Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments wanted to not only be an upscale apartment
complex, but also one focused on 100% sustainability and eco-friendly
practices.
H.G. Fenton Co. and HES Solar created a groudbreaking solar
design which provides Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments with a 100% offset of
all the entire complex’s energy needs; including all common areas and
tenents’ usage.
Tenents of Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments can now take advantage of netzero utility costs as well a 100% offset of public amenity electricity costs,
reducing rental rates without compromising quality of living. H.G. Fenton Co
is taking advantage of zero common area electric costs which gives them a
more attractive, eco-friendly image.
Mike Neal
H.G. Fenton’s President and CEO
When H.G. Fenton Co. first started their plans for Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments in Scripps Ranch, they decided a long term investment in sustainabilty and eco-living would be a priority.
In addition to energy efficient appliances, the complex features garages pre-wired for electric vehicles, drip-irrigation landscaping, and smart thermostats in each of their 114 units.
While under construction, H.G. Fenton partnered with HES Solar to help make their eco-dreams into a reality. Never before had a project in California integrated Virtual Net Metering (VNEM) into an apartment community such as this. HES Solar was able to create a special metering system (VNEM) which gives each of the 114 units an alotted amount of energy produced by the solar system and meters each individually, as well as the on site amenities.
HES Solar was able to achieve offsetting 100% of Solterra’s energy consumption by installing three different types of solar arrays. Panels have been installed on the complex’s roofs, on a large groundmount near the south end of the property, and atop carport
structures, which also provide shade and protection for tenents’ vehicles.
Utilizing many different facets of sustainabilty, Solterra was able to achieve its goal of creating a luxurious, eco-friendly living environment for its community members. HES Solar helped them attain these objectives by finding a way to distribute energy from the sun evenly among Solterra’s 114 units and common areas and ultimately helping Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments become San Diego’s first Zero Net Energy apartment complex.
The residential-only entity HES Solar has redefined its scope and has narrowed its focus to home solar service and home battery service. The impact of 2023 California regulations to home solar projects has required this company truncation; we regret the elimination of new home energy installations from our offerings. HES Solar now concentrates on supporting existing systems with maintenance and repair services for HES Solar and non-HES Solar systems and remains available for workmanship warranty work on qualified HES Solar systems.
For commercial solar and commercial energy storage design, installation, service, and O&M offerings, please visit the HES Renewables website hesrenewables.com.
A note on the state of California residential solar: The residential solar industry has faced significant financial hurdles in the last few years as a direct result of hostile policy, most notably NEM 3.0. Our primary trade partner, SunPower, went into Chapter 11 in August, 2024, and a majority of other solar companies, large and small, have been forced to close, leave California, or restructure. We are glad to remain available as a home energy service group to support our customers and provide maintenance and repair for home systems that have been orphaned by other company closures.
We recognize your frustration with this news and never intended for our beloved 24-year-old residential solar business to curtail its offerings.