This past Sunday, Bill Nye went on the NBC News show “Meet the Press” to discuss climate change with Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, a representative from Tennessee.

Of the popular TV show Bill Nye, The Science Guy, Nye is a respected scientist who has never shied away from controversial topics. During this segment, he makes some strong statements about climate change and what can be done to help reduce it.

While he sprinkles scientific facts throughout the 13 minute long segment, the true gems are Nye’s inspirational call-to-action at minute 11:20. He says, “The longest journey starts with but a single step. We all have to acknowledge that we have a problem…it would be in everybody’s best interest to get going, as they like to say, do everything all at once.”

Nye then lists out actions that we can take that will help us move away from climate change. These actions include having fewer coal-fired plants, producing less energy waste, requiring more efficient transportation systems, and making more reliable electricity transmission systems.

He continues with an important statement where he says “We want to do more with less.” As he begins to touch on solar energy production, he’s cut off by the debate mediator and the segment ends shortly thereafter.

Nye’s comments are a great reminder about why some of us got into the solar industry. Sure, a solar panel installation can save a homeowner or a business a great deal of money. There’s no denying that this is an important benefit of solar energy.

However, relying on the sun for your electricity is undeniably good for our entire planet. For us, one solar installation in Southern California means that we are one step closer to closing a dirty energy plant and helping to reduce climate change.

Watch the entire video of the Nye/Blackburn climate change debate on the NBC News “Meet the Press” website.

Solar energy comes in three different forms, all of which amount to serious savings for homeowners and businesses alike. By relying on the sun for your electricity and water heating needs, you can reduce your energy expenditures and cut down on your carbon footprint.

If you’re unclear why so many Southern Californians have made the switch to solar, check out our new solar infographic featuring the swashbuckling Three Solar-keteers!

Solar Electric

A rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar electric system allows you to run your home on sunlight rather than relying solely on power from the grid. By taking advantage of a net metering program, you can earn credits on your bills by selling power back to the grid. In addition, the federal government will cover up to 30 percent of the cost of your system through the Renewable Energy Tax Credit.

With AMECO Solar, you have the option to lease your solar panels or take out a loan for the installation costs. Both options will allow your family to switch to Los Angeles or Orange County solar power without having to make a large upfront investment. And you’ll still save thousands on your electricity bills over the life of the system!

Solar Hot Water

Solar water heaters are a great option for those who want to save even more money on your energy bills. By providing up to 80 percent of your hot water needs, you can cut your energy expenses by as much as 70 percent.

Government incentives and solar thermal rebates allow you to save money on the installation costs. At this point in time, you can potentially get 50-60% of your money back by cashing in on the available incentives. In addition, these systems typically last 25 to 30 years, which means you won’t have to worry about replacement for quite some time.

Solar Pool Heating

Heating a swimming pool is a considerable expense when relying on a gas or electric heater. Even in the summer when the sun is shining, keeping a large pool warm can cost hundreds of dollars a month.

But with a solar pool system from AMECO Solar, you’ll be able to heat your pool to a reasonable temperature while saving all the money you would have spent on utility bills. Plus, once the solar pool heater is installed, there are little-to-no costs to keep it running each year.

Want to Join the Three Solar-keteers?

Solar energy has grown substantially in the past few years due the incredible savings that families will realize by making the switch.

If you’re interested in finding out how you can benefit from this technology, contact AMECO Solar by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing us at gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com today. We can perform a free solar evaluation on your property and give you a rundown of the installation and financing processes.

As electric vehicles become more mainstream, consumers are making the connection between electric vehicles and solar energy. It’s an easy marriage: both technologies save you money on energy costs while also reducing your reliance on dirty energy.

In the last couple months, we have kept our eye out for news on the combination of these two technologies. To date, the idea of using an electric vehicle as solar battery backup and Ford’s solar concept car have proved to be the most interesting.

Electric Vehicles Moonlighting as Battery Storage

A year ago the University of Delaware introduced a fleet of retrofitted Mini Coopers that act as a mini power plant. The electric cars can be plugged in to get charged, but they also have the ability to send electricity back to the grid.

Many solar experts see the university’s experiment as a solution to the battery backup woes of solar owners across the nation. Ideally, an EV owner could charge their car with solar energy during the day and then use any excess energy to power their home at nighttime.

Getting approval is undoubtedly the largest obstacle in spreading this innovative idea across the nation. In order to receive authorization, the vehicle-to-grid project relied on the help and support of many different companies and organizations. It may not be as easy to get approval from utility companies and local cities based in Southern California.

Ford’s New Solar Powered Vehicle

Though we are partial to our Chevy Volt, we’ve had our eye on the Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept Car that is powered by solar panels. Engineers adapted the highly-efficient SunPower solar panels that are typically installed on homes and businesses to make special, thin-film panels for the car.

On its own, the solar panels need a week’s worth of sun in order to charge it completely. However, Ford has partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology to help solve this problem with a special parking canopy. Essentially, the canopy magnifies the sun’s rays so that the charge time is condensed into a 6-7 hour time period.

The solar vehicle is still in development, and much work still needs to be done to make the car more affordable and efficient. With consumer demand and a push for car companies to become more sustainable, we’re hopeful that the concept car will become a reality sooner than later.

Online news articles sourced for this blog post: CES 2014: Ford to debut C-Max solar concept car, Let the Sun In: Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept Goes Off the Grid,  Electric cars may hold solution for power storage, and Technology milestone reach on UDaily

Harry, our solar customer in Long Beach, previously worked as the financial manager of the Energy Supply and Management Department at the Southern California Edison company.  It was his department that did all the buying and selling of SCE’s power needs to the Power Exchange.  Because of his position, Harry experienced the California electricity crisis of the early 2000s firsthand.

The crisis made him realize that the price of electricity from the grid was not going to be reliable in the future. “I saw the writing on the wall. Energy prices were only going to go up,” he explained. By installing solar panels on his home, he could generate his own solar energy and avoid the rising costs of electricity.

AMECO installed his first solar system back in 2002. Since then, Harry has become even more energy independent by installing a solar hot water system and adding more solar panels to the original solar electric system.

Inverter as an Alternative to Battery Backup Systems

After 12 years, Harry decided to replace the original SMA Sunny Boy inverter even though it was doing fine. Most inverters are expected to last for ten years, so Harry’s inverter had already lasted two years longer than expected and could have potentially lasted longer. We at AMECO Solar aren’t surprised that the equipment was still working well; the inverter manufacturer, SMA, is known for their reliable and advanced inverter technology.

Harry asked AMECO for advice on which inverter he should choose. “Pat is very knowledgeable about solar technology and one of the smartest guys in the business,” said Harry.

Pat recommended a new, groundbreaking inverter called the Sunny Boy TL-US from SMA. Not just an efficient transformer-less inverter, it also allows for a small amount of secure power supply when the electric grid goes down. Since it is cheaper and easier to install than a battery backup system, this specific inverter serves as a good alternative.

How the Sunny Boy TL-US Works

When your inverter is installed, a special electric plug is connected to it. If the grid goes down, you simply flip the switch on the plug and turn it on. It uncouples itself from the grid (for safety) and powers a 120-volt AC electric outlet. As long as the sun is shining, you can use the plug to power small appliances up to 1500 watts (such as a laptop, gaming devices, small fan or cell phone charger). Once the electric grid is back up, just flip the switch to the off position and the inverter will go back to its normal operation.

SMA has implemented certain checks to ensure safety. One safety feature is that the plug will automatically disconnect if you try to draw more than 1500 watts. Then, it will try to reconnect every 20 seconds until the load is below 1500 watts.

Use Solar Power During Blackouts

In the event of a blackout, Harry has some peace of mind now that he has the new SMA Sunny Boy TL-US inverter. While his neighbors will be out of electricity during a blackout, he’ll be using energy from his solar panels to power some of his electricity needs.

Want to install a solar system or replace your old inverter with the new Sunny Boy TL-US ? Contact the experts at AMECO Solar by emailing us at gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com or calling us toll-free at (888) 595-9570.

Last month, 60 Minutes aired a segment where one of the program’s anchors, Lesley Stahl, tried to make the case that clean technology and renewable energy were “dead.” In her report, Stahl makes a number of claims about the energy industry and the future of renewables that have been proven false by a number of other news organizations.

High Demand for Renewable Energy, Solar In Particular

To begin with, demand for renewable energy is at an all-time high, and continues to grow year in and year out. As  RenewableEnergyWorld.com notes, renewables, including California solar power, provided 19 percent of global energy consumption in 2011, the latest year for which such data is currently available.

In addition, it should be made clear that solar energy in particular, which was a special target in the 60 Minutes segment, has been thriving over the last decade and continues to grow at an exponential pace. The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that 2013 was a record breaking year for solar installation in the United States and 2014 promises to be even better.

Additionally, California added more solar energy in 2013 than it had in the previous 30 years combined. None of these facts sound like symptoms of an industry that is dying.

Investors Still See Value in Renewable Energy

Furthermore, the 60 Minutes report gets a number of smaller facts wrong, including its description of Vinod Khosla, a venture capitalist featured heavily in the segment. Khosla is held up as an example of an investor who lost faith in renewable energy after having plowed over a $1 billion into the industry and seeing no returns.

However, Khosla himself has published an open letter to CBS claiming that the network got the facts completely wrong: Not only has he invested nowhere near $1 billion, he has seen a solid return from his interests and will continue supporting the renewable energy sector.

Clean Tech and Renewable Energy Will Power On

It’s not known why 60 Minutes and Stahl got so many facts wrong, nor why they pushed an agenda that is firmly against the expansion of renewables. However, it’s indicative of the continued struggle that the solar industry faces to demonstrate its importance for achieving renewable energy goals.

It’s important for clean technology advocates to enumerate the benefits of solar power, which include lower pollution levels, job creation and improved finances for both households and businesses.

The University of California, Riverside will be hosting a conference in February where state energy officials and private citizens will gather to discuss the solar industry and its prospects for growth in the future. The conference, which is being hosted by the UC Riverside Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy (SCRICE), will be held at the Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology.

Educating Officials about the Solar Energy Industry

Riverside is one of the most active areas in the state in terms of solar energy development, and has become a major industry focus. The university itself has announced plans to build a large solar panel array on its property to provide the school with a third of its energy needs.

Therefore, its little surprise that such a conference would be held at UC Riverside. The event will include several speakers including David Hochschild, a member of the California Energy Commission, Sarah Kurtz of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and V. John White of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies.

“This conference is meant to be a one-stop for officials interested in the latest trends and developments in the solar energy industry,” said Alfredo Martinez Morales, managing director of the SCRICE.

Spotlight on Solar Growth in California

There’s certainly a lot to talk about when it comes to solar power in California. Our state continues to lead the nation in solar installations by a significant margin. It doubled its rooftop generating capacity from 1,000 megawatts (MW) to 2,000 MW in 2013, adding more solar installations in one year than had been built in the previous 30 combined.

Overall, about 40 percent of the country’s solar power generating infrastructure is located here, and it appears that this trend will continue well into the future as the state movies closer to its Renewable Portfolio Standard goals. These benchmarks require that the state’s utilities derive one-third of the electricity they produce from renewable sources such as Orange County solar and wind power.

Solar Successes Stem from Solar Rebates and Policies

The key to this growth has been a public policy environment that has aggressively supported the solar industry. Programs such as  net metering and federal tax incentives have lowered the cost of solar for those who want to convert their homes. In addition, the availability of leasing options and power purchase agreements has given homeowners more flexibility in choosing how they want to pay for their panels.

Hopefully the conference yields dividends in terms of generating ideas and educating the public about this terrific technology, which is helping Southern Californians save thousands of dollars on their electricity bills.

For more information about how your family can also lower your electric bills,  contact AMECO Solar today by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing GoSolar@AmecoSolar.com.

Mark Ferron, an outgoing commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), voiced strong support for California solar incentives in a farewell letter he sent on his final day in office. Ferron is stepping down due to an ongoing fight with prostate cancer.

In his letter, he urges the commission to resist efforts by the state’s utilities to curb the growth of distributed generation (DG) and instead represent the interests of solar customers and renewable energy in general.

CPUC Regulates Utilities and Solar Rebates

The CPUC, which regulates our state’s investor-owned utilities (including Southern California Edison), is tasked with determining the rates that customers pay for their power. They are also in charge of approving incentive programs that are designed to encourage the growth of DG resources.

Utilities companies must first ask permission of the CPUC in order to increase their rates or change the types of rebates they offer solar customers.  Because of this, the CPUC plays a pivotal role in determining whether solar power will continue to grow in California.

Ferron’s Opinion on AB 327 in Relation to Solar

Ferron urged caution in dealing with AB 327, a new law that gives the CPUC authority to determine whether utility companies can charge a flat fee to all customers (including solar customers) and set guidelines for the California’s Net Energy Metering program (a program that allows solar panel owners to make solar energy and sell it back to the utility company).

“…Recognize that this is a poisoned chalice: the Commission will come under intense pressure to use this authority to protect the interests of the utilities over those of consumers and potential self-generators, all in the name of addressing exaggerated concerns about grid stability, cost and fairness,” Ferron wrote in his letter. “You – my fellow Commissioners — all must be bold and forthright in defending and strengthening our state’s commitment to clean and distributed energy generation.”

Ferron Stresses Importance of Solar Moving Forward

Utility companies have generally been reluctant to support rooftop solar power because they believe that solar customers are not paying their fair share of the “soft costs” of operating a grid, namely transmission and maintenance. However, solar industry advocates have made the case that solar rate payers are in fact providing positive benefits for the grid by allowing the utility companies to spend less on building more plants.

Solar advocates also point out that utility companies have been relatively slow when it comes to construction of new solar panel plants. If California is to meet its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) — which requires the state to derive 33 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020 — it’s going to need more rooftop solar generating capacity.

By allowing electric companies to slow the growth of this technology, Ferron argues, it will make it less likely for the state to accomplish its RPS goals. Hopefully, the CPUC takes Ferron’s letter to heart and protects California’s environmental and economic future by backing California solar rebate programs.

