SOLAR

EcoMotion has been offering specialized solar services for over 19 years.

Our team is expert in solar design, scoping, and spatial analysis, financial analysis, procurement support, project management and quality control, and monitoring system generation. We also provide performance checks and support for repairs and repowering of aging systems.

EcoMotion works for cities — notably on carbon-free energy resilience projects — and we serve municipal, corporate and campus clients with solar and storage projects coast to coast.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Site Analysis

EcoMotion provides detailed site analysis services for solar. Be it roof-top, ground-mount, or carports or canopies… our team is expert at sizing opportunities, shading analysis, and interconnection logistics to determine the spatial feasibility of solar on site. How much “roof real estate” is available for solar? Are there trees or buildings that will inhibit solar insolation? How will the system be interconnected given trenching and/or boring requirements on site? Site information is then married with rate offset analysis to determine system economics.

Financial Analysis

EcoMotion has expertise in objective solar financial analysis. We begin by gathering 12  months of utility bills for the site, and interval data for larger installations. We use Helioscope to check available space for solar and to verify optimal system sizing and orientation. We then use Energy Toolbase, a solar financial analysis tool, to determine the optimum system economics of various configurations. We explore rate options, modeling rates shifts to ascertain the best economic scenarios to present to clients. Our team has managed solar projects for clients both with cash purchases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Procurement Support

For clients that are ready to move forward based on the results of the feasibility analysis – both spatial and financial – EcoMotion offers procurement support. We take on a role as your “Owner’s Rep.” On a client’s behalf and working collaboratively, our team codifies the scope work, we develop Requests for Proposals, we manage job walks, bidders conferences and questions, check references, review and score proposals, and recommend contractors. We support clients in contract negotiations – digging in to escalators, performance guarantees, O&M terms, retaining RECs, etc. – to pave the way for final design, permitting, construction, and interconnection.

Project Oversight and Quality Control

EcoMotion and its Consulting Team members provide Project Oversight and Quality Control services for solar and storage systems from construction through interconnection. Throughout the design, permitting, and installation process, EcoMotion participates in project team meetings, conducts site visits to measure progress and inspect construction and onsite protocols, tracks punch lists of work to be completed, flags issues, and maintains client expectations through clear two-way communications with the selected installation contractor on behalf of the client.

Monitoring and Field Verification

EcoMotion routinely monitors our clients’ solar projects. For LA Metro, we prepared annual performance reports based on nearly a dozen monitoring portals for 14 years. In cases, our team worked with tech support and Metro staff to get these systems back on line. The resulting performance reports, and reports like them, are essential for making sure systems are on track and delivering environmental and economic savings. The monitoring systems – coupled with analysis of optimal performance net of degradation — help assure anticipated performance or flag issues. And when there are issues, EcoMotion helps clients develop plans to restore optimal functionality and production.

EcoMotion provides Field Verification services. For Burbank Water and Power and Anaheim Public Utilities, our solar team inspected and verified solar systems for many years. We analyzed Point Loma Nazarene University’ aging systems that are exposed to the salt air. We evaluated a school district’s ten-campus solar installation to advise on whether or not to invest in costly equipment updates. In each case, our team checks the condition of equipment on site, examines the azimuth and tilt of the arrays, evaluates shading and other conditions, and presents the life-cycle benefits of solar systems to justify repairs and maintenance regimens.

Training & Seminars

EcoMotion relishes the opportunity to talk solar. We’ve done this in many ways. Perhaps the most colorful and insightful trainings were taking professionals from California and Colorado to Germany and Spain on EcoMotion’s Solar Tours. EcoMotion also led a tour to Iceland to examine the mechanics and great benefits of geothermal there.

For 14 years, EcoMotion provided solar training for the facilities maintenance team at LA Metro. Consulting Team member, Troy Strand, is hugely expert and effective in inspiring staff to check on systems and to troubleshoot as necessary. The four-hour training courses included in-depth training on solar systems’ power electronics, local and global solar updates, safety reminders, as well as rooftop performance testing and analysis.

EcoMotion also provides seminars on Rate Options, Community Solar, Energy Storage.

Completed Projects

SOLAR FOR BUSINESSES

Irvine Campus Solar Project

Capital Group Companies first hired EcoMotion in 2009 to support a solar project at its Irvine, California campus. EcoMotion helped the companies get the largest possible solar system, tying the output of three major arrays to the campus’s most expensive power meter. The result was a 1 MW solar system that was Orange County’s largest at the time. The system covered three parking garage’s shade structures and achieved a 4.1-year payback.

In 2015, EcoMotion was back “on campus” in Irvine when the Southern California Edison rules changed, allowing EcoMotion to help Capital Group boost the solar system capacity from 1.2 MW to 2.8 MW. The additional 1.6 MW was installed on six major rooftops and a fourth parking structure. The combined systems now generate over 4 million kWh annually. EcoMotion’s work included a video production using quality drone footage.

In 2023, EcoMotion team supported the Capital Group Companies in both the maintenance of Phase 1, identifying a suitable provider, and then working with CGC’s Phase 2 solar maintenance provider. Work was also recently done supporting system measurement requirements and performance monitoring.

San Antonio, Texas Solar Project

In 2010 Capital Group Companies retained EcoMotion to explore and become eligible for a new feed-in tariff program in San Antonio, Texas for its facilities there. EcoMotion developed a feasibility analysis, drafted an RFP, and managed a competitive solicitation. Our team even camped in a parking lot to be first in line for limited availability of Central Public Service’s Feed-in Tariff program. After considerable analysis, and legal definitions from Central Public Service, the project was put on hold due to an unusual Bear County tax provision for exported power. In September 2023, a solar system was successfully installed and celebrated there.

