My Mission

Is to help you find the right solar system and installer for your individual needs. I currently work with four solar companies as a W2 employee and could give you a non biased recommendation based on your needs. The disadvantage of working with individual companies is that you will get biased information based on what that company sells- instead of what is right for you.

There are many different options you have to consider when looking at solar. What type of panels are best for your area and your house? Should you buy or lease? What is the best lease out there? What is the best return on investemnt for your situation? Is solar even the right fit for you, or should you wait?

Simply fill out the solar consultation form and I will look at the satellite image of your house and advise you over the phone. If you feel a need to meet- I will be happy to come out. References are available by phone.

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How To Choose The Right Installer

Installing a solar energy system is a major renovation to your home or business, and it is necessary to research the industry before choosing the person to do the job. To start finding the right solar energy installer for your project, draw up a description of your goals. Then make a list of questions pertaining to this job. Both the description and the list can be used to interview the solar contractors. Before deciding, you will want to have a few different contractors bid on the project.

In the state of California there are 43 different classifications of licensing for contractors and anyone who contracts on a job of $500.00 or more must have a license. General contractors can oversee projects and coordinate subcontractors with specialty licenses for the task. Solar contractors with a C-46 license can install, modify, maintain, and repair thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. A C-10 electrical contractor places, installs, erects or connects any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduits, solar photovoltaic cells or any part thereof, which generate, transmit, transform or utilize electrical energy in any form or for any purpose.  In researching the license of the contractor, it is important to know if the license is current and how long has the contractor been licensed?

Having found 3 Orange County installers that have the correct license you will then want to determine:

• How many jobs have they done?
• Have they done a similar installation?
• Are they bonded?
• How long will it take to do the job?
• Do they have Worker’s Compensation?
• Do they carry liability insurance?
• Who will actually do the work?
• Who will clean up?
• Will they obtain and fill out the documentation for the rebates?
• Will they provide a written contract covering pricing, timing, quality and warranty agreements?
• What is their warranty policy?

After receiving written estimates from the contractors, compare the quotes for every aspect of the project, not just price. Make sure that everything is detailed in you bid before signing anything.

Good luck with your project and remember to ask lots of questions.

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How To Choose The Right Solar Panel

We know that this can be an overwhelming decision and we will try to equip you with the latest and most useful information you will need in making your decision. 

When choosing the right panel there are a few things to consider.

1. Cost – this should not be the most important factor, but it should be high on the list.  What you want is a panel that is a balance between the cost and performance.  Chinese panels will be the lowest cost and value, Japanese panels are better, European and American are the best.

2. Efficiency– the more efficient the panel, the more power they produce.  A high-efficiency system will give you a better return on your money.  Typically, solar panels for homes have efficiencies between 14% and 20%.  

3. Durability– all solar panels will come with a 25 year warranty.  We don’t recommend anything less than 25 years.  The longer the warranty on your solar panels, the more comfort you have about the long-term performance of your solar investment.

4. Type Of Panels – there are 3 main types of solar panels; mono-crystalline, poly-crystalline and amorphous.  For the most part, the only two types of solar panels used for homes are poly-crystalline and mono-crystalline.

Solar Panel Comparison

Yes, some panels are more efficient than others, but that doesn’t mean that they are worth paying the additional price.  You should always keep in mind how many watts the system will produce and how long it will take to pay for itself.  Each solar installer should give you an EPBB calculation.  That calculation is done by the California Solar Initiative to determine you rebate.  It is based on third party performance data from tests done on the panels.

Here are some solar manufacturers we like (no specific order):

• Schuco (Made in Germany) due to intensive research, continual development of the production process and a new type of highly automated manufacture, Schüco is one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of thermal collectors.
• SunPower (Made in USA) was founded by Dr. Richard Swanson in 1984 after initially looking at developing solar energy technology as a way to tackle the oil crisis in the 1970s having become intrigued by the use of solar cells that were being utilized on space satellites. Fast forward 36 years and SunPower is now one of the biggest developers in the solar energy field.  They have offices in Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, Korea and Australia.
• Kyocera Solar (Made in Japan, Mexico & USA) is a world leader in solar technology. Kyocera Corporation was founded in 1959 in Kyoto, Japan. They helped organize the Japan Solar Energy Corp. in 1975 and since then they’ve consistently been ahead of the curve in research and development.
• Sharp Solar (Japan owned, manufactured in USA) began mass production of solar cells in the sixties when they constructed a 225-watt generating facility for a lighthouse, the world’s largest solar power system at the time. Their proprietary innovation in surface texturing of panels increases their light absorption yielding high efficiency ratings up to 14.4 percent.  
• MAGE (Made in Germany and USA)Strictest quality controls and continuous investment in R&D make MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules one of the top market-leaders with an outstanding 10-year product warranty and a 30-year 80% performance guarantee. MAGE SOLAR’s highly acclaimed German engineered/US-assembled modules are UL-listed and fully ARRA-compliant.
• SolarWorld (Assembled in USA) Founded in 1988 has over 3,600 employees producing solar cells, silicon wafers and photovoltaic modules in various countries including Sweden and the U.S.  Its revenue turnover for 2010 was 1.3 billion Euros. It is currently enjoying a boom posting a 32% increase in annual shipments of megawatts to 185 MW.
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Solar Energy For Your Business

The benefits of a commercial solar system go much further than just reduction of your carbon footprint. A commercial solar system provides fixed cost electric rates for your business through a renewable, clean source.

In as little as 4 years, your solar system can pay for itself through huge tax benefits available only to commercial customers. You can also save on energy expenses through innovative financing and lease options.  For many businesses, investing in solar energy makes low risk financial sense. Your new solar energy system will:

-Have a quick return on investment (average 5 years)

-Reduce your tax liability

-Lower operating expenses and free up cash for other opportunities

A solar system can provide energy for over 30 years. With no moving parts, there is little to no maintenance required.  In addition to that, your solar system provides a great opportunity to build your green identity. Solar energy generation boosts more than just your bottom line it will:

-Build your company’s green identity

-Create employee pride

-Generate a positive community image

Trying to figure out the feasibility for a commercial solar system should be done with assistance by an experienced solar installer and your accountant or CFO.  Many businesses in Orange County can benefit from solar, but there are specific site factors and financial considerations that can maximize your return on investment. You need a professional solar contractor to analyze these factors and provide your business with the optimal solar energy solutions.

*When looking for a commercial solar installer, it is very important to find an installer with a large portfolio of commercial installs. Don’t choose one without checking how many large jobs they have under their belt. Experience is the most important thing.

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