LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2017): SunPower Elite Dealer Solar Optimum is helping Orange County’s premier senior living community Laguna Woods Village embrace energy efficiency by installing an aggregate total of approximately 780 kW DC, producing 1,337,333 kWH, offsetting the common area load that the community was paying high Southern California Edison electricity bills for. This “Best in Class” project is the largest SunPower Helix project interconnected in the west coast in 2017.
Solar Optimum is saving the Laguna Woods Village community over $200,000 per year in electrical bills and an average of $15,000 per month in meter fees by completing this complex solar install before net metering 1.0 deadline.
The project consists of 12 buildings which were occupied while the work was performed and Solar Optimum used the SunPower Helix dual tilt PV solar system, which notably is the highest density solar system on the market today. The cutting-edge technology sped up the process and Solar Optimum’s rigorous safety measures made it possible to install while tenants occupied the facilities.
This was the most complicated virtual net metering project ever processed by Southern California Edison with over 550 benefiting meters offset by 800 kW on 12 sites. A typical virtual net metering project has a mere 10 to 20 meters with just one rather than 12 connection points. Southern California Edison requires meters to be lined up with parcels. “With such a large project, it was like a Rubik’s cube lining it all up. All sides are green now,” exclaims Gene Okun, Solar Optimum’s commercial project manager.
“Our goal was to get the project installed to meet the looming net metering 1.0 deadline, when rates on solar energy credit would rise and cost the community an additional $15,000 per month in meter fees,” says Gene Okun. “Solar Optimum and SunPower managed the deadline successfully, despite the size and complexity of the project. We are pleased with the results.”
The Solar Optimum team had to tackle the small sizes of the host buildings which made power density critical. “We were originally planning for 16 buildings as host sites, but the SunPower Helix system made it possible for us to get all that power in 12 buildings,” says Bill McNeese, director of business development at Solar Optimum. “This gave us the competitive advantage, reducing the number of roofs needing to be replaced by the community. When the cost-benefit analysis was complete, the board unanimously selected Solar Optimum and SunPower Helix.”
“We realized that Laguna Woods Village had other very competitive proposals but were confident in our ability to deliver the project within the tight timeframe despite its complexities and engineering challenges,” says Gene Okun. “With the success of Laguna Woods Village, we look forward to expanding our commercial solar panel portfolio and taking on new challenges in the Southern California market.”
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About Solar Optimum
Solar Optimum, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based company that provides renewable and solar plus storage energy solutions for residential, business and commercial clients in the greater Los Angeles and Southern California area. Since 2008, Solar Optimum’s business philosophy has been focused on positive change by delivering environmentally friendly, alternative, independent and affordable solar solutions. The staff at Solar Optimum is highly trained and certified to serve and represent their clients with expertise, respect and exceptional customer service. A multi-award-winning company, Solar Optimum has an overarching goal to protect the environment using the most innovative solar technology available while maintaining long-term value for their customers.
About SunPower
As one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable energy companies, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) provides a diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and services. Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower’s more than 30 years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch, SunPower delivers maximum value and superb performance throughout the long life of every solar system. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. For more information about how SunPower is changing the way our world is powered, visit www.sunpower.com.
About Laguna Woods Village
Laguna Woods Village is the largest 55+ community in California, featuring 12,736 homes and approximately 18,500 active adult residents. Laguna Woods Village is a diverse and private community, located just 10 minutes from the Laguna Beach coastline, on 3.8 square miles (2,100 acres) of rolling hillsides in south Orange County, California. Laguna Woods Village is professionally managed and staffed by Village Management Services, Inc. To learn more, visit lagunawoodsvillage.com.
