Team Project Meeting Roundup 2009-03

Ah, the momentum! Thank you for your valuable input during our meeting on March 10th. The enthusiastic talent displayed by those in attendance and the information shared is truly appreciated.

And thank you to the Saturn of Santa Clarita for their hospitality. To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here


GROUP ENTITY DISCUSSION
We discussed group entity infrastructure. We will continue to evaluate the need and project fit to best benefit the team goals. We discussed the importance of 'arms-length' participation to have as much of Santa Clarita Valley's participation across communities, businesses, educational resources, etc. In addition, we submitted our request have this project as part of the College of the Canyons Incubator. We will keep the team posted as progress develops.
To learn more about the incubator: Click Here


MISSION DISCUSSION
We reviewed our overall mission and discussed the inital steps: Get Point Person/Project Manager from HOA/Mgmt; Get Homeowner Input (questionnaire, online survey); Discussed the Need; Discussed Tiered Retrofit Offering Packages; Have Local Santa Clarita Valley Resources Bid Projects (Yes, we still need to define Local Santa Clarita Valley); Ensure pre- and post energy audit measurement to have the data and track it over time.

HOA PRESENTATION
We reviewed the presentation and based on the groups valuable feedback. We have since modified the preso to a more pictorial format. And we went from 10 mins + to a current 2.5 minutes. [Also, thank you to our impromptu-focus group on Friday, as we put up the final touches:-) ]
The DVD: As our overall time to present may be a maximum of 5 minutes, as recommended by the group, we are working on a script to produce a 'Movie-Style' pitch to replace the ppt and make this project 'trailer' portable and uploadable to YouTube as well as our website. We will spec locations to show existing Santa Clarita Valley Areas and ask if any Local Santa Clarita Valley Companies want to sketch out some drafts of possible of future implementations. If you want YOUR LOCATION showcased - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195

WEBSITE: http://www.scvoffthegrid.com/
We are IN SEARCH OF an enthusiastic Local Santa Clarita Valley volunteer web person. If you are interested, please call Steve Kassel 661-259-3704.
We are in the process of sketching out our utopia site flow. We will evaluate all input received to date as this is YOUR PROJECT SITE: Video, Filled-Out Letters to the HOAs for easy printing and submission for Homeowners who want to have their area participate, Share your story Section, Video Streaming our meetings, On-line Survey, Resource List, Team member directory, and much, much more!


SCV EARTH DAY: Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Central Park.
This event is another method by which we will get the word out! We will have a sign-up sheet for those who would like to express and interest to learn more about SCVoffthegrid.

Plan A: We are following-up on our request for co-op space with a local company.

Plan B: If you are business with a booth at SCV EARTH DAY and you are interested in having SCV Off The Grid at your booth- Please Call Leah 661-309-3195

Plan C: We will discuss other means by which to get the word out Perhaps, canvasing the event with clipboard in hand, OR if ANYONE WANTS TO DONATE' business cards on recycled paper' our info-design is available - Please Call Leah 661-309-3195

To learn more about SCV Earth Day: Click Here

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday April 21
Location: Saturn of Santa Clarita! To Visit Santa Clarita Saturn: Click Here


Stay Tuned and continue to share your feedback!

Team Project Meeting 2009-03

Team,

To continue our momentum, we have scheduled up our MARCH meeting! We appreciate your continued support and participation in this valuable project.

SCV OFF THE GRID PROJECT MEETING
Day*: Tuesday
Date: March 10th
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30pm
Where:
Saturn of Santa Clarita Meeting Room 2nd Floor 23645 Creekside Blvd, Valencia, CA 91355

RSVP:
Call into Leah Pollack 661-309-3195

Preliminary Agenda (to include, but not be limited to)
1. Welcome
2. Last Meeting Review
3. HOA Presentation Review (1st up Stevenson Ranch!)
4. Future Meeting Day/Location Discussion (*to accommodate more schedules)
5. Next Steps
6. Q&A Throughout
**
Team, see you then!

Team Project Meeting Round-up 2009-02

Great meeting! We reviewed the project interest and began to brainstorm ideas on adding value to the meeting and the community.

Welcome John and Russ Rogers to the group!

We discussed:

• Net Metering Concept> Incentives Programs > Solar Farm Project in Palmdale
• Insights in to consideration for utility company involvement and spoke to Steve's comments on small-co-ops for smaller utility companies to sell back energy.
  
• Discussed the elimination of the permit fee for Solar Installations.
  
• Rebate Programs PGE, SCE in the are good rebates!
  
• We shared the feedback from the LA and San Diego GO-GREEN Expos and all the great vendors and technology.
  
• We reviewed the draft of the HOA presentation and will continue to flesh out interesting graphics and stats that will really empower HOAs and homeowners on the value of this project. Thank you Steve Kassel shared the great pics of the Stevenson Ranch Neighborhood
  
• We will be requesting a tour of and HOAs.
  
• We discussed having speakers and possibly a panel event.
  
• We are driving toward the HOA meeting with Stevenson Ranch in March and will revisit the preso at the next meeting.
  

Stay Tuned and continue to share your feedback!

Team Project Meeting - 2009-02

Team,

Great work this month and lots to share during our upcoming meeting...:


SCV OFF THE GRID PROJECT MEETING
Date February 10th
Time 7:00 pm
Where Saturn of Santa Clarita Meeting Room 2nd Floor (Free)
Getting This Project to the Next Step: (Priceless!)

RSVP: Call into Leah Pollack 661-309-3195



Preliminary Agenda (to include, but not be limited to)
Welcome
Last Meeting Review
Events Attended Review
Tech Update
HOA Mtg Prep/Dress Rehearsal (1st up Stevenson Ranch!)
Next Steps
Q&A Throughout


Team, see you then!

EVENT POSTING: Go Green Expo - LA Convention Center

There will be a "Go Green Expo" at the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend!!!

January 23, 24 and 25.
Hours of operation are: Fri 10a - 5p, Sat 10a - 6p Sun 10a - 5p
Please visit the website - www.gogreenexpo.com

Anyone able to make it?

Team, please keep the information flowing in and we will post to share. Once again thank you for all your good works on the 'SCV Off the Grid' Project. We look forward to your continued input and participation.

Knowledgeshare and Resource List* Follow-up

Team, We continue to gain momentum in this project. As a follow-up here is the current Knowledgeshare and Resource List(*SEE NOTE) as of this posting. We will append as we move forward.

***
Contributor: Drew Neumann
To learn more about Drew please visit http://www.droomusic.com



Knowledgeshare and Resource List*
SOLAR

Solar Suppliers
A very comprehensive list is here: Solar Supplies List

Another good list, but without links to manufacturers:
Another Solar Suppliers List

Comment: Of these, the leaders in the US include BP, Sharp Solar (nice panels that come in shapes to conform to rooflines), Mitsubishi, Siemens, First Solar, Kyocera, and GE.

Inverter Manufacturers: List of Inverter Manufacturers

Comment: The Inverter is the part that converts the DC from your panels to useable AC. Look through the list for Grid Tied inverters. Installers usually suggest a particular preferred brand in their installations.

Click Here to Learn: How It Works


Installers Best in Breed-SCV*
Main Page: Solar by Zips

Here are the Quick Links to some SCV Zip Codes:
91351, 91387, 91355, 91321

Comment: I found this excellent website that lists who installed what and where in the SCV. Advanced Solar appears to be one of the more popular choices here.
You can go to the home page and type in other zip codes as well. It isn't perfect (some of their grid tied provider listings are wrong) but it is very helpful.
If you click on the company names it links to a fairly complete list for that installer--prices, location, panels used, and inverters used.


Windpower
One industry leader: Bergey Windpower

Comment: Though in its infancy for home installation, there are companies developing products for smaller installations. Wind Turbines would be working quite well today!

Thanks!
We are grateful for Drew's good works on this list!

Contributor: Drew Neumann
To learn more about Drew please visit http://www.droomusic.com
***

Team, keep the feedback coming! We truly appreciate all of your good works in making this an exciting and possible project for the Santa Clarita Valley.

*DISCLAIMER NOTE
ALWAYS read the fine print: Information provided and Links to external sites are provided for reference only. We is defined as all of us who participate in the project or who might join the project now and forever. We do not warrant the accuracy of information provide in this or any other posting or the information found on these linked sites. Please consult internal references when questions arise. In addition, it may be that someone on or related to this project may have worked with some of these resources. However, none of the people on the listing above work for us, and we have no control over their practices. Therefore, neither we nor any of our associates (personal, professional, social, related or unrelated), are responsible for their recommendations, actions or non-actions. Be sure to check them out to the extent you feel necessary.

Team Meeting Round-up

(2009-01-06) The "SCV off the Grid" team kicked off 2009 with a productive meeting filled with community spirit as well as practical and tactical next steps.

PRESO
Over the next few weeks we will be working on our 'Talking Points' Presentation to share with the communities throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. We will publish our presentation for your viewing pleasure as well as have the calendar of our 'Roadshow' available for you to find a calendar match and come out and meet members of the group.

KNOWLEDGE SHARE AND RESOURCE LIST
We are working on aggregating helpful information as well as a "Best-in-Breed" vendor list of local and near local vendors that you can contact to evaluate your own Environmental Friendly Project. So stay tuned!

ECO-EVENTS CALENDAR
We will also post local, regional, state Eco-Info Events, trade shows, and the like.

• Do you use links to be 'in-the-know' when it comes to Eco-Events? Share them with us
  
• Do you know about an Eco-event in the area?

Email us Today! Ensure to include:

• Your name
• Eco-event name
• Dates
• Times
• Vendor/booth contact (if known)
• Comments: why you like the event, what you are going there for, and/or what you recommend people do or see.

NEXT MEETING <TBD>
We will post our next meeting time when the venue is confirmed. We are looking for a community room that can seat 8-15 people.

Team, we truly appreciate your continued support of this project and the Sustainability of the Santa Clarita Valley. We will keep you posted as progress develops.