It’s been a record-breaking year for solar energy. In the past twelve months, the United States installed an estimated 13 gigawatts of solar energy across our 50 states. That’s enough to power 2,000,000 homes!

Not to mention, the solar industry is now employing almost 120,000 people at more than 6,100 companies. Solar panel installation is not just good for your pocket book, it is also great our economy.

There’s no sign that the solar industry will slow down. Many project that 2014 will be even more successful! More great facts are at SEIA’s America Supports Solar website.

The Solar Energy Industry Association (also known as SEIA) invited solar enthusiasts across the country to celebrate by posting photos of their support online. Some of our employees joined in the fun and took photos with our signs of solar support. Check out our photo galleries on the AMECO Solar Facebook page.

Location: Westminster, CA
System Type: Solar Electric (PV)
System Size: 6.09 kilowatts
System Details: 21 LG Solar Panels with 21 Enphase Microinverters and Online Monitoring
Year Installed: 2013

Electric Bill Before: $389
Electric Bill After: $155
Bill Reduced by 60%!

Each year Yvonne and Tim’s neighborhood turns into a holiday wonderland where all the homes are decorated with elaborate Christmas light displays. Though they loved getting in the holiday spirit and putting up their own lights, they did not like receiving their electric bill afterwards. Sometimes their holiday bill would run as high as $375 or more!

Though they had looked into solar a few years before, a close friend convinced them that it was a good time to consider solar panel installation again. They began looking for a solar installer in the early fall and found AMECO Solar.

Requiring High Standards for their Solar Contractor

Being a contractor herself, Yvonne had high standards for her solar contactor. AMECO was able to meet her requirements by showing proof of the necessary insurance and workmen’s comp, using trained solar panel installers instead of hiring sub-contractors, and backing up our solar technology with competitive warranties. Both she and Tim were also impressed by the fact that our company has been installing solar panels since 1974.

Shortly after meeting with Todd and listening to his informational, no-pressure presentation, they signed a contract and scheduled the solar installation. Since they wanted to power their holiday display with solar energy, they asked that the system be installed and working by December 15th.

Organized and Efficient Solar Installation

“The installation process was very organized and went smoothly,” said Tim. He enjoyed working with David, our Operations Manager, who was flexible and very responsive whether by phone or email.

By December 9th, their solar system was turned on and feeding solar energy to their home. Just in time for the holidays!

Solar Savings = Holiday Savings

Since the solar system was turned on, they have enjoyed logging onto the online monitoring system to check in on the energy production. “We chose to install microinverters so that we could track the efficiency of each solar panel and make sure that it is performing as expected,” Tim shared.

So far, their solar panel production is off to a great start. The panels have produced enough solar energy to bring their electric bill down to only $155. Compared to past bills of $389 or more, this is a significant savings! And so, Yvonne and Tim end the holiday season differently than most — with more money in their pockets than expected.

In December, AMECO Solar reported on  Environment California’s campaign to convince government officials that solar energy should be a priority for Los Angeles. We’re proud to announce that just one month later their efforts have been recognized by Mayor Eric Garcetti and solar energy will become more abundant in Los Angeles.

Mayor Garcetti Makes Solar Announcement

A few days ago Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti called on the city to raise its amount of solar-generated power to 20 percent of peak demand by 2020.

His statements indicate that he is firmly committed to the growth of the city’s solar resources, which currently meet about 2 percent of its total electricity needs. Garcetti is hoping that Los Angeles can install 1,200 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity, a little less than one-fifth of the 6,100 MW of peak demand that the city experiences in the summer.

Garcetti’s statements come at an uncertain time for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The agency is currently looking for a new general manager after Ron Nichols stated that he will be stepping down for personal reasons. The hope is that the new General Manager of the utility company will prioritize the growth of solar energy so that Mayor Garcetti can meet his ambitious 20 percent goal in six years.

Benefits of Solar Panels for Los Angeles Residents

“Southern California is practically a synonym for sunshine,” Emily Kirkland of Environment California said in a statement. “But here in Los Angeles, we’re still getting less than 2 percent of our power from the sun. Mayor Garcetti showed tremendous vision in calling for 20 percent local solar power by 2020 last January. Now, it’s time for him to make that promise a reality.”

The source reports that adding 1,200 MW of generating capacity will create 32,000 jobs and offset the carbon emissions created by over 1 million cars.

Importance of LADWP Solar Rebate Program

The LADWP currently has an incentive program that provides a lump sum payment to customers who decide to switch to a home solar system for their electricity needs. The program had a declining incentive payout, meaning that as more solar energy systems come online, the incentive goes down and those who receive funds are given a smaller per-watt rebate.

Currently, the LADWP rebate program is in its eighth tier (out of ten), with an incentive of 40 cents. This means that for the typical four-kilowatt system, homeowners will receive a lump sum payment of $1,600.

These rebates don’t include the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit, which covers 30 percent of the cost of installation for qualifying systems.

In order to reach Mayor Garcetti’s goal, the LADWP and federal government need to continue these programs and help homeowners realize savings on their solar installations. Doing so will not only benefit their individual’s household finances and the economy, it will also help the region become more sustainable and less reliant on fossil fuels.

At some point, solar panels got a bad reputation of being ugly. With so many unsightly solar panel installations out there, we’re not entirely surprised. Sometimes it is the solar installation that sticks out like a sore thumb that tends to stay in our minds. We have even seen just one ugly solar installation change the mindset of an entire neighborhood!

Importance of Aesthetics for Solar Panel Installations

However, a skilled solar company will always keep aesthetics in mind. It is important not only to seriously consider the concerns of the homeowner, but to arrange the panels so that they blend in or appear balanced with the architecture. Over the past 40 years, our solar consultants have designed solar systems that appear in sync with a home’s roof or are hidden from view.

As proof of how solar systems can actually be pleasing to the eye, we are going to highlight beautiful solar installations on our blog every once in a while. Each post will include “Before and After” photos, and a brief description of the techniques used during the installation.

Installing Solar Panels in Newport Beach

First up, we have this solar project that was recently completed in Newport Beach. As you can see in the “Before” photo above, our customer owns a beautiful two-story house with a Spanish tile roof.

Taken from the backyard, this photo shows the most south-facing part of the roof. A roof with southern exposure is best for solar panel installations because it receives the most amount of sunlight throughout the year and therefore produces the most amount of solar energy.

And here is the “After” photo! Now, we not only have a beautiful Southern Californian home, but we also have 28 solar panels that are providing our customer with solar energy.

Inlaying Solar Panels for a Sleek Appearance

Working closely with a roofing company, we first removed the Spanish tiles where the solar panels would be placed. Then, the mounting hardware was installed at the same time as the roofing paper and comp shingles. This ensures that there will be a watertight roof underneath the solar panels.

Finally, we installed the solar panels in line with the Spanish tile. We made sure to leave a certain amount of space between the roof and the solar panels. Not only does this meet city code but it also allows air to flow beneath the solar panels, which helps with efficiency. The space will also still prevent debris (such as leaves) from building up underneath.

Since the solar panels and Spanish tiles are roughly at the same level, the sight line of the roof is not disrupted and the final look is sleek.

Solar Panel Choice Affects Look in Positive Way

Another thing that contributes to the sleek appearance of the solar array is this particular solar panel from the SunPower E-Series. The design is known as “black on black” meaning that they are black solar cells on a black background. Most people find this all black design to be more aesthetically pleasing than “black on white” solar panels.

By choosing a high wattage solar panel (the SPR-E20-327 has 327 watts per solar panel), the customer only needed 28 solar panels to offset their electricity usage. If we had installed a more conventional 200-250 watt solar panel, then more solar panels would have been required and the roof would have looked more crowded.

There you have it! Yet another beautiful solar panel installation from AMECO Solar located in sunny Newport Beach, California. Those interested in seeing more solar installations may visit the solar electric system photo gallery on our website or read articles about our solar customers that are featured on the company blog.

California solar energy installations are sometimes seen as a luxury that only the rich can afford. This misconception is fueled in part by the fact that, many years ago, it was indeed very expensive to have solar panels installed on your roof.

But this is no longer the case. The solar industry has been advocating and raising awareness about the sustainability and affordability of the technology for all families, not just those who are wealthy. In fact, for many low-income Californians, solar could be a useful tool for saving money and increasing disposable income.

Solar Energy for Multi-Family Housing Complexes

Solar power has already been integrated into many affordable housing complexes, including Tassafaronga Village in Oakland, California, originally built in 1964. Tassafaronga has been completely rehabilitated with sustainable building techniques and energy-efficient apartments.

The most notable improvement is the solar panel array that covers the rooftops of the apartment buildings. In addition, there are pylons scattered throughout the complex with photovoltaic modules on top to collect extra energy. The solar panels are already paying dividends for residents of Tassafaronga, whose energy bills range from $10 to 15 a month, according to news publication OaklandLocal.com.

How Energy Costs Affect Low-Income Residents

Prior to its rehabilitation, residents of Tassafaronga, many of whom receive assistance through Federal Section 8 subsidies, suffered from the same problem that afflicts other low-income citizens: high energy costs. In most cities, affordable housing units are in dilapidated and outdated apartment buildings are inefficient when it comes to energy consumption.

In 2013, the Rocky Mountain Institute found that energy costs in public housing were 40 percent higher than in private homes. In addition, apartments built before 1970, which comprise much of the affordable housing stock throughout the country, use 55 percent more energy than those built after 1990.

The people who end up paying the price for the inefficiencies are low-income residents, who are often in no position to afford the high costs of energy.

Solar Energy Provides a Solution

However, it’s important to note that the solar energy industry and lawmakers are making efforts to reverse this trend and make more renewable energy available to low-income families.

Two of the most notable public programs are Single Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) and Multi Family Affordable Solar Homes (MASH), which were passed as part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) in 2006. These programs set aside part of the solar rebates that were made available through CSI to be used specifically for low-income housing.

Making solar power available to low-income families solves a number of problems all at once. It sharply reduces energy costs for those receiving subsidies, while also helping to move the state’s energy infrastructure in a more sustainable direction. Hopefully, Tassafaronga can serve as a model for other communities that are hoping to go green to save their residents money.

One of the most popular methods of financing a Los Angeles or Orange County solar project is a lease agreement from a third-party institution. Solar leases allow homeowners to pay for their solar panels over time while still saving money on electricity costs.

In fact,  over 75% of California’s new solar installations in 2012 were paid for with a solar lease, rather than being purchased outright with a large cash payment. Many speculate that 2013 and 2014 may show an even higher percentage of leased solar systems.

But some solar installations, particularly mid-sized projects that would be put on the rooftop of a school, church or other nonprofit institution, have trouble securing such solar leases or loans. This is mainly because banks are less likely to fund a larger project unless the borrower has both a good credit score and considerable equity — something that many organizations lack.

Mosaic: Loaning Funds for Solar Projects

Enter Mosaic, a startup based in Oakland, California, that helps institutions across the United States convert their facilities to solar. Similar to Kickstarter, Mosaic is a crowdfunding platform that aims to connect investors with solar projects.

The idea is that anyone can invest in a solar project, and once the system is completed, they receive both principal and interest repayments on the power that is produced from the solar panels. Projects typically pay about 4-7 percent annual interest.

One of the biggest strengths of the Mosaic platform is that the loaning system is flexible. Investors can decide how much they are willing to invest in each project.

How to Become a Solar Investor

Getting involved in a Mosaic solar project is fairly easy. Log on to the platform on their website and then browse through the different investment projects. Once you choose from the options (previous projects include solar panels for military housing, schools, and a local convention center), you can finance a local project in any amount from $25 up.

Since the company began soliciting money a year ago in January of 2013, they’ve raised $5.5 million for solar projects from thousands of investors. These funds have led to the completion of 27 solar projects in six different states so far.

Among the funded solar installations are a photovoltaic (PV) system with 400 solar panels at an affordable housing facility in San Bruno, California and 120 solar panels for the Asian Resource Center in Oakland, California.

Limitations of Mosaic’s Solar Investments for Other States

There are a few limitations that Mosaic will need to sort out to become more useful for organizations looking to acquire a solar electric system. Certain states have securities regulations that prevent residents from investing. However, these restrictions do not apply to Californians. Any California resident may invest in a Mosaic solar project and earn real income back on their investment

In one short year, Mosaic has already proven itself to be a revolutionary way for institutions to switch to clean, solar energy. They will be a “green” corporation to watch in the coming years.

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on everything that has happened in the past twelve months. Since 1974, AMECO has been promoting solar energy as a clean, renewable source of power for our planet. These top five moments remind us why we have made solar our priority and why we dedicate ourselves to it each and every day.

Solar Moment #1: Solar Grand Prix in Long Beach

Pure joy. Those two words can explain the look on the face of every child at the  Solar Grand Prix earlier this year. As we snapped photos of the kids before the races, each team held up their car with pride. Though a few teams encountered some disappointment after the races, all of the students came away as winners who had learned something new about solar energy.

Solar Moment #2: Helping a Local Nonprofit Go Solar

AMECO was honored to be awarded the  solar project at the California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center in North Long Beach, just minutes from our office in Paramount, California. After installing nearly 50 solar pool panels on the roof, the organization has been heating their pool with solar energy and saving on their monthly gas bill. All the more to go to their great programs!

Solar Moment #3: 1st Solar Decathlon on the West Coast

For years we’ve wanted to attend the  Solar Decathlon, so we were pretty excited when it was announced that this year’s event would be in Irvine, California. While touring the 19 solar homes displayed, we couldn’t help but feel inspired. Not only were the university teams innovative and creative about their solar home designs and use of the technology, but they were passionate about promoting the clean, renewable energy source. Seeing their enthusiasm gave us an extra hop in our solar step that week.

Solar Moment #4: Supporting the Go Solar LA Campaign

Throughout 2013,  Environment California has been pushing the idea that Los Angeles should aim to use 20% solar power by 2020. They have rallied politicians and local community members alike to accomplish this renewable energy goal. We were happy to interview a couple of our customers for their recent report, Solar in the Spotlight: Stories of Angelenos Investing in a Clean Energy Future. Check out our customer who made the final cut on page 19.