EcoMoton began working for Scott Brothers Dairy in Chino in 2022 to oversee the installation of a large solar and storage system at a dairy processing plant. The completed project is a 2.6 MW solar system, with impressive rooftop expanses as well as elevated carports to accommodate the circulation patterns of large semi tractor trailers delivering milk to the plant. The system is buttressed with an 800 kW battery Tesla bank. EcoMotion’s initial work involved vetting the solar developer lined up for the project, including experience and reference checks. EcoMotion conducted an independent spatial and financial analysis of the project on behalf of the owner. We reviewed the contract and later monitored the system’s commissioning and interconnection.

One of the primary findings of the climate action planning process was that solar could potentially be used to power the Club. Electricity accounted for just over 50% of the carbon emissions inventoried and based on the club’s 2019 data. With over 100acres, certainly there could be a home for a 450 kW solar array. Many locations were considered; proposals were requested for innovative hillside solutions. A location between two fairways was considered and ruled out. So was the architecturally distinct Clubhouse given its highly complex, accordion-style roof. Ultimately, the Club decided on a partial solar solution and an ~80 kW system covering the golf cart charging barn. Currently EcoMotion is providing an oversight role. In August 2023, project plans were submitted to the City of La Canada Flintridge.

Established in 1962, Cathay Bank is the oldest Chinese American bank in the United States. Headquartered in El Monte, California, the Bank brought EcoMotion aboard for assistance in developing a solar port project in its sunny, southern parking lot. EcoMotion began by refining the plan and clarifying the project, re-issuing the Request for Proposals with a specific design and scope presented. This saved the Bank hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having helped select the winning bidder, EcoMotion worked with the Bank, the Bank’s architect, and Permacity, the installer ultimately selected for the job.

The 421.3 kW PV system that was built in 2013 is based on carports covered with solar. The canopies feature 2,128 solar panels, sourced from Schüco, a German company. The PV system generates ~650,000 kWh annually, cutting power costs by 40% and saving ~$9,000 each month. In addition, it has substantially reduced the bank’s carbon footprint; keeping nearly 500 tons of greenhouse gases (CO2e) from being released into the atmosphere each year. The project also features LED lighting. In 2014, it won a Los Angeles Business Council award for excellence.

For simplehuman, a designer of high-end bath and kitchen supplies, EcoMotion provided owner’s representative services through the contracting and installation of its roof-top solar system. In this capacity, EcoMotion’s solar team reviewed and commented on the contract with a select vendor, including its work plans and timeline. In this case EcoMotion was pleased to provide a quick and incisive exercise with periodic follow-up during installation and commissioning. This can be an invaluable service for companies who are experts in their own lines of work, but recognized the need for a subject matter expert to represent it.

Kimco Realty Corporation, a real estate investment trust headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York, is North America’s largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air shopping centers. As of December 31, 2015, Kimco owned interests in 564 U.S. shopping centers comprising 90 million square feet of leasable space across 38 states and Puerto Rico. For Kimco, EcoMotion helped to strategize and target properties and opportunities for solar installations. After extensive roof-top analysis, a detailed case study of a mall in La Mirada, California highlighted key barriers – split incentives, varying leases, metering logistics, etc. – and pointed Kimco Realty, a REIT, toward a LLC position, rewriting leases and using rooftops and solar to create a new corporate profit center. Ultimately, three large solar installations were developed at shopping malls in New Jersey, capitalizing on strong incentives (through the SREC mechanism, Solar Renewable Energy Credits) and cold and wet winters that encourage enclosed malls.

Shortly after the successful completion of the Capital Group Companies solar system in Irvine, EcoMotion was approached by the Nikken Corporation to assess the viability of a proposed deal for its ample roof in Irvine. EcoMotion provided a thorough, objective analysis, recommending to Nikken that it proceed with solar with its select contractor which it did with great success. As with simplehuman, the work for Nikken was quick and low cost, assuring its corporate owner of a fair and beneficial solar deal.

At the Valley Indoor Swap Meet in Pomona owned by Metropolitan Marketing, solar was the next step after major upgrades to the facility’s cooling and electrical distribution systems. EcoMotion conducted a financial and spatial feasibility analysis, helped procure a select solar EPC, and provided oversight during and after construction of the 656.6 kW system.

In 2022, EcoMotion conducted a solar + storage feasibility analysis for the Yankees iconic ballpark. The stadium is highly space constrained and experiences a dramatic rise from baseload power to peak power during games and other events. The project involved detailed assessment of load profiles and modeling scenarios of solar and storage – including distributed storage – to address costly demand charges. Also included in the analysis were reviews for applicability of New York’s Business Energy Investment tax credits, state depreciation, federal bonus depreciation, New York City’s Property Tax Abatement, and Consolidated Edison’s Non-Residential Block 6 NY Sun incentive. The conclusions and recommendations also addressed microturbines, efficient lighting, and controls.

In 2026, EcoMotion was asked to dig in and evaluate the solar production at two major arrays. Our team triangulated data between the vendor’s monitoring system, third-party that verifies RECs, and meter data from PG&E, determined the delta between expected production and “actual, ” when linked with PG&E rates serving multiple meters, our team was able to discern the production losses and value the remedy. Reviewed the O&M agreement, and history of each array’s contract’s performance guarantee dates and terms.

