Mission Statement

The Orange County Renewable Energy Society (OC Renewables) is a non-profit member organization and a local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) founded to promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technology through education, outreach, and public policy advocacy.

Western Riverside, state Energy Commission battle over $33 million in energy-efficiency funds

Western Riverside, state Energy Commission battle over $33 million in energy-efficiency funds

October OC Renewables Meeting Review

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Speaker: James Matarese, Principal, Canopy Energy Consulting
Topic: Residential Energy Efficiency

James Matarese is an Energy Consultant and Principal of Canopy Energy Consulting, specializing in commercial, industrial and utility grade energy management solutions. He has over ten years experience working with utility, municipal, commercial and residential clients. Areas of expertise include building performance, sustainable design and renewable energy. His technical specialties include Energy Audits, Solar Thermal, Solar Electric (PV), Lighting Retrofits, Water Management, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Sales and Marketing.

James has worked with SCE, SDG&E and ten Southern California municipalities to implement the Community Energy Partnership (CEP), where he provided energy tune-ups for low income and small business customers. He has also worked with PG&E to perform energy audits on large commercial facilities in downtown San Francisco as part of the Business Energy Coalition (BEC) demand response program. By partnering with large facilities such as Bank of America Plaza, Transamerica Tower and Union Bank of California the BEC was capable of shedding up to 50 MW during times of peak demand.

Click above to access the presentation.

October OC Renewables Meeting - 10.14.10 7 pm

James Matarese, Owner of Canopy Energy Consulting, will be our October meeting speaker!

Topic: Residential Energy Efficiency

When: Thursday, October 14. 6:45 pm Meet and Greet, 7:00 pm Meeting.

Where: Irvine Ranch Water District's "Duck Club" meeting room located at 5 Riparian View, Irvine CA. (Look for the OC Renewables Signs!!)

CleanTech OC - September 27, 2010

OC Renewables members may be interested in this event:

CleanTech OC 2010
http://cleantechoc.org/conference/index.htm

CleanTech OC 2010 is the first annual conference and expo promoting economic growth in the Orange County clean technology industry, likely to be one of the most significant engines for job growth over the next decade. CleanTech OC 2010 will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and business opportunities among clean tech companies, government entities, and academia, including facilitating investment, joint business ventures, and other collaborations.


The 2010 conference will be held Monday, September 27, 2010, from 9:00am - 6:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92614.

September OC Renewables meeting - 09.09.10 7pm

Thursday, September 9, 2010
Speaker: Virginia Nicols, Corporate and Community Relations, EcoMotion
Topic: Making Sense of the Solar Deal: Top 10 Questions to Ask

Virginia Nicols, Certified Green Building Professional, is responsible for marketing and communications at EcoMotion. She has 20 years of business marketing experience, and ten years of promoting energy and water efficiency and solar power in Southern California cities. These projects have included city-utility partnerships funded by public goods funds. Virginia has managed communications efforts for partnerships involving Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Gas, and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Solar sales people, trainers and trainees, and potential purchasers of solar may pick up some pointers on September 9 that will keep a deal from going off the tracks.  Over the past four years, as independent “owner’s representative,”  Irvine-based EcoMotion has counseled hundreds of homeowners and dozens of businesses about the  solar potential of their roofs and parking lots.  EcoMotion helps compare bids and even draft RFPs so that all parties can make sense of the deal.   Virginia Nicols, head of Corporate and Community Relations for EcoMotion, will identify  TOP TEN MISTAKES to avoid when presenting – or comparing – a solar deal.

Recovery Act Propels 3 GW of Solar Projects in California

From CleanTechnica:

Recovery Act Propels 3 GW of Solar Projects to Front in California


In a last-minute race to the finish-line, the CEC has approved a staggering 2,800 MW (or 3 GW) of solar projects this month in California. Click the link above to read the entire article.