Gerber display California state rebate check for $133, 415
	SL&P's Gary Gerber meets the media

On Wednesday, October 11, the City of Emeryville celebrated its new solar energy system now powering city Hall with a public dedication ceremony.  Representatives of the city, PG&E, and Sun Light and Power were on hand to address attendees and members of the news media and answer questions about the 47,880 peak watt system.

Sun Light and Power president and co-founder, Gary Gerber, spoke of the company’s thirty years of solar design and installation.  His personal dedication to solar energy began as an engineering student at the University of California at Berkeley.  Located in Berkley today, Sun Light and Power has completed hundreds of solar installations throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Emeryville, a city adjacent to Berkeley, is located on the waterfront at the foot of the San Francisco Bay Bridge.  It contributes significantly to Northern California commerce with its thriving retail, entertainment and business concerns and is home to Pixar Animation Studios, a Bayer Diagnostics facility, Chiron, and Siebel Systems.

City officials pointed out that they decided to make a commitment to an alternative energy future and set an example for its own residents and other municipalities in the Bay Area.  The new system will save the city more than half a million dollars in energy bills over the next 30 years and address global warming issues by offsetting 1,250 tons of carbon dioxide.

A real time generation of the system can be viewed at: 

http://view2.fatspaniel.net/

Praise for SL&P

“Sun Light and Power has done a great job.  The project has run smoothly and ahead of schedule.” 

So said Rebecca Rolfe, deputy executive director of the LGBT Community Center of San Francisco.  Mike McLeod, facilities manager, added that the crew “has been courteous and quiet and there’s been very little disruption.”

Sun Light and Power (SL&P) foreman Blake Gleason and marketing coordinator Gerald Zepeda were on the roof of the center on Wednesday, November 28, to meet with center representatives as well as Alyssa Newman, Director of Foundation Programs for the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and Karalee Brown, contributions program manager for such PG&E projects as the Solar Schools Program.

FEE partners with electric utility companies, such as PG&E, to develop educational programs and help fund the installation of solar power systems at schools and other facilities serving the community.  The LGBT Community Center is a thriving educational facility and offers a wide variety of community support activities, health and wellness services, and cultural and arts programs. 

SL&P’s installation of the center’s 20,640 peak watt system of ninety-six Sunpower 215 watt modules and four Sunpower 5200 inverters is nearing completion. The center integrates a very modern building with an adjacent 19th century Queen Anne style building.  The installation includes an array on each of the buildings.

Newman added that Sun Light and Power is “obviously going out of its way to complete the job ahead of the expected timeline.  I’m very pleased”.

PG&E’s Karalee Brown echoed these sentiments, praising SLP for a job well done.  “I heard that you moved crews from other completed jobs as soon as they became available to make this project happen”, she said. “That’s great. Thank you.”

This year the annual company party held special significance for the folks at Sun Light and Power, the solar energy design and installation firm in Berkeley, California.  2006 marks their 30th year in the solar industry and three consecutive years of remarkable growth.  The guest list for the celebratory event, held December 15 at Cafe de la Paz in Berkeley, included many of SL&P’s solar clients, associates, vendors as well as people prominent in the community and in the world of environmental concern.

Well-known environmentalist Julia Butterfly Hill, founder of the Circle of Life education and advocacy organization, addressed the assemblage.  She spoke of the need to act on one’s sense of responsibility for the environment and commented on the positive contributions of Sun Light and Power, its employees, and its president and co-founder Gary Gerber. 

Sun Light and Power began solar hot water installations in 1975 and has since become a local leader in the design and installation of solar electricity.  The company was selected by both the San Francisco Business Times and the East Bay Business Times for their lists of fastest growing companies in the area for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Gary Gerber, obviously pleased with the listings, quipped, “I’ve been working 30 years to become an overnight success.” 

California has emerged as the world’s third largest solar market, providing solar companies with opportunities for growth and giving rise to new competition in the industry.  In a speech recapping the history of his company and honoring the contributions of business partners and employees past and present, Gerber said, “We’ve worked very hard to nearly double our sales in each of the last three years. We were able do that and we’ve been able to survive these 30 years because we are dedicated to what we do.”

SL&P employees echoed his sentiments. Taking to the podium, foreman Jesse Cutaia spoke of the dedication to solar energy that he shares with his co-workers and of the community they have formed.  “I love what I do,” he said, “and I love the people I work with.”

Getting to Know Solar Hot Water

For builders wanting to know more about solar hot water systems, the October 2005 issue of the Journal of Light Construction features a cover story entitled “Solar Hot Water 101” by Gary Gerber, founder and president of Sun Light and Power, a Berkeley based solar energy design and install company. With some thirty years in the business, Gerber is well versed in the field of solar. The article is a concise primer covering all basic aspects of solar hot water, from the various types of systems and how they work to the designing and sizing of a system to installation concerns and procedures. The article also includes practical tips and useful insider advice that should prove useful to anyone planning a solar hot water installation or repair or considering the reactivation of an older system not currently in operation.

Solar Power Installation

The Journal of Light Construction has provided a basic how-to introduction to solar electric installation in the New England edition of its March 2005 issue. “Installing Solar Electric Power” by Gary Gerber, founder and president of Berkeley California based Sun Light and Power Company, covers such topics as: Customer Needs, Common Misconceptions, System Sizing, System Components, Mounting Schemes, and Wiring. Illustrative photos help guide the reader through each step of the design and installation process. The article should prove useful to builders and architects whose clients are considering the installation of a solar electric system.