The second performance check was for a much larger array. Our team validated the performance using monitoring service and utility data, working through the nuances of assigning/allocating beneficiary loads and their different rate values given Net Energy Metering aggregation. EcoMotion then presented Gallo with the lost revenues associated with the suboptimal production at the facility.

Third, EcoMotion supported Gallo in a contentious interconnection issue. While dubbed as a turn-key contract, our team identified conflicting language int he proposal and without recommending an approach, presented viewpoints for Gallo consideration to remedy the situation.

EcoMotion was approached by a general contractor working on renovating a facility in Hollywood for a movie production company called Hyperobject Industries. The term “hyperobject” is a reference to things that are beyond human comprehension… forces that affect us in tangible ways but that are beyond human perception!

For the project, EcoMotion provided an evaluation of the site’s rooftop potential followed by solicitation support. The building had limited roof area. As such, 28 kW of solar was anticipated with vendors responsible to work with the barrel roof, existing skylights and HVAC equipment, and weight limits.

EcoMotion drafted and released a streamlined RFP in 2020. The select EPC was directed to work with the roofing contractor, and to provide a turn-key price for specified modules, racking, inverters, balance of system, monitoring system, and operations and maintenance plan.

For the Earthfire Institute in Tetonia, Idaho EcoMotion provided a cursory analysis of the installing solar at the animal rescue facility. Earthfire is a working wildlife sanctuary and retreat center that offers unique multi-day programs. To check the feasibility of solar there, our team evaluated Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative’s rate schedule for commercial enterprises, energy and demand charges. We revised the coop’s net energy metering restrictions ($0.038/kWh export value), and maximum 25 kW system size. Interesting, the coop offers a green power opt-in program energy charge of $0.01 cents per kilowatt hour.

PROGRAMS FOR CITIES AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

For the past eight years, EcoMotion has served as a solar consultant for Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the transit agency in LA that operates the trains and the buses. “Metro,” the local transportation agency, has more than 2,000 parcels of land in the greater Los Angeles area that we’ve scoured for solar. Our team has guided Metro to its best solar opportunities given rate offsets, rooftops, development plans, and unique considerations.

Over the years, our roles have been many and varied, from analyzing best sites for solar and supporting procurement of additional solar, to providing technical training classes on photovoltaic (PV) safety and maintenance procedures. For years, EcoMotion has been on point in the ongoing performance monitoring and maintenance of Metro’s solar systems, troubleshooting and maintaining production.

EcoMotion has worked for the City of Santa Monica since 2007, helping to make it one of the greenest cities in the country. EcoMotion developed and has managed the Solar Santa Monica program, a program that helps residents, businesses, schools, the college, and the City itself go solar. Since its beginning, Solar Santa Monica has helped increase installed solar capacity by a factor of twelve, with capacity installed rising from only 476 kW of capacity to now well over 10 MW.

EcoMotion’s solar financial and spatial analysis for Santa Monica solar sites now includes pairing solar with storage and EV charging. Over the years, EcoMotion has provided a breadth of services to the City — from household audits for solar and efficiency, to crafting stage legislation for a feed-in tariff, to providing testimony at the California Public Utilities Commission, and beating a steady drum advocating solar in the City. At this time, any resident or business in the City can call Solar Santa Monica for technical assistance and financial analysis provided by EcoMotion.

TRC Solutions, in partnership with EcoMotion, was one of four firms qualified by the Port of Long Beach to serve its consulting needs regarding energy management. EcoMotion serves as the solar consultant in the project, and one of our first works was to estimate the solar potential on site using different technologies and financial arrangements. This potentials analysis was part of a broader renewable energy analysis compiled by TRC experts.

The City of Beverly Hills hired EcoMotion to provide solar consulting services in a very specific scope of work. Our first task was to evaluate the operations and efficacy of the Beverly Hills Civic Center solar system. Next we evaluated all other municipal facilities for their solar potential. Both tasks were completed and reported to City officials. We found a solar system operating sub-optimally, and got it fixed. We found only marginally viable solar deals at many parking structures. An interesting next step will be to evaluate if the City can spur solar on homes and businesses. If so, the City’s original plan of bundling City-facility solar (perhaps on a half dozen sites or more) with home and business-owners’ installations may be viable.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, incoming Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the time, was searching for a demonstration of the City’s commitment to greening and to justify its honor as America’s cleanest city. Working for EcoMedia, EcoMotion recommended unique solar structures – able to withstand hurricane winds – to be ground-mounted at the historic Miami City Hall. EcoMotion found a local company able to manufacture, assemble and install them. Thanks to capable partners at the City and contracting firms, the project was also done in record time – from City Council approval to camera crews at the ribbon cutting in less than three weeks.

 

In addition to solar, EcoMotion recommended storm-water management, efficient plumbing fixtures, and a complete lighting retrofit including demonstration T-5 lighting. Despite structural and architectural challenges at the historic Miami City Hall – it had formerly been a Pan Am Airlines airship terminal — the project was completed on time and on budget and received significant publicity.

The Miami City Hall demonstration was sponsored by EcoMedia, an environmental marketing company now owned by CBS. EcoMotion provided strategic direction and guided high profile, simultaneous projects in Florida and California to demonstrate “clean tech” solutions through public-private partnerships.

