Shocking to me, Luminalt’s website had a lot of customer reviews, every page displayed a comment from a satisfied customer. At this point I was tired of seeing customer reviews. There were a plethora of articles in the ‘news and events’ section. This is the only section that advertises what Luminalt has done for the community and other community-building related events. With over 700 solar systems installed, Luminalt have installed systems for any requirement, from nonprofits, to resturants, from LEED certified, to multistory homes.
3. Results
Within the 700 projects, their largest project was the Levi Stadium, now powered with solar. Thanks to Luminalt, “there are exactly 544 SunPower E20 Series solar panels that cover the roof of the stadium and three solar panel covered bridges for the main entrance and exit.” (Solar Bowl) Despite the size of the Levi Stadium, it uses 30% less energy compared to being powered with fossil fuel, because of its efficiency. Much like what Prof. M. Jacobson have mentioned in his 100% renewable energy proposal, we will be using 30% less energy because of how efficient energy will be. Luminalt proudly displays their mission on their website. Besides the usual spiel of high satisfied customer service rate and superior equipment, Luminalt vows to improve the community and the environment through sustainable and innovative energy solutions.With all the talk of the great values Luminalt pledge to hold, they have not mention whether they were practicing their business sustainably or not. With a quick search of their office, you can clearly see that they have a good set up of solar panels on their rooftop. As a solar power advocate it is safe to assume that they do source their energy from renewables. The main sustainable practice Luminalt have mentioned was how they cater to the local community by which releases less carbon dioxide emission compared to companies who would serve a larger diameter. In the March of 2012, Luminalt have teamed up with Mission Pie, a San Francisco bakery, to convert their business to an environmentally friendly bake shop. With the help of a 12 kilowatt solar electrical system, Mission Pie was able to, “offset 20,540 pounds of CO2 within the following year.” (Small Business Week Profile: Mission Pie) To put into perspective, that is equivalent to the emission of a car using 1,027 gallons of gasoline. Mission Pie is one of many small businesses, non-profits, schools, and community centers that Luminalt have helped transition into the world of renewable energy. Luminalt has also partnered up with other organizations, such as Grid Alternative, to work on projects like solar panel installation for low income homes. Luminalt have also partnered up with One Atmosphere, an organization who reduces the effect of climate …show more content…
Both of Luminalt’s warehouse and office are located in San Francisco. This means that their trucks drives a shorter distance to help a client or go to a community board meeting compared to a company who may not be local and has to travel further. Luminalt also designs and installs their own systems, so there is no wait on a third party. Whatever project they are working on, they can easily communicate because all Luminalt employees, from installers to designer are located within the same building. This can have many benefits. They are more likely to be on time, they have a better understanding of the weather and can recommend the appropriate system, they are convenient, they can easily be referred to someone else like a neighbour, and their office is accessible to clients. These are all very desirable traits and are being used to their …show more content…
Skytech Solar, another San Francisco solar installation company, also hold the same values and commitments as Luminalt-- community enriching. Unlike Luminalt, Skytech Solar does entail more details about their practices. “We use American-made equipment for homes and businesses.” (SkytechSolar) The exact state and city were not mentioned, but at least we know it is somewhere within the United States. There are alledge rumors of Luminalt’s solar panels being manufactured in China. Even though they are building their community, manufacturing their equipment internationally and having them shipped over to the Bay Area is does not quite fit with their ‘locally sourced workers for a local business’
3. Results
Within the 700 projects, their largest project was the Levi Stadium, now powered with solar. Thanks to Luminalt, “there are exactly 544 SunPower E20 Series solar panels that cover the roof of the stadium and three solar panel covered bridges for the main entrance and exit.” (Solar Bowl) Despite the size of the Levi Stadium, it uses 30% less energy compared to being powered with fossil fuel, because of its efficiency. Much like what Prof. M. Jacobson have mentioned in his 100% renewable energy proposal, we will be using 30% less energy because of how efficient energy will be. Luminalt proudly displays their mission on their website. Besides the usual spiel of high satisfied customer service rate and superior equipment, Luminalt vows to improve the community and the environment through sustainable and innovative energy solutions.With all the talk of the great values Luminalt pledge to hold, they have not mention whether they were practicing their business sustainably or not. With a quick search of their office, you can clearly see that they have a good set up of solar panels on their rooftop. As a solar power advocate it is safe to assume that they do source their energy from renewables. The main sustainable practice Luminalt have mentioned was how they cater to the local community by which releases less carbon dioxide emission compared to companies who would serve a larger diameter. In the March of 2012, Luminalt have teamed up with Mission Pie, a San Francisco bakery, to convert their business to an environmentally friendly bake shop. With the help of a 12 kilowatt solar electrical system, Mission Pie was able to, “offset 20,540 pounds of CO2 within the following year.” (Small Business Week Profile: Mission Pie) To put into perspective, that is equivalent to the emission of a car using 1,027 gallons of gasoline. Mission Pie is one of many small businesses, non-profits, schools, and community centers that Luminalt have helped transition into the world of renewable energy. Luminalt has also partnered up with other organizations, such as Grid Alternative, to work on projects like solar panel installation for low income homes. Luminalt have also partnered up with One Atmosphere, an organization who reduces the effect of climate …show more content…
Both of Luminalt’s warehouse and office are located in San Francisco. This means that their trucks drives a shorter distance to help a client or go to a community board meeting compared to a company who may not be local and has to travel further. Luminalt also designs and installs their own systems, so there is no wait on a third party. Whatever project they are working on, they can easily communicate because all Luminalt employees, from installers to designer are located within the same building. This can have many benefits. They are more likely to be on time, they have a better understanding of the weather and can recommend the appropriate system, they are convenient, they can easily be referred to someone else like a neighbour, and their office is accessible to clients. These are all very desirable traits and are being used to their …show more content…
Skytech Solar, another San Francisco solar installation company, also hold the same values and commitments as Luminalt-- community enriching. Unlike Luminalt, Skytech Solar does entail more details about their practices. “We use American-made equipment for homes and businesses.” (SkytechSolar) The exact state and city were not mentioned, but at least we know it is somewhere within the United States. There are alledge rumors of Luminalt’s solar panels being manufactured in China. Even though they are building their community, manufacturing their equipment internationally and having them shipped over to the Bay Area is does not quite fit with their ‘locally sourced workers for a local business’