North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/05/2019 -- Founder of Green Solar Technologies, Nicki Zvik, comments on solar energy in Florida.

Florida is widely known as "The Sunshine State" (and for good reason). Florida is in the top five sunniest states in the nation, right up there with Arizona, California and Hawaii. That being said, it's no wonder why Florida's incentives to go solar are some of the best in the U.S.

Both Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light (FPL) offer net metering programs for residential solar owners. Net metering allows homeowners to sell the excess energy created and stored by their PV system back to the utility companies.

In addition to attractive net metering incentives, solar is also exempt from property tax. That's right, instead of property taxes increasing (as one might assume since value is being added to the home), homeowners will actually pay no more in taxes after the installation of their solar panel system. But Florida takes the tax incentives one step further by exempting solar panel systems from sales tax saving homeowners an additional six percent on their system.

Nicki Zvik, Founder of Green Solar Technologies, a solar panel distribution company headquartered in Southern California, states, "At GST we love seeing states like Florida go above and beyond to encourage the use of solar energy. Not only is solar more environmentally friendly, but with advancing technology and statewide incentives, solar has become far more affordable than fossil fuels."

All of these incentives specific to Florida are made even better by the Federal Solar Tax Credit also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Homeowners who install their solar panel system up until the end of 2019 will receive a tax credit of 30 percent meaning that they will receive 30 percent of what they paid for their system back on their taxes next season. This is the last year to take advantage of this generous tax credit before the percentage decreases.

For homeowners who install in 2020, the ITC will drop to 26 percent, followed by a drop to 21 percent in 2021, and after 2021 it will officially drop to 10 percent for commercial systems and zero percent for homeowners.

Because the ITC will eventually drop off, 2019 is currently the best time for anybody who's been considering solar to make the switch.

Nicki Zvik adds, "The ITC plus Florida's tax incentives plus Florida's net metering incentives adds up to incredible savings on a system that will continue to help homeowners save for many years and even decades. Hopefully Florida's efforts will help to set the standard for the rest of the nation, and we can all work toward a greener and cleaner environment."

About Nicki Zvik
Nicki Zvik is the founder of Green Solar Technologies and Spectrum Properties LLC, a real estate investment company located in Southern California.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/29/2019 -- No matter what state you call your home, going solar can be a viable and rewarding option for you. Many states offer solar rebates and incentives for the home and business owner, and more states are certain to offer rebates or incentives in time. Even if your state doesn't offer solar rebates, you may still be eligible for Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Many states allow you to earn and sell credits for the electricity your solar panel system produces.

Founder of Green Solar Technologies, Nicki Zvik, notes, "The green energy movement is strong and growing, and the solar industry is robust. But many people remain unaware of the benefits that their state may offer to those switching to solar energy. They think of solar to only be a smart option for people in states like California and Arizona, but Illinois, surprisingly, actually offers some of the best solar incentives in the nation."

Illinois isn't a state that readily comes to mind when considering a switch to solar energy, but the state's benefit offerings equal or surpass those of states more commonly known for advocating private solar energy investment.

One popular incentive Illinois offers to those who choose to go solar is the Adjustable Block Program. In short, the Adjustable Block (AB) Program allows owners of solar panel systems to sell the energy they produce as Renewable Energy Credits to utility companies. Illinois currently requires 1.5 percent of total energy generation to come from solar energy, and because of this utility companies rely on residential solar energy systems to produce a portion of the needed quota.

Similar to the AB Program, Illinois also offers a net metering incentive which means that the surplus energy a home or business owner creates with their photovoltaic (PV) system generates credits the may use when they need to connect to the local grid on a rainy day or at night.

On a larger scale, the Federal government is also currently offering a Federal Investment Tax Credit to PV system owners who qualify. This essentially takes away 30 percent of the cost of the PV system after rebates through 2019. After 2019 ends, the credit will drop to 26 percent, then to 22 percent in 2021, and continuing to taper off.

Beyond state and Federal incentives, certain solar companies, like Green Solar Technologies, also offer their own generous incentives to go solar.

"We try to offer what we can in terms of rebates and incentives so that installing a high-quality solar energy system is as affordable as possible to our customers," says Nicki Zvik, "One thing that makes Green Solar Technologies unique is that we offer $2,000 toward our customers' new roofs when they go solar with us. Plus our panels are American-made, so we can ensure that each system we install is top-notch."

About Nicki Zvik
Nicki Zvik is the founder of Green Solar Technologies, and real estate investment company, Spectrum Properties LLC.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/13/2019 -- On January 23, 2018, responding to the wake-up calls from Green Solar Technologies Founder, Nicki Zvik, and Green Solar Technologies COO, Edward Harner as well as other experts in the solar field, the president imposed tariffs on solar panels produced outside the United States. The tariffs would start at 30% and then gradually fall to 15% in four years. The first 2.5 gigawatts of solar cells imported each year would be exempted from the tariff.

Nicki Zvik, states, "GST was proud to send our very own Edward Harner to D.C. to make a case for the tariffs, and it made us even prouder as a company that his testimonial made a real impact in the solar industry."

It's been a little over a year now since the tariffs were enacted, so let's take a look at the impact the tariffs have had on the American solar industry and on the American economy as a whole.

Since the implementation of the tariffs, the U.S. solar industry has gained new momentum. A number of companies that manufacture solar panels and parts in other countries have set up manufacturing plants in the U.S. Prominent among these companies is LG Solar. More domestic manufacturing plants means more jobs for American workers.

LG Solar will soon begin supplying solar panels made in Huntsville, Alabama, and Green Solar Technologies looks forward to working with this globally recognized and respected company.

Nicki Zvik, adds, "We're very excited to begin our journey with LG. And we're proud that our efforts in D.C. have helped to encourage companies like LG to open manufacturing facilities in the U.S."

Due partly to the tariffs and the consequential increase in U.S. manufacturing plants, domestic solar panel systems are now less expensive than ever. In fact, solar panel systems are now 15 percent less expensive than they were only a year ago. This has contributed to the addition of 2.5 GW of U.S. solar capacity in the past year (an increase of 13 percent).

The 2018 solar tariffs were incentivised by two primary motives: strengthening the U.S. solar industry and creating jobs for American workers. So far, it appears that the tariffs are well on their way to realizing both goals. Providing more high quality, U.S.-made solar panel systems at lower costs to American consumers is a very welcome additional effect.

"Less expensive panels encourage more Americans to install solar panel systems on their business or home," says Zvik, "That's good news not just for the environment, but for the domestic solar industry and for the American economy."

About Nicki Zvik
Nicki Zvik is the Founder of solar installation company, Green Solar Technologies and real estate investment company, Spectrum Properties LLC.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/08/2019 -- In August of 2017, Green Solar Technologies' COO, Edward Harner, traveled to Washington D.C. to testify in front of the United States International Trade Commission in favor of proposed tariffs on imported solar panels. The purpose of the tariffs was to provide some level of protection for U.S. solar panel manufacturers from the "dumping" of low-quality Chinese government-subsidized solar panels into the U.S. marketplace.

