News & Events

Standard Solar News (SSI NEWS): Standard Solar customer Dan Redmond has written a beautiful article
about his solar home system, and how his children convinced him solar was the way to go.  It is in the March/April issue of Home Power Magazine.  Read the HomePower article (PDF) or see www.homepower.com

SSI NEWS: Standard Solar Inc., has announced an investment of $3.5 million by Truecast Capital, LLC of Middleburg, Virginia. The 3-year old solar energy services company, headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a Washington, DC suburb, has quickly grown to be the area's largest provider of residential and small commercial solar power systems.

"We are excited by this vote of confidence in not only our company, but in the rapidly growing market in this region for solar energy systems," said company founder, Neville Williams. "We have thus far confirmed our belief that many homeowners and businesses want to buy solarelectric systems, but they don't know who to call. That's why we launched Standard Solar. We have attracted a talented and dedicated team of people who believe our vision to make Standard Solar the supplier of choice for solar solutions. Our people are extremely committed to the company's mission and to the environment."

"This investment is a credit to the progress Standard Solar has made and enables the company to fulfill its vision to become the premier installer of solar serving the residential and commercial markets, " said Steve Lamb, a managing partner at Truecast Capital, LLC.

"We think bringing in this combination of capital and managerial experience will be a huge gain for the company," said Standard Solar's president, Anthony Clifford. "There is the potential for enormous growth in both the residential and commercial solar electric installation business," he added.

SSI NEWS: Standard Solar installed two 10 kilowatt solar arrays atop a PEPCO substation and a PEPCO office building in Washington, DC, in December, 2007. Both systems will not only reduce by a small about the power both buildings use, the PEPCO solar systems will also reduce carbon emissions. "This is in keeping with PEPCO Holdings Inc.'s commitment to lessen our carbon footprint," said Barbara Gonzelz, Program Manager for PHI's Green Initiatives. Each site utilized 48, 210Wp SunPower high-efficiency solar modules mounted on slanted ballast frames that do not penetrate the roof.

SSI NEWS: Standard Solar exhibited at the Washington International Renewable Energy Exhibition at the Washington, DC Convention center March 4, 5 and 6. SSI was the only local company featuring solar energy services out of 256 global renewabale energy exhibitors at the largest business-to-business renewable energy event ever held in the Nation's capitol. President Bush addressed the Ministerial portion of the conference attended by over 100 energy ministers from around the world. Unforuntatey, he talked as much about "nuculer" power as he did about renewables.

NEWS: Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley gave a speech to 300 attendees of Solar Focus 2008 in Annapolis November 30 strongly endorsing the use of solar power by homeowners and businesses in Maryland to reduce global warming and help relieve pressure on the regional power grid. Maryland is about to launch one of America's strongest financial programs in support of solar electricity in the nation. Stay tuned to our news page and Website for further information!

NEWS: Power outages are forecast for Maryland, according to the Maryland Public Service Commission, which notes that power transmission, generating, and distribution systems have not kept up with demand in the State. Rolling blackouts may be required by 2011 and brownouts expected sooner (not if you have a solar home system with battery backup!). The Washington Post reported that the power situation in MD is "so dire" that the PSC must step in to force utilities to buy more electricity for the State. If 100,000 homes in the region were equipped with solar power, it could reduce the need for at least 2 new coal-fired power plants.

NEWS: PEPCO wants to help you save energy, save money and protect the environment. PEPCO is discounting the price of select ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for its Maryland customers. You'll save $1.50 on each single bulb, and $3 on multipacks when you shop at The Home Depot and Costco stores participating in Maryland. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Lighting accounts for up to 20 percent of your home's energy bill.

>SSI NEWS: Standard Solar moved into its new headquarters October 29, located at 202 Perry Parkway, #7, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877. The business park is just off Exit 10 on I-270, north of Washington, DC, and very easy to get to. The large building includes offices, meeting rooms, work areas, a large warehouse and garage, and space for the company's first Standard Solar Home Center, to be opened in the spring, where visitors will be welcome to come and learn all about residential solar power systems.

SSI NEWS: Our Company was featured in the October issue of Kiplinger's magazine (link opens a PDF) in a story titled: "Solar Finally Pays Off". The photo spread shows Standard Solar customer Dan Mullin standing by his rooftop solar arrays and his solar hot water system, and our president, Tony Clifford, is widely quoted. Standard Solar is the only installation company mentioned in the article.

NEWS: Noted in Solar Today magazine, Sept./Oct. 2007: Pennsylvania legislators have agreed to commit $200 million to PV (photovoltaics) development....the "solar carve-out" in the Pennsylvania Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard requires 850 MW of PV in Pennsylvania by 2020. Coupled with New Jersey and Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements for PV of 1,200 MW and 1,500 MW, respectively, means that the 3.5 gigawatts of solar PV in these three Mid-Atlantic states represent the single biggest commitment to solar energy on the planet!

NEWS: According to analysts, for the 125 billion dollar annual cost of the Iraq war 3,557,000 American homes could be electrified with 4kW solarelectric systems each year, or 9,800 per day installed, free. And if people paid for them on 15 year payment plans, millions more could be financed.

SSI NEWS: Standard Solar launched its first Internet blog in March. Go to: http://standardsolar.blogspot.com