Solar Moment #5: Our Happy Solar Customers

It may be cheesy, but there is nothing that makes us happier than our happy solar customers. Each time that someone contacts us to tell us that they happy with their solar panel installation, we’re reminded why we work so hard to provide reliable, quality solar systems. Whether someone is ecstatic about their lower electric bills, pleased that their pool was nicely heated for their weekend pool party or paying a compliment to our professional installation team, we’re overjoyed every time we receive positive feedback. You may read some of  our customer testimonials on our website or see  our interviews with customers on our blog.

During the past few years, the price per watt of solar panels has been dropping. As a result, California solar energy installations have grown exponentially, and show little sign of slowing down.

However, the actual cost of a solar panel can only go so low. It will be essential for the solar industry to whittle down soft costs in order to accomplish wider adoption of solar energy in the United States.

Soft Cost Reduction = Lower Solar Installation Prices

There are other costs that go into the final price of installing solar panels on your home or business including labor, marketing, administrative costs and permitting fees.

Commonly referred to as “soft costs”, they have remained relatively flat when compared to the drop in price of “hard costs” (i.e. solar panels and inverters).

How Soft Costs Have Made Germany a Solar Leader

Though roughly the size of New Mexico and with a population about the quarter of the United States, Germany has been the worldwide leader in solar for over a decade.

By reducing their soft costs, the Germans have lowered the price of solar installations to $2.24 per watt (compared to an average of $4.44 in the U.S., according to  GreenTech Media). This is likely a result of easier permitting processes, which allows solar contractors to spend less time on each system and avoid high fees for obtaining permits.

Will the United States Follow Suit?

Even though solar soft costs are higher in the United States, solar panel installation has become increasingly popular in our country. In fact, the solar analysts from SEIA and GTM Research predict that 2013 will be the first time in 15 years that the United States will beat out Germany in total solar capacity installed.

With the Sunshot Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Technologies aims to make solar energy competitive with traditional forms of electricity by 2020. They fund research projects and market studies that provide solutions for solar price reduction. In time, their efforts could reduce the soft costs enough so that the United States will be competitive with Germany when it comes to price per watt installed.

Even without such reductions, solar power in California is still an excellent way for families and businesses to save money on energy costs. Additionally, those who install a solar electric system will be able to take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit, which is set to expire about two years from now on December 31, 2016. For more information, contact AMECO today at (888) 595-9570 or email gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT AMECO SOLAR!

May 2014 be a happy, healthy and very sunny year!

Yesterday we explained  how to access your online account on the Southern California Edison website. Now that you can see your electricity usage in a variety of ways (monthly, daily, hourly, etc.), we will explain how it can be useful when it comes to solar panel installations.

How Online SCE Usage Helps Solar Customers

For those who have already installed solar panels, seeing this type of data can help in many different ways:

1. Keep Track of Usage: While your electricity usage is much lower now that you are using solar energy, checking in online will help you keep an eye on your net usage. SCE keeps track of your usage for 12 months and then bills you for any leftover usage. If you check in online, you will have a better idea of how much you may owe at the end of the year. That is, if you owe anything at all!

2. See How Usage Has Changed: If you recently bought a new electric vehicle or have installed central air, you may be curious about how your electricity usage will change. By comparing monthly usage to previous months and years, you can get of an idea of how much it has increased and if you need to add more solar panels to your array to offset the additional usage.

3. Troubleshoot Possible Changes: Have you noticed a big change in your electricity bill and can’t figure out why? Looking at hourly usage may help you solve the problem. For instance, you may see that you are using more electricity during the afternoon than you were before. This could lead you realize that it’s because a tree has grown over the years and is now casting some shade on your solar panels.

How SCE Online Usage Helps Those Considering Solar

If you are considering solar energy for your home or business, you can use the online data to get an idea of when you use the most electricity.

After reviewing the hourly data, you might notice how much electricity the air conditioner uses during the day or see a large spike when you plug in your electric vehicle in the early evenings. Perhaps, you’ll notice that you tend to use a lot of electricity during the winter months when you put up Christmas lights or the spring is more expensive because you are heating your pool with an electric heater.

Either way, getting a handle on your electricity usage will help you decide whether you would like to install solar panels and offset it with solar energy instead.

Find Out More About Solar Panel Installation

Now that you have access to real time data, you may consider adding panels to your existing solar array or installing a new solar system on your roof. Contact us at (888) 595-9570 and one of our solar consultants. By review your recent usage, we can figure out how many solar panels you will need to power your home with solar energy and provide you with a cost.

Every month you receive an electric bill from Southern California Edison. Though some data is provided on the bill, you may not know that you can access a wealth of information through your online account.

Since some of our solar customers have found it difficult to navigate their online SCE accounts, we’ve written this step-by-step guide (complete with screenshots!) to help you view your electricity usage data online.

Step 1: Once you are logged into your SCE online account, click on “My Account” in the top right hand corner.

Step 2: Under “Amount Due” there should be a green rectangular bar that says “List Service Accounts”; click on the words in this bar.

Step 3: Click on the green “+” sign at the top right of the same box as your Edison Service Account number. This will bring up data on your electricity account.

Step 4: Now you will see a box with some basic information. Click on the black button titled “View Recent Usage” to access more information.

Step 5: At this point, you can choose different buttons to see data in different ways. The buttons circled in red below allow you to look at your usage by the hour, day or month. Note: when you click on the small calendar icon, you can scroll around and choose different days.

Disclaimer: While this blog post is meant to be helpful, we cannot claim to be experts on the SCE website. If you run into any issues or have questions, it is best to contact an SCE representative at 1-800-655-4555.

Now, when it comes to solar energy and solar panel installation, we can definitely say that we are experts. Feel free to call or email us at AMECO Solar if you would like to learn more about how to offset your electricity usage with solar energy.

Otherwise, stay tuned for our next blog post to find out how the data in your SCE online account can be useful for solar customers or those who are considering solar panel installation.

They say that good things come in threes, but this week six great things happened here at AMECO Solar.

To start things off, one of our recent customers emailed us about their first “solar” bill. Now that they have installed solar panels and are using solar energy, their electric bill was only $24.79 (plus a $1.76 tax). This is down from a whopping $353.00 for this same time period last year, which means they are saving more than $325.00 this month!

In addition to this positive news, we had a record breaking week for reviews. Five customers reviewed us on Solar Reviews in the past week. They gave us 5 star ratings in categories including sales process, price charged as quoted, and quality of installation.

Here is what they had to say about their solar panel installation experience with AMECO:

#1 “Our September 2013 installation went very smoothly. We had our roof replaced at the same time. The solar installation crew worked closely with the roofer. Overall it was a positive experience. Everything went along on time and as promised. I am very pleased with the result.”

#2 “I’ve had my solar system for over 5 years now. The installation went smooth, and the system is performing better than projected. I highly recommend Ameco Solar.”

#3 “We have had Ameco install the solar arrays on our home as well as our apartment building. They were on schedule for the installations and the team was very good installing and cleaning up the job sites. Both arrays are working well with our home array outputting a little more power than we were estimated. We have recommended Ameco to a friend who is also pleased with the quality of their work.”

#4 “Ameco installed my solar system 5 1/2 years ago. I was very pleased with the execution of the project then and continue to reap the benefits. I recently had a solar tune-up and was pleased to learn that the system is performing so well.”

#5 “Ameco put solar panels on our new construction 4 years ago, and they are still performing in top condition. They were extremely professional, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Ameco to anyone considering solar panels.”

You may see more reviews about AMECO Solar on our Solar Reviews profile. So far, 57 customers have reviewed us for a solid 4.91 rating out of 5.

AMECO Solar recently joined community leaders and local residents to kick-off the release of Environment California’s new report about the importance of solar energy in LA County.

A Recap of the Solar Community Meeting

It was an inspiring event complete with stories told by Angelenos who have solar panels on the roofs of their homes or businesses, a letter-to-the-editor writing workshop, and a compelling speech in support of solar from Senator Kevin De Leon.

A big highlight of the meeting came from some of LA’s tiniest solar advocates. After the first graders from Betty Plasencia Elementary School gave their reasons for liking solar energy, they sang a song titled “Solar Power to the People” eliciting a lot of “awwws” from the audience.

Inspiring a City to Make Solar a Priority

The community meeting served as a kick-off for Environment California’s latest report, Solar in the Spotlight: Stories of Angelenos Investing in a Clean Energy Future. The intent of the report is two-fold.

First, it’s written to spread awareness of the benefits of solar power to all Angelenos. There are many misconceptions about solar panel installation, one being that many still believe that it’s only for the rich or those with large utility bills.

As you read about the 23 solar success stories highlighted in the report, it’s easy to see how the solar energy clientele has become diversified and is now accessible to people at all income levels. From churches to low-income housing and local business to homeowners, almost everyone mentions how the solar panels are saving them money and how happy they are to be relying on a clean, renewable energy.

Second, the report can be seen as a reminder to Mayor Garcetti about his welcome support for solar energy. While running for mayor, he endorsed the idea that Los Angeles should install 1200 MW of solar power to generate nearly 20 percent of the city’s needs. Now that he’s in office and putting together the plan for his term, Environment California hopes that the report will inspire Garcetti to continue to work on the “20 by 2020 campaign” an official city goal.

Support Solar and Take Action Today

Though Los Angeles has huge potential for solar installation, the city uses solar energy for only 2% of its electrical needs. We have a long way to go to meet the 20% goal.

If you have a couple minutes, please fill out a brief form at Environment California’s website to  sign the petition and help get Garcetti’s attention.

For those who are active on Facebook or Twitter, you can spread the word about solar in LA by posting or tweeting to your friends and followers. Use the @ericgarcetti and @EnvCalifornia handles to make sure that the Mayor doesn’t miss your post.

The market for solar microinverters has grown substantially this year, and experts predict that it will quadruple in the next four years. Researchers from ISH, a market research firm, estimate that microinverter sales will reach 500 megawatts in 2013, and global shipments are expected to hit 2.1 gigawatts by 2017. That’s an overwhelming 306% increase.

Recent Growth of Microinverter Sales

Much of the expansion is coming from overseas and commercial markets, which have lower penetration rates for microinverters than the residential sector. This is the result of manufacturers such as Enphase seeking out new areas of growth.

“Microinverters have reached very high adoption rates in the United States, particularly in the residential market, where penetration will reach more than 40% in 2013,” Cormac Gilligan, PV market analyst at IHS, said in a press release. “However, in order to grow or maintain market share, microinverter suppliers now are striving to expand to new regions that at present don’t use the technology.”

Different Types of Solar Inverters

Inverters are some of the most important components of any home solar system. The inverter takes the direct current (DC) power produced by solar panels and converts it to alternating current (AC) so that it can be consumed by a home’s electrical system.

For many years, the only type of inverter available for a solar electric system was a central inverter (sometimes referred to as a string inverter). It’s a mature, sturdy technology that is still effective for most of the solar arrays that we design today.

Why Choose Microinverters over a Central Inverter

However, there are certain situations where a microinverter may be a better option. Most specifically, microinverters are best used when a roof receives intermittent shade throughout the day.

Since a central inverter combines the power from multiple solar panels in one unit, power production can decrease if a few of the solar panels are obstructed by shade. Microinverters are able to overcome this obstacle because a small inverter is attached to each solar panel. Then, if one panel is partially shaded, the rest of the system will still perform to its usual standards.

It is worth mentioning that microinverters are significantly more expensive than central inverters at this point in time. Also, it’s a fairly new technology and some solar experts question its ability to continue performing year after year. Thankfully, the microinverters that we offer come with 25 year warranties that give our customers peace of mind.

US Leader in Microinverter Sales, Japan Second

IHS estimates that the U.S. accounts for about 72 percent of all microinverter shipments. However, that number could fall to 50 percent in the next four years as more units are sent to overseas solar installations. In particular, the Japanese market has heated up in recent years now that more suppliers are located in that country (Japanese developers tend to prefer domestic manufacturers over imports).

Reinforcing the success of the microinverter industry, Enphase recently reported record-breaking revenue for their third quarter. Although prices for microinverters have been falling as of late due to increased competition, Enphase has experienced considerable growth due to the expanding demand for its high-quality products.

By keeping up with technical innovations in the solar industry (like microinverters), solar installers like AMECO can continue to provide better service to our customers. Those in Southern California who are interested in installing solar panels with microinverters should contact us and request a solar evaluation.

Instead of waiting in long lines and buying new things, Giving Tuesday is a day where people are encouraged to spend money on nonprofits and make charitable donations. This year, AMECO Solar suggests making a donation to a solar-focused nonprofit who is making our world a better (and brighter!) place.

Saving Lives with Solar Suitcases

We Care Solar is an organization the promotes safe motherhood and prevents infant mortality rates by providing a solar energy kit to health workers. Dubbed the “solar suitcase”, each kit includes a small solar panel and rechargeable battery that powers basic medical equipment. Though originally designed for delivering babies in rural settings, the solar suitcases are now used in health centers and clinics all over the world for a range of medical situations. CNN recently nominated Dr. Laura Satchel (We Care Solar’s Executive Director) as a top 10 CNN Hero.  When you donate through the CNN website, Subaru will match your gift and your impact will be doubled!

Alternative Rock for Alternative Energy

Having met during an Environmental Analysis program in college, the band members from Trapdoor Social have always bonded over two things: music and clean energy. They have taken a creative approach to the release of their upcoming album. All proceeds will go towards the new solar installation project at Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit in Los Angeles that provides job training support for prior gangmembers. Plus, when you give a little, you’ll get a little in return! Every donation from $15 to $5,000 comes with a reward from songs on the B Side of the album to your own private concert.  Make a donation to Trapdoor Social’s campaign and help them reach their $20,000 goal.

Solar Energy for Everyone

Since 2001, the team at Grid Alternatives has been installing solar panels as a way to empower communities in need. Not only do they provide solar energy for families struggling to make ends meet, but they also train workers from local communities to become certified solar installers. The majority of their work has been in California, but they recently expanded to Colorado and are hoping to open offices in other states soon.  Support their mission of making solar energy accessible for everyone by donating online.