Regarding the testimony, Green Solar Technologies Founder, Nicki Zvik, says, "We knew we had to come forward and do what other solar companies weren't. We needed to stand up for the American solar industry and for the American people. Our intent was to introduce more high quality panels to the U.S. marketplace, boost the U.S. economy, and promote job growth within the country."

Another issue the tariffs would address is that of wealthy investors taking advantage of the Federal Solar Tax Credit and building massive desert solar installations with cheap Chinese-manufactured solar panels.

Zvik continues, "I've never been a fan of utility-scale solar. The problem is that utility companies are required to meet a certain quota of green energy, which they would originally purchase from homeowners who had installed a solar panel system. But when given the option to purchase solar energy at a much larger scale, it would allow them to reach this quota far faster, providing them no need to offer net metering incentives or rebates to homeowners."

For too long, both investors and the utility companies have made fortunes with these environmentally disruptive installations by selling the generated electricity to utility companies who would then sell it to homeowners for a profit.

Nicki Zvik asserts, "The homeowners are losing in these situations, and the investors and utility companies are winning big time. Not to mention the needless disruption these installations cause to nature. There's more than enough space on roofs to produce an abundance of power. We need to utilize the land we're already using for buildings and homes, not take up even more space with unnecessarily massive solar panel arrays. I and the rest of the Green Solar Technologies family saw this as an issue that needed to be resolved."

Making solar farms less attractive to investors was one of the hoped-for effects of the solar tariffs. Large solar projects for utilities are the most vulnerable to the tariffs as panels can account for up to half their costs.

"I knew that the tariffs would discourage investors from building solar plants or at the least encourage them to purchase American-made panels since the tariffs would increase the cost of importing panels from China," says Zvik, "I also knew that the tariffs would eventually allow the American solar industry to thrive like never before, and now a year later, we can see that the tariffs are working in favor of homeowners and the U.S. as a whole."

Nicki Zvik is the Co-Founder of Green Solar Technologies and Spectrum Properties, a real estate investment company.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/04/2019 -- Solar energy is undeniably the superior alternative to carbon, and underscoring this point, some U.S. states are actively working toward replacing their fossil fuel consumption with renewable energy resources, particularly solar. Anticipating future increases in demand for solar installations in these states, Green Solar Technologies is expanding its infrastructure.

Here we'll take a look at states that are dedicated to or that are likely to dedicate to a renewable energy future.

Let's start with Hawaii as it was, not surprisingly, the first state to commit to using 100 percent renewable energy. Hawaii is a state with a surplus of sunshine and wind and a critical scarcity of fossil fuels. Hawaii's commitment to renewable energy has been largely driven by the island state's high electricity prices. Over 80 percent of all the energy used in Hawaii for electricity, surface and air transportation comes from imported fossil fuels, mostly oil and some coal, and all its oil is imported. The state Legislature is currently taking aggressive steps to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

California was the first state to mandate that all new homes (including condos and apartment buildings) up to three stories be built with solar panel systems beginning in 2020, making California the first state to pass a solar energy mandate. State governor Jerry Brown has also signed into law legislation mandating that all of the state's energy come from clean power sources by 2045, as well as a carbon neutrality executive order that commits the state to removing as much carbon dioxide as it emits from the atmosphere by the same date.

Nicki Zvik, Founder of Green Solar Technologies and green energy advocate commented, "Green Solar Technologies is based in Southern California,and we're especially proud of our state for setting the solar standard for the rest of the nation. Solar technology is advancing at exponential rates with boundless possibilities. California recognizes this and wants to take maximum advantage of future solar opportunities."

The firm commitments of these two states to solar energy and, more broadly, to renewable energy, have encouraged leaders in other states like Arizona and Illinois to consider making the switch to renewables. And over 100 cities nationwide and Washington D.C. have made similar commitments. And better than that, a few cities are already powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Most recently, Georgetown, TX made a citywide switch to renewable energy—primarily solar energy.

Green Solar Technologies currently operates in over 20 states, each with lucrative benefits for consumers. For example, the average solar energy system installed in Texas will provide net savings of about $31.7k over 25 years. Some states, like Missouri, provide even higher yearly savings of almost $1.4k per year.

"There's no denying the incredible savings possible when switching to solar energy, and it's so gratifying to watch our customers realize how much money they can save by going green. It's a win-win for consumers and the environment," says Nicki Zvik.

As acceptance of renewables like solar energy grows, they are being seen as more than just a better alternative to fossil fuels; they are becoming recognized as the only viable future for meeting the energy needs of tomorrow.

"The growing renewable energy movement is inspired by individuals and groups who share a vision of a better future for the planet, and Green Solar Technologies is proud to be a part of it" says Nicki Zvik, "We're at the dawn of a new age of clean energy, and with more states joining in the effort, this is just the beginning."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/01/2019 -- "Made in America". This label (or the alternative "Made in the USA"), proudly displayed on a product, delivers a special message to the consumer. It says "This product is of the highest quality and meets strict U.S. safety standards." According to Consumer Reports, almost 8 in 10 American consumers say they would rather buy an American-made product than an imported one. Buying a product made in America instills a special confidence in the purchaser while also supporting the U.S. economy and the American workforce.

Green Solar Technologies (GST) strongly supports buying American-made products. In fact, GST is the only solar company that fought in favor of the solar tariffs. The company stands firm with American solar manufacturers, as well as with many Americans, in the belief that U.S. solar manufacturing reduces our solar industry's dependence on imports, boosts the U.S. economy, and helps ensure the effectiveness and reliability of U.S. solar energy.

Green Solar Technologies Founder, Nicki Zvik, says, "There's no question that American-made solar panels are better, but for so long there has been a shortage of American solar panel manufacturers. The main reason for this is that it was hard for U.S. companies to compete with inferior, cheaper, foreign-made panels."

Solar technology originated in the United States when three Bell Labs scientists invented the photovoltaic (PV) cell in 1954, but China currently accounts for around 70 percent of solar panels (built on these PV cells) manufactured globally. When NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was implemented in 1994, it imposed stiff U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar panels imported directly to the United States. China then arranged to manufacture and assemble its solar panels in Canada and Mexico, where it could then use a NAFTA loophole to deluge the U.S. market with cheap, low quality Chinese solar products.

"At GST, we knew that this loophole needed to be closed," says Nicki Zvik, "China's low-priced solar panels, whose manufacture is aided by generous Chinese government subsidies, proved difficult for American solar manufacturers to compete with, and difficult for most American solar companies to resist."

Last year the Federal government came to the aid of U.S. solar manufacturers with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USMCA closes the NAFTA loophole with a clause that states that the United States can veto any trade deals made by Mexico or Canada with third parties. The inclusion of this clause goes a long way toward creating a more level playing field in the domestic marketplace for U.S. solar companies. Additionally, with a stronger U.S. solar manufacturing industry, we are likely to see more "Made in America" labels in the lucrative, rapidly growing global solar marketplace.