EcoMotion and Solar Energy International joined forces in 2008 and at the height of the Spanish feed-in tariffs for solar, EcoMotion arranged a tour for municipal leaders from California to visit Spain and to learn from leading policy makers, business leaders, and academicians while visiting research facilities and cutting-edge solar sites. With the highest solar insolation levels in all of Europe, and high feed-in tariff incentives, Spain surged in 2008 to the number two position in the world in solar installations after Germany.

The Spain 2008 Solar Research Tour started in Madrid then continued over the course of a week to Seville and Alicante to end in Barcelona. Following EcoMotion tradition, the group travelled by train and public transportation. Days were full, with different guided tours, presentations by leading professional industry groups and researchers.

In October 2007, EcoMotion led a tour of city officials to Germany to study its remarkable Feed-in Tariff. Begun in 2004, in three years Germany became the leading nation in the world for solar deployment. The tour began in Berlin where we met government officials, then toured the Conergy photovoltaic plant on the Polish border, before heading to Munich, Stuttgart, and Freiberg. Participants travelled by train and visited the world’s leading laboratories – including the Fraunhofer Institute — and solar installations, including the world’s largest PV plant at the time, owned by the Juwi Group.

For the City of Anaheim’s electric utility – Anaheim Public Utilities – EcoMotion managed the selection of elementary school sites and the installation of eight, 1 kW AC “Solar Flags” as a demonstration project. At each site, EcoMotion organized “solar rallies” that involved the entire school, performances, songs, and celebration. Just as the American flag reminds us each and every day of our great country, the Solar Flags bring renewable energy onto the campus as an everyday reminder for students and teachers of the power of the sun, and the promise of a truly sustainable society. EcoMotion program enhancements include website monitoring and ongoing teacher training.

And imagine the leverage of such a program! EcoMotion engaged Rahus Institute and developed a simple solar curriculum to accompany the Flags. “Have you had a solar conversation with your parents?” “Got a good, sunny roof?” Students go home and check it out with their parents. “Got a power bill?” While the Solar Flags on eight Anaheim campuses are small in terms of solar generating capacity, their message is profound as it extended into the community.

For New York environmental marketing company, EcoMedia, EcoMotion served as project designer and manager for a high-visibility demonstration solar project in Long Beach, California. Erected over a three-week period, and under challenging, nighttime construction conditions, the Long Beach Airport “Solar Alley” consists of six, 1 kW AC pole-mounted dual-axis trackers ranged near the baggage pick-up. They operate like water ballet… shifting positions in timed concert by degrees throughout the day. Every month, thousands of arriving passengers are greeted by the solar systems and their accompanying signage. The use of Sanyo semi-translucent, bifacial panels provides clear images of the panels as they harvest photons for the airport. Recently, the airport added a new concourse with solar, furthering its commitment to a clean power future at this gateway location.

EcoMotion served as a solar advisor for the Orange County Great Park, examining sites for solar system investments, partnerships, and demonstrations. One option under consideration was that of a community solar park, such that residents near the park could own shares of the system and be paid virtually for their power. A presentation to the Great Park Corporation included nine options for solar at the Park, from community solar to utility-scale solar, to comprehensive net zero building of all new construction and deep retrofits of all existing facilities — all requiring maximum use of the sun — to innovative demonstrations, perhaps shading the sides of sports field, or dual-axis trackers that like sunflowers track the sun throughout the day, or a pronounced entry way to the park featuring solar.

For the City of Chino, EcoMotion evaluated all municipal buildings for cost-effective solar. Then years later in 2024, with increases to Southern California Edison rates, EcoMotion found that solar at the Police Department made sense. As such, began a process of finding a suitable vendors – for installation and financing – dealing with tight timelines to assure NEM2.0… ultimately major solarport installation at the PD, with part of the array in the secure side of the parking lot, and the majority in the public side. Initial EPC dropped out, complicating matters, requiring transfer of NEM2.0 reservation… and meeting April 15, 2026 deadline for NEM 2.0 Size of system… Cal Green Building code requirement for EV Level 2 and 3 chargers, 996.2 kW… CEC AC, 20-year PPA…  secured side, public parking side, PTO by April 15,2026 to assure NEM2.0

The vendor recommended by EcoMotion was able to complete the solarports on time and qualify for the NEM 2.0 rate.

EcoMotion has been selected by the TXShares Cooperative Purchasing Program to serve as one of its three qualified solar energy consultants nationwide. Now any of TXShares’ 300+ government members can piggyback on TXShares fully-vetted selection process and then contract directly with EcoMotion for solar project feasibility, procurement support, project oversight and control, ongoing monitoring, performance evaluation and verification, and system repair.

The TXShares coop program was developed by governments in Texas that realized their collective purchasing power. They saw the value in partnering to identify common needs such as traffic control systems, electric vehicle supply equipment, facilities maintenance, bus services, data management, and… solar consulting services. Today, TXShares has 150 contracts in place to serve its growing membership.

TXShares was developed and is managed by one of Texas’s 24 Council of Governments, the North Central Texas Council of Governments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The program began in the metroplex and then spread to El Paso and Austin and other Texas locations. Today, 25% of TXShares members are outside of Texas, located in states including Oregon, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Membership is free.

Imagine a city, county, or school district that is shorthanded and needs to procure products or services quickly. Instead of managing a competitive selection process internally, it can tap into the TXShare streamlined program and use its fully-vetted vendors that have already been through a competitive solicitation. Every TXShares contract — including the EcoMotion contract — was procured under Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Texas Local Government Code.

