Latest News About Solar
Forget coal, solar will soon be cheaper than natural gas power
The staggering drop in the cost of clean energy has already upended the global power market over the past two decades — and that trend will only continue for the next two decades, according to new analysis from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).
As a result, renewables will capture the lion’s share of the $10.2 trillion the world will invest in new power generation by 2040, BNEF projects in its annual New Energy Outlook 2017 report.
Install Solar Panels To Reduce Monthly Bills
Install Solar Panels To Reduce Monthly Bills
Anger is a good motivator for many homeowners. I am one of them. I had been trying to minimize my electricity bill during 2014. Despite the efforts to reduce air conditioning, heating, and lighting loads, my electric bill started rising dramatically at the end of 2014 and into 2015- at times exceeding $250. I tried to do comparison between companies, however, the reduced rate was on the “generation” part of the bill only. After the power transmission charges, distribution charges, and taxes are added, there was not much difference in price. I decided to measure and quantify my consumption. I knew it was time to make a decision, but I knew it was not going to be easy to determine if solar would be cost-effective. I did my search around trying to find the right solar company that can get me the deal that I needed. I spoke to many Solar companies including Solar Connection. I have to tell you, that Solar Connection company was able to help me get my questions answered and the confidence I needed to make my buying decision.
Connect With Solar Connect Today!
Before the engineering started, I had to sign a contract. The big issue here was whether to buy vs lease. Buying the system seemed very attractive to me at first. Two of my co-workers (who chose different companies) decided that buying was best for them. The more I investigated the more I was not sure if it was right for me, but the Solar Connection team was able to help me see the glass half full than half empty. They were able to point me out the great benefits of owning your own system. They let me know that I would own all of the credits and incentives (Federal and State), and take them each year or when available. This essentially reduced more than 50% of the costs.
Since 2015, I have had solar installed in my home, my electricity bill has been only a fraction of the cost I used to spend on a monthly basis. There is no need for my electricity bills to go up, since I am in control of the energy that is generating. Call Solar Connection today to see how much you will save when you install solar panels. They helped me and they can help you save too! Click here to get started with Solar Connection.
Price To Install Solar Panels
With Energy prices on the rise, this may be the perfect time to go solar.
Here are a three types of solar panels you need to consider that will affect the cost of installing solar panels.
There are 3 types of solar panels that are used the most.
As you expected, the most effective solar panels have the highest cost. The most effective and most expensive type of solar panel is Monocrystalline, which is constructed from one continuous sheet of silicone. Slightly less expensive, and less effective, is Polycrystalline. These solar panels consist of many individual PV cells held together by metal conductors. Amorphous solar panels are the least expensive of the three types but also the least efficient. They are made up of a thin layer of silicon placed on top of a metal or glass base.
There are many that hesitate to spend the money on the most expensive types of solar panel mounts, it is good to remember that you will save money on the other side with the decreased energy bills. You can talk to Solar Connection pros about the kinds of savings you are qualified for. It could be that what you spend up front will pay for itself very quickly in your reduced monthly bills.
Renewable energy concept
Incentives and Subsides
States and cities offer incentives and subsidies to upgrade your home to a solar panel home. Check out with your local city to see how much you qualify to lower down the costs. If you own a property in California and are considering in switching to solar you are in luck! Home owners and business owners in California have a load of incentives to choose to install solar power. For more exact costs of your solar panel installation please call us at (888)988–4693.
Price To Install Solar Panels
The question that everyone is asking themselves: How much does solar panels cost? The costs is something an increasing number of homeowners are weighing against the price of their other bills. Just like electric cars, solar panels once seemed “alternative,” even fanciful-but are now soaring into the mainstream with ear-popping speed. There have been a lot of recent changes in technology, bringing the costs of solar panels down. With lower energy bills, it’s no wonder that many homeowners are super interested about adding solar panels to their homes.The question now is, how much does solar panels cost? And How much do they save you in the long run? Here are the following things you need to keep in mind.