Nicki Zvik states, "Green Solar Technologies was proud to send COO, Edward Harner, to Washington D.C. to testify in front of the United States International Trade Commission in favor of the tariffs that have since been put into effect. And we're proud to acknowledge that, with the help of GST and Edward, the tariffs are encouraging many solar panel manufacturers to open up manufacturing plants in the U.S., which is great news for the American solar industry and the U.S. economy as a whole."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/25/2019 -- Pennsylvania's jobs record over the last five years leaves a lot to be desired. The state's growth in the private jobs sector has fallen far behind the national average. But Pennsylvania's solar jobs sector has been a noticeable exception to this downward trend, experiencing impressive growth in recent years with the promise of even greater expansion in 2019 and beyond.

The reasons for this are twofold—a growing desire by Pennsylvania's residents to benefit from clean energy and state-sponsored initiatives to encourage growth in renewable energy use.

Green Solar Technologies Marketing Director, Jorge Ricalday affirms, "At Green Solar Technologies, we're excited to see solar jobs growth in Pennsylvania. We see it as part of a nationwide trend where, as people take advantage of solar energy opportunities it's not just creating cleaner environments but also lucrative, family-sustaining careers."

Pennsylvania's official commitment to renewable energy began with its 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act, which was designed to foster economic development and encourage the use of more diverse and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Under AEPS, Pennsylvania is on track to produce one-half percent of its electricity from solar by 2021.

Considering this goal too ineffectual, last year Gov. Tom Wolf's administration issued a report called Finding Pennsylvania's Solar Future, which lists 15 recommendations and introduces a significantly more ambitious goal of 10 percent solar energy use by 2030.

Last summer Pennsylvania lawmakers also passed a new law to enable a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. It will help commercial property owners finance the costs of clean energy upgrades, like adding rooftop solar.

According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2018, published by the Solar Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes solar energy, Pennsylvania solar employment jumped 10 percent last year, with 4,219 workers. Due to this increase, the foundation now ranks Pennsylvania 17th among states for solar jobs.

Green Solar Technologies commends Pennsylvania's aggressive commitments to migrating to clean energy alternatives. We would also like to encourage Pennsylvania's residents to consider the benefits of rooftop solar panels as an alternative to reliance on fossil fuels.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/14/2019 -- Illinois may be the next state to commit to a future 100% green energy mix. Illinois State Representative Will Davis recently introduced the "Path to 100 Act", legislation that would expand Illinois' renewable portfolio standard (RPS), driving new solar, wind and storage development and eliminating all non-renewable forms of energy within the next few decades. The act is sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham in the Illinois Senate.

Representative Davis said: "For the sake of our economy and our future, we need to get on the path to 100% clean, renewable electricity and we can start today. The Path to 100 Act will achieve one of Governor (J.B.) Pritzker's campaign goals while putting thousands of people to work, generating new investment in our state and new tax revenues for local communities."

Advocates of solar are thrilled to hear the news that the state of Illinois could be joining in the green energy movement. Marketing Director at Green Solar Technologies and renewable energy advocate, Jorge Ricalday states, "It's exciting to hear that Illinois is following suit with both my home state of California and with Hawaii. The Path to 100 Act will bring us one step closer to a green nation."

The Path to 100 Act builds on the efforts of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), a plan which went into effect on June 1st, 2017 to expand clean energy programs, thereby creating jobs and reducing consumer costs. FEJA mandated that Illinois should produce 16 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, but it's projected to fall far short of that goal.

Amy Heart, Midwest chair for the Solar Energy Industries Association said, "While we are increasing wind and solar in Illinois significantly today, with the existing policies that we have, we actually only reach about 7 percent of renewable energy generation by 2020."

The Path to 100 Act includes the following goals:

- Expand Illinois' RPS current requirement of 25% renewable energy by 2025 to 40% renewables by 2030.

- Ensure that there are adequate funds to fully implement the RPS.

- Procure an estimated 6 GW of new utility-scale solar, 7.5 GW of new residential, commercial and community solar and 6.5 GW of new wind power.

- Identify opportunities to couple energy storage with renewable energy development and institute a statewide study to eliminate barriers for energy storage.

Representative Davis says of the Act, "The renewable energy industry is ready to invest billions of dollars in our state and deliver the clean, homegrown energy our citizens want. I intend for this Act to benefit our state equitably and spread the economic development dollars to Illinois communities throughout the state and especially those that are most in need of jobs and economic growth. I look forward to working with environmental justice, community and labor leaders to make sure the benefits of clean energy growth reach across Illinois."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/05/2019 -- The longest U.S. government shutdown in history has finally ended, which means it's time for Congress to roll up their sleeves and get back to work on the pressing issues at hand. Foremost in the minds of many legislators is what has been coined the 'Green New Deal' (GND for short). The Green New Deal isn't a single piece of proposed legislation, but rather a name that refers to any of several proposed economic stimulus programs that attempt to address both economic inequality and climate change.

The congressional proponents of GND are too numerous to mention here, but notable among them are Representative Joseph Kennedy III and Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Representative Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Senator Kamala Harris of California.

As Kamala Harris tweeted - "I support a Green New Deal. Climate change is an existential threat to all of us, and we have got to deal with the reality of it."

The GND in any form would inevitably reshape and dramatically increase the size of the clean-energy industry, while also introducing fundamental changes in the U.S. economy. The Green New Deal, as proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Edward Markey, would cost approximately $2 trillion over time and shift the nation's sources of energy from primarily fossil fuels to renewable sources--particularly solar. While the cost may appear significant at first blush, it would be greatly offset by a significantly increased job market and a renewed, robust economy.

Those in the solar industry are hopeful for the Green New Deal initiative. Jorge Ricalday Marketing Director at Green Solar Technologies and advocate of renewable energy, states, "GST is more than ready to see the Green New Deal take off, and we're thrilled to know that more and more people are taking the nationwide switch to renewable energy seriously."

The GND is the first serious attempt at the Federal level to combat climate change and embrace the renewable energy movement through comprehensive legislation. The details of the plan are still being worked out, but the projected results would include substantial job growth in the renewable energy sector and a 100% green future. Let's examine some of the expected benefits of a Green New Deal on the environment and the citizens of our country.

Clean air and water: A GND would reduce toxic air and water pollution from oil, gas, and coal. It would also replace lead pipes and clean up hazardous waste sites. Low-income and minority communities, who are disproportionately exposed to toxins, would benefit most from these measures.

Millions of viable, family-sustaining jobs: A Green New Deal could put millions of Americans to work manufacturing and installing solar panels and wind turbines, replacing lead pipes, expanding rail and other mass transit systems, and performing in a number of other support positions of a new, green economy. The jobs would provide family-sustaining wages and benefits and offer training and advancement opportunities. Incentives to homeowners, businesses, and local government to weatherize buildings would also support job growth.

Lower cost of living: A GND would help slash the energy bills of working-class families by offering more energy-efficient homes that take advantage of affordable solar power. It would also reduce transit costs by introducing more reliable options for affordable public transportation.

Climate accountability: A GND would help us swiftly transition to a clean energy economy. By substituting fossil fuels with renewable energy and investing in smart grids for renewable energy distribution, weatherizing buildings, promoting energy-efficient manufacturing, and expanding low-emissions public transit, a Green New Deal would significantly improve ae quality and reduce climate pollution.