The TXShares coop’s benefits for its members are pronounced: Reduced administrative efforts; Simplified procurement process; Ability to receive services and products faster; Competitive volume pricing and discounted rates; and fundamentally… Access to quality contracts and qualified vendors.

SERVICES FOR UTILITIES

For the past three years, EcoMotion has been immersed in analyzing all types of municipal buildings and determining how to provide both solar and storage to create energy resiliency. The Clean Power Alliance, the Nation’s largest community choice aggregator, selected EcoMotion in to develop up to 32 energy resiliency projects – microgrids – in its member agencies’ facilities through its Power Ready Program. Working with member agencies, EcoMotion evaluated over 120 sites for the program throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County. In depth spatial and financial evaluations were done to measure each systems’ economics. In cases, detailed roofing and electrical assessments were done on site. This work involved Shell Roofing, Avila Partners, and Point Energy Innovations engineering.

The select facilities will provide local energy resilience. They will also serve as models for communities nationwide that are responding to climate change-induced calamities. Power Ready integrates solar, storage, and microgrid controls to provide energy and environmental savings, while reserving battery capacity for emergencies to cover critical loads. EcoMotion has supported CPA through the site assessment process and the procurement process, helping to identify suitable vendors, and evaluating their proposals for systems on 11 sites.

In 2021, EcoMotion was selected by East Bay Community Energy (later renamed Ava Community Energy) to support its Energy Resilient Buildings program. This Bay Area CCA, with its consultant, ARUP, had identified over 300 municipal buildings that were candidates for resilience – to be hardened such that if the grid goes down, they can sustain some base level of operations.

EcoMotion’s solar team visited dozens of sites in the Bay Area, notably in Berkeley and Hayward. Our team dug deeply into all prospective municipal facilities, from police stations to fire departments to community centers. We have expert subs: Point Energy Innovations electrical engineers, KPFF structural engineers, and Blue’s Roofing. A portfolio of projects was developed for each city; dossiers were developed for each project site with thorough detail and data.

In 2012, EcoMotion developed a partnership with the Clean Energy Collective in Colorado, the leading developer of “community solar plants.” This solar option allows for apartment dwellers, renters, and those without suitable “roof real estate” to “go solar” through a community system. EcoMotion worked with Clean Energy Collective founder and CEO, Paul Spencer, to introduce his brand of community solar to California utilities… from San Diego Gas and Electric, to Anaheim, Los Angeles, Pasadena, PG&E and SMUD. In the CEC model, consumers own assets and are compensated for their power generation for 50 years. Currently, EcoMotion is working for Metro in planning for community solar within communities impacted by rail development.

For Burbank Water and Power and since 2008, EcoMotion has provided technical support for the Solar Support Rebate Program. In this capacity, the EcoMotion solar team has verified solar installations – including numbers and types of panels and inverters, etc. – and confirmed solar potential for newly constructed installations. EcoMotion worked with BWP to develop reporting procedures and requirements.

For Anaheim Public Utilities and since 2012, EcoMotion’ solar team has verified solar installations – including numbers and types of panels and inverters, etc. – and confirmed solar potential for newly constructed installations. EcoMotion worked with APU to develop reporting procedures and requirements and continues to flag issues from the field.

In addition to solar field verifications, EcoMotion supports APU in different situations, one involving the Trider Apartment Complex in Anaheim where a solar system installation was hugely out of line. We found that its installer was grossly unqualified and the installation was unsafe and largely inoperable. EcoMotion inspected the system, reported its deficiencies to APU and the owner, and then made arrangements on behalf of the owner with a reputable installer to repair the system and support the owner through a challenging lawsuit.

Solaren is a Southern California-based aerospace company that is developing advanced technologies to harvest photons of solar power in space, and to transmit this power to Earth using radio frequencies. EcoMotion’s role was to develop collateral materials for the company and its technology, including a one-hour PowerPoint presentation for California utilities, community choice aggregators (CCAs), and utility associations including SCPPA, CMUA, CalCCA, and others. The collateral materials – including a three-pager, FAQ, and 50-page white paper – covers the technology, Solaren’s impressive partnerships, the competition, and the great opportunity for California utilities.

Pacific Clean Energy Partners was formed by Rob Pratt and his board of directors to develop clean energy programs for Pacific Island nations that pay exorbitant prices for power, mostly diesel-powered power, that is intermittent to boot. PCEP’s first project was in the Solomon Islands, where it laid the foundation for a multi-faceted effort to maximize the efficient use of costly power, to develop green solar power, and to provide access for the vast majority of the population there that lacks access to power. Fully 80% of the population lacks access to power. For this project, Ted Flanigan serves as the Director of Rural Electrification, developing a plan to microfinance “solar suitcases” to provide the most basic power services… lighting, cell phone charging, radio and in cases TV and refrigeration.

EcoMotion specializes in behind the meter installations, i.e. those that serve onsite loads. But for the Aquamarine Solar Project, our team supported utility-scale solar… the largest installation in America at the time, fully 3 GW of solar in California’s Central Valley, serving Pacific Gas and Electric. The EcoMotion team provided inspection services there…a crew in the heat and in the field for two weeks.

The resulting DC Remediation QA/QC report focused on T connectors and in-line fuse assemblies that were installed to remediate DC string failures. EcoMotion, led by Troy Strand, inspected a statistically-valid sample subset, including visual inspections of over 1,400 inspection points and over 500 thermographic inspection 500 points.