Each year, it seems as if the temperatures in Southern California rise higher, and the summer season becomes even longer. In fact, a couple weeks ago Los Angeles registered highs in the 90s (extremely warm for November). Many scientists claim that increased temperatures are just the first signs of climate change and global warming will continue to get worse as time goes on.

On November 13, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs released a report titled “Los Angeles Solar and Efficiency Report (LASER)”. It suggests solar energy as a solution to Los Angeles County’s climate (and financial) woes, revealing how the considerable untapped solar power resources could lead to a boom in both renewable energy production and economic activity.

Empty Rooftops in Los Angeles, Incredible Solar Potential

The researchers analyzed building data across Los Angeles to determine that, if even a fraction of the city’s buildings were equipped with solar panels, the subsequent installation work would create thousands of jobs and the resulting clean energy would put a major dent in carbon emissions. Two major wins for the county that everyone can agree on.

Another important point, LA’s undeveloped solar roofs (meaning those without solar panels installed) have the potential for a generating capacity of 22,984 megawatts. To give our readers an idea of just how much power that represents, the state of California currently has 3,761 megawatts of solar capacity currently installed and the entire United States has less than 10,000 megawatts.

More Solar Panels = More LA Jobs

Even if the county of Los Angeles were to realize just 5 percent of its solar potential, it could generate enough electricity for over 287,000 homes. In addition, the installation work for undertaking such a project would create over 29,000 new jobs.

“This study sends a clear message to Angelenos – the potential to invest in LA’s clean, renewable energy economy and build healthier communities is huge,” said Jorge Madrid of EDF in a press release.

By investing in more solar installations, Los Angeles and surrounding areas could help support economic activity in the region and put in place a good foundation for continued prosperity. The organization hopes the report can be used as a tool for elected officials in the area to enact real change through legislation in favor of solar energy and energy efficiency.

In recent years, solar companies have advertised that a $150 electric bill qualifies you for solar panel installation. So much so that many in Southern California believe they do not qualify for a solar electric system if their bill is under $150. As it turns out, almost everyone “qualifies” for solar energy whatever the cost of your utility bill.

Breaking Point for Solar Savings

Why do the solar marketers focus so much on $150? Typically, the more money you pay for electricity, the more solar panels will be able to save you. It is at about the $150 dollar mark that the payments for investing in solar panels may be equaled by the monthly savings. Many marketers have discovered that if the monthly savings are greater than your electricity costs from day one, then the odds are better for making a sale.

By weaving the $150 limit into solar advertising, some companies are using a clever tool to weed out people with smaller electricity bills. If they were truthful, they should be saying, “If your electric bill is $150 or more, then you qualify for a solar sales presentation!”

Different Reasons for Going Solar

Everyone has a different motive for going solar and it’s not necessarily all financial. There are other reasons for installing a solar array.

Many people are concerned about what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Lifestyle changes (like recycling and being a conscious consumer) are an important way to make less of an impact on the earth, but it is hard to live without electricity or hot water, so solar energy is the natural choice for producing clean power.

As an example, two of our customers who own  solar panels in Long Beach were only paying about $30 a month to SCE when they decided to go solar in the early 2000’s. Since their electric bill was on the smaller side, the estimated payback wouldn’t be until the 20th year that they own the system. However, it was important for them to use clean, renewable energy to power their home instead of relying on the fossil fuels delivered by the utility company.

Another reason people install solar panels is to take control of their energy future. Historically, electricity rates have risen by about 6% every year, and there is no telling when the utility companies will decide to raise prices even higher. By producing energy with their own solar panels, homeowners and businesses won’t be victim to the price increases of electricity during the entire lifetime of the solar array (about 25-30 years).

Solar is a Better Deal than the Utility

Your energy bill is simply a continuing and never ending expense. When you go solar, you are converting an expense into an asset. For those that choose to purchase their solar system, your energy usage will be an investment instead of a monthly cost. No matter the size of your bill, if the solar system pays for itself within its lifetime (usually 25-30 years), then it’s a much better deal that can be had from any utility company.

Having an electric bill less than $150 shouldn’t stop you from considering solar panel installation. Most people with smaller bills can still take advantage of the benefits of solar energy whether financial or not.

A solar PPA is a financing option available to homeowners or businesses who want to use solar energy at their property.

Basically, the solar PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to lock in your energy rate for the term of the financial agreement. This rate is typically lower than what the utility company would charge you, which could result in a significant savings over the term of the PPA.

How a Solar PPA Works

There are three main parties involved in a solar PPA: the customer, the solar installation company and the investor, or solar system owner. Here’s how it works in Orange County and Los Angeles:

Note, the customer only pays for the solar energy used to power their property; there are no payments if the system fails and the customer would instead pay the utility company at a presumably higher rate.

Why Consumers Choose a Solar PPA

Most people choose to finance their solar project with a solar PPA because of the following four benefits:

We’d like to point out that solar electric systems do not usually need maintenance since they are a sturdy technology with no moving parts. The benefit of free maintenance and servicing is more about peace of mind than actually saving on the cost to maintain your solar panels.

It’s also worth mentioning that one major downside of a solar PPA is that you won’t be eligible for any state/local rebates or the 30% Federal tax incentive. Since the investor is the technical owner of the solar panels, they are the ones who take advantage of these discounts.

How a Solar Lease Differs from a Solar PPA

Often, people confuse a solar lease with a solar PPA since they are very similar and share many of the same benefits.

A solar lease allows you to rent the solar panels themselves (and therefore, the energy they produce as well), usually with a fixed or predictable monthly payment. Read more about the specifics of  getting a solar lease in LA or Orange County in our prior blog post if you care to learn more.

On the other hand, a solar PPA allows you to pay for the energy produced by the solar panels, which is hopefully pegged to the present and future utility cost. If the cost for your solar energy is lower than the electricity the utility would have provided, you will be saving money. But if the cost of conventional electricity stabilizes or decreases, you may end up paying more in the future.

Depending on your financial situation and energy usage, a PPA may be the best way to finance your solar project. This educational article should shed some light on how a PPA works and how it could benefit a solar panel owner.

Frequently people want to know how many solar panels they will need based on the size of their home. However, the amount of electricity you use is more important for solar electric system design than the square footage of your home. This is mainly because people’s use of electricity varies in so many different ways.

Same House, Different Energy Situations

For instance, let’s say two families live next door to each other in 2,000 square foot homes. A young man lives in Home A with his fiancé; they both work long hours and often spend evenings out with friends. As a result, they don’t use much electricity and pay about $40 a month.

In Home B, two parents live with their two teenage children. They are either running the heater or air conditioner and use electricity to filter their pool, meanwhile the teenagers are always on their iPads, opening the refrigerator or watching TV. Since more people live in the house and their lifestyle requires more energy, their electricity bills run at about $325 a month.

Importance of Electricity Usage for Solar Panel Design

Even though they live in homes that are the exact same size, the family in Home B would most likely need to invest in more solar panels to bring down their electricity usage than the couple living in Home A.  Even if the households were identical in electric consumption, one home may have better solar exposure or less shade than another, which can mean more or fewer panels.

Electricity usage is also important because most utility companies in Los Angeles and Orange County limit the size of your solar system based on the amount of energy you currently use. This number is usually determined by looking at how much electricity you have used in the last 12 months.

Just Moved or Building Your Home? Here’s How it Works

Of course, there are always some exceptions to the rule. If you have only lived in your home for a few months or want to install solar panels on a home in construction, then most utility companies let us estimate usage based on your home’s square footage.

As an example, LADWP calculates this type of average at 2 watts for every square foot. So, a 2,000 square foot home would be allowed a solar array of 4,000 watts.  Depending on the type of panel that you choose, a system of this size would be anywhere from 12-18 solar panels.  Keep in mind, this formula to estimate consumption varies depending on who provides your electricity.

Another exception is sometimes made for people who are anticipating that their electricity usage will go up. If you are planning to buy an EV (electric vehicle) or install central air, for example, we can estimate the additional usage and factor it into the solar panel design and cost. But, the utilities are sticklers! They will make us submit proof of purchase along with the solar system application.

Find out How Much Solar Panels Cost

Interested in how many solar panels you will need for your roof and energy situation? Call us at (888) 595-9570 or email gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com, and have your electricity bills handy. We can typically provide a rough estimate based on your usage and a quick glance at your home on Google Earth. For those who would like a more specific price, we can schedule a solar evaluation where we meet at your home and evaluate your roof in person.

For years, those against the widespread adoption of solar power for homes have argued that solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are too expensive for the majority of homeowners.  They claim that the only families who can take advantage of the cost savings from solar energy are those with high incomes.

Not so, says the Center for American Progress (CAP), a think tank based in Washington, D.C. By analyzing data about solar electric system installations across the country, they found that in many areas, including California, the distribution of rooftop PV mirrored the population in terms of income distribution.

Relying on Solar Data from Reputable Sources

The study used information from three principal sources:

The study evaluated the median household income of each zip code where solar panel systems were installed and compared the distribution of the installations to the way income is spread over the population. They found that there was a significant overlap between the two.

In other words, those communities that make up the largest portion of the state’s population, the middle class, accounted for the largest percentage of PV installations.

Solar Panel Facts and California’s Middle Class

In California specifically, the think tank found that 67.16 percent of the systems installed under the program were within communities with median household incomes between $40,000 and $90,000. Communities exceeding $90,000 in median household income accounted for only 28.63 percent of the installations, while areas with median incomes under $40,000 made up about 4 percent of those receiving rebates under CSI.

Similar results were found in Arizona and New Jersey.

CAP also determined that the percentage of solar panel installations for middle class households under the California rebate program has grown from 65 percent of installations in 2009 to 70 percent in 2013.

Solar Energy Benefits All Communities

Solar energy provides benefits for customers on both a micro and macro scale. Of course, individual families and businesses can enjoy lower electricity costs by switching to solar power. On a greater scale, the advantages of solar power can benefit our communities as a whole with improved air quality, local job growth and lowered carbon emissions.

However, this will only be realized when as many people as possible invest in solar panels for their rooftops. As solar power becomes even more accessible to the middle and lower classes, achieving these economic and environmental goals will become more of a reality.

Orange County and Los Angeles solar energy shouldn’t simply be a luxury that only high-income Californians can afford. In order for renewable energy to make a significant impact on the state economy and greenhouse gas emissions, it needs to be accessible to the majority of residents.

Due to the fact that solar panel prices have come down so steeply in the last decade, as well as federal, state and local government incentives, more families have been able to switch to solar and save on their electricity bills.

Solar Energy is Accessible to All in California

Low-income earners still struggle to gain access to this technology. That is why Governor Jerry Brown recently signed Assembly Bill 217 (AB 217). This law directs the California Public Utilities Commission to extend two measures that have been crucial to providing low-income families with the opportunity to adopt solar energy solutions for their homes and apartments.

Those two measures consist of the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) and Multifamily Affordable Solar Homes (MASH) programs. Managed by nonprofit Grid Alternatives, the goal of each program was to set aside funding from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) funding to be used for low-income families.

In total, these communities would receive $108 million in rebates for the purchase of solar panel systems, facilitating the installation of 50 megawatts of solar generating capacity.

Solar Programs for Low-Income Residents Extended

The initial time frame for the SASH and MASH programs was set to expire on December 31, 2016, at which point funding would no longer be distributed. AB 217 extends that date by five years to 2021.

Additionally, the law makes provisions to provide job training and education for low-income workers who would like to pursue a career in the solar installation field.

How Solar Benefits Californian Communities

The benefits of a solar electric system for low-income families are clear, as these citizens have the most to gain from saving money on energy consumption. By deriving their energy needs from sunlight and selling excess power back to the grid, they’ll be able to effectively run their meter backwards while also claiming federal and state tax credits and rebates, including the California Solar Initiative incentives described above.

It should also be noted that low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by the public health issues that arise from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. Los Angeles and Orange County solar are the best ways to mitigate and eventually eliminate such externalities.

Solar energy is beneficial for many reasons. Not only does it lessen your environmental impact, but it can save you a great deal of money while also adding resale value to your home.

If you are reading this, you may already be convinced that it’s time to install solar panels. But is your roof ready to go solar as well? By answering the following four questions, you will find out if solar panels can be easily installed on your roof.

1. What type of roof do you have?

Asphalt shingle (sometimes referred to as a comp or merely shingles) is the most common roofing material around and, luckily, is the easiest type for solar installers to work on. Flat roofs also provide a good situation for solar panel installation, though you may have to factor in additional costs for mounting and racking equipment so that the panels can be angled towards the sun. AMECO Solar can install panels on most roofs with concrete or ceramic Spanish tile.

Depending on the condition of your roof, our solar installers may be able to work on more delicate roofing materials like slate or wooden shake. We can usually tell if it’s a possibility by checking out your roof on Google Earth, but sometimes a more in-depth roof evaluation is needed.

2. How old is your roof?

If your roof does not need to be replaced for another 10-15 years, then it’s a great time to consider going solar.

Aging roofs can prove to be challenging and sometimes increase the chance of damage occurring during installation. The biggest challenge is that it will significantly increase your costs in the long run. When you decide to reroof, it’s costly to remove and reinstall the solar panels. If you find yourself in this situation, we recommend waiting until you are ready to lay down a new roof and coordinate the solar installation to occur at the same time.

Not sure when your roof was last replaced? One of our consultants can survey your roof and determine if it provides a good situation for solar panels. If your roof needs to be replaced in order to accommodate your solar system, there is a possibility that this added expense will qualify for the federal 30% solar tax credit.

3. Which way was does your roof face?

Since more energy will be produced if the solar panels are exposed to sunlight all day long, south-facing roofs produce the highest amount of solar energy in California. East or west facing roofs also allow solar panels to soak up a significant amount of the sun and provide enough energy to power your home. If the best part of your roof faces north, you may not have the best situation for solar.

4. Do you have enough room on your roof for solar panels?

It is a solar installer’s dream to have a roof that is perfectly sloped with yards and yards of uninterrupted space. Then, solar panels can be laid down in nicely organized rows to offset your electricity usage.