According to the Sierra Club, "To tackle the climate crisis at the speed that justice and science demand, a Green New Deal would upgrade our infrastructure, revitalize our energy system, retrofit our buildings, and restore our ecosystems. In so doing, a Green New Deal would cut climate pollution while creating millions of family-sustaining jobs, expanding access to clean air and water, raising wages, and building climate resilience."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/05/2019 -- Green Solar Technologies has recently entered into a partnership with Mission Solar, a San Antonio, Texas-based solar panel manufacturing company whose products are designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United States.

This alliance underscores Green Solar Technologies' firm commitment to install only the highest quality American-made solar equipment exclusively. To this point, in August of 2017, Edward Harner, COO of Green Solar Technologies, testified in Washington D.C. to the United States International Trade Commission on behalf of American solar manufacturers in favor of tariffs placed on panels imported from foreign countries, a measure that would inhibit the dumping of cheap, inferior quality solar panels into the U.S. market.

Green Solar Technologies is proud to join forces with Mission Solar to deliver the best solar products on the market. GST is particularly impressed with Mission Solar's strict quality standards and history of military and utility-scale projects.

Mission Solar guarantees 3x quality testing, meaning that their panels will test three times beyond the IEC standard for thermal cycling, damp heat, and humidity freeze. According to Mission Solar, their "modules receive multiple quality checks throughout the entire process and are subject to stringent quality and reliability testing. Each product exceeds industry requirements and is backed by an independent 25-year linear warranty."

Edward Harner states "Warranties, as well as quality, are of utmost importance to us a solar installation company. We feel assured that Mission solar exceeds all quality standards."

Not only does Mission Solar excel in quality testing, they use vertical integration and are the world's third-largest polysilicon producer making them far less vulnerable to supply issues and pricing pressures. Additionally, this allows Mission Solar to control the quality of materials they use in their manufacturing processes.

Green Solar Technologies appreciates that Mission Solar works heavily in manufacturing solar equipment for large military projects. Harner states that the partnership between GST and Mission Solar is "the perfect marriage especially since a great deal of Green Solar's customers are veterans, and we want to make sure that we are installing the best possible solar energy systems for those who served for our country."

Mission Solar was also the choice manufacturer for Warren Buffett's choice solar manufacturer for Berkshire Hathaway. "It makes us feel good that Warren Buffett chose Mission Solar. If they're good enough for him, then they must be good enough for us," says Harner.

Green Solar Technologies and Mission Solar look forward to the mutual strength-building advantages of their new partnership. "We see the opportunity to grow together," says Harner. GST's customers, whose satisfaction and happiness are our principal focus, are sure to be rewarded by this alliance, and for all who will benefit, the future is looking very "sunny".

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A look at how the solar industry is changing the way we fuel-up.

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/29/2019 -- It is estimated that over a billion passenger cars travel the streets and roads of the world today. And even as more people flock to urban centers and mass transit use increases, population growth causes a 3% to 4% rise in new car production every year. The vast majority of cars run on fossil fuel, consuming Earth's limited resources and spewing 333 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.

Up until recently, electric cars have been our best hope of alleviating the car pollution problem, but electric cars represent only a tiny fraction (3.2 million out of over 1 billion) of cars in use today. As electric cars become more efficient and as their prices move closer to those of traditional cars, auto manufacturers predict a significant rise in electric car sales in the next few years.

Green Solar Technologies COO, Edward Harner shares his thoughts on electric cars. "Electric cars, while quiet, clean, and relatively eco-friendly, still have a few issues," says Harner, "We can look at them as more of a stepping stone to a green future, but they're not the solution."

Electric cars are charged by conventional power grids, which are still sourced predominantly by non-renewable energy. More importantly, electric cars must be re-charged regularly, and until substantial efforts are made on electric vehicle (EV) infrastructures, electric cars will be plagued by a severe shortage of charging points. Further, even with access to charging points it takes from 30 minutes to 12 hours to fully charge an electric car. So where can we find a solution to these challenges?

Enter the solar-powered car.

Solar powered cars are no longer a dream of the distant future. Sono Motors of Germany is taking pre-orders for its Sion solar-powered car, which are due to hit Europe's roads later this year. And the Dutch Company Lightyear says that its fully solar powered vehicle, Lightyear One, is scheduled for delivery in 2020. Manufacturers like these are the vanguard of what promises to be a broader effort by electric vehicle manufacturers to introduce solar technology into their burgeoning line-ups.

"We at GST are always exciting to hear about any advancements in solar technology," says Harner, "We really believe in the green energy movement, and anything that can help progress the movement is music to our ears."

Solar-powered cars can go a long way in alleviating the fear of being stranded in an uncharged vehicle. And battery storage capacities continue to rise, solar-powered vehicles will have the ability to run longer on stored energy in cloudy conditions or at night. Imagine the eventuality of cars that can run virtually non-stop without having to re-charge.

Another advantage of solar-powered vehicles, especially in developing nations, is that they can act as portable power plants. The Sion and Lightyear One are already designed for just that purpose and come equipped with standard domestic plugs. Innovations like this are sure to excite the imagination as they blur the lines between personal transportation and utility.

Harner states, "Though we're probably a fews years out from the widespread use of solar-powered cars, this should motivate us all to continue down the path of a future where we use 100% clean energy worldwide."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/25/2019 -- Solar power. To most people this term probably evokes images of rooftop solar panels on homes and businesses, or huge solar panel arrays glistening in the sun in photovoltaic power stations, delivering utility-scale power to electricity grids. To be sure, these applications of solar energy are a crucial component of the renewable energy movement, but there are other, less obvious places, where solar power is making significant inroads into our lives. The way we travel, for example.

In our modern world, travel has become an integral part of how we live, work, and play. And solar power is appearing more and more as a viable power source for our forms of travel. Let's take a look at some of these.

Boats and ships are one form of travel where solar energy has already proven to be incredibly effective. Boats are always on the water, and when in use they are almost always in the sun (if it's not a cloudy day, of course). But anybody who enjoys boating, sailing, or cruising in their yacht will agree that the least enjoyable part of the experience is when it's time to 'fuel-up'. Fuel costs alone are enough to dampen spirits, but planning when and where to fuel a boat can also pose a challenge. Fuel stations are rare or non-existent in many areas, limiting the freedom of explorers and travelers. But these boundaries of movement disappear when solar energy is powering the way.

Sun-powered boats are already skirting the waves, ranging from the tiny FunCat catamaran to yachts like the Silent 55 and Silent 65 by Eco Marine Global. Myriad concept boats and ships are currently in design, in production or undergoing test trials. To spark your imagination, check out the Helios concept yacht that features flexible solar cell-clad sails made of silicon, or Duffy London's solar super yacht, a $33 million, 144 foot long boat that's expected to be built by 2020.

Mass transit has the potential to play a much larger role in the "greening" of the planet, especially in light of the our explosive population growth. Trains are a significant component of mass transit. Imagine the positive impact that solar powered trains could have as mass transit use increases. The concept became reality in December, 2017 in New South Wales, Australia when the Byron Bay Railroad Company introduced a solar-converted vintage 100-passenger train on a permanent three kilometer route.

