Palm Desert AB811 Financing could fund ClearEdge fuel cells

ClearEdge CE5 Fuel cell power systems an option
Reader Submitted to The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA

August 30, 2008
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ClearEdge Power applauds the City of Palm Desert, which Thursday becomes the first city in the country to provide residents with low-cost loans for energy-efficiency home improvements. The groundbreaking financing program is good news for homeowners, and for a number of companies throughout Southern California which provide alternative, clean energy technologies.
“The City of Palm Desert has essentially made it much easier for a larger number of residents and businesses to begin saving energy and money immediately, with very little investment up front,” says Bill Sproull, ClearEdge Power Senior Vice President, Business Development.

ClearEdge Power, a leading provider of ultra-clean and efficient on-site energy generation systems for homes and small businesses has been working with the City of Palm Desert, and supported the passage of Assembly Bill 811 (AB 811), which offers California cities a new way to help their citizens finance energy improvements. ClearEdge Power's CE5, a compact energy system that efficiently converts natural gas or propane into both electricity and heat, using clean fuel cell technology, will qualify for the Palm Desert Energy Independence Loan.

“ClearEdge Power has been working closely with the city of Palm Desert to understand and respond to the City's energy reduction goals. Alternative energy technologies, like the residential fuel cell energy systems, will go a long way toward helping the City achieve those goals,” says Pat Conlon, Palm Desert Energy Office Director. Conlon leads the City's ‘Set-to-Save' program, one of the most aggressive energy reduction initiatives in the country.

Home and business owners in the Coachella Valley currently pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country. Palm Desert's Energy Independence Loan Program and AB 811 will help in two significant ways: first, the initial capital cost investment for a new alternative energy system, like the CE5, will be spread over a multi-year loan term. Second, home and business owners will realize the cash and environmental savings from efficient energy systems from day one.

“We're essentially putting cash directly back into the pockets of homeowners and businesses while helping them reduce their overall energy consumption,” Sproull added.

The City of Palm Desert waived permitting fees, earlier this year, to encourage the installation of fuel cell systems. ClearEdge Power is working with architects, builders, home and business owners in the Coachella Valley and plans to begin the first local CE5 installations this fall.

About ClearEdge Power:
ClearEdge Power is a pioneer and leading provider of ultra-clean and efficient on-site energy generation systems for homes and small businesses. With operations throughout the West Coast of the United States, the company is positioned at the center of clean energy technology innovation and market adoption. Today, the company manufactures and markets the highly efficient CE5, a new energy solution that helps homes and businesses save money, reduce C02 emissions and maintain a comfortable lifestyle. For more information, go to http://www.clearedgepower.com/.