A roof with a lot of obstacles (such as roof vents or skylights) can make solar installation complicated.  This will most likely increase the price. Some roofs may have so many obstacles that we can only install a small number of panels and they won’t make much of a dent in your electric bill.

What is the best roof for solar panels?

In a perfect world, a south facing roof made of comp shingle with 10-15 years of life in it would be the best roof. But the world ain’t perfect! Really, many roofs with different angles, made of different materials, and of different ages, make great candidates for solar panel installation.

In nearly 40 years of business, we’ve come across a lot of different roofs and have been able to install on the majority of them. If your home is in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas, you can get our expert opinion by contacting us and scheduling a solar evaluation.

Recently, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a division of the U.S. Interior Department, held an auction for the first group of Solar Energy Zones (SEZ) on the western side of the United States. SEZs are areas of federal land that have been designated as prime locations for the construction of a solar generating plant.

Solar Developers Interested, No Bids Yet

The SEZ at the San Luis Valley site in Colorado was chosen due to its proximity to existing transmission infrastructure and the minimal environmental impact that it would have on the land.

It seemed like a great place for a developer to invest in a solar plant that would deliver clean, renewable energy to the electric grid. Even though many developers expressed interested in the project beforehand, the auction did not attract any bidders.

Issues with Solar Auction Process

Some  industry observers have speculated that potential developers were dissuaded from bidding because the rules and project specifics had yet to be finalized at the time of auction.

This was only the first of several auctions the BLM will be holding in the coming months for its 19 Solar Energy Zones (three of which are located in California). Because of the recent no-bid conclusion, the BLM will go back to the drawing board and revise their strategy for upcoming auctions.

How Rooftop Solar Differs from Utility Solar Installs

While solar installations of all sizes are important for our energy future and allow us rely less on dirty energy, smaller scale solar installations are typically easier to complete than utility scale solar projects.

Often, environmental obstacles and opposition from local interests result in considerable delays for utility solar projects. For example, developers of the  Ivanpah Solar Project in California came across multiple delays and had to adapt their plans many times in order to preserve the native desert tortoise population.

In contrast, most residential and small commercial solar installations only take a few months to install and connect to the electric grid. Additionally, they often receive little-to-no opposition. In fact, most rooftop solar installations are applauded for their environmental benefits that are good for the solar panel owner and their surrounding community.

If you’re interested in learning how your family can benefit from adopting solar power as your main source of electricity, we invite you to contact AMECO today by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing GoSolar@AmecoSolar.com today to schedule an evaluation.

On October 24, the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will begin auctioning off the first of its Solar Energy Zones (SEZ), areas that it has designated as prime real estate for the development of utility-scale solar power plants.

The BLM will be accepting bids from developers for the rights to begin the process of designing and constructing new solar installations, part of a larger effort to promote renewable energy sources.

<h3>What is a Solar Energy Zone?</h3>

SEZs are large parcels of land that have been selected as ideal spaces to create new solar energy generating stations. Typically, they are selected because they are not used for other types of develop such as residential, commercial or industrial facilities, or because they are located on old landfills, garbage dumps and Superfund sites that are unfit for human habitation.

<h3>Solar Energy Zones in California and Other States</h3>

The first two sites that will be auctioned off are located in Colorado. However, there are two SEZs in California located in the Imperial East and Riverside East regions. The latter is the largest zone currently listed for auction, offering almost 150,000 acres of developable land (originally it was over 200,000, but about 50,000 acres were removed to reduce the impact on nearby Joshua Tree National Park).

The SEZ plan is an attempt to tackle two problems simultaneously:

1) Find enough land to build large scale projects.
2) Make use of areas that are otherwise uninhabitable due to environmental and sanitation factors.

While there is still plenty of progress to be made on the small-scale, distributed generation front, AMECO Solar is happy to see that the federal government continues to advance an agenda the prioritizes solar power over fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has announced that pools for commercial or public use will now be eligible to claim rebates from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) for installing solar pool heater systems. The CPUC expanded its definition of eligible facilities to include any pools for multifamily residential housing, hotels and motels, therapy, educational, governmental and non-profit institutions.

The CSI Thermal Program will pay $7.00 for every therm that is displaced annually by the installation of a solar pool system. As more of the funding for this program is subscribed, the per-therm rebate will decrease. Participating pool owners will receive a one-time payment that is based on a calculation of estimated future therm displacement.

The expansion of the CSI-Thermal program for hot water to public pools could be a major benefit for recreational and educational facilities throughout the state. Water heating costs for these institutions are typically one of their biggest expenses, so any way that they can save money will benefit those who use the community pools.

Organizations such as the YMCA and other community centers can realize significant savings. AMECO Solar recently completed the installation of a solar pool heating system on the roof of the California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center in Long Beach, California. Now that they are heating their pool with solar energy and the organization is saving upwards of $13,000 a year, which will add up to almost $250,000 in savings during the life time of the solar pool heater.

In mid-August, the CPUC also approved commercial facilities to receive rebates from the Thermal Program. This decision opens the doors for gyms, water parks and other enterprises to lower their expenses and help steer the state toward a renewable energy future. The final details of the program are scheduled to be finalized at the California Public Utilities Commission by November, 2013.

A new report titled  “Solar Heating & Cooling: Energy for a Secure Future” lays down a plan for the expansion of solar heating and cooling (SHC) systems.

By educating the public and policymakers about the benefits and availability of solar thermal water heating solutions, SEIA hopes to expand the rebates available for the technology as a way to increase the amount of solar energy usage throughout the United States.

Media coverage of the solar industry tends to pay more attention to its impact on the energy sector. Although this is certainly a crucial area where photovoltaic (PV) power can have a positive effect on energy consumption and carbon emissions, it should be noted that 44 percent of energy consumption in the U.S. comes from heating and cooling applications, such as water and space heating, air conditioning and steam generation. This is where solar thermal applications can play a larger part.

SEIA recommends that the United States set a goal of increasing its solar thermal capacity from 9 gigawatts (GW) to 300 by 2050. Doing so could provide the American economy with $61 billion in annual savings, while helping to create over 50,000 jobs and increase manufacturing output by $1.9 billion. It would also offset 226 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, which is similar to take 47 million passenger cars off the road.

Among the policy prescriptions that Pilgaard and his colleagues propose is an expansion of incentive programs that are already in place to encourage more homeowners, businesses and institutions to adopt solar energy for their heating and cooling needs. These include renewable energy tax credits, rebates for SHC systems and ensuring that renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to procure a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources.

They want to make sure that when homeowners decide to rely on Orange County or Los Angeles solar power for their water heating and temperature control needs, they receive similar credits and rebates as if they had installed a solar electric system.

In the past few years, the United States has made great strides to better integrate solar energy into the electric grid. Hopefully, the American public and elected officials can make similar efforts to expand the role of SHC systems.

Last Sunday, the AMECO Solar team attended the Solar Decathlon at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. We walked through the Solar Village where 19 solar-powered, energy efficient homes were designed and built by collegiate teams from around the world.

While it was inspiring to see the students’ innovative approach to solar electric and thermal installation, we were most impressed by their enthusiasm about solar energy and energy efficiency. You could see they took pride in their work and were enthusiastic to share the knowledge gained over the two years it took to prepare for the competition. AMECO Solar staff came away from the event with some favorites.

West Virginia University’s PEAK

The home was designed as a modern take on a typical Appalachian home with cabin-like features and lots of wood detailing. It boasts a living garden on the rooftop along with a PV array and solar hot water panels. Energy usage from the entire home can be accessed through a tablet or mobile device so that home owners can track their consumption and adjust their usage accordingly. This home has a particularly cozy atmosphere and seemed the most live-ready. Also, we felt that the overall design has a wider appeal than some of the other uber modern homes in the Solar Village.

University of Southern California’s fluxHome

When you first walk up to the USC solar home, you immediately notice the metal-like covering. It’s a thermally responsive envelope around that house that regulates air flow and provides additional insulation. Inside, the bedrooms open up to the main living area where the kitchen, living room and dining room are all in one large space with a loft-like feel. We like how the solar panels were installed in a discrete way so that they were not visible from the walkway. But, sometimes it’s the little things that count. We were most impressed by the retractable skylight in the bathroom that automatically opens and closes. Not only is the skylight a beautiful architectural accent, but it’s also built for function as it lets warm air exit easily to keep the house cool.

Stanford University’s Start.Home

Knowing that all families are different, Stanford designed a modular home built around a mechanical room that houses the equipment for the solar electric and thermal systems. Home owners can easily customize the home by adding additional bedrooms or offices as needed. We were most intrigued by the prototypes that the team created. For example, each room has a special light switch where you can turn lights on and off with quick swipe (similar to a swipe you would use on an iPad or mobile phone). By swiping the switch with four fingers, you can turn the power off in the specific room allowing for more energy conservation (a lot easier than unplugging all your devices when leaving a room).

Each solar home is measured in 10 different contests ranging from architectural design and market appeal to affordability and energy balance. As of today, Santa Clara University is currently in the running for first place with University of Nevada Las Vegas not far behind.

You can see photos of the solar homes on the AMECO Solar Facebook page. If you are in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas, you still have time to see the event in person. Public viewing hours for the Solar Decathlon start up again today and will extend through the weekend. Visit the Solar Decathlon website for more info.

The most recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that new housing construction is rising as the economy recovers from the recession and existing housing stock fills up. As the housing market picks up and more single family and multi-family residences are built, Americans may notice that many of the new units will come with solar panels on the roof.

SunPower Survey Reveals High Interest in Solar

SunPower — a manufacturer known for its highly efficient solar panels offered for installation by AMECO — conducted a survey and found that six of the ten biggest home builders in the country, are including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on newly constructed houses. Because of rising demand for clean energy technology and favorable public policies, solar power is becoming more of a priority for these firms and their customer base.

There are a number of reasons for this trend. First and foremost is the fact that Net Energy Metering and government rebates and incentives have made solar an extremely popular investment that guarantees a positive return on investment. Another is that it tends to be less expensive to install solar panels at the time of construction, rather than after the home is already built. Lastly, it’s easy to fund the solar project by embedding the cost into a mortgage.

California Leads in Solar for New Constructions

The inclusion of solar panels on new homes is largely a California phenomenon, according to Megan McGrath, a real estate analyst with MKM Partners LLC who was interviewed by Bloomberg News.

This is due to our state’s more solar-friendly regulatory environment and favorable outlook towards renewable energy. A few cities, including Lancaster, California, have even begun requiring that all new homes within the town limits be built with solar panels already installed.

Having solar panels installed on your home at the time of construction is a great way to take advantage of the numerous benefits of solar power. You’ll be able to claim the various local, state and federal incentive programs that make California solar energy such a great investment, while saving money on installation costs if you decide to purchase the panels.

Earlier this year, AMECO Solar applied for LADWP & SCE’s Net Energy Metering program on behalf of two of our customers who had wanted to install solar panels along with a battery storage system. Since it was a process that had been allowed in the past and was previously acceptable to these utilities, we were surprised to receive notice that the applications were rejected.

Shortly thereafter, we received a memo from the utility company that was sent to all solar contractors in Orange County and Los Angeles. In this letter, SCE stated, “If a renewable generator is modified so that the battery storage system is integrated into the generator, SCE cannot separately meter the energy from the renewable PV generator and the non-renewable battery”.

In simpler terms, the utility claims that there is no way of knowing whether the solar owner is selling back power that was originally generated from the solar panels or from the electric grid itself. SCE assumes that solar owners are “gaming the system” by charging their batteries with nonrenewable power and then selling it back to the utility during peak times as if it was generated by their PV systems.

The accusation seems ridiculous to both solar owners and companies. Most solar customers install a battery storage system so that they can use solar energy in the event of a power outage. Moreover, the majority of battery backups do not have the capacity to send power back to the grid. The few dollars “saved” by selling nonrenewable energy back to SCE would not make up for the large investment needed for such back-up batteries used in a household.

As a result of this new interpretation, future solar owners would be denied entry into the Net Energy Metering program if batteries are also installed. Even worse, it is probable that any solar NEM generators with battery backup who had previously been granted entry would now be denied participation in the program as well.

Currently, the only solution is to redesign a solar electric system so that the batteries are metered separately. It’s an expensive undertaking and adds significant costs to installation, which will most likely deter solar customers from pursuing this option.

The California Public Utilities Commission is trying to work out a deal with utilities that would let customers who have purchased solar battery backups participate in Net Energy Metering programs without the possibility that they could be selling grid-produced power back. Though, there is no clear indication of when the issue might be resolved.

Since these types of systems make up only a small portion of the overall solar market, SCE’s recent efforts to deny battery storage systems can be seen as another way to attack solar customers and the solar industry. Without the benefits of the NEM program, the payback period of solar system installation is extended and owning one becomes less attractive. Less solar customers producing their own renewable energy means more customers for Edison using non-renewable energy, which ultimately means more money for the utility’s bottom line.

Because of the obstacles detailed in this article, AMECO Solar does not currently offer solar battery backup systems as part of our solar installation services. While we aim to provide the most comprehensive solar experience possible to our customers, we do not want to place our clients in a position where they may not be able to realize the full potential and value of their solar panels because of utility rate policies.

Location: Fullerton, CA
System Type: Solar Electric (PV)
System Size: 19.3 kW
System Details: 56 SunPower PV Panels with 2 Central “String” Inverters and Online Monitoring
Year Installed: 2013

Electric Bill Before: $1,000
Electric Bill After: -$10.53

Clay and his wife couldn’t have been more excited to move into their new home and start remodeling it into their dream home. Then, they received a few of their first utility bills. The larger space and lack of insulation was driving their utility costs up to $1,000 and higher. They made it a goal to install a solar system and bring down their bills before the heat would hit in the following summer.

In May of 2013 they started talking to a few companies, AMECO Solar being one of them. Between the high-efficieny of the SunPower solar panels and our company’s reputation as a reputable, long-standing solar company, the couple chose to go with AMECO.