Indian Railways has trains with solar panels on their roofs to power on-board services such as lights and fans. The United Kingdom is looking into using solar to power its rail transport. A report by Imperial College London and 10:10 Climate Action estimates that solar energy could power 10 percent of England's routes, currently running on direct current. So the viability of solar-powered commercial rail transit is very real.

Manned and unmanned solar powered airplanes have been a reality for years. The Solar Impulse 1, for example, an experimental single-seater Swiss aircraft, was first launched in December, 2009. Its successor, Solar Impulse 2, first flew in 2015. With a wingspan wider than a Boeing 747, it's the first solar powered plane to circumnavigate the globe. Both planes are still making flights while undergoing continuous improvements.

Lifting and sustaining hundreds of tons of payload in the air with solar power is not possible with current technology, so solar powered commercial airliners will remain a very distant prospect, but companies like SolarFlight are conceiving, building, and testing smaller passenger aircraft, such as their solar six-seat transporter, that may find their place in our skies in the visible future.

The application of solar power to methods of travel and the possibilities of solar energy's use in other areas of our lives inspire those in the industry to dream of ways that solar can be used beyond powering homes and businesses.

Green Solar Technologies COO, Edward Harner, says, "We at GST are impressed but not surprised by the rapid developments of solar technology. We know the possibilities solar energy holds, and we are eager to watch them come to light."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/17/2019 -- We're not even one month into the new year and PG&E, the nation's largest utility company, is confronting the greatest threat in its 114 year history. The company is facing $30 billion in potential damages for devastating wildfires that raged over northern California in 2017 and 2018, killing dozens of people and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

And according to CNBC, "PG&E is reeling from the November Camp fire that swept through the California mountain community of Paradise and killed at least 86 people in the deadliest and most destructive blaze in state history. PG&E said in November it could face 'significant liability' in excess of its insurance coverage if its equipment was found to have caused the Camp fire".

Consequently, on Monday PG&E announced that it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 29.

News of the bankruptcy sent the company's shares tumbling by nearly 50% in Monday's trading, bringing its year-to-date stock devaluation to 72%, while its debt has been downgraded to junk status. But bankruptcy is only part of the potential financial trauma. PG&E also said it would not pay an interest payment due on Wednesday for bonds maturing in 2040, which would also trigger a default. If the company collapses, more than $17 billion of its bonds would be facing default, according to analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The future of PG&E is in shambles as its CEO, Geisha Williams, steps down and the company's fate is now left in the hands of California Governor, Gavin Newsom, who recognizes that drastic measures must be taken for the well-being of the state and most importantly for those affected by the fires.

Green Solar Technologies COO, Edward Harner, comments, "I feel deeply for the victims of the fires who are trying to get compensation for their losses, and for the people who invested their hard earned money in PG&E stocks and bonds. But the biggest tragedy might be that this whole situation was avoidable if PG&E had invested more resources in keeping trees and brush trimmed around its transformers and power lines. A company needs to feel a responsibility to the environment, not just to its bottom line."

It is unclear exactly how the bankruptcy will affect PG&E or its customers, but many are hoping this will be a wake-up call for the company to take the correct safety measures and ensure that no more lives will be lost due to their mistakes.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/10/2019 -- We are officially one week into 2019, and the solar industry is set to prosper.

Edward Harner, COO of Green Solar Technologies, speaks on the past year for the solar installation company and how they plan to bring their success from 2018 into the new year.

"2018 was fantastic year for the solar industry as well as for our company," says Harner. "Residential solar is no longer a niche industry as more and more consumers understand the benefits of going solar and are making the switch."

One of the most significant events for GST in 2018 was when the Federal Government imposed tariffs on foreign solar panels, allowing American solar companies to compete fairly in the U.S. marketplace. Green Solar Technologies welcomed the privilege of being the only solar installer nationwide to advocate in Washington D.C. for the tariffs on behalf of all American solar manufacturers.

In response to the tariffs, GST's Harner commented, "At GST, we pride ourselves in using only American-manufactured solar panels because we believe in providing our customers with the utmost quality for their installations. The tariffs will help these American manufacturers engage in fair competition and will help create more jobs for Americans as manufacturers leave other countries like China and begin work here."

"We're always looking to expand the number of states we install in, and we're still looking to add more states to the list so that we can provide solar technology to a larger population," says Harner. He continues, "Our company grew substantially in 2018 as we entered six new markets. We believe that the investments we made will pay off in 2019 as we continue to dominate the residential solar market."

Green Solar Technologies's successes in 2018 fill the company with optimism and confidence that the upcoming year will deliver even more growth and rewards.

"We're going to be redirecting our focus this year. Toward the end of 2018 we began to focus much more heavily in growing our marketing department and ambassador program," says Harner, "Now that we have those firmly in place, we can work on implementing strategies accordingly."

As enthusiasm for solar energy continues to grow, Green Solar Technologies will be working diligently in 2019 to extend their network of installers nationwide. When the number of installers GST works with increases, productivity and efficiencies will also increase. GST will not only be able to perform more installations apace, but they will also begin working with installers in states where they hope to establish operations in the near future.

Edward Harner concludes, "GST looks forward to an exhilarating year ahead. If the past year's growth of the solar industry and of GST is any indication of the year to come, we'll be looking at Green Solar Technologies's greatest year yet."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/31/2018 -- Dropping Costs

We're all aware that the cost of solar energy has plummeted over the years, but 2018 experienced two milestones with the cost of solar energy officially dropping to one-third the cost of nuclear power and one-half the cost of coal (down from being approximately three-times the price of nuclear and coal in 2009). According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory the decrease in price is attributed to technology advancements, increased productivity, and more efficient solar modules.

Shaun Miller, Sales Manager at Green Solar Technologies says, "In my five years at Green Solar Technologies, I've witnessed the costs of fossil fuel utilities rise for American homeowners. At the same time, solar savings have substantially increased, presenting new opportunities for energy independence."

Legislation

On February 7th, under section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, tariffs were imposed on imported solar crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules in an effort to stave off "dumping" of cheap, foreign solar cells on the U.S. market and provide a more level playing field for U.S. solar module manufacturers.

In the wake of this measure, a PV Magazine article reports, "3.9 GW of new module manufacturing capacity that is currently underway in five new factories, as well as a few hundred megawatts more in several smaller factories and upgrades. Here are the big ones that are expected to come online in early 2019:

Hanwha Q Cells – Georgia – 1600 MW
First Solar – Ohio – 1200 MW
LG Solar – Alabama – 500 MW
JinkoSolar – Florida – 400 MW
Mission Solar – Texas – 200 MW"

Nevada's Public Utility Commission approved NV's long-term IRP regulator-approved integrated resource plan to double its renewable energy capacity by 2023. The utility plans to bring an additional 1,001 MW of solar capacity online with six new power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Additionally, California officially approved their plan to install solar panels on all new single-family homes (including apartment buildings and condos) up to three stories beginning in 2020.

