Baker Electric Solar Helps San Marcos Santa Light Up His Wonderland

Baker Electric Solar is pleased to announce it installed a 9.8 kW solar system for the popular San Marcos, California holiday display, Christmas on Knob Hill. For more than 25 years the Gilfillen's have created a stunning array of 100,000 holiday lights, figures and decorations.

San Diego, Calif. December 18, 2014 – Baker Electric Solar, a San Diego solar company that designs, builds and installs photovoltaic solar power systems across Southern California, is pleased to announce it installed a 9.8 kW solar system for the popular San Marcos, California holiday display, Christmas on Knob Hill.


For more than 25 years, Christmas on Knob Hill homeowners Bill and Elaine Gilfillen have created a stunning display of holiday lights, figures and decorations at their residence at 1639 Knob Hill Road. Prior to the 30 SunPower panel installation with two PowerOne inverters, the family's annual electrical consumption was at 15,399 kWh. With the state-of-the-art solar system designed by Baker Solar Energy Consultant, Scott O'Hara, the Gilfillen's are now estimated to produce 14,665 kWh via the sun. The family is on track to realize 90 percent savings, from annual electrical bills totaling approximately $5000 down to $470 per year.

From the weekend after Thanksgiving until December 30, Christmas on Knob Hill has established itself as one of San Diego County's premiere residential light displays. For the past quarter-century, Bill Gilfillen, a 76-year-old retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, has devoted three months of every year to transforming the hilltop home into a winter wonderland for more than 10,000 annual visitors. The tradition started in 1987 as a gift to his children. Bill has amassed an amazing display, including 100,000+ lights, animated figures and 80 snowmen. Santa (Bill) makes special appearances two weeks before Christmas. For information on the times of his visits, go to https://www.facebook.com/christmasonknobhill. Children are encouraged to bring their Christmas list and have their photo taken with Santa at this fun and free event.

When asked why they do the display every year, Bill says, "We decorate as a gift to the community. We see this as a way of giving back, and we enjoy seeing the happy faces of kids and adults alike." On average, there are 265 sunny days per year in San Marcos. It gets hot during the summer months requiring the use of air conditioning, while the annual holiday display nearly tripled the homeowner's monthly electric bill.

"The Christmas display requires a tremendous amount of electricity. For this reason, we elected to go solar with Baker Electric Solar. They are the one vendor that offered SunPower solar panels which are considered top of the line," said Bill Gilfillen.
"Baker is a reputable company and did a fantastic job for us from start to finish."

"It is indeed an honor to be selected by Mr. Christmas to install their solar system," said Baker Electric Solar President, Mike Teresso. "The Gilfillen's are the perfect solar customer. With soaring utility costs, they made the decision to lock in savings. It's estimated that they will save approximately $155,000 over the life of their SunPower solar system."

For more information about Baker Electric Solar, visit http://bakerelectricsolar.com.

About Baker Electric Solar
San Diego solar company, Baker Electric Solar, designs, builds and installs photovoltaic solar power systems for new and existing homes, commercial facilities and utility-scale projects across Southern California. Baker Electric Solar is a BBB accredited business with an A+ rating. It has been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as a ranking Clean-Tech Company, Alternative Energy Supplier, and one of San Diego's Fastest Growing Companies. It ranked No. 10 on the Journal's 2014 Best Places to Work in San Diego Medium Category. Baker also earned the 2013 Angie's List Super Service Award and recently was named one of Solar Power World Magazine's 2014 Top 400 Solar Contractors in North America. Baker Electric Solar is San Diego's first SunPower Elite Dealer. For more information, visit http://bakerelectricsolar.com.

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