SOLAR FOR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

Chula Vista Elementary School District hired EcoMotion in February 2019 to provide a comprehensive solar and storage feasibility study for each of its 47 campuses and facilities. EcoMotion reported to CVESD’s board that the 8.1 MW project would save $66 – 88 million depending on how it was financed. In March 2020, the District was awarded bonding authority for the project, allowing for 100% solar at every campus and with no money down enabling over $80 million in savings over a 25-year period. The project also involves a solar-powered microgrid at the District Office to back up critical communications and IT systems.

To frame up the project, EcoMotion completed analysis of interval bill data, SDG&E rate structures and time-of-use periods, as well as spatial and financial analysis of all sites. With Board enthusiasm, EcoMotion spearheaded the effort to develop an RFP, to identify suitable firms for installation, and managed the procurement process. In the midst of a pandemic, EcoMotion facilitated a virtual proposers conference for the solar project. With thirteen firms in attendance, EcoMotion showcased all 49 campuses. All systems are now built and interconnected. Currently, EcoMotion tracks system performance through Engie’s Utility Vision system to assure each array’s operation and to measure each system’s performance.

In 2022, EcoMotion supported facilities officials at the Fremont Unified School District in its evaluation of two proposals for solar and storage. The proposals were each strong; one presented by Tesla and the other by Forefront. The analysis considered solar and storage at each of the District’s campuses. EcoMotion’s work culminated in a Board presentation with an objective review of the District’s options as well as EcoMotion’s recommendations.

For Huntington Beach City School District, EcoMotion performed a full solar forensic analysis of two sets of aging solar arrays there. The new facilities director wanted a complete review of their operations and value to the District, and to know whether costly maintenance was warranted. The systems were installed in 2010 by Chevron at a cost of $7.28 million, and in 2011 at a cost of $7.5 million. EcoMotion examined the solar systems on each campus in detail, taking note of conditions and identifying broken panels in the process. 

This site evaluation was then coupled with detailed evaluation of the monitoring system and the solar arrays’ performance. EcoMotion was able to easily tell which arrays were the best and worst performers. The financial analysis revealed how the Edison rates have actually escalated, and how the performance guarantees had been met, largely by banking early solar production prior to the contract effective date. EcoMotion provided detailed financials and recommendations to the District.

Mountain View School District had been through a failed solar process the year before, and called EcoMotion to resuscitate the District’s desire for solar. EcoMotion was hired to serve as the District’s owners representative and began with a thorough, impartial feasibility analysis. With Board approval, this led to a procurement process for the ten-campus project. EcoMotion is currently providing project oversight and quality control, working on behalf of the District with Luminace on installation, complicated by trees, easements, and tight summer schedules on several campuses. 

For Orange Unified School District, EcoMotion twice served as subject matter expert in procurement processes for solar power, the first for 13 campuses in 2018, and the second for 10 campuses in 2020. EcoMotion worked with OUSD officials to determine the locations for solar, followed by independent financial analysis of the value of solar at each site. EcoMotion crafted Requests for Proposals and helped the District evaluate proposers, and contract with them.

The Fall 2020 solicitation featured a successful Virtual Solar System Job Walk. EcoMotion’s two-hour, online job walk presented the District’s specifications for each site, proposed array and meter locations, and construction coordination details. EcoMotion presented aerial and photographic images, reinforced with a Google Drive complete with comprehensive site plans, utility interval data, etc. In each case, Ameresco was selected to finance, build, own, and operate on behalf of the District and through a power purchase agreement.

EcoMotion has also provided performance monitoring and verification services of its two sets of solar arrays for OUSD. Once the first set of campuses were outfitted with solar, EcoMotion analyzed the performance of these eight solar systems. This was Board direction: Before moving forward with solar on another 12 sites, the Board wanted to be sure of system performance and that all schools have been properly migrated to the correct utility rate. With access to billing data, EcoMotion assessed each site and flagged discrepancies in performance and rate structures.

For the Park Century School, EcoMotion serves as a solar and storage advisor. The school has been adding a multipurpose facility, sandwiched in a pizza pie shape between two facilities, one of its own. The design includes subterranean parking – with stacked cars tied to EV chargers, outdoor areas and multipurpose rooms. A large solar awning was envisioned by John Berry Architects. EcoMotion worked with John Berry and his associates advising on solar configurations and technologies. We examined several architectural glass products. Later our team calculated the solar performance of different designs. The storage analysis was tricky given space constraints and the option of night-time charging for the community.

In December 2022, EcoMotion received a call from Rescue Union School District officials about the prospect of helping the District go solar in time to maintain the benefits of Net Energy Metering 2. By April 14, 2023, the District would have to be comfortable with the feasibility of going solar using a power purchase agreement (PPA). It would have to have gone through a competitive solicitation to select a contractor, have a contract finalized, and have the contractor finalize each campus’s design to submit before the deadline. Many pieces had to align, and did. EcoMotion managed the process and met the deadline.

EcoMotion was hired by the Warner Unified School District to represent its interests in a “deposit lease” structure being offered for a solar system on campus. It was an intriguing deal involving a benefactor as well as tax equity partners and discounted power for the school. For legal reasons, the District rejected the no-money-down financial model. Ultimately, EcoMotion convinced the benefactor to use EcoMotion’s Benefactor Investment Model, actually forming a new variant, BIM-R… the R standing for revolving. By forming an LLC, and monetizing tax credits and depreciation benefits, the benefactor was able to drive down the cost of solar and then provide deeply discounted power to the school through a power purchase agreement. The PPA revenues to the benefactor then revolve into the next project.