Solar Energy Projects

In November Duke Energy announced the launch of a 24.9-megawatt array on the former Tallgrass Golf Course in Shoreham, Long Island; the second largest solar array in Long Island, but soon to be surpassed by other projects currently under construction. The Tallgrass project, developed by Invenergy and sold to Duke last year, is expected to produce enough energy to power up to 3,500 homes.

This is a small part of a much larger, rosier solar picture. As of 2018, more than 74 GW of large-scale solar projects are either under construction or under development. And, according to SEIA, in 2018, a new solar project was installed in the U.S. every 100 seconds. Five years ago, the solar industry installed less than 5,000 MW of capacity annually. In 2018, the U.S. solar market is double the size — with over 11,000 MW installed

Green Solar Technologies believes that solar energy is a prominent and critical part of a greener, cleaner, healthier future, which is why we are so excited about the tremendous promise for the industry the past year has shown as we move into the next. The advancements in solar in 2018 portend even greater advancements to come as worldwide support for solar energy continues to grow, and GST is proud to play its role in these significant events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/24/2018 -- Elon Musk is argued to be one of the greatest minds of our time, not only due to his brilliant and visionary ideas, but also because of his unique and innovative marketing techniques. Like many companies, Green Solar Technologies is inspired by Musk, which is why GST also does things a bit differently.

Musk didn't invent the electric car when he founded Tesla. He did, however, provide a better product and customer experience. So much so, in fact, that Tesla ranks number one in media discussion regarding electric vehicles, even though the actual leader in electric vehicle production is Renault Nissan (which only ranks 11th in media discussion).

Edward Harner, COO of Green Solar Technologies says, "GST is inspired by the personal approach of Tesla's consumer relations. Like Tesla, we sell directly to our customers, without enlisting third parties, which in our case would be through the use of telemarketers."

Many solar installation companies tend to use traditional methods of marketing and advertising, like door-to-door selling, telemarketing or advertising by means of print, radio and television. In contrast, GST focuses heavily on digital marketing which they believe is the best way to reach customers everywhere (much like Tesla).

Edward Harner says, "At GST, we're aware that we're in the digital age. Traditional forms of advertising and marketing just don't cut it the way they did before. This is why we take a different approach not only to our customer acquisition, but with our sales, financing and equipment as well."

As a sales approach, GST prefers contacting potential customers over the phone rather than sending salespeople to their homes. This has proven to be far more efficient for both parties, and customers appreciate that they don't feel 'put on the spot', as they often do when a salesperson shows up at their doorstep. GST then uses satellite technology to measure a customer's roof and access geographic annual weather/sunlight data to optimally size their system.

Regarding financing, Harner notes, "We offer various attractive financing options to ensure that an investment in solar is affordable and doesn't require customers to find their own financing. We also perform all credit checks remotely. There is never a need for a customer to meet with us personally during this process."

GST is also forward-thinking when it comes to their choice of solar equipment. For example, they take into consideration that evaluating a solar installation's energy production is important to maintaining optimum performance and that traditional equipment can require a customer to perform on-site checking to gather results. This is why they use state-of-the-art inverters that are capable of remotely reporting energy production panel-by-panel. GST can then monitor a customer's system online in real time, so they are alerted whenever irregularities arise allowing us to quickly address any performance issues.

In every phase of GST's business operations, from initial customer contact, to sales and financing, to system installation and beyond, the employees are guided by Elon Musk's example of striving for excellence in customer relations and satisfaction. And like Musk, they are always looking for new ways to innovate and exploit leading edge technology in order to provide outstanding products and service and the best consumer experience. GST believes in the vision of a cleaner, safer future through solar, and that it takes visionary thinking to reach that goal.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/20/2018 -- Green Solar Technologies is committed to helping make the world a better place by contributing to a healthy, clean and safe environment through solar energy. While we're proud of our contribution to the welfare of the planet, we're also grateful for the contributions and sacrifices of those who have protected us and fought to preserve our freedoms and liberties—the brave men and women of our armed forces. That is why GST is proud to be working with the Employment Development Department (EDD) in an effort to expand our employment of military veterans.

As stated on the website for the California Department of Veteran Affairs, "California's Employment Development Department (EDD) Workforce Services assists veterans and their eligible spouses maximize their employment and training opportunities. Veterans are entitled to many resources designed to help in their search for employment."

Green Solar Technologies COO, Edward Harner, says, "When we interview candidates for a position, we watch for qualities that define the ideal employee. We look for persons with a strong work ethic and a positive, 'can do' attitude who are self-motivated, dedicated, dependable, and team-oriented. No candidates embody these qualities more than military veterans. Unfortunately, the correlation between these positive qualities and a military background is often overlooked by potential employers. We want to do our part to change that."

GST currently employs a number of veterans and recently held a meeting with Rodrigo Garibay, the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) of EDD, to discuss placing veterans in some of our high-level positions. This is something we are very enthusiastic about as we increase our efforts to add more veterans to our staff.

According to an article by Jana Kasperkevic published on Marketplace, "The labor force participation for U.S. veterans is 49.7 percent, which means that more than 10 million veterans are currently not working or actively looking for work." Kasperkevic continues to note that about 10 million of employed veterans are overqualified for the work they are doing, and 1.8 million make under $15/hour.

Edward Harner states, "Whenever we hire new people for high-level positions, we take a chance on them and it takes a long time to develop trust in them. Our country places a great deal of trust in the women and men who serve in the armed forces so for the veterans who join us for these positions, we immediately feel more confident. In addition, veterans tend to have great leadership skills and want to be challenged so we rate veterans highly when we look for candidates for high-level positions. They earned our extra consideration and we haven't been wrong yet."

With 2019 just around the corner, GST is energized to renew our commitment to our military veterans. We look forward to the opportunity to expand our talented team with new hires from the 'best of the best'—the men and women who have proudly served in our armed forces.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/14/2018 -- Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) customers may see drastic spikes in their electricity bills as a result of the recent lawsuits sparked from the disastrous wildfires in Northern California adding to the already increased electricity rates from increased fossil fuel costs.

Edward Harner, Green Solar Technologies COO, says "PG&E asked for permission to raise its customers' rates in a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October of this year. That was a month before the devastating Camp Fire that happened in November. Because we are a nationwide solar company, we've seen time and time again that utilities all over the country raise prices to their customers when the utility incurs unanticipated costs from their operations."

PG&E is currently being sued and is under investigation for an metal hook that could be the cause of the deadly Camp Fire. According to an article by Maria L. La Ganga and Diana Marcum, "While authorities have yet to determine an official cause of the Camp Fire, at least 20 lawsuits have been filed against Pacific Gas & Electric, accusing the utility of allowing its equipment to spark the blaze..."

Fortunately, there is an option for PG&E customers that can free them from consequential rate hikes and help prevent them (and others) from falling victim to PG&E's possible future mistakes: solar.

"Part of the value proposition with solar is that utility rates continue to rise while the cost for solar energy systems is fixed. Solar helps you save money and also allows you to control one aspect of your finances giving you peace of mind, " says Edward Harner.

