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Rick White
California Solar
65 W. Easy St, Suite 103
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Phone: 805-522-2747
Fax: 805-522-2189
URL: http://www.californiasolar.com

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Rick White
 Solar Energy

 Rick White, the founder and President of California Solar, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation of Natural Resources from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Pepperdine University, and has been actively involved in the Solar Industry since 1977. Rick has been an active member of the Building Industry Association for 25 years and with the A.I.A for many years.

Rick White lives in Ventura with his family. As captain of the Home Aid Homeless Women’s Shelter remodel in Ventura, he oversaw the remodel of the shelter that houses battered women. He recently completed the 564 miles bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising funds for AIDS. Rick serves on the Green Building Council for Central Four Counties and for the County of Santa Barbara on their innovative building review program.

California Solar has been consistently one of the state’s largest installer of solar hot water and photovoltaic systems in Southern California. California Solar recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary in Ventura County with success in providing the “Total Solar Home Solution” with high-quality and innovative technologies in solar- electricity, hot water, pool heating, radiant heating and service. For the discriminate architects and general contractors, the solar is integrated into the front elevations of the residence or in a pool deck and thus not detected architecturally or aesthetically.
California Solar customers include high end custom builders and tract developers; apartment owners, energy conscious homeowners and commercial projects.
Subject: Extending my existing solar grid

October 16, 2009 - Rick, I've got an existing solar grid on my house put on 10 years ago that covers about 70% of my home energy needs. I want to expand, but the companies I've contacted won't do that, they insist that I have to replace everything with a larger system.
I got my original solar system with the understanding that it could be expanded. Was I lied to?


Stuart, The possibility to expand is subject to the original install and the product installed. What product was installed and how many panels of what wattage? Rick
Subject: solar energy lots?

September 23, 2009 -
Hello-Do you know about a VC ordnance (paragraph) which allows parcel lot splits based on development of a solar or wind powered facility per 1 acre lot? I thought I saw one while researching VC lot splits, but can't find it again.
Thanks, W D Coleman

These proposed ordinances are in development but not law as of yet. Rick
Subject: Chinese made solar panels

August 30, 2009 - What do you think about all the Chinese solar panel manufacturers selling thier produts below cost? Do you think that bankrupt Chinese companies will present any problems securing service down the road? How would you rate the quality of Chinese solar panels? Does your company use any Chinese solar panels?

California Solar does not use chinese panels. I see where Sun Power out of California does outsource to China. Both sun Power and REC have on going warranty obligations as of now. Rick
Subject: Solar vs Insulation

August 25, 2009 - Hi Rick,
First let me say "great job" on your cycling fund raising event!
My husband is also a cyclist, he just finished a century on his spinner..that's a little much for me.
Anyways, my question is whether we should consider solar, or should we have the house insulated. We live in the Keys on the water, so it's a little damp and cold.
The builder of these homes did not insulate any of them.
We do have a little insulation in the attic, but not near enough, and there is no insulation in the walls of this house. My electric bill runs $189 a month! I haven't compared it with the average home which has insulation.
We are just now beginning to research, and it will be a while, but I thought you could provide a valuable answer for us. I look forward to hearing from you

Barbara, Any and all conservation measures first is good strategy. Remember that insulation and heat loss are natural gas issues. the furnace may run more so that would affect the electricity. We can always meet and look at appliances, lights, and electric uses. Rick
Subject: Bray oil for solar system.

August 10, 2009 - I have a sysytem that is low on Bray oil. Can I still purcash Bray Oil for solar systems, and where? If I remove the bray oil and install propalene glycol will the system still work the same? Would I need to flush the sysytem with a special fluid to do this? The systen is a closed loop system. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Mike

Mike, Who's system was installed? I remember Suncatchers system used Bray. This can stil be obtained. Let me know if I can help. Rick
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