EcoMotion is currently working for the Santa Rita Union School District located in Salinas, California. Salinas, with a population of 150,000, is in the heart of agricultural Monterey County, known as “the Salad Bowl of the World.” Our work for the six-campus SRUSD involved two activities: First, we’ve been asked to explore the use of battery storage systems for emergency back-up. The District has placed a high priority on six-hour storage to be able to keep students safely at school in the event of a power outage. The second task has been to examine the value of solar to the District. Our team analyzed bills for each campus and the District office (as well as adjacent Monterey County offices), conducted thorough site assessments, calculated emergency back-up requirements, and then evaluated energy and dollar savings opportunities for solar systems combined with rate switches. With Board approval, EcoMotion crafted and released a Request for Proposals for the District seeking emergency back-up (be it batteries or other forms of backup, including traditional generators) and an aggregate of 1 MW of solar. Bidders proposed one or both service options.

For the past six months, and as part of its Prop 39 work, EcoMotion has been working with the Santa Rosa Academy to develop a solar project, first exploring the school’s options, and then focusing in on the school’s direction and the rooftop of its new gym. EcoMotion coordinated this solicitation with the school’s architect and builder, crafting a request for proposals, managing job walk and bidders’ questions, and making a recommendation to the school on a select contractor.

In 2015, EcoMotion was hired by University of Southern California to assess its solar opportunities in student housing. EcoMotion’s solar team evaluated all sites for solar, measuring rooftops, conducting shading analysis, and noting roof conditions. These perspectives and data sets were then married with financial analysis, verifying rate structures and thus the value of solar on each facility.

EcoMotion is currently working for the Garden Grove Unified School District as its Proposition 39 manager, and in this capacity has introduced and advocated solar on campuses. Given Southern California Edison’s rate options, the District could save money and lots of it. EcoMotion’s solar team analyzed every school campus for solar, as well as the district office and its maintenance facilities, and found that in every case solar would save money for GGUSD while teaching students about taking climate action, and providing teachers and others with shaded parking. EcoMotion has made numerous presentations on the solar potentials, supported an RFP process that was scuttled, and continues to support solar as the District looks at bonding options for select campuses.

EcoMotion is currently working for the Poway Unified School District as its Proposition 39 manager, and in this capacity has supported the District in its review of solar on campus. The District has four systems in place already, and we evaluated these contracsts and the systems’ performances. We ran simulations of the value of solar on a number of high-using campuses, and found attractive economics. We reviewed and commented on the District’s desired power purchase agreement for limited solar on a number of its modulars. One contract review by EcoMotion seemed quite successful in lowering the PPA rate.

EcoMotion has served as Millbrook School’s carbon neutrality advisor, developing a plan to cut emissions to zero over time. The first phase resulted in the completion of a 1.735 MW solar system that now powers the School’s entire annual electricity use. After winning a $1.25 million incentive from the State of New York, EcoMotion helped the school secure a fixed 7.5 cent per kilowatt-hour price for the solar, with a zero percent escalator for 20 years, and Millbrook retains and can retire the RECs.

EcoMotion’s role in the process was sequential. We began fielding a call from a passionate faculty member. She’d received several cold call quotes for solar, and wanted help. But back up, school leadership would have to be brought on board. After several presentations, EcoMotion was brought on board by the school to represent it in solar exploration, and if favorable, its negotiation.

EcoMotion developed and released an RFP to qualified solar installation firms seeking cash and PPA pricing. We developed the Benefactor Investment Model assuming that we would need “friendly” capital to finance the system given that region of New York’s very low power rates. And then, after receiving a NYSERDA grant for $1.25 million, we were able to get the highly favorable PPA rate.

EcoMotion continued to serve as project manager throughout the construction period, addressing concerns and ongoing issues. There was a glitch: The interconnection study determine that there was a low power factor already in that part of the distribution network, and that we would not be able to interconnect without $580,000 dollars of cost. We’d allocated $250,000, hoping it would be much lower. Ultimately we were able to decrease the power factor on the solar system – resulting in 5% less kWh output – and to thus interconnect at a cost under the original placeholder. The eight-acre system is now operating as planned, providing 100% of the School’s power.

From 2013 through 2015, EcoMotion had the great privilege to partner with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and to serve as a solar advisor to its members. In 2016, and absent a formal contract renewal with AASHE, EcoMotion elected to continue to serve all AASHE members with the same service. Since then our solar team has had the great opportunity to work with solar advocates on campuses across the country. Our solar provides up to 10 hours of no-cost initial project consultation for AASHE’s campus 890+ members. “Just give us a call!”

Working as consultants through Solar Santa Monica, EcoMotion successfully negotiated a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between a financier, solar contractor, and the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. The 745 kW AC deal, providing for systems on nine schools, had been log-jammed until EcoMotion’s analysis and advocacy clarified and amended the originally proposed terms.

With over 2,000 campuses, LAUSD is the largest school district in California. In 2010 it was authorized with bonding authority for solar systems on LAUSD schools. EcoMotion joined an “all-star” solar team to prepare a pragmatic solar strategy that included a screening system for site selection. This involved roof age, material and condition; interconnection requirements; bill offset based on a myriad of rate structures; shade and wind analysis; and balancing technical opportunities with impacting young students and their families with positive renewable energy messages. EcoMotion reviewed dozens of sites for the District, paving the way for 10 solar systems on LAUSD campuses.