Wall Street analysts estimate that PG&E could face up to $15 billion in property damage liability for a number of 2017 wildfires that destroyed parts of Northern California's wine country. PG&E claimed that its stock would tank if it were forced to pay for the damages.

"In most areas, utilities act as monopolies because the customer doesn't have the ability to choose where they purchase their electricity. If a company can't raise funds to offset costs, captive customers will likely foot the bill," Edward Harner explained.

Reporting on the 2017 wildfires, George Avalos remarked in an August 28, 2018 article published in The Mercury News, "State fire investigators determined that PG&E's equipment and facilities caused 16 wildfires last fall, including 12 of the October wildfires in Northern California. Of the 16 fire incidents, state investigators have alleged that the company violated laws requiring proper maintenance of their facilities in 11 of them."

In addition, PG&E reported an electrical incident on the morning of November 8th that may have caused the Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed over 14,000 residences leaving over 52,000 people homeless. The liability for the Camp Fire has been assessed to be at or above $15 billion.

According to an article published on CNBC, "A state law approved this year makes it easier for the company to raise rates to pay off lawsuits, but the company says it still faces high risk and got no relief for fires that started this year."

Adding to PG&E's woes, its stock value has plunged more than 50% in the last year. While the Camp Fire was raging in Butte County, a separate CNBC article by Thomas Franck reflected recent changes to PG&E's stock, noting that, "The plunge in the company's stock erased $3.7 billion in value on [November 14th] as its market cap slid to $13.3 billion from $16.9 billion."

PG&E may not have any choice but to introduce customer rate hikes to help it recover from its combined losses. It may also sell revenue bonds, but could force its customers to help repay the secured notes—also leading to higher electricity bills. We have seen this scenario foreshadowed by the failed Santee Cooper nuclear project in South Carolina, which is estimated to cost the average Santee Cooper electric ratepayer more than $6,000 over the next four decades to pay off.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

At a shareholder meeting in Los Angeles on November 15, 2018, Green Solar Technologies announced stellar results for the First Three Quarters of 2018.

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/27/2018 -- The leading nation-wide solar installation company reported strong sales growth in key markets, expansion into new markets, and robust increase in both revenue and profits.

Edward Harner, Chief Operating Officer at GST, said, "We are very happy with our year-to-date performance. We've managed to outperform our expectations in both our expansion efforts as well as our sales and profit projections."

Green Solar Technologies announced that they have entered new states including Illinois, Wyoming, and Montana. Harner said, "We had been eyeing Illinois for a long time, and with the recent positive developments in the state's solar programs, we expect that it will be an important market for us. Also, we discovered that there is high demand for solar in Wyoming and Montana. Although these states have low populations, there are enough people who want solar and not enough companies that install. We're happy to be able to serve those markets."

As the only nationwide solar installer to testify in front of the United State International Trade Commission (ITC), Green Solar Technologies has gained new business from customers who appreciate the company's pro-U.S. manufacturing stance. "Our customers care that we do what's right, not only for our company, but also for our suppliers and it's ultimately our customers who want quality American-made panels," says Harner.

Green Solar Technologies noted that they have had a significant increase in referrals which led to the largest year-on-year sales revenue increase in their history. "Referrals contributed greatly to our company's lowest cost per acquisition that we've ever had, which increased our margins," said Harner.

Edward Harner concluded, "Overall, our company is in a great place. The solar industry continues to grow and we're on track to have a strong fourth quarter. 2019 should be a huge year for us as we have many exciting initiatives that we plan on rolling out. Stay tuned."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Solar is Providing Investors with Sunny Returns

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/20/2018 -- After years of unprecedented growth in equity markets and real estate values, investors with unallocated funds are struggling to find attractive investment vehicles in which to put their hard-earned cash. The stock market seems to have, at best, hit a plateau and housing prices have stagnated or are falling in some markets. Given this economic climate, astute investors with cash, or financial means to borrow, are turning to an alternative vehicle to store and create wealth: home solar energy systems.

Over the past five years, equity investors have enjoyed healthy returns on their investments. Since the end of 2013, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA") has increased from approximately 16,000 to a high of 26,600 in January 2018, a 66% return. In 2017 alone, the DJIA increased from approximately 19,800 to 24,700, a 25% return. However, since January the equity market has experienced greater volatility, and as of November 15, the DJIA has retreated to 25,200, a 5% drop.

In the same five-year period, the US housing market has been booming with home prices increasing over 30% nationwide. In hot markets, the increases have been significantly larger: 57% in California, 66% in Nevada, 57% in Washington and 51% in Colorado. But there is evidence that the housing market is cooling as supply has increased and lenders have raised rates. Freddie Mac reports that average mortgage interest rates have increased from 3.90% in October 2017 to 4.83% one year later.

Many investors that have grown weary of property, and stocks are now looking at solar energy systems as an alternative investment.Edward Harner, Chief Operating Officer at Green Solar Technologies, says, "As investors cash out of stocks and stop investing in real estate, an investment in solar is looking more attractive as it can provide large returns with very little risk."

Solar energy systems are more affordable now than ever. The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory reports that since 2013, the cost of an installed residential solar panel system has dropped by more than 25%. Harner says, "With any investment, returns are based on your initial investment and the amount of gains that one can actualize. Solar panels cost less now."

Returns on solar energy systems are based on avoided costs of monthly electricity bills and increasing utility rates. There is evidence that utility rates continue to rise, which is increasing the ROI of a solar energy system. "Not only are solar prices lower, but utility companies are continuing to increase rates. We are really seeing that an investment in solar is able to provide an IRR of close to 10% in many markets" says Harner.

Solar energy systems are largely financed by homeowners and fierce competition from solar finance companies is bringing a variety of new financing options and keeping interest rates low for homeowners. "We've seen interest rates rise for mortgages, but this doesn't seem to affect rates on solar loans. In fact, we see interest rates as low as 2.99% on no-money-down loans for solar. Homeowners can choose from many different types of loans as well as choose from many term options, some as long as 25 years," says Harner.

With the current political and economic environment and unstable investment opportunities, risk averse homeowners will continue to seek low-risk investments with stable ROI. As solar system technology continues to improve while prices continue to decrease, an investment in solar will become more attractive for homeowners. Edward Harner concludes, "Until we see another bull market, homeowners should heavily consider the investment of a solar energy system that can provide healthy returns."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Green Solar Technologies, a U.S. solar energy company, recently entered into an agreement with Spectrum Properties LLC, a California-based real estate investment company specializing in ADUs, to install residential solar panels on homes acquired by Spectrum Properties LLC. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are separate living units either attached to or separate from the main home. The arrangement with Green Solar Technologies is an effort by both companies to offset the environmental impact of the ADUs’ additional energy usage.

North hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/30/2018 -- Nicki Zvik, founder of Green Solar Technologies, and Shay Yavor, founder of Spectrum Properties LLC, are working together with the intention of improving people's lives while addressing pressing environmental needs. With a rapidly expanding effort by federal and state governments to use and encourage the use of renewable energy, the collaborative efforts of Green Solar Technologies and Spectrum Properties LLC, are sure to positively impact both consumers and the environment. "The goal is to not only offer ADUs to Los Angeles residents but also to keep the homes 'green' and help the environment," says Nicki Zvik.