Solar Panel Costs Breakdown
What you will need to pay for solar will vary in your state and the size of the solar panel system. Just put it this way, the more energy you want to generate, the more solar equipment you will get. The average on solar panels will cost $3.70 per watt. This means the average size 5 kilowatt solar system would run about $18,500.
Yes, that does seem expensive. But the price will end up being much less when you factor in the many government incentives that help pay for it.
How much is “lower costs” for installing solar panels?
One of the biggest ways to reduce solar panel installation costs is the 30% federal tax credit that you invest in, which was extended to 2019. States will offer their own breaks as well, add them together, and the savings will be much more.
For example, say you are a homeowner in Anaheim, CA, who wants to install a large 7 kilowatt panel system. Multiply that by the national average $3.70 per watt, and you will get the total solar panel cost of 25,900. But then you will need to factor in the city and state rebate.
If you are eligible for the rebate, they would essentially take in $800 per kilowatt—or $5,600—for your installation. This would bring your total down to $20,300. The 30% federal tax credit takes away an additional $6,090, so your total adjusted cost is $14,210—more than $10,000 less than the original price. If you want to know the costs of installing solar panels please click here to contact us for a free estimate.
The Biggest Mistake That Many Homeowners Make Before Installing Solar
Solar panels are installed for the basic concept of getting a return on investment ROI. Why wouldnt we want to save the money we could have been spending without solar. We all want to make sure that we are not swindled to a Mickey Mouse job, or an expensive job for crappy material. This is why Solar Connection CA is the place to go for all your solar panel installation needs. This is why many of us do our research before we buy anything, whether it is a baby stroller, or a plasma TV we are buying, we always want to do our research before we buy.
That should not be reason why there are so many Southern California homes that don’t have solar panels. There are many homeowners that start doing their research and get overwhelmed with the amount of information that is online. These are the following questions many homeowners ask themselves before installing solar:
How much solar energy does solar panel produce?
How much energy is my home appliances using up?
How many solar panels are going to be needed in my home?
Will it cost me an arm and a leg?
Will I really save money with solar throughout the years?
Ill installing solar reduce the amount of electricity I pay on a monthly basis?
How long is the warranty for my solar panels?
These are just the very few questions that many homeowners are searching online. All of these questions may set many back in some way. There might be answers provided on Google or Yahoo search results, and many at times get the wrong answers. It can get bit discouraging but don’t let that turn you away from the great benefits solar can bring you. Start making the right moves and call Solar Connection CA today.
Install Solar Panels In Orange County and surrounding Los Angeles area!
4 Mistakes When Installing Solar
Here are four mistakes many people make when installing solar panels. They are not in any order and it happens all the time.
Mistaking Daylight To Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight exposure is specific hours of time of the day that the sun produces a good amount of solar energy. This is where many confuse the energy exposure and energy produced. There is no difference between the summer and the winter sunlight exposure. Just because it is summer time, we are not getting more sun. If the day only has 12 hours, the energy is produced around the peak times (the time the home is exposed the most). The rest of the day there is generating energy coming in, just not that much.
Underestimating the power consumption in our homes. We might have lots of gadgets in the home that take up energy, but don’t really know how much energy is taken from each. Well there are different ways, you can actually use a device that calculates how much energy is produced. If you have house appliances with the Energy Guide label is on it, it will tell you exactly how much you are using. Play close attention to AC, Heaters, Blow Dryers, Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators and so forth, if you at least get an estimate of all of those accumulated, you will know how much you are using.
Unreasonable Expectations
Whether you want to go green or save money, you need to know the limitations you are getting into. It is very easy to go to Harbor Freight or Amazon and buy solar panel and install it yourself. Its affordable, around $150-$300 bucks. If your solar panel only produces 100kw and your fridge needs 600kw to power the fridge, it will not be enough. The fridge is always on and it needs constant power coming in 24/7. It is suggested to start small like a lamp light, and work your way up.
Bad Solar Installation
It needs to face south, if you live in the northern hemisphere. It needs to be the angle of latitude. The solar panel needs to keep itself cool, if it reaches a level where it is too hot, the solar panels will not produce the rated efficiencies. Not enough air will cause the solar panels to work poorly.
