Makello pays it forward, on KPBS Evening Edition

pay it forward, solve inequity, share solutions

Makello CEO Charlie Johnson was recently interviewed by KPBS Investigative Reporter Claire Trageser for the KPBS Evening Edition story “Lending Ends Monday For Third Round Of PPP, Which Aims To Correct Inequities“

Makello pays it forward by giving back to the community in many ways. In this case, on May 5th, we shared information with KPBS Evening Edition to follow up on their original story, “Businesses In San Diego’s Majority White Communities Received By Far The Most PPP Loans“, which aired on May 3rd.

We hoped KPBS would help us to inform the public in a timely manner about the difficulty of navigating the PPP program especially for minority owned and small businesses. Due to other media demands, KPBS was not able to publish this at an earlier date.

After many hours of work in reaching out to SBA banks, agents, and bank VIPs, Makello was able to secure grant funds. These funds are allowing us to reach out to underserved communities with an Energy Upgrades Lifeline, that will provide solar power, plug-in vehicles, and storage solutions for eligible customers, to improve cash flow.

We know other business owners were shut out of PPP loans. We want them to know there are other funding options available such as Energy Upgrades LIFELINEs for businesses.

Includes up to 5 hours of research, modeling and processing of applications for Grants, Rebates, Tax Credits, Discounts, Promotions and Subsidies, for San Diego businesses.

For Makello’s customers, the journey may begin with solar power, however, “The Road to Energy Independence” can include plug-in vehicles and energy storage.

Includes up to 5 hours of research, modeling and processing of applications for Grants, Rebates, Tax Credits, Discounts, Promotions and Subsidies, for San Diego businesses.

Welcome to Makello

solar power, energy storage, electric vehicles, upgrade
Energy Upgrades LIFELINE- Hurry Before It’s Too Late!
battery backup power 2020
Get On The Road To Energy Independence!

Energy Upgrades LIFELINE 1-2-3

In Case of Emergency, An “Energy Upgrades Lifeline” Pays For Itself
Get on the road to Energy Independence!

Pandemic stressing out the family finances? Turn your home and vehicle into a clean energy emergency fund!

Getting laid-off is stressful even in the best of times. In the midst of a pandemic, job loss and financial surprises can drain your savings account fast. Did you know that whether or not you have an existing solar energy system, you can tap into a combination of upgrade incentives and financing that can return money to you.  A Solar, Plug-In Vehicle and Energy Storage lifeline!

Recently, a solar-powered homeowner asked Makello to quote adding a Level 2 electric car charger for their Nissan Leaf, an installation often priced at $500 or less. Most solar companies refuse to take these small jobs as they are unprofitable for the installer.

But at Makello, we look at things differently. We know from experience that with the dizzying array of Solar Power, Plug-In vehicle, and Energy Storage incentives and energy cost savings, energy upgrades can pay for themselves. When the homeowner shared that their rooftop solar was installed for free under a low-income residential solar program (SASH), and that they had been laid off due to the pandemic, we started crunching numbers to see what we could do.  

We offered a plan to improve the homeowner’s cash flow and create a 6-month emergency reserve fund out of available incentives.

Makello Energy Analysis. LIFELINE Cost Savings Over Time
As you can see in the savings over time graph, the system is cash flow positive every year, meaning lower annual cost, through the term of the PACE financing, and then savings accelerates.

How did we do this?

Find Incentives  → Optimize Upgrade  → PACE financing  → Create 6-month ‘Lifeline’.

  1. Incentive Finder – Makello’s own GIS mapping database uses the home’s geographic location to determine eligibility for a wide variety of energy upgrade grants, rebates, discounts and tax credits.
  2. Optimize Upgrade – Makello’s own Energy Analysis software shows the optimal Solar, EV, and Energy Storage upgrade plan, for the eligible incentives. In California, benefits such as  emergency backup power for home and vehicles, water pumps, air-conditioning, air-purifying and fire-fighting equipment can all be worked into the upgrade plan.  In this case, Makello showed that a larger upgrade would tap into $23,448 in incentives, and give the homeowner more solar, energy storage, a second EV and Level 2 charger. 
  3. PACE program financing – The State of California offers a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing plan.  Homeowners can qualify based on a recent tax return or pay stubs.  The financing does not appear on a credit report, is not considered a loan, does not trigger a property reassessment, and can transfer to the next home buyer.
  4. Create a 6-month financial ‘lifeline’ –  Makello’s “Lifeline” incentive payment program tracks the incentives and requirements, and allows the homeowner to choose the best time to draw on their earned incentives.  In the example used here, a homeowner can decide after receiving the up front incentives to purchase a new or used Plug-In Vehicle, further reducing their monthly costs, or pay their most urgent bills, such as mortgage, food, and medical. 
CA Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE) financing
CA Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE) financing

Makello’s GIS mapping database, uses county parcel location to help homeowners determine eligibility for a wide variety of solar programs.  We also use mapping to help non-profit organizations to design programs in disadvantaged communities that promote solar energy and electric vehicle incentives for economic and environmental benefit.

Makello works with non profits and other agencies to create maps for Environmental Justice initiatives.

How the PACE Program works:

CA Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE) financing
CA Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE) financing

The PACE program is intended for those that can demonstrate the ability to pay. Homeowners provide a recent tax return or a pay stubs for income verification, and credit check, and Makello provides the Energy Analysis to show that the energy efficiency project will be cash flow positive. 