EcoMotion has a six-year history working with Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, California. We continue to serve on the colleges renewable energy committee. Our solar team analyzed the entire campus for its solar potential, and was instrumental in developing and continuing to refine the College’s solar strategy.

EcoMotion’s SMC solar scoping study detailed a 16-rooftop solar potential, complete with financial analysis. Meshing strategically with campus facilities improvements, EcoMotion identified a 1.2 MW potential. The College began the first phase of construction in 2009 and in the Fall of 2010 completed two systems mounted on parking lots, for a total of 408 kilowatts DC. The deal was enables by Chevron Energy Services, financing that combined energy efficiency with solar.

The College has made plans to expand its solar capacity with another 515 kW to be spread across four different buildings. EcoMotion supports the college in a number of ways – keeping facilities officials up to date on incentives and regulatory changes, and connecting certified contractors with College officials, and serving on an advisory board. Concurrently, EcoMotion advised the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District on an eight-school solar installation enabled by a power purchase agreement that provided 100% financing to the district.

The site is the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona Valley, and it’s Earth Day. There’s a special celebration for the new 5 kW solar system on its roof. University of Phoenix hired EcoMotion to design the initiative, locate suitable sites, and work with the select site through installation and commissioning. EcoMotion managed the process of selecting the recipient, the right roof and the right contractor for the job.

The select recipient was Pomona Valley. The University of Phoenix then donated the money for the system, managed by EcoMotion. Victor Caceres, Executive Director of the Pomona Valley Club, served as Master of Ceremonies of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, noting that the demonstration project will help educate future generations about their role in sustaining our natural resources, and that the club will benefit from monthly utility-bill savings for the next 25 years.

For Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California, EcoMotion provided a third-party analysis of the solar potential of a “perfect roof” on the new campus gymnasium. Despite the positive solar production potential, EcoMotion ultimately advised against the project based on the client’s utility rate structure and the College’s economic parameters.

In 2024, EcoMotion supported the Lemoore Union Elementary School District with a planned solar shade structure over the amphitheater Freedom Elementary School. After analyzing spatial considerations and its economics, EcoMotion crafted and released a request for proposals for a 220 kW system using DSA- approved shade structures. EcoMotion provided a dossier of documents for the proposers, managed questions and answers, managed a virtual job walk, reviewed and contrasted proposals, and recommended a vendor to the district

In 2022, EcoMotion supported the Centralia Unified School District located in Buena Park, California with a multi-faceted solar analysis. First up was an investigation of the potential for solar or solar plus storage at the new district office. Second was a district-wide solar portfolio analysis in which EcoMotion recommended a 835 kW, five-site project offsetting 96% of current usage and financed with Power Purchase Agreements.

Financial analysis of over 10 MW of solar to cover existing parking lots. Consideration of EcoMotion’s BIM model, the benefactor investment model… a clever means at the time to capture tax credits and depreciation benefits while allowing alum and others to support their alma mater with a financial return. Collaboration with GreenerU.

Facilitation works, conflicting interests between school district, local utility, and solar vendor. Bad power factor issue brought the completed and locked out project to a standstill. EcoMotion mediating between parties, seeking solutions and getting collaboration. Now in process of repairing kVAR generators and installing switch capacitors with total harmonic distortion filtration to meet utility requirements.

Several larger districts served by EcoMotion for Proposition 39 are presented individually… Garden Grove and Poway… as are others including Palm Desert Charter Middle School. Some of these schools were managed by EcoMotion in Climate Smart Schools partnership with the non-profit Climate Resolve.

The following list covers smaller districts and charter schools. In each case, provided preliminary energy audits to benchmark and determine energy intensity. We then provided energy efficiency assessments to identify measures that met the P39 savings investment ratio (SIR) requirement, for funding in energy efficiency expenditure plans. Once funded, our team worked to bring qualified vendors on board, in cases overseeing construction and installation.

  • Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America
  • California Connections Academy, San Juan Capistrano, CA
  • California Connections Academy, Ripon, CA
  • Cypress School District
  • Dehesa School District
  • Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, Fallbrook, CA
  • Gorman Learning Center, Redlands, CA
  • Graves Elementary School
  • Los Angeles Leadership Academy (LALA)
  • LA Leadership Primary Academy (LALPA)
  • Savannah School District
  • Sycamore Academy of Science and Cultural Arts, Murrieta CA

Support for solar projects given new construction… design, roofing and other solar-related considerations. Financial modelling… 3600 students, nine schools,

declining enrollment; highest academic achievement in San Diego academic performance index, for a district and a specific school, Sage Canyon School.

2019 report “Solar and Storage Assessment” EcoMotion conducted site visits for 7 schools, comprehensive analysis of the solar and storage potential… estimated cost savings; modeled scenarios, smaller returns for battery energy storage systems (BESS) included an assessment of roof conditions, with schools’ roofs ranging from 4 – 20 years in age.

EcoMotion served as Palm Desert Charter School’s Prop 39 consultant. Ultimately, the school got an impressive 51.8 kW solar array at the entry to school, providing much needed shade while educating young minds. Other Prop 39 activities included replacing nine rooftop HVAC units, installing demand- controlled ventilation in the multi-purpose room, installing Pelican wireless HVAC controls to manage 51 loads, and an energy management dashboard in the school lobby.

The Fremont Unified School District asked EcoMotion to analyze competing proposals for solar and energy storage at 27 schools.  EcoMotion researched and studied the claims of each company and made a presentation to the School Board illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal.  The Board was able to make an informed choice.