For full tips on avoiding solar panel mistakes click play..
Solar Panel Installers In Los Angeles
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Serving some 4 million residents, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power LADWP is the largest publicly owned utility in the US. It’s able to draw on some 7,200 MW peak of power. Providing an idea of just how much solar energy potential there is in LA, sunlight could generate up to 5,500 MW of electric power in Los Angeles, according to UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation.
Aiming to help meet the goals of California’s SB 1 “Million Solar Roofs” legislation, LADWP’s Solar Incentive Program was reopened and is open to residential applicants. The new budget limit for non-residential applications was reached in August 2013, prompting LADWP to close the program down, at least until July 2013 when it is slated to reopen.
For those who qualify, the incentive program covers up to 75% of project costs for residential, government, and non-profit installations, and up to 50% of commercial installations. The maximum rated capacity for a rooftop solar PV system to be eligible for the program is 5 MW, with the minimum set at 1 kilowatt kW.
In its search for the most effective means of boosting solar PV in Los Angeles, LADWP in July launched a pilot Feed-in Tariff FiT program, an alternative type of an incentive program. The FiT Demonstration Program allows third-party solar power producers to sell as much as 10 MW of solar power directly to LADWP and its electric grid. The city utility received 26 applications for the FiT Demonstration Program during a 1.5-month bidding period, with short-listed projects expected to undergo interconnection studies in August and September. This is a major game changer for many, because you can tell that solar is actually working. To see if you qualify for a program that suits your property and your budget. Call us now to discuss the options you have to save with solar energy.
How Much Energy Does A Solar Panel Generate?
How Much Energy Does A Solar Panel Generate? With much cooler temps coming, one common myth about solar is you need warmer climates to produce solar energy. How Much Energy Does A Solar Panel Generate? As the summer comes to a close in Southern California, residents are preparing for cooler temperatures. What does this mean for installed solar panels? There is lots of talk about solar performance and how the temperature will determine how much solar energy your panels will receive. Will the cooler temp affect how much your solar panels will receive?
The overall temperature does not, I repeat does not affect the amount of energy solar panels receive. The only amount of energy depends on the one simple variable: how much sunlight is received from the sun. The temperature has little to do with the energy creation and the source.
Solar Connection solar panels are made differently from the rest, and the magic lies in the solar cells. Solar cells are backed up with solid copper, which is sturdy and resists corrosion from the elements where conventional solar cell designs cannot. The metallic connectors between the cells on Solar Connection arrays are much thicker, and therefore more resilient to daily wear and tear from thermal expansion as the temperature changes. Solar Connection guarantees their panels will still be producing 92% of year one projected power after 25 years, whereas conventional panels can only promise about 80.7%. For more information on how much energy you will produce with solar please watch this informational video.
Solar Costs In The U.S Drops A Whopping 75 Percent In 6 Years
Why is that?
Is it good to buy solar now?
The Department of Energy attributed achieving the goal to the rapidly declining costs of solar energy. The Energy Department announced that the average price of utility-scale solar dropped to 6 cents per kilowatt hour, which Obama had set in 2011 as the goal for his “SunShot” program. That program, which provided research funding and other support aimed to reduce the total cost of photovoltaic energy by 75 percent by 2020. Largely due to rapid cost declines in solar photovoltaic (PV) hardware, the average price of utility-scale solar is now 6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The Department of Energy is well aware that the costs are going down, and they state that they will continue research to drive down costs, such as new funding programs that includes early stage research to address solar energy’s critical challenges of grid reliability, resilience, and storage.
The Department of Energy announced that 28 million in new funding for solar research, particularly for research into “concentrating solar”-which uses mirrors to direct sunlight to generate thermal energy-and into improved grid technology. Their new goals to keep reducing the cost of solar much more further than it is now, as low as 3 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2030.
The new funding on solar energy seems to go against the White House. The White House had proposed cutting funds for Energy Department research by 71 percent, to $ 70 million, in its 2018 budget request according to the Bloomberg News. To check out how much you will save with solar energy please click here.
As cost of US solar drops, @Energy announces $82 million in new funding for solar research. https://t.co/3Fi5vPzRfw pic.twitter.com/HA64wiNTaj
— Yale Environment 360 (@YaleE360) September 18, 2017
How Much Does Solar Panels Cost?
Solar panels are such a great investment to inherit. Installing solar panels will group you in to the A squad, because the more energy we receive from the sun the more energy is produced. The question now is, how much do I save with solar? This is what everyone asks the more, and unfortunately there is not an actual price tag on it. But great news, we are able to pull together all aspects of this question, and write the best resource on the costs of solar panels you will find on the entire internet.
Residential solar systems are usually sized from 3 to 8kW and ends up costing between $15,000 and $40,000. The cost per watt (price inclusive of parts, labor, permitting fees, overhead, and profit) has decreased significantly over the last decade and is now between 6 and 8 ($/W) in many parts of the U.S. Generally, the bigger the system, the lower the cost per watt.
Solar panels typically account for about 30% of total costs. Residential solar panels with a combined capacity of 3-8kW typically costs between $4,000-$16,000. The cost of solar panels have decreased significantly over the last decade and are currently selling under $.70/W in industrial quantities. For homeowners, this translates to about $1.5/W.Installing Solar Panel Costs In this category we`ve included labor costs (15%), as well as permits and inspection fees (15%). The cost of both categories are highly dependent on what state you live in, but in most cases end up between $2,000-$5,000 per installation. To find out how much it will cost you please contact us.
For a quick estimate please call (888) 988-4693.
Have a large family and seriously considering solar to save energy and money?
Is Your Home Energy Bill Over The Roof?
Many homeowners consider solar due to the size of the home and family. There are way too many people in the house that use up the AC system, computers, 50” TV, and lets not forget teens charging that IPhone all day to be on Snapchat. With so much fun an comfort that Netflix and chill brings, the comfort of the electricity is no fun. You get to think where all that extra money went. But many don’t stop and rethink how much energy costs can be saved with solar.
Apartment and Condo Owners
Many landlords have been passing by the great opportunity of great savings with solar. This will potentially save money that tenants are spending on light bills, which will essentially gain much more value to the property. Think about it, if the apartment complex is the only place that offers a less bill, many tenants will be willing to make an offer. There is no doubt about it, being the only complex on the block will be a great idea.
As we know, the sun is only out in daylight hours, and they don’t generate when there are lots of clouds. Luckily, there are tools on the web that can help you figure out how many hours per day does the panels generate electricity, based on where you live. Seattle, Pittsburg, and Chicago generate an average of 3 hours per day, compared to California and Colorado that generate 5 to 6 hours, and Arizona at 7 hours per day.
Solar panel costs depend on several different factors. Depends on the energy used, energy produced, and cost of living is how much solar panels will cost. The good news is that the costs for solar panels are expected to continue to drop, as thin film panels in become available to the residential market. For a free estimate please click here.
Massive Outage In The San Fernando Valley Due to A Power Blast Fire At DWP Facility.
Power was out in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday night for over 12 hours before being fully restored back on Sunday morning. Over 140,000 customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power were left with out power due to a blast in the Northridge/Reseda station according to the DWP. The fire lasted several hours before they were even able to turn the energy back on. They still don’t know what the cause of the explosion was, according to LA Times, it had to do with a mechanical failure.
Aside from causing food to go to waste, dozens of people trapped in elevators, traffic lights not working, and to top it off no AC! Can you imagine how vulnerable residents in the San Fernando Valley felt being without power?
Installing Solar Panels with Solar Connection could have been prevented or at least help out in case of a black out. They can generate a small supply of electricity from their solar inverter even when the grid is out and other solar PV systems are down. The bottom line is, with new technology, grid-connected solar can deliver a limited amount of electricity to your home or business during a power outage. This is a new development.
The great part about the new inverters is the technical and safety issues, such as energy can be independent and entirely disconnected from the grid. This gives the inverter control to send out variable power levels. This way in case there is a black out you are not left in the dark. Install solar panels with Solar Connect to save you the stress of being without power for half the day. Call Solar Connection today to get you started on the right Solar Plan (888)988-4963 or email us at ask@solarconnectionca.com. Be prepared to avoid a power outage as much as you can in Southern California.
For video of the blast damage click here for video.
Solar Panel Cost
How Much Does A Solar Panel Cost?
Depending on the size of the property, the cost of a solar panel costs can vary. A lot of our customers wonder how much does a solar panel cost and at Solar Connection we help figure precisely how much costs would our customers will incur and if installing solar panels is the right decision to make. The benefits of installing solar panels outweigh the future costs that will come with regular electricity power. There are many rebate and credit programs available to help reduce the costs of solar panel installations. These rebate and credit programs will be able to reduce the cost while financing the remainder of the cost of the solar panels. An additional benefit of solar power installation is increasing property value. An increase in property value of a home can add more profit when the decision to sell the home is made. Many people choose to purchase a home with solar power rather than electricity when purchasing a home.
There are many options available when it comes to solar panels, while trying to figure out how much does a panel cost. The costs of running regular electricity can amount to thousands of dollars more than using solar power energy. Commercial and farm businesses costs vary, when figuring out the costs, there are many more programs available to help businesses purchase solar panels. When figuring out how much does a solar panel costs, we can help our customers make the best decision in which type of panels are most efficient for their business. The equipment can be paid of within 7 years and last well over 30 years for businesses. Solar Connection is a reliable solar panel company that stands by its exceptional customer service and product reliability. Contact Solar connection to determine the costs of installing solar panels and start saving money. For more information on the solar panel costs call us at (888) 988-4963 or email us at ask@solarconnection.com.
In Need Of Roofing Contractors That Can Install Solar?
In Need Of Roofing Contractors That Can Install Solar?
Considering of going solar to save money?
Look no further Solar Connection is your team for all of your solar needs. From roof repairs, to roof installation, solar power panels, and window installation as well. Our roofing contractors at Solar Connection can do it all. Our staff reassures to do all of the energy upgrades needed. No job is too little or too big for our roofing contractor team. You can rest assured that all jobs done are according to the blueprint and to your needs. Solar Connection is teamed up with The Energy Network and recognized as a high for our efficiency programs.
What will it cost me?
There are no upfront costs, and no hidden fees. Everything is done straight up, so you can feel comfortable to with your new improvements. Choose what is the best plan that fits for you. This has got to be the best choice as a homeowner; Investing your money to make property value go up. You will essentially get to save with solar panels in the long run. You will be entitled to a dollar-for-dollar reduction on the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe. For example, claiming a $1000 federal tax credit reduces your federal income taxes due by $1000. The tax credit is based on the amount of the investment in solar property. There are a variety of financial programs to choose from. Some homeowners earn 10% equity in their homes, if they qualify for any of the programs. To see if you qualify for a 29 monthly defer payment loan click here for more information.
For more information on our Solar Connection Roofing Contractors in Orange County and our associated partners watch this short video.
Home Solar Panel Energy Powers Millions of Green Jobs
Home Solar Panel Energy Powers Millions of Green Jobs
Energy is the life blood of our environment. Unstoppable streams of electrons power heat and light in our homes, power production of the goods we consume, power our phones and tables, and produce fuel for our vehicles. But it is not only powering us with energy, but also jobs that have employed many. According to the Renewable Energy and Jobs in 2016, the renewable energy sector employed close to 10 million people. Solar photovoltaic, the type used for rooftop solar panels — led the way by providing jobs to 3.1 million people. In the U.S., one in every 50 new jobs created in 2016 came from the solar industry. The number is projected to grow exponentially in the upcoming years.
This is great news for both solar industry and all people since the planet benefits from home solar panels. Harnessing power from the sun powers the entire home when the systems are installed on rooftop or structure, it allows us to kick our destructive carbon habit, and protect our environment and our wallets. Legislators in Massachusetts and California have introduced bills that seek 100 percent renewable energy by the years 2035 and 2045, respectively.
The Nevada Assembly has also passed a measure intended to protect the public’s right to solar energy and fair compensation for excessive solar energy generation that is sent back to the grid. The fossil fuel industry and its operatives seizing government posts will continue to try to dim the sunlight that benefits everyone to benefit a handful of fossil fuel executives.
However, the renewable energy market is expanding and has already achieved heights that the U.S. Energy Information Agency thought would only be possible 40 years from now. Home Solar energy panels powers millions of clean and sustainable jobs and millions more are projected to come online in the years to come. For more information on home solar panels and to see options that fit best for you, email us at ask@solarconnectionca.com or call us at
Before You Choose A Roofer To Install Solar
Before You Choose A Roofer To Install Solar
Would you hire a gardener to build your home? Would you call an interior decorator for a pluming job? These questions sound ridiculous but it is not much different than hiring a roofer to put solar on your roof. Roofers want a piece of the solar pie, and they are using dirty, and hard sell tactics to land solar jobs with unsuspecting homeowners.
There is one particular line that roofers use to entice homeowners “ If you choose a solar company, your roof will leak”.
This is not only a false statement but it is also gross-over simplification of what work goes in a successful and safe solar installation. Solar panel installation is much more complicated than just repairing roofs. When you go solar, you are powering a plant on your roof, therefore, everything needs to be legit. The electrical work, wiring, and PG&E interconnection are the challenging aspects of an installation, not the roof attachments. Experienced technicians even find it challenging to install solar without damaging the roof. Installing solar requires extra steps in the process, you will want the solar company you hire for solar to pass the following:
- Professional analysis to determine if you need financial ramifications and their investment stand point, comparing PG&E’s, and complex rate structures.
- Design and Engineering that fits the home, and performs according to its building size.
- Permitting and familiarity with the building department in your area.
Choose Solar Connection to save yourself the headache, for your roofing project. Solar Connection prides itself on craftsmanship, engineering and product quality. All of our staff members have at least 200 installs under their belt so you can be assured that your project will be completed and done right to specification. At the end of the day, any competent installer you choose will have the materials and the know how to put solar on your roof without causing any leaks. Our team of experts are able to install solar and repair roofs with no problems. Talk to a vetted, top rated solar company such as Solar Connection today. See what kind of plan you qualify to save on solar. Connect with Solar Connection via email at ask@solarconnectionca.com or call at (888)988-4693.
Who Should I Hire To Install Solar Panels?
Who Should I Hire To Install Solar Panels?
Considering about adding solar panels to your home?
Installing solar panels in your home will save you thousands of dollars you would have been spending on energy. This not only saves your hard earned money, but it protects the environment and our quality of life as human beings. Our mission is to bring, clean, reliable energy to residential and commercial properties throughout the Los Angeles area.
Make sure you do your homework before you make the call. Having a roofing company that does not have the roofing experience can potentially cost you thousands of dollars of damage and repairs. Installing solar panels will essentially save you money in the long run. But avoid hiring a company that will not fully licensed or insured.
Our team of solar technicians have managed to install well over 500 projects throughout the Los Angeles County. We have helped protect all of our clients from the rising costs of energy by providing uniquely designed solar energy systems with a variety of financing options to meet your budget. Our views is to install high quality energy that will save you for the years to come.
There are several ways you can finance with solar.
Homeowners have an option to either buy, PPA lease, or get a loan for solar panels. Homeowners are buying because it is the right investment to save money. When refinancing a home, many homeowners rather invest in solar since it is the smart way to go. Homeowners are able to receive money back due the solar installation. An option that homeowners have to is the California Solar Initiative. California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations.
PPA Leasing
Many solar installers advertise solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) as an easy way to reduce your electricity bill. If you are interested in a simple, low-maintenance option for installing a solar energy system on your home, leasing solar panels is a good option for you. The way it works is similar to renting your solar panel system.
You will enter in to agreement that will entitle you to the benefits of the system which is typically around 20 years. Under the leasing arrangements, the solar leasing company owns and maintains your solar panel system, so it is entitled to the rebates, tax breaks, and financial incentives that are available for the solar panel system. Consumers can indirectly benefit from those savings through lower electricity rates.
Solar Connection is your number one team for all of your solar panel installations, repairs, maintenance, and operational support for any type of solar energy. Our team is honest, knowledgeable, and dedicated to your energy needs. Our trained team will help you get the system and the right plan you need to start saving money. See what kind of plan you qualify to save on solar. Connect with Solar Connection via email at ask@solarconnectionca.com or call at (888)988-4693.
Check out our latest video on how you can finance with Solar Connection.
How Homeowners Can Avoid High Summer Bills With Solar
The first day of summer started June 20, and it brings the season of barbecues with the family, long lazy afternoons and lots of sunshine. As the temperature rises the usage of air conditioners to stay cool start to rise. With so much comfort at home, the unfortunate result is high electric bills.
Avoiding this financial squeeze isn’t as easy as it sounds. As it is the U.S. residential electric rates are expected to be 2.4 % higher this year than last year. Depending on where you live is how much you will need to watch out for. With LED light bulbs and energy efficient appliances- you may still pay more for your utility bill.
So how can your budget be comfortable in for the summer? Solar Connect CA is the place to start saving money for this summer. As soon as your solar system is turned on, you start generating energy straight from the sun, which can lower your electricity bill tremendously. There are several other factors that can influence the savings, such as the shade, the system size, location, utility rates, local policies, weather and many more. As well goes with the more energy your solar system produces the less electricity you will be paying the utility company.
Going green with solar is the best way to achieve long-term savings. Depending on the size of your system, energy usage and local utility rates, a solar system can pay itself in 10 years. Enjoy free renewable electricity for the lifetime of your system which typically takes 25-40 years.
Don’t have cash now to buy a solar system? Not everyone has the cash to buy a solar system, although, there is solar financing alternative. Homeowners are able to able to put their electricity bill as a loan payment to lower electricity bill. With solar loans you are able to get the benefits of your savings after it is paid off. You are able to do a solar lease, which can generate savings, but doesn’t deliver as savings much in financial ownership.
When you see your neighbor saving with solar, doesn’t that make you want to go solar too? See what kind of plan you qualify to save on solar. Connect with Solar Connect via email at ask@solarconnectionca.com or submit the following form.
How much does Solar Panel Cost?
How much does Solar Panel Cost?
This is a question that many homeowners have thought at some point in their life. We often get asked that question and there are tools online that can help you calculate the costs, but they can be confusing unless you are an expert-so here are simple guidelines that will help you average the cost that you would pay for solar panels.
In the United States, a rule of thumb is that each home consumes electricity at a rate of 1 kW per hour. There are 730 on average hours each month, the average price of kWh of electricity is $0.10. So the bill will come up to 73 for 730 kWh of electricity.
Of course, this all depends how much energy you consume at home. With non-standard items such as a hot-tubs, or electrical appliances that run all day long. Extended use of the plasma TV or computer can run up your bill. An air-conditioning unit will make a big impact as well. The cost of electricity varies in the state you live in. It varies all across the United States, it can be as low as $0.07 per kWh in West Virginia up to $0.24 per kWh in Hawaii. This is measured out according to the cost of living in the area.
A conservative value to use as a solar panel’s generating capacity is 10 watts/sq. ft. This represents a panel conversion efficiency of about 12%, which is typical. That means that for every kW you generate, you are going to need 100sq ft of panels. If the sun would be out for 24 hours you can put up 100sq. ft. of panels that will generate enough energy to power a home.
As we know, the sun is only out in daylight hours, and they don’t generate when there are lots of clouds. Luckily, there are tools on the web that can help you figure out how many hours per day does the panels generate electricity, based on where you live. Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Chicago generate an average of 3 hours per day, compared to California and Colorado that generate 5 to 6 hours, and Arizona at 7 hours per day.
Solar panel costs depend on several different factors. Depends on the energy used, energy produced, and cost of living is how much solar panels will cost. The good news is that the costs for solar panels are expected to continue to drop, as thin film panels from companies like First Solar, Nanosolar, and AVA Solar become available to the residential market. Calculate how much it will solar panels will cost in your area by clicking here. For more information email us at ask@solarconnectca.com.
[VIDEO] Not All Solar Panels Are Equal
When choosing a solar panel it’s important to consider both how it is manufactured and what materials are used. Learn more in this video, and make sure to visit our other blog posts for more information on not only going green, but saving thousands of it simultaneously!
Why Do Homeowners Invest In Solar?
Why Do Homeowners Invest In Solar?
There is now enough installed solar energy capacity in the United States to power 8.3 million homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. As a matter of fact, there are 1 million homes in the U.S. that have fully installed a solar system.
Why do homeowners prefer to invest in solar?
The use of energy is used much more efficiently and homeowners are happy to know that their investment powers clean and pure energy from the sun. The solar industry has experienced an impressive growth, and the reason for that is because consumers are confident in buying the product. Not only are they just leasing, but actually buying solar.
Homeowners have an option to either buy, PPA lease, or get a loan for solar panels. Homeowners are buying because it is the right investment to save money. When refinancing a home, many homeowners rather invest in solar since it is the smart way to go. Homeowners are able to receive money back due the solar installation. An option that homeowners have to is the California Solar Initiative. California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations.
PPA Leasing
Many solar installers advertise solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) as an easy way to reduce your electricity bill. If you are interested in a simple, low-maintenance option for installing a solar energy system on your home, leasing solar panels is a good option for you. The way it works is similar to renting your solar panel system.
You will enter in to agreement that will entitle you to the benefits of the system which is typically around 20 years. Under the leasing arrangements, the solar leasing company owns and maintains your solar panel system, so it is entitled to the rebates, tax breaks, and financial incentives that are available for the solar panel system. Consumers can indirectly benefit from those savings through lower electricity rates.
Solar Investment Tax Credit
You will be entitled to a dollar-for-dollar reduction on the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe. For example, claiming a 1000 federal tax credit reduces your federal income taxes due by $1000. The tax credit is based on the amount of the investment in solar property. Learn what ways your home can benefit and save money with solar. For more information, please read about email Solar Connection at ask@solarconnectionca.com or fill out the form below to see if you qualify.
California Has Invested Heavily on Solar That Arizona Residents Are Paid To Use It
For 14 days in March, Arizona utilities got a gift from California: free solar power! This year California generated an excess amount of solar electricity that they had to give it way for free.
Not only was it free, because there was so much solar power produced on those days, California paid Arizona to take the extra electricity that was going to overload their own power lines.
This was not the first time California had to give away free solar electricity to Arizona, in January there were eight days and nine days in February as well. This saved Arizona electricity customers millions of dollars this year only. California also gave away free solar energy to other states to take power.
The numbers could have been much greater if the state hadn’t ordered some solar plants to reduce production. This includes Natural gas power plants, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, continued generating electricity.
If California is so big and can generate all that energy, why not use it?
The reason for that is that California has successfully increased renewable energy production in the recent years. California has dominated generating solar power over the years. No single entity is in charge of energy policy in California. This has led to a two-track approach that has created an ever-increasing glut of power and is proving costly for electricity users. Rates have risen faster here in California than the rest of the U.S. and Californians are paying 50% more of regular energy than the national average.
Possibly the most evident example: The California Legislature has directed that one-half of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030; today it’s about one-fourth. That goal once was considered but not confirmed. Now, solar panels have become much more efficient and less expensive. So solar power is now often the same price or cheaper than most other types of electricity, and production has soared so much that the target now looks laughably easy to achieve.
Investing in solar will save you the money that you deserve.
California solar power is being produced, and it is there for residents to have. Consider using the resources like solar, since it is more efficient and less expensive. California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations. Learn what ways your home can benefit with solar. For more information, please email us at ask@solarconnectionca.com.
Next Steps...
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Next Steps…
If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!