Solar provides family sunny savings

A handful of low-income Chula Vista homeowners can now say they’ve done their part to reduce their carbon footprint.
With the help of the city of Chula Vista, Sullivan Solar Power and GRID-Alternatives, three families were able to switch to solar energy and save up to 75 percent on their energy bill.

On June 20 Sullivan Solar completed a 12-panel, 2,485-watt solar power installation at the Yescas-Beitia residence. It was the largest collective solar deployment of residential solar in the city’s history.

Participants received cash back from Sullivan Solar Power for their solar projects, which totaled more than $60,000.
Lisa Yescas-Beitia applied for the program after finding out the program was free.

“I applied also because of the fact that it’s environmentally friendly and that it would lower our bill,” she said. “We have (three) grandchildren that we pay private school for. It would probably enable us to put another one through school.”

GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that works with residents living within areas of revitalization to bring them solar power systems. Sullivan donated 29 locally manufactured Kyocera solar panels to program participants.

“This is the first time I’m really looking forward to getting my bill,” Yescas-Beitia said.