Book a FREE 15 minute appointment to: 1) Find out how Makello can help you. 2) Discuss your energy needs. 3) Get a FREE Energy Savings Estimate.

PACE financing ranges from 5 to 30 years term for solar, 10 years for Energy Storage, and can be used for other energy efficiency improvements, such as electric panel upgrade, EV Charging, and a long list of energy efficiency upgrades.  PACE can be as low as $0 down. It provides tax deductible interest.

For our homeowner in this example, Simple Payback is possible in 3.7 years through Annual Energy Cost Savings.  That means it’s a good deal for a cash purchase or loan. For those on a fixed income, traditional loans might not be a viable option. In the cases where PACE financing is Cash Flow Positive, we can present the PACE option as an alternative to traditional loans and leases.

Makello provides full disclosure about PACE terms and program information, as well as programs offered through banks and credit unions. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss the alternatives.

Click on the videos below to learn more.

battery backup power 2020
Get On The Road To Energy Independence!
utility black out battery back up power
Where Will You Be In The Next Blackout?
Makello makes driving easy as 123
Makello Makes Driving Electric as Easy as 1-2-3

At Job-I-Con, Makello’s Win is “Made in the Shade”

Makello’s display at the entrance of the KRA San Diego Career Centers career fair. Credit: KRA

Skyline showcases are difficult to manage.  At the September 18, 2019 “Job-I-Con” Hiring Event, held at the San Diego Library, 9th floor, the window walls stand 25’ tall, on 3 sides. The east wall and roof shade cast the entire room into heavy contrast between 10 AM and 12 PM.  

Book a FREE 15 minute appointment to: 1) Find out how Makello can help you. 2) Discuss your energy needs. 3) Get a FREE Energy Savings Estimate.

Makello understands what daily solar progression, heat gain, glare and backlighting issues from floor to ceiling windows can do to participation at a trade show.  For greatest exposure to candidates before they break a sweat, sometimes a good location choice is near the entrance. 

The aisles surrounding our table pass by Makello video displays, where “Why Makello?” and “What We Do” plays on repeat, next to our job postings.  Engineers drawn to the videos of Solar Power, Plug-In Vehicles, and Energy Storage soon create noise and crowding in front of our table.  

If pictures are worth a thousand words, it makes sense why our visitors often arrive with a good understanding about our mission, our vision and our purpose.  When job seekers are able to relate their goals and experiences to the company as a whole, it is possible to go beyond the currently open positions and find added value or new opportunities.

Despite her initial reservations about the match between a solar company and her interest in GIS Maps, Linda Boisvert stands out among the 60 visitors.  Makello Research Assistant position adapts to a GIS mapping focus.  An On-The-Job training program by San Diego Workforce Partnership makes it possible for Makello to invest in Linda’s skill development, using her Associates degree and lab work, to solve business technological challenges.  Linda’s background in Anthropology and Drafting/CAD, along with 11 years of HOA Management experience, helps Makello discover new potential revenue streams.

Linda’s mapping accomplishments shine in Makello’s Service Areas and in blog articles, such as “African Americans Concentrated in Diverse Redlined San Diego”, which highlight issues of Environmental and Social Justice, Transportation, and Health.  Makello receives recognition from several non-profit organizations for our educational webinars and board presentation of the map and analysis.  We look forward to continuing to support community development programs and hospitals throughout San Diego with valuable interactive research maps.  

Linda’s demographic and incentives maps uncovers an “Energy Upgrade LIFELINE” program for low income and medical care qualified residents, and for fire-threat communities.  Thousands of San Diego homes and businesses can qualify for up to 100% incentives on Solar Power, Plug-In Vehicles, and Energy Storage. Affordable Energy Independence!

Metro Career Centers and the San Diego Workforce Partnership empowers the San Diego community by connecting jobs to qualified applicants.  Makello encourages San Diego companies to get outside of the bubble and make valuable connections at workforce.org.

Makello works with non profits and other agencies to create maps for Environmental Justice initiatives.

1930s redlining impacts African American communities today
1930s redlining still impacts African American communities 90 years later.
North County San Diego DAC LIC
Disadvantaged Communities (SB535 DAC) and Low Income Communities (AB 1550) in North County San Diego are eligible for additional SGIP Rebates.

Fisker Ocean

electric Fisker Ocean luxury SUV recycled/vegan materials
electric Fisker Ocean luxury SUV recycled/vegan materials
Fisker Inc. Reveals Name of All-Electric Luxury SUV, App-Based Leasing Program. The Fisker Ocean is the world’s most sustainable vehicle: green materials and environmentally-conscious production processes complement future-forward technologies and stunning design touches. The vehicle can be experienced through a revolutionary mobile app-based flexible lease model: no long-term contracts, service and maintenance included. Reservations open Nov. 27; Unveil on Jan. 4. #ReinventTheSUV

The greenest vehicle on the market could be yours by 2021.

The Fisker Ocean is going to be a luxury SUV made from recycled and vegan materials featuring an all-electric drivetrain and up to 1000 miles of EV recharging per year.

Are you ready to save money on solar power, EV charging or Energy Storage? Get an instant quote from Makello!

Some of their most innovated features include a full length solar roof, fully recycled carpeting, a vegan interior, eco-suede, repurposed rubber, and of course its all electric model range.

Reservations open Nov 27th, 2019 and are available via their state-of-the-art app. There is no long term lease contract with their flexible lease model that is all executed through the app.