Currently, over 80 cities nationwide are either committed to, or have already begun working toward the goal of using 100% renewable energy, and solar panels play a powerful role in achieving that goal. In a bold effort to move beyond the municipal level and further encourage environmental responsibility, Hawaii and California have set statewide goals to use 100% renewable energy by 2045, with California mandating that all new properties include solar panels starting in 2020.

Technical director for the California Building Industry Association, Bob Raymer, told The Mercury News "California is about to take a quantum leap in energy standards," making California an example for the rest of the nation to follow. Spectrum Properties LLC is becoming a significant component in California's movement with the initiative to keep their ADUs "green" with Green Solar Technologies.

Spectrum Properties LLC made the decision to work with Green Solar Technologies due to their quality of installation and their ability to complete a high volume of installations nationwide. Shay Yavor stated, "I was also particularly impressed that Green Solar Technologies was the only nationwide solar company to testify in front of the United States International Trade Commission in favor of tariffs on solar imports. I look forward to working with a company that fights for American jobs and stands firm in installing only the highest quality panels."

Edward Harner, Chief Operating Officer at Green Solar Technologies, noted that "Beginning in 2020, California will require all new housing to have solar. We were impressed with Spectrum's decision to begin their initiative years ahead of the requirement. Partnering with them was a no-brainer."

Adding solar energy to a property decreases or eliminates electricity bills and increases that property's market value. And according to Project Sunroof, a solar savings estimator powered by Google Earth, the average homeowner in Los Angeles would save $19,000 only 20 years after solar panel installation.

According to a 2017 Bloomberg New Energy Finance report, rooftop solar is projected to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the energy industry, nearly tripling in size in the U.S. by 2025. In 2017, Green Solar Technologies nearly doubled its addressable market and is currently available in 24 states, allowing more consumers across the country to save on their electric bills and help the environment.

Spectrum Properties LLC ADUs provide affordable additional living space and potential rental income—and the addition of solar increases the returns on an already highly profitable investment.

With solar energy at the forefront of the renewable energy landscape, the decision of Green Solar Technologies and Spectrum Properties LLC to "go green with solar" puts them at the leading edge of the renewable energy trend. And consumers stand to realize the long-term financial benefits of solar powered homes while contributing to a sound environmental future–surely a "win-win" proposition.

Green Solar Technologies is a pioneer in the solar industry and operates in more than 20 states.

Edward Harner, COO at Green Solar Technologies

Contacts
Green Solar Technologies
Jennifer Wesley, (844)765-8324
PR & Content Writer
jenniferw@greensoltech.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Spectrum Properties Are Experts in Residential Value-Add Properties

North hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/20/2018 -- Spectrum Properties, a real estate investment and development company based in Los Angeles, was started by two partners with vast experience in construction and renewable energy. Spectrum specializes in the purchase of properties that can be developed into properties with additional dwelling units (ADUs) - a value added type of real estate investment that yields far greater returns than other forms of residential development projects.

Founders Nicki Zvik and Shay Yavor both served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Zvik was a paratrooper in the Airborne division; Yavor was Sergeant Commander in the Elite Forces.

After he migrated to the United States in 2001, Nicki Zvik moved from furniture mover to a store clerk to owner of his own home improvement company.

Zvik's friend Yavor immigrated to the United States in 2003 and transferred from salesman to project manager of a construction company.

In 2005, Yavor joined Zvik to manage Zvik's company, renamed Y & Z Construction.

That's when the partners started looking at real estate and solar energy.

"I think this is where my experience in the army really helped me," Yavor reflected, "because while in the army, I had gone through a lot and seen a lot of things that were really scary. So when the recession came, I didn't allow fear to enter my mind. Solar was a relatively new thing in construction that, unlike a new kitchen or new wood floor, saved people money. And this was a time when everybody needed to save money. It was perfect."

"We kept hearing," Zvik added, "about residential solar and these huge rebates that utilities and cities were offering. We decided to explore it."

In 2010, Zvik and Yavor launched Green Solar Technologies. Green Solar Technologies differentiates itself by providing consumers top-quality American-made products at competitive prices. A leading installer of residential and commercial solar energy equipment for more than eight years, Green Solar won a 2015 Foundation Finance award for its affordable solar loans. To date, Green Solar operates in over 20 states. It is is also the first solar company to contribute to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, donating money to the hospital for each solar installation.

On October 8, 2017, Governor Brown of California approved the conversion of secondary dwellings into liveable additional dwelling units (ADUs). Zvik and Yavor promptly founded Spectrum Properties

Spectrum Properties is a real estate investment company that purchases and converts single-family homes into dual-income rental Properties. These properties typically contain ADUs that are, simply, additional small dwellings right on the same grounds (or attached to) your regular single-family house. Think of a garage converted into a small home or a portacabin-cum-classroom. More commonly, these ADUs tend to become in-law suites or studio apartments. Put another way, additional dwelling units are small residences with a kitchen and bathroom that is an add-on to your home.

The best thing of these ADUs is that they save you money, house your children or aging parents in your own backyard or provide an additional source of income.

"Small units," Zvik notes, "give you great return on investment because it's another way of charging rent and because of the added value of the unit."

If you care about the environment or want to cut down on your living space "small units," Zvik said, "have a small impact on the environment."

To date, Spectrum Properties successfully rented seven single-family dwelling units, each with its own detached garage for ADUs. Each unit has windows with low-emission coatings that reflect summer sunlight while keeping your rooms cooler. The units also have low-emission air conditioning that benefits not only the environment but also the wallets of the tenants.

Over the next two years, Zvik and Yavor plan to buy a further 100 houses and convert them into dual unit properties.

"Spectrum," Zvik says, " is already regarded as an expert in small scale value-added real estate investment."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Green Solar Technologies, a national solar installation company out of southern California, will be sending their race team led by motorcycle racer Sahar Zvik to compete in the MotoAmerica Championship of Utah. The event will take place at Miller Motorsport Park in Erda, UT beginning Friday, July 20th and going through Sunday, July 22nd.

North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/20/2018 -- Zvik, number 161, has been motorcycle racing for 12 years. He began racing in the 600cc class and in 2016 moved up to 1000ccs.

For this weekend's event, Zvik will be joining the Stock 1000 Qualifying Round for 1000cc motorcycle racers. He will be riding his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Motorcycle for a clean Top 10 finish. There will be a Eurmax Canopy set-up for Zvik at the beginning of the event for public relations.

The Stock 1000 Practice is scheduled for Saturday, July 21st at 9:05 AM and will last for 25 minutes followed by a qualifying round at 5:00 PM and another on Sunday, July 22nd at 10:50 AM. Each qualifying round will last 35 minutes. The official race will begin at 4:30 PM and will go for 10 laps of grueling, corner-bending, dirt-spitting mania with 19 other racers. Speeds are expected in excess of 150 MPH.

Green Solar Technologies Race Team

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm