Sungevity And Sonnenbatterie Announce Partnership To Offer Home Energy Storage To Customers In The U.S. And Europe

*Updated May 1 to include links to news coverage

Sungevity just announced a new partnership with Sonnenbatterie, Europe’s leading smart energy storage provider. Through the partnership, Sungevity will offer Sonnenbatterie smart energy storage systems to its network of customers in the U.S. and Europe, starting in the second half of 2015. Sonnenbatterie’s highly sophisticated storage systems incorporate Sony’s Fortelion lithium ion cells with an industry-leading 10,000 charge cycles.

Sonnenbatterie chose to partner with Sungevity due to the solar provider’s unparalleled customer experience and proprietary remote solar design technology. Customers who participate in the program will consume more of their own solar energy, enjoy reduced costs and have access to backup power during outages.

“Customers look to Sungevity for more than just solar; they look to us for the best energy experience that points towards the future,” said Peter Graf, Chief Product Officer, Sungevity. “And as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction, we’re focused on providing our customers with the most proven and scalable energy storage solution available. As the global leader in home energy systems, Sonnenbatterie delivers a compelling extension of our solar energy system for new and existing customers alike.”

We’ll begin rolling out an energy storage option to new and existing customers in the second half of this year.

Click here to read more from the announcement, or read press coverage of the announcement in the San Francisco Chronicle, Forbes and Greentech Media.

If you have questions, please email content@sungevity.com. If you are new to solar, learn more about our solar solutions at www.sungevity.com.

Sungevity Named “Best For The World” In Environment And Worker Categories

We’re proud to announce that Sungevity has been named Best for the World in the environment and worker categories by B Labs, the nonprofit organization behind the B Corporation movement.

To qualify, Sungevity earned a worker and environmental impact score in the top 10% of all Certified B Corps. But the award represents more than just a score: it reflects Sungevity’s core belief the rooftop revolution must be sustainable, for our team and for the planet, in order to thrive. It means that every day, in addition to the solar energy services we provide, we also provide best-in-class employee and environmental benefits including:

• Continuing education and professional development resources for 100% of employees
• Three weeks paid vacation
• A commuter bike program with showers installed on-site and free shuttle buses connecting employees to public transit
• Employee-run volunteer days through Rebuilding Together Oakland, GRID Alternatives and more
• Access to free kayak passes

Read more on our B Corp profile page. As a B Corp, we’re leading a global movement to redefine success in business so one day all companies compete to be not only the best in the world, but best for the world. We join over 1,200 other companies committed to using business as a force for good. Check them all out at bcorporation.net.

Thank you for helping us succeed where it truly matters, and for proving that doing good is good for business. We couldn’t do it without you.

7 San Diego Attractions You Didn’t Know Were Solar-Powered

Solar panels shine at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

San Diego is crazy for solar (no wonder, with all that sunshine). The city has 197.5 megawatts of solar power installed – that’s enough to power over 40,000 homes. So, where exactly is all that solar power hiding? Turns out, it’s busy powering some of your favorite local attractions.

San Diego welcomes its new solar-powered bike share program.

1. San Diego Bike Share

Start your solar tour at San Diego’s new bike share program, operated by DECOBIKE. The program features over 1,800 bikes that you can rent on demand from any one of these stations located all over the city. The best part? The stations are solar powered and they operate day and night, so you can cruise to your heart’s content.

2. University of California – San Diego

If solar panels make you smart, then the students attending UC San Diego are brilliant. UC San Diego has over 2 megawatts of solar power installed on campus rooftops and parking garages, including the beloved Englekirk Structural Engineering Center, Scripps Institution of Oceanography support building, Nimitz Marine Facility and more.

3. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Always the trendsetter, the Fleet Science Center was the first San Diego museum to go solar. The Center has over 10,000 square feet of solar panels installed on its rooftop.

Solar canopies at the San Diego Zoo.

4. San Diego Zoo

If you drive an electric vehicle, you’ll go wild over the San Diego Zoo’s solar-powered EV charging stations. The Zoo installed 5 charging stations to meet the growing demand in San Diego County – SDG&E reported that there already are more than 10,000 EV drivers in their service area. The 10 solar canopies at the Zoo provide more than just electricity: they also provide shade to 50 cars in the Zoo’s southeast parking area. See what inspired the project here.

5. Stone Brewery, Escondido

Looking to kick back at the end of a long day? Grab a solar-powered beer at the Stone Brewery in Escondido. Their rooftop solar panels produce about 30% of the power for the brewery and restaurant, preventing approximately 160 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere annually.

6. Gateway Chula Vista Center, Chula Vista

Chula Vista flipped the switch on 1,055 panel solar array in early 2015 as part of a campaign to win a $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize. In March, Chula Vista was selected as a semifinalist and will compete against 49 other cities across America to see which creative strategies can best reduce per capita energy consumption. Georgetown University will announce a winner in 2017.

7. Christmas on Knob Hill, San Marcos

‘Tis always the season for solar. The lighting display known as Christmas on Knob Hill has been a San Marcos tradition for years – and now, the festive display runs on solar energy. The family behind the display reported that their annual energy costs, including the Christmas display, will decrease from $5,000 to just under $500.

Bill Gilfillen, Christmas on Knob Hill’s Santa, is a happy solar homeowner.

The biggest match-up of Super Bowl weekend is not what you think

It’s not football. It’s not even puppies. It is the…

Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots is predicted to be a near toss-up. What is guaranteed to win is renewable energy, regardless of the score. The Salt River Project, a local utility, has pledged to purchase enough renewable energy credits to cover 100% of the electricity consumed at Glendale Stadium during the game. Arizona Public Service Company, another utility, will purchase renewable energy credits to offset electricity usage at Super Bowl-affiliated venues in downtown Phoenix, such as the hotels where the teams are staying.

This begs the question: how “renewable” are these teams the other 364 days of the year? We collected solar statistics for each team and their hometowns* to see how they stacked up.

        

(*We used Boston for comparison’s sake, though the Patriots play for all of New England.)

When it comes to population size, the two cities are roughly identical. But when it comes to solar, it’s not much of a contest. Not only does Boston have more total solar capacity installed (12 MW versus 4 MW), but even the stadium where the Patriots’ play generates more solar electricity: 1 MW compared to 0.8 MW on the Seahawks’ CenturyLink Field.

It’s no surprise that Boston has embraced solar to a greater degree than Seattle given that Boston has more overall solar potential, as measured by the amount of sunlight available for PV generation. On top of that, Boston is number 2 in the United States for having the best conditions for maximizing the return on your solar investment, second only to New York, NY. Seattle comes in at number 42.

It’s your move, Seattle. Can you make your solar game as legendary as your defense? Tune in next year to find out.

2014 Milestones for Solar Energy

Why was 2014 a big year for solar energy? Let us count the ways.

5 Solar-Powered Gifts Under $100 Your Family Will Love

Are you looking for the perfect sustainable gifts this holiday season? Look no further.

1. Frightened Grasshopper ($11.95) robotikitsdirect.com

You may recognize this fun stocking stuffer from one of our Solarbration events. Put this wide-eyed little grasshopper in the sun and watch the kids go wild. Some assembly required.

2. WakaWaka Light + Charger ($79.99) us.wakawaka.com

Designed from 100% recycled materials, this portable solar charger can power up your small devices within hours or provide up to 150 hours of bright light. And you can trust that this rugged device will last – WakaWaka also donates one per purchase to families in disaster zones to provide electricity and light where they are needed most.

3. Rydon Pixio Bicycle Lights ($43.47) rydon.eu

These theft-proof, waterproof bicycle lights are durable enough for whatever life has to throw at them. Their efficient solar panels keep your lights shining bright all winter long, so you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries in any season.

4. Goal Zero Rock Out Rechargeable Speaker + Nomad Solar Panel ($89.99) goalzero.com

Music for families on the go. These colorful speakers provide music for 20+ hours on 2 hours of charge. Great for summer picnics and hard-to-reach areas of your backyard.

5. GoSun Mini Solar Stove ($55.00) gosunstove.com

Bye bye, barbeque. Hello, sunshine. The parabolic design focuses the sun’s rays on the cooker inside, and can heat your food up to 400˚ F in 5-10 minutes. The perfect size for hot dogs, cashews, garlic, and whatever else you can cook up.

The USA-China agreement is great news for renewable energy

Last week the United States and China announced a historic agreement to combat climate change. Under the agreement, China pledged to generate 20% of its electricity from zero-emission sources by 2030. China will need to install nearly 1000 gigawatts (GW) of renewable and nuclear energy to reach that target. How big is 1000 GW? Huge.

Meeting the target should be easy for China: 9.8% of its energy already comes from zero-emission sources, and that share is growing fast. China installed 11.3 GW of solar PV in 2013 alone, more than a 200% increase over the previous year. At that rate, China could exceed its 1000 GW target by 2020 using just solar. Now that’s a Rooftop Revolution.

It’s more proof that renewable energy is a viable, scalable alternative to fossil fuels. And for China, where air pollution is the fourth biggest health risk and leads to between 350,000 and 500,000 premature deaths every year, it also means that millions will breathe easier.

Meet Mauricio, a clean energy crusader

This is Mauricio. He became a solar advocate to grow the clean energy economy and reduce society’s reliance on fossil fuels. We chatted with him to hear what keeps his passion for solar alive.

How did you learn about solar?

I first became interested in solar after learning about it in an environmental science class in high school. In 2012 I got some hands on experience working with Blue Energy, a sustainable development NGO that does solar and clean water projects for rural areas on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. I see solar as a way to help people help themselves – installing solar on a school, for example, allows classes to be taught at night and it’s a great way for people to empower themselves.

How did you learn about Sungevity?

I was filming a video for Earthjustice at the Greek Theater in Berkeley and I ran into my friend Danny, who works at Sungevity. When he mentioned to me that in the last 10 months he had helped offset somewhere around a million pounds of carbon, I said, “Sign me up!”

What makes you excited about solar?

The momentum solar is generating is very exciting. The research shows that we can power the state, the country, and the world with 100% renewable energy – and save money by doing so. We are at the forefront of an economic transformation: as a growing number of business, institutions and individuals transition their investments into renewables like solar, we foster innovation in technology, finance and community development. That paves the way for a just transition to a new economy.

When you’re talking about solar, what messages resonate with people?

I think it just makes sense to people to power their lives with the sun, rather than with energy sources that degrade our environment and public health. We now have the ability to create an economy that is based in regeneration, not extraction and scarcity. The more renewable energy scales, the cheaper it becomes – whereas the more we scale fossil fuels, the more expensive it becomes. It took 30 years for solar to become 1% of this country’s energy mix, and with that 1% solar is already employing more Americans than coal – that’s a really exciting concept for people to learn.

What sparks your solar conversations?

I’m lucky that a lot of my friends and peers are dedicated to the same goals I am. After writing my college thesis on carbon feedback loops, I realized that the actions or inactions of the following decade or two will determine the fate of humanity. Solar is a solution that enables us to democratize our energy infrastructure, create jobs across all sectors of the economy, and create a more livable world for present and future generations.

How do you show your Sungevity pride?

I think the Generate Positive tagline encompasses what Sungevity is doing as a company and what people are doing in their own lives – spreading solar, helping people and mitigating climate change are all examples of generating positive.

Mauricio has been a solar advocate since the summer of 2014. Click here to learn more about Sungevity’s Advocates program.

Meet Doug. He’s a geek for solar.

This is Doug. He started advocating for solar full time as a Sungevity employee because in his words, “It’s just cool!” Whether he’s talking with a good friend or a stranger in line for coffee, Doug is ready to shine with unbridled enthusiasm. We sat down with him to learn more about what gets him excited about the solar revolution.

How did you learn about solar?

I was a high school economics teacher and often used renewable energy when explaining different theories. I liked it because it is something that can be applied on a mass scale that everyone can use and have.

How did you learn about Sungevity?

I was working as a designer/installer for another solar company and heard about Sungevity’s ability to design a system remotely. I couldn’t believe the accuracy of their software! I felt Sungevity was making the right moves in this rapidly changing industry and wanted to be a part of it. I’m amazed at culture here – it’s unmatched in the industry. Sungevity is very careful in hiring and gets creative people who are skilled, and that means a company full of energetic, bright people working collaboratively towards a single mission.

What makes you excited about solar?

Using the sun for energy generation just makes sense. It’s a giant energy source that’s there every day. There’s also a lot of room for innovation, especially at the community level.

When you’re talking about solar, what messages resonate with people?

There are a lot of different things that interest people in solar, but my favorite is just how cool it is – I mean, isn’t it just cool in general? Isn’t it neat that you can convert the light around you into a usable energy source? People also connect with the idea of self-reliance and reducing their dependence on utilities, because who knows what’s in our future? This is the chance to take control in an area we’ve never had control before.

What sparks your solar conversations?

It typically comes up because people know I’m in the industry and people have questions because solar is in the news a lot. Solar is really building critical mass. It’s the next big wave.

How do you show your Sungevity pride?

All my Sungevity swag is my favorite because it gets people talking solar! I try to wear something orange and logoed at all times when in public because I want someone to ask me about it. I mean, you’ll know in 24 hours if it’s going to make sense for you or not. So give me your card, I’ll call you.

Doug has been a solar advocate since 2010. Click here to learn more about Sungevity’s Advocates program, or click here to see a list of green job opportunities at Sungevity.

Meet Lisa, a voice of the solar revolution

This is Lisa. She became a solar advocate because, as a mom, she is passionate about making communities healthier and safer for kids everywhere. And, she can earn extra money to save for her son’s and daughter’s college educations. (They just need to graduate elementary school first.) We sat down with her to learn how solar advocacy became a part of her life.

How did you learn about solar?
I wanted to go solar on my new house but found out that there were too many trees shading my roof (darn neighbors!). Even though I couldn’t go solar, I tell everyone I can who might be able to.

How did you learn about Sungevity?
I requested a quote to go solar – but found out that my house wasn’t right for it. I had a great conversation with the people at Sungevity who helped me realize that even though my house didn’t work – there are still a ton of other people in my neighborhood who can benefit from solar. That’s why I became an advocate.

What makes you excited about solar?
Doing a good thing and saving money – how can it get any better than that?

When you’re talking about solar, what messages resonate with people?
People want to understand how it works – how they can actually save money while doing something they know is good for the earth. There is still a lot of confusion that solar is affordable – you don’t have to have $20,000 sitting around – you can actually finance a system for very little money and still benefit. It’s exciting to make people realize that there are options out there for everyone.

What sparks your solar conversations?
My EV! Whenever people comment on my electric vehicle – I also get to tell them that they could get one and never use fossil fuels again by going solar. How cool is the thought of powering up your car with the sun!

How do you show your Sungevity pride?
I love the tagline Generate Positive. I show my Sungevity pride by considering each day how I can Generate Positive for a better future for my kids – that’s why I talk to everyone about solar as an option.

Lisa has been a solar advocate since 2012. Click here to learn more about Sungevity’s Advocates program.