Though they were convinced of the financial savings that solar would bring them, they were very concerned with how the solar installation would look. They drove around the neighborhood to see other installations and weren’t too impressed with the results. One house even had a similar style to their own home, but the solar panels (installed by another company) were an eyesore.

Since aesthetics were important, AMECO made sure to design and install the solar system with this in mind. “We’re very pleased with how it turned out,” Clay explained, “You can’t see the solar panels from the street and most of the equipment is hidden, too.”

Throughout the entire installation process, Clay was in constant contact with AMECO Solar’s Operations Manager, David Saltzman. He helped coordinate the solar installation with the roofing company, pulled all the necessary permits, and worked with the city inspectors to make sure that the install passed Fullerton’s notably difficult inspection procedure. “David was fantastic, his service couldn’t have been better,” Clay said.

Now that the system is installed and running, Clay checks in on the production at least once a day. He’s found the SunPower interface incredibly easy to use. With a just few clicks, he can pull up a range of information such as how much energy the system is producing by the day or even by the hour!

Since he knew the solar panels had overproduced in the first month that it was turned on, he wasn’t surprised to see his electricity bill come in at -$10.53. Still, after months and months of owing Edison such high amounts, there’s nothing sweeter than to receive a bill and see that the utility company now owes him.

Typically, electricity companies are not big fans of Orange County and Los Angeles solar power. They see distributed generation (DG) and particularly Net Energy Metering (NEM) as threats to a long-standing business model that relies on a regulated monopoly to generate profits and earn income for investors.

Utilities Claim Solar Creates Higher Costs

The utility companies have argued that as more customers migrate to solar power, the fixed costs of running an electricity grid (things like maintenance and transmission) will be spread over fewer rate-payers. This will raise electricity prices, which will make solar more attractive and convince even more customers to make the switch.  And then, the price of electricity will rise once again.

Because of this belief, utilities spend a lot of their marketing and lobbying budgets trying to persuade policy makers and the general public that solar power is an economic disaster. One of their strategies is convincing people that NEM policies, which allow customers to receive a credit for the solar energy they feed back into the grid, act as a subsidy for solar customers at the expense of non-solar rate payers.

Winning the Battle with AB327 and “Net Metering 2.0”

Actually, the utility companies almost succeeded in eliminating the NEM program in California with the  introduction of AB327 using this exact argument. Thankfully solar advocates were successful in getting specific amendments made that not only protects the current NEM program but also extends the program for what is now being called “Net Metering 2.0”.

Though the solar industry won this small battle against Big Energy, we expect the utility companies will try to get similar legislature passed using the same argument that solar customers make electricity more expensive for everybody.

Research Proves Utility Claims are Incorrect

For this reason, we decided to revisit a study published by Crossborder Energy earlier this year that analyzed the effects of California’s NEM policies on overall electricity rates. It found that there was actually a positive effect for non-solar customers.

“On average over the residential markets of the state’s three big [investor-owned utilities], NEM does not impose costs on non-participating rate payers, and instead creates a small net benefit,” state the report’s authors. “In the commercial, industrial, and institutional (C&I) market, NEM results in significantly greater benefits than costs for non-participating rate payers.”

How does NEM help non-participating customers?

Solar Results in Financial Benefit for Non-Solar Customers

Most importantly, while Big Energy has claimed that solar customers in the NEM program cost non-solar customers big bucks, the study proves that it actually brings $92 million dollars in benefits to non-solar customers.

The report’s authors stress that the results of their study may not necessarily apply to other utilities, and more research needs to be done to understand how DG truly effects energy costs for non-participating entities.

Still, it seems clear that the story of how solar affects other customers is much more complicated than the narrative that electric companies are trying to sell. It’s important to note that utilities are invested in protecting their profits and shareholders, regardless of whether doing so might negatively impact their customers. When making choices about the future of California solar energy, we hope that the public will consider other priorities than those of the electric companies.

The Ivanpah Solar Generating Station, located in the Mojave Desert near the Nevada border, has completed its first synchronization, which is a major step toward full production. The plant’s operators, NRG Solar, announced the “first sync” on September 24, hailing it as a milestone for the California solar energy industry.

The Ivanpah solar thermal plant is the largest generator of its kind in the country, covering 3,500 acres. With a total generating capacity of 392 megawatts (MW), once completely operational the station will provide enough electricity to power 140,000 homes annually.

Synchronization Now, Solar Energy Next

“Given the magnitude and complexity of Ivanpah, it was very important that we successfully complete this milestone showing all systems were on track,” said Tom Doyle, President of NRG Solar, in a press release. “We couldn’t be more excited about achieving ‘first sync,’ and we share this success with our project partners, BrightSource and Google, as well as Bechtel, which is responsible for engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning on the project.”

Synchronization is an important part of integrating new power sources into the electric grid. In order for these plants to begin producing electricity for California rate payers, the operators must ensure that the voltage, current, frequency and phase angle matches that of the grid.

How Concentrated Solar Power Works at Ivanpah

Ivanpah generates electricity from sunlight using a solar thermal technology called Concentrating Solar Power (or CSP), which is different from the rooftop solar panels that AMECO installs on residences and businesses throughout Southern California. With CSP, thousands of large mirrors, called heliostats, concentrate sunlight and focus it onto a giant furnace in a tower hundreds of feet above the ground. The heat from that sunlight causes water to boil and generate steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator. This technology is useful for utility scale power plants because it can run 24 hours a day with the use of thermal storage technology, whereas photovoltaic (PV) panels create electricity only when the sun is up.

However, solar thermal requires a massive system of mirrors that can track the movement of the sun, which makes it infeasible for use in homes.

There are three separate generator towers at Ivanpah. The first one, where the synchronization was performed, will deliver electricity to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under a power purchase agreement (PPA). Tower three is also contracted under a PPA with PG&E, while the second generator will provide power for Southern California Edison customers.

Ivanpah Achieving Clean Energy Goals for CA

In addition to NRG Solar, Brightsource Energy, Inc., Bechtel and Google all served as co-developers and investors in the Ivanpah project. It will help California meet its renewable energy goals, while also providing a source of electricity that emits no carbon dioxide and helps improve air quality. When the plant goes into full production mode sometime in 2014, it will be a major step in the state’s ongoing efforts to derive more power from the sun, and less from conventional fossil fuels.

The Solar Decathlon is coming up soon and will be taking place in Irvine, California, from October 3 to 13. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the competition challenges teams of college students to design and construct houses that are energy efficient, affordable and aesthetically pleasing. Most importantly, the houses must be powered by California solar energy and produce more electricity than they consume. Each entry will be judged in several categories by panels of experts from the renewable energy and environmental industries.

The goal of the Solar Decathlon is two-fold. First, the DOE is using it as an opportunity to encourage college students to pursue careers in alternative energy, engineering and design. Second, the competition gives the public a chance to learn about solar energy and green building techniques, as the houses will be on display at the Orange County Great Park for 10 full days. Attendance is free, and each team will be offering tours of their houses. The DOE is hoping the homes will demonstrate that energy efficiency, solar power, comfort and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive concepts.

This will be the sixth time that the DOE has put on a Solar Decathlon. The first event was held in 2002, and subsequent competitions have taken place every two to three years. There will be 20 participants this year, with students hailing from universities all over the world, including Stanford, Santa Clara, Czech Technical University and Arizona State University. We’ll be attending this year to root for our two local teams: USC and another team made up from students at Sci-Arc and Caltech.

“The Solar Decathlon is the Great Park’s first-ever international event,” Jeffrey Lalloway, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Corporation, said in a news release. “We are excited to welcome the students representing the 20 competing teams and their creative energy, innovation and talent as they prepare to build solar houses that will allow the public to see the future of energy, today.”

Each house will be judged in ten separate areas relating to efficiency, design and affordability. Judges will analyze the water heating systems, temperature controls, comfort levels and even the public relations campaigns of each team, such as the quality of their website and press releases. For each category, a score out of 100 points is awarded, and the team with the highest aggregate score from each criteria will walk away victorious.

Winners will be given name recognition, along with invaluable contacts and networking opportunities from the Solar Decathlon Alumni Network. Members of the jury include executives from the home building, architecture, interior design and energy industries, journalists, marketing professionals and public policy experts.

The winners of the most recent Decathlon, from the University of Maryland, will not be participating this year, so the competition is wide open. If you live in Orange County, make sure to set aside a few hours during the first part of October to visit the Orange County Great Park and tour the houses on display. We hope to see you there!

The California legislature has approved Senate Bill 96, which authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to collect revenue from the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC).

Funding from EPIC will be used to finance research, development and deployment (RD&D) of clean energy technology, including California solar energy, with the goal of improving the state’s energy infrastructure and saving rate payers money.

Pending the governor’s signature, the CPUC will be able to authorize the state’s utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison, to begin collecting $162 million for the EPIC program.

The approval of this bill was crucial to the state’s renewable energy future. Prior to its passage, funding for clean energy RD&D was set to expire, bringing to a halt the California’s leadership on this issue. As far back as the 1970s, California has been setting an example by requiring that utilities reinvest some of their revenue back into research.

However, after restructuring of the utility industry in 1996, there was some question as to the permanence of RD&D appropriations. At the time, the legislature put in place a system benefits charge, which would be used to provide a minimum level of funding. This charge expired in 2012.

Senate Bill 96 ensures that funding for clean energy technology will continue until at least 2020. The California Energy Commission will administer 80 percent of the revenue collected through EPIC, while the utilities will manage the other 20 percent. Both institutions will need to submit plans to the CPUC every 3 years, and in 2016 the program will be reevaluated by an independent auditor to determine its strengths and weaknesses.

The EPIC will primarily focus on problems that represent the biggest obstacles to reducing California’s emissions and meeting its renewable portfolio goals while also aiming to devote as much of its revenue to RD&D as possible.

The approval of this program shows that California is still leading the way when it comes to clean technology and renewable energy. The outcomes of EPIC research could result in billions of dollars in benefits for utility customers and the environment, so passing the bill is definitely good news for our state.

The Great Recession has left a lot of Americans approaching retirement in a bad position, as many investors and 401K holders have seen their assets drop in value. Adding to this problem is the fact that interest rates are historically low, and one can only earn so much on certificates of deposit (CD) and other types of savings accounts.

Solar Panels: A Home Investment that Pays

Diane Hammond, a resident of Sudsbury, Massachusetts, found herself in a similar situation when she researched options for investing $30,000 to earn income for retirement.  Forbes explains how Hammond could only hope for an interest rate on a CD of about 0.4 to 0.5 percent, a low monthly income that couldn’t possibly support her when she retired. So, she looked for an alternative that would help save money and generate a decent return on investment.

Hammond has found the solution to her problem by investing in solar energy and pre-paying a 20-year lease on a solar electric system. The savings on her energy bills, coupled with renewable energy credits and other government and utility incentive programs, are far greater than what she would have earned from a savings account.

“I figure I’m going to pay off my original investment in about five years and make 20% on my money (in total, savings and [solar renewable energy credit] payments come to about $2,500 annually),” Hammond told the source. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is much better than a CD. I’m killing two birds with one stone – lowering my electric bill and getting money with interest.”

Retirement Planning for Orange County Solar Owners

While leasing works well for some consumers, purchasing a solar system is another option that can lead to great savings for future retirees. For example,  AMECO Solar customers Linda and Dan bought solar panels as a way to save money on their monthly utility bill and free up their budget in preparation for their future retirement.

Now that their solar panels are installed, they have reduced their bill to almost nothing and estimate a savings of $3,000 each year. Over the lifetime of the solar system (typically 25-30 years), their annual savings will add up to a significant amount and will result in an impressive 19% return on investment.

Find Out How a Solar Investment Works for You

Current and future retirees should consider solar installation as an investment alternative that produces a healthy ROI. Whether leasing or purchasing, solar panels could be a good investment alternative to traditional investments. For more information, contact AMECO Solar at (888) 595-9570 or email us at gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com. We would be happy to evaluate your energy needs and show you how a home solar installation could give you a good return on your investment.

Last week, the Senate and Assembly passed AB 327 with a majority of the vote. Now, the bill is headed to California Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for the final signature. The bill marks some losses for the solar industry, but thanks to the hard work of CALSEIA and other solar advocates certain amendments were made so that the bill shines bright for solar as well.

A few weeks ago, AMECO Solar wrote about AB 327 and how it could negatively affect individual solar system owners along with the solar industry as a whole. At this point, there were two parts of the bill that were a cause of worry: 1) the future of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program and 2) the possibility of a mandatory monthly charge for all utility customers.

One loss is that the monthly surcharge has passed. Whether you own solar panels or not, you will have to pay $10 a month for merely accessing the grid and using electricity.

It’s possible that solar owners will not have to pay the charge initially and will be grandfathered in, but the details of the “grandfathering provision” will be hammered out in the coming months before the bill turns into a law.

Amendments were made to the net metering portion of the bill that accomplished goals for the solar industry.

Current solar owners enrolled in the NEM program can rest easy for now. AB 327 was amended so that your contracts will be protected and you will be granted a reasonable pay-back period based on when you originally enrolled in the program.

Even better, the amendment removed the 2014 deadline of the NEM program and extended it so another 5,500 MW of solar customers can enroll in the program between now and July 2017. This extension means a lot for residential solar installation companies as NEM is a huge incentive for potential solar customers, especially as utility rebate programs are entering their last steps and closing down.

The bill also demands that the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) develop a new net metering program, which solar advocates have dubbed as “NEM 2.0”, by March 2014. While the prospect of a future net metering program seems like a win, it’s uncertain how the CPUC will design the program. Due to this uncertainty, CALSEIA and those that support the organization will need to be a constant presence at the legislative level so that “NEM 2.0” will be beneficial.

All eyes will be on California during these next eight months. As a solar leader in the nation, the solar policies and legislature that develop in our state inevitably have an effect on solar in other states. Once needed, AMECO Solar will request that our customers and other solar enthusiasts take action so that our voice is heard by state leaders.

If there’s anything that the city of Lancaster, California, is known for, it’s sunlight. The community located in the high desert north of Los Angeles county gets approximately 300 days of sun per year, which makes it the perfect location for widespread integration of solar power. Mayor R. Rex Parris has made it a goal for the city to be completely energy independent, or “net zero” as it’s known, within the next three years.

Among the various policies that have been adopted to make this happen is a law the requires new homes to be built with solar panels. The city has also made it clear that they will accommodate developments and commercial projects that promise to rely on renewable energy for power production.

“We would be the deepest well if you were to imagine that [sunlight] was oil,” Parris told CBS News. “And what’s oil but power? And what’s solar but power?”

Currently, the city derives about half of its electrical needs for solar power, and leads the state in terms of solar power produced per capita. Over six thousand panels have been installed on the city’s buildings, including its baseball stadium, schools and local malls. The increased reliance on photovoltaics has also helped the municipal budget situation. Deputy City Manager Jason Caudle states that Lancaster pays about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour for its solar power, a major improvement over the 18 cents it was charged by utility companies.

And contrary to popular belief that such aggressive renewable energy goals can be a hindrance to economic development, Mayor Parris reports that the city’s residents and businesses have been extremely supportive of the idea, as California solar energy has helped them make their companies more cost-effective. Here’s to the citizens of Lancaster and hoping that many cities follow their example.

Location: Los Angeles, CA
System Type: Solar Electric (PV)
System Size: 5.6 kW
System Details: 32 Sharp PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter and a Wireless Display
Year Installed: 2007

Electric Bill Before: $450
Electric Bill After: $30
Reduced by 93%!

Townson and his wife had considered going solar before, but it wasn’t until they moved into a new home that it became more of a reality.

“When we moved in 2006, we inherited recessed lighting that consisted of 40 ceiling lights throughout the entire house,” Townson explained. Combined with an aging air conditioner and the usage demands of a growing family, they were suddenly looking at electricity bills upwards of $450.

It was then that they seriously researched solar panel installation. Todd Fanady, AMECO Solar’s representative, visited for a site visit and found an ideal roof for solar. “Todd was practically salivating when he saw our roof. He told me that we had the perfect location, perfect angle and more than enough roof space for a solar system that would fit our needs,” Townson said, “He presented us with many different options and really seemed to know what he was talking about.”

Ultimately, Townson choose AMECO from the three companies that sent him solar quotes. While he appreciated Todd’s low pressure approach, he also wanted to install with a company that had been in business for a while.

Their 32-panel Sharp solar electric system was installed over two days in the summer of 2007. Since then, Townson began tracking production with wireless display that came with installation. He would watch the production start in the morning as the sun came up and enjoyed seeing the curve of the graph increase dramatically as the day went on and more solar energy was produced.

However, one day in 2012 he noticed that something was off. Production would start off as usual in the morning, but then the graph revealed huge spikes instead of the normal upward curve.

He immediately called AMECO Solar and the team looked into the issue. As it turned out, the inverter was slightly malfunctioning and clipping production at peak times. Since Townson had purchased a 10 year warranty on the inverter, it was quickly replaced and installed at no cost to him. “The entire process was pretty painless and our production was back to normal in no time,” he said.

Townson is happy with the decision he made to go solar with AMECO back in 2007. As predicted, the cost of electricity has gone up since the system was first installed. While others continue to pay more and more for their electricity, he and his family are able to produce their own solar energy and avoid rate hikes.

California is continuing its march toward a renewable energy future. New statistics show how the growth of the solar industry has accelerated and shows little sign of slowing down for the rest of the year.

Utility Solar Propels California at the Top

The Golden State added a record-breaking 521 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity from April to June of this year. This was an all-time high for any state over a three month period, and made up 53 percent of the total amount added by the nation during the same time frame.

The growth in California was fueled, in part, by the completion of large-scale projects such as the California Valley Solar Ranch near San Luis Obispo. The other 41 percent came from residential and commercial solar arrays on rooftops and private property.

Pro-Solar Policies Spur Growth in Other States

After California, the next four states to add the most solar energy installations were North Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona and Texas. Many solar experts speculate that the increase in solar expansion is related to favorable state policies and more progressive energy policies.

California, in particular, has made aggressive efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuel sources such as coal and natural gas. Other regions of the country, such as Arizona and New Jersey, have fostered growth of solar in their states with similar laws and incentive programs.

Importance of Legislature Moving Forward

It’s paramount for the solar industry and its customers to continue pursuing legislative efforts at the state and federal level. Programs like Net Energy Metering, rebates for California solar panels, and the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit need to be extended and renewed until solar costs become competitive with conventional power in the absence of subsidies.

Unfortunately, utility companies have stepped up their efforts to prevent solar incentive programs from being extended. Mainly because they’re concerned that their profits will decrease and they’ll lose control of the way residents generate and use electricity.

Hopefully, the state legislature can recognize that it is in the best interest of Californians everywhere, whether they have solar energy at home or not, to spur more growth in renewable energy sources. Then, perhaps, California can look forward to leading the nation in megawatts of solar energy installed not just in Q2 of 2013, but for many years to come.

Now that you have gone solar and have a Net Energy Metering (NEM) contract with Edison, you will be receiving a monthly Edison bill that is different from what you are accustomed to seeing. We think it’s important that you understand what these bills are telling you, and hopefully this explanation will help you quickly assess your charges or credits.

On the first page of your new Edison bill, there is an item that has created a great deal of confusion. It is the item called “Net Generation.” This is the amount of electricity your solar system has generated that has exceeded your consumption; it is NOT the amount of energy that your system has produced in that billing period. The LCD display on your solar inverter will tell you how much electricity your solar system is producing right now and also how much it has produced since the first day it was turned on.

Edison has their Smart Meter in place only to measure how much electricity they send to your home, or how much electricity you may send back to them. This Smart Meter actually has no idea what your solar system is generating. It simply measures the amount of electricity that you take from Edison (when you are using more than the solar system is producing), or the amount of electricity that you send back to them (when you are using less than the solar system is producing).

Typically, during the daytime your solar system is producing more electricity than your house is using and you are sending the excess back to Edison for a credit. When the sun goes down and the lights in the house go on, the solar system turns stops producing energy and you are now taking electricity from Edison. Some months have more sunshine than others and in some months you use more electricity than in others. So, at the end of the month you may have either a credit or a charge on your Edison bill.

The summary of net charges and credits is usually displayed on either the 3rd or 4th page of your Edison bill and is highlighted in a square box on the upper right hand section of the page. Within the box a sentence states:

Additional information regarding your Net Consumption/Generation

• This information will show your cumulative charge or a credit as of the previous month
• Your current month energy charge total;
• Your accumulated energy charge Year-to-Date;
• Your accumulated kilo-Watt hour (kWh) consumption Year-to-Date.

This is important information and will inform you as to the status of your financial position with Edison’s billing.

At the end of the billing year (starting from when your solar system was first turned on) you will receive a bill which tallies all of the credits and charges from each month. If you used more electricity than your system has produced in that year, then you must then pay this total. If your solar system has generated more electricity than you have used over the year, Edison will actually pay you. It is important to pay attention to the information on your monthly Edison bills so that you are NOT surprised if you still owe Edison a substantial amount of money at the end of the billing year.

If you have any questions with regard to Edison billing practices, you may contact one of the Edison representatives who understand NEM at (866) 701-7868.

Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems that deliver California solar energy to homes and small businesses are a great way lower or even eliminate utility bills, but each panel array represents only a small part of the overall energy infrastructure.

This has led many electrical companies, developers, investors and governments to press for the construction of utility-scale solar farms that can add hundreds of megawatts of generating capacity to the state’s renewable energy portfolio.

Projects like the Ivanpah Solar Generating Station in the Mojave Desert and the California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) in San Luis Obispo, California, promise to expand solar power in the Golden State, but these plants are difficult to get off the ground for a number of reasons.

The Ivanpah facility ran into delays because of those concerned with the native desert tortoise population. The CVSR and other plants often face heated opposition from local residents who fear the stations will create “visual pollution” that could lower property values.

On the other hand, rooftop solar installations on homes and small businesses face none of these problems. Though smaller in size, they can be constructed quicker and when adopted on a wide scale, could end up contributing to the electric grid as much as utility-scale projects.

If the number small-scale solar installation projects continue to grow, it will be good news for the economy and environment. Solar power provides a clean, renewable and steady source of energy unaffected by the price instability that plagues fossil fuels, and could help mitigate the effects of air pollution and anthropogenic climate change.

NerdWallet, a financial advice blog, recently reported on a study about the solar industry and market in all 50 states to determine which ones provided the best conditions for homeowners who want to install solar panels on their rooftops. There are a number of factors that guide someone’s decision to go solar, and while other states may provide certain advantages such as more sunlight or better tax incentives, it’s important to aggregate all of these measures to determine which one produces the ideal conditions for a photovoltaic (PV) installation.

NerdWallet used four main criteria in determining the best state for solar power:

Based on scoring for all four of these measures, California leads the way with its favorable regulatory, tax and natural environment that combine to create ideal conditions for any customers who are planning on going solar.

Fourteen schools in the Jefferson Elementary School District (JESD), located in Northern California just south of San Francisco, will be going solar in an effort to stabilize finances and dramatically reduce its carbon footprint.

The San Francisco Examiner reports that this $12 million project will save the district $17 million over the next 25 years, an important accomplishment given the fact that so many education institutions have suffered from major budget cuts and limited financial resources over the last several years.

The solar installation will provide clean, renewable energy to 14 schools while also producing energy for the district’s administrative building and central kitchen facility. This will reduce the amount of electricity that the district purchases by 85 percent. In addition, the use of California solar energy will prevent 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted.

Funding for the project came from a number of sources, mainly a local ballot measure that authorized the district to borrow money to pay for energy improvements, as well as appropriations from the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

Additionally, the district has designed a curriculum that will promote solar energy to its students and educate them about the virtues of solar technology. Teachers will be given resources to help their pupils better understand how this move will benefit their schooling, and each school’s main office will be equipped with an LCD display showing data on energy production.

The JESD’s solar project serves as an excellent model for any school administrators who are hoping to implement a similar effort to help their district become more energy independent and financially stable.

Due to a sharp decrease in the price of solar panels, the cost of installing solar energy in California continues to fall. A new report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, located at U.C. Berkeley, found that the per watt cost of small rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems with less than 10 kilowatt capacity declined nationwide from $12 in 1998 to $5.30 in 2012.

In California, the price per watt of installation for small systems dropped from $6.40 in 2011 to $5.70 in 2012.

The report credited 80 percent of these price reductions to the fact that solar panels themselves are becoming cheaper. Between 2008 and 2012, panels dropped by $2.60 per watt. Other factors, referred to as “soft costs” which include employee wages, permitting fees and other equipment needed for installations, remained relatively flat over the same period. The study’s authors pointed out that further reductions could be achieved if these expenditures were lowered through public policy.

“Soft costs are especially important from the perspective of public policy efforts,” said Galen Barbose of Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division, and one of the report’s co-authors, in a news release. “Unlike module prices, which are established based on global supply and demand, soft costs can be influenced more directly by local, state and national policies aimed at accelerating deployment and removing market barriers.”

Among the proposals that have been put forward by solar energy industry advocates and lawmakers are reforms to the licensing and permit process to make it more streamlined. There have also been calls to reinvest in the California Solar Initiative, funding for which has largely been spent. But even absent these solutions, it’s clear that a solar electric system is becoming more affordable and accessible to a larger share of the population.

Since the beginning of the year, utility companies have been making headlines with their efforts to eliminate the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program for solar in California. But now, the utilities are making headlines with a new topic: AB 327. This bill can also be seen as a direct threat to the solar industry.

Sponsored by California Assemblyman Henry Perea and backed by Big Energy, the two main goals of the bill is to 1) eliminate the NEM program and phase out the thousands of solar customers who are currently part of the program and 2) level out the tiered pay structure for utility companies including Southern California Edison. In order to accomplish the latter, the utilities would charge all ratepayers a mandatory $10 monthly fee or $120 annually. This fee is for merely accessing the grid and would be in addition to the charges for monthly electricity usage.

Those behind the bill argue that a monthly surcharge is necessary to pay for fixed costs lost to customers who utilize solar energy. Additionally, they claim to need the funds to maintain the state’s transmission grid and prevent outages.

However, solar advocates and those in the solar industry interpret the bill differently. In effect, the utilities are proposing to shift costs now incurred by high rate payers by increasing costs for low rate payers.

What makes this effort unusual is that this charge will be placed into law by the legislature, rather than through due process at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If passed, legislating similar fees will certainly be considered a path to success in the future by utility lobbyists, and may lead to additional surcharges for whatever utility stockholders believe is possible or necessary to improve the monopoly’s bottom line.

It should come as no surprise that energy monopolies are pushing so strongly for a bill at this point in time. In the last few years, residential “rooftop” solar has experienced explosive growth as many households have chosen to go solar and generate their own renewable energy.

The Net Energy Metering program — which allows solar owners to receive credit for any over-production — has been a large incentive for many to go solar and since the program was instituted in 2007, thousands of solar customers have signed up. By eliminating the NEM program, the utility companies will not only take away a major incentive for potential solar customers but will also renege on a contract that they already signed with those already enrolled.

In addition, the monthly mandatory fee will affect many potential solar customers whose incentive is largely financial. Many of those who are currently interested in solar are getting charged a lot for electricity in the higher tiers. Therefore, they install solar panels in order to reduce their consumption and lower their utility bill.

If AB327 does in fact pass, then the financial incentive to go solar will be severely reduced for small and modest users of energy, and diminished as well for larger users. The average ROI (return on investment) in the first year will decrease by as much as 10% for average consumers (from a modest first year return of 9.7% to 8.6%). Moreover, the payback period for a solar system (now around 5-7 years for most solar installations) will increase to 8-10 years or more, hindering many potential consumers from going solar.

What can we Californians do to fight against AB327? Join AMECO Solar, CALSEIA and thousands of solar supporters by calling your Senator (find out who your Senator is by visiting this website) and asking them to, “Protect All Net-Energy Metering Customers”. Then, spread the word to your friends and colleagues by tweeting, posting on Facebook or sending an email with a link to this blog post. The bill will be voted on this Friday, August 30 so be sure to take action today.

A major challenge for states like California that are trying to meet renewable portfolio standards (RPS), standards which dictate the minimum percentage of electricity that a state needs to derive from renewable sources, is to find energy storage options that are both affordable and effective.

The main issue is that renewable technologies such as Los Angeles solar and wind power generate a lot of electricity at certain times of the day, and none at others. Particularly with wind energy, the electrical grid needs to be able to handle massive fluctuations in electrical production in a way that it is currently incapable of doing. This is due to the absence of battery technology that can be scaled to such sizes that it can handle gigawatt-hours of energy.

Reuters reports that California Governor Jerry Brown told attendees at the InterSolar Conference in San Francisco that Californians can’t simply rely on sunlight for power, saying that “we’ve got to bottle the sunlight.”

Fortunately, many companies are entering a heated race to develop batteries that can handle large amounts of grid electricity. These include LG Chem, a large-scale battery maker, in addition to more well-known companies such as General Electric, and investors Peter Thiel and Bill Gates. Brown put forward a proposal that would increase the state’s commitment to funding battery tech, which many see as the principle obstacle to wider integration of solar energy into the electric grid.

The more progress these firms can make on this front, the more Californians will be able to benefit from this great energy source.

Location: Long Beach, CA
Solar System Types: Solar Electric (PV) and a Solar Hot Water System
Solar System Details: 10 PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter and 2 Solar Hot Water Panels

Electric Bill Before: $35
Electric Bill After: $5
Reduced by 86%!

“Our electric bill wasn’t that expensive before we went solar, only averaging about $35 a month,” said Debbie, “We made the change to become a ‘sales tool’ for solar and hopefully motivate others to explore it as a renewable energy option.” With the couple’s solar electric and solar hot water panels easily visible from their corner home on the Alamitos Bay Peninsula in Long Beach, they have the perfect set-up to promote solar energy.

Joe explained further, “It’s a good conversation starter — many people see the panels and come up to ask questions. We’ve noticed a lot more homes in the neighborhood with solar since we had ours installed in 2006. While we can’t claim all the credit, we think we may have played a part in inspiring them to go solar.”

The couple has been happy with AMECO service from Day 1 when company owner Patrick Redgate visited their home for the initial site survey. He evaluated their shake roof to make sure it was in good condition and would hold up long enough to make solar financially viable. Then, he took the time to explain how solar electric would reduce their electricity bill and the solar hot water panels would provide the majority of the hot water used in their home.

Since they trusted his opinion and solar suggestions, the couple didn’t even look into other companies and signed a contract with AMECO. Afterwards, the AMECO installers arrived to install the two solar systems. “They were very polite and quick, the installation was complete in a few days,” Debbie commented.

During the past 7 years, the solar panels have not required any maintenance at all. Moreover, there has been no need to clean the panels either. They merely allow the rain to wash away any dust that might have accumulated in the past months and the panels continue functioning at peak performance.

Whenever questions have come up, they appreciate that AMECO is very responsive and calls them back with answers in a timely manner. “The best part about working with AMECO has been the people. You can tell that they are passionate about solar and really believe in what they are doing,” she continued, “It’s nice to be working with like-minded individuals.”

Debbie and Joe are hoping to invest in a plug-in vehicle soon, and are considering a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid or the BMW i3. They are planning to install additional solar panels to offset the electrical use of the EV. Though they haven’t made up a decision about which car to purchase, there is no doubt in their minds about who they will hire for the solar installation — AMECO Solar, of course.

The two main arguments that are often cited in favor of Los Angeles and Orange County solar power are economic and environmental. By going solar, residents and businesses can reduce and potentially eliminate their electricity bills. In doing so, people also help improve the planet’s climate by decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Those two reasons alone are enough to justify widespread adoption of solar power for electrical generation, but something that often goes unmentioned is the way that solar technology can help boost public health.

The reasoning is simple. Burning fossil fuels not only produces carbon dioxide but other forms of air pollution that can cause serious respiratory illnesses in children, adults and seniors. Even natural gas, which burns much cleaner than coal, still releases toxins into the air that can exacerbate health conditions such as asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease. According to Scientific American, particulates emitted from fossil fuel power production is estimated to cause 59,000 cases of acute bronchitis and 603,000 asthma attacks annually.

While this is a problem in many communities spread throughout the U.S., EarthTechling, a clean technology news site, points out that seven of the ten worst counties in the nation in terms of air pollution are located in California. Much of this air pollution comes from the production of electricity, and could be eliminated through greater reliance on solar power.

When considering the merits of having a rooftop PV system installed on your home or business, along with the environmental and financial advantages, keep in mind that you’ll also be contributing to improved public health.

Electric vehicles and plug-in models like the Chevy Volt, Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 are becoming much more viable options for customers looking to save money on gasoline and energy costs. EV technology used be to very expensive, and though it still remains on the high end of the price spectrum for many drivers, it’s quickly moving in the direction of being more affordable for many families.

At the same time, solar power is rapidly bringing renewable energy to a wider market of customers in Southern California.

So, this begs the question: Can energy users who want to capitalize on these trends take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of both? Does having an all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle increase the value of a rooftop solar energy system?

In an article on GigaOM, a technology news site, writer Kevin C. Tofel, wrote about how he had installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on his home and bought a Chevrolet Volt. He claimed that the purchase of the car had shortened the solar payback period on his PV system by half.

Tofel figured that three-quarters of the family’s driving was powered by electricity from the solar panels, saving roughly $2,400 a year in gasoline costs. At the same time, Tofel was spending $2,500 less on electricity for his home annually, for a combined savings of $4,900. While he had originally projected the break-even point on his PV system to be about 11 years before buying the Volt, the gasoline savings after the purchase meant he would hit that point at about 6 years after buying the solar panels.

It’s worth mentioning that the results for solar customers in Orange County and Los Angeles could vary from Tofel’s. He purchased a relatively oversized system for his house, plus he lives in Pennsylvania, which has different incentives than California. But, it wouldn’t be very difficult for California customers to outpace these results, as electric rates and gasoline prices in the Golden State are much higher than those in Pennsylvania.

If you are interested in purchasing a solar system to offset electricity costs of your home and electric vehicle, contact AMECO Solar today. One of our solar consultants will be able to run the numbers to figure out the size of the solar system that you will need and how long it will take to hit the break-even point.

The Brightsource Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, in the Mojave Desert of California, is ready to go online, and pending approval by the California Public Utilities Commission should begin generating electricity very soon.

Located off the Interstate-15 near the Nevada border, the Ivanpah solar project is one of the largest ever completed. Using 170,000 mirrors, sunlight is concentrated and focused on three 450-foot tall towers. Water in the towers is heated to boiling temperatures, where it converts to steam and spins a turbine that generates electricity.

The total power capacity of the Ivanpah project is 392 megawatts (MW), enough to light 140,000 homes. The process produces no carbon emissions and qualifies as a renewable energy source.

The technology involved is very different from the photovoltaic panels that AMECO installs on rooftops, but the goal is the same: To provide a clean, affordable energy source to California residents that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and stabilize long term energy costs. The project is funded by Brightsource Energy, along with support from Google and NRG and a federal loan.

The completion of Ivanpah will help the state of California meet its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) goal of 33 percent by 2020. It has drawn some criticism for the impact the project has had on desert tortoise populations, but biologists hired by Brightsource have relocated the animals to alternative locations where they can thrive.

By integrating more California solar energy into the state’s electrical grid, plants like the one at Ivanpah allow more Californians to reap the financial, economic and environmental benefits of solar power.

Whether the state of California and the country as a whole can move away from fossil fuels depends largely on the growth of renewable energy sources such as solar power, as these are the only solution that provides the electricity we need affordably without the pollution of coal and oil or the dangers of nuclear power.

Although much more progress needs to be made, two recent reports highlight the fact that things are moving in the right direction.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published a study showing that renewables, along with nuclear power, will be the fastest growing sources of energy over the next several decades, expanding at a rate of about 2.5 percent per year. In terms of renewable energy (RE) sources, much of the increase will come from wind, hydropower and solar.

In addition, NPD Solarbuzz, a market research company for the solar industry, put out a new paper that states the U.S. has passed the 10 gigawatt (GW) benchmark for solar generating capacity, trailing only Germany, Italy and China. The same report predicted that the industry would grow by 80 percent and reach 17 GW in total solar PV installations by 2014.

“The US has now joined an elite group of maturing solar PV markets that have accumulated more than 10 GW of installed capacity,” said Christopher Sunsong, analyst at NPD Solarbuzz, in a news release. “The United States is only the fourth country to reach the 10 GW milestone of installed PV capacity.”

The new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Gina McCarthy, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week after an unexpected delay due to political gridlock over the role of the EPA in regulating environmental impact. McCarthy’s position will see her in charge of one of the most powerful agencies in the country in terms of regulating business, and it appears she will continue to focus on issues related to energy consumption, as did her predecessor, outgoing EPA chief Lisa Jackson.

Because of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling, the EPA was given jurisdiction over regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, meaning that the Obama administration could pursue an agenda of limiting production of carbon dioxide and other GHGs without rule-by-rule approval from Congress. As such, it could be the case that the regulatory environment will continue to favor renewable energy sources over fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas, particularly in the realm of electrical generation.

There are many ways that the EPA could shift the country’s energy infrastructure in the general direction of renewable sources, including levying penalties for companies that emit too many GHGs, requiring higher fuel efficiency standards and providing more streamlined permitting processes for the construction of new solar energy and wind projects.

Businesses that are looking to improve their long term financial stability and avoid potential penalties for fossil fuel consumption should consider switching to a solar electric system constructed by Los Angeles area solar installers. AMECO Solar can design and install a solar PV system that will meet your energy needs. Contact us today for more information.

The pace of adding renewable energy sources to the U.S. electrical grid continues to accelerate, as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects released a new report on July 19 showing that 25 percent of electric generating capacity added in the first six months of 2013 came from renewables.

A total of 8,601 megawatts (MW) of new energy projects were completed in 2013. Solar  energy accounted for 969 MW of new capacity added in the first six months of this year,  which is enough solar power capacity to provide electricity for over 700,000 homes, and represents an increase of 3.70 percent over this same time period in 2012.

Renewable energy sources now contribute 16 percent of the total energy used in the U.S., with solar power generating 0.48 percent. However, something to remember is that solar energy is the fastest growing source in the country. A recent report from the Solar Energy Industry Association indicated that the total number of solar panel installations had grown 33 percent year over year for the first quarter of 2013 so it’s possible that this statistic will increase and solar power will make up a larger percentage of new renewable energy added in the coming years.

The growth of solar energy is good news for the planet and rate-payers. This technology provides a clean, renewable source of power that can help stabilize utility bills and improve air quality. A solar electric system will allow you to take advantage of California solar incentives as well as many local and federal programs that will deliver a return on your investment.

The California solar energy industry is thriving thanks to tax incentives and shrinking costs of solar panels for homes, but a new report from Environment America Research and Policy Center shows that the state has hardly reached full capacity. The study, entitled “Lighting the Way: What We Can Learn from America’s Top 12 Solar States”, provides information on solar statistics for what the report calls the “Dazzling Dozen”, the 12 states that produce 85 percent of the nation’s solar generated electricity.

California leads the country, having grown astounding 35 percent in 2012 to bring our total amount of installed solar capacity to 2,901 megawatts (MW).

“California’s leadership in promoting renewable energy sources must continue,” State Senator Marty Block (SD-39), said in a news release. “Our shared vision for protecting the environment and developing future technologies is essential to the next generation’s quality of life, our state’s economy, and setting the trend for the nation’s approach to energy security policy.”

California added 1,033 MW of capacity in 2012, 400 more than the next state (Arizona) which is enough power to provide electricity for 750,000 homes.

It’s possible that 2013 will turn into another record breaking year for California. Customers of Southern California Edison can still take advantage of the California Solar Initiative, a rebate program designed to incentivize residents to invest in solar energy, and solar financing is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who are looking to lower their monthly utility bills. Contact AMECO Solar at (888) 595-9570 or email gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com to find out more about going solar in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

When most consumers set out to do research about solar panels, they will eventually come across the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit also known as the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This tax credit allows you to claim up to 30% of the price you pay to install solar panels, which discounts the cost going solar significantly. The credit has no limit and will be available through December 31, 2019 and stepped down thereafter.

Admittedly, the solar tax incentive is confusing, and many of our customers have questions about it. While AMECO Solar is not licensed to give tax advice, and we recommend that you consult with a tax professional on all tax matters, we hope that by explaining the basics of the solar tax credit you will have a better understanding of how it will work for you when you are ready to purchase a solar system.

Many people are led to believe that they will receive a check from the federal government after they file their taxes, similar to how typical rebate works when purchasing a product. However, this is not true! The tax incentive is a credit, meaning that when you file your Federal taxes you can claim 30% of the qualified expenditures of your solar system.* If you owe Federal taxes that year, then the credit can be applied and you will either A) owe less, B) owe nothing, C) owe nothing and have a credit left over.

Let’s look at these situations in greater detail. To guide our sample scenarios, we’ll imagine that Joe Solar paid a total of $25,000 for the installation of his solar electric system on his home’s rooftop. This amount qualifies him for a $7,500 Federal tax credit.

In Scenario A (where he would owe less) April arrives, he files his taxes and claims the 30% solar tax credit. It turns out he owes $10,000 in taxes, so the entire $7,500 is applied and he writes check to Uncle Sam for the remaining $2,500 that he owes.

For Scenario B (where he would owe nothing) Joe went to his employer and told him that he would be getting a $7,500 tax credit for the year. The employer adjusted Joe’s withholdings on his pay check so that he took home more money and would owe $7,500 to the IRS in April. In April, Joe applies the $7,500 tax credit to his $7,500 tax bill and owes nothing.

For Scenario C (where he would owe nothing and have a leftover credit), we find out that Joe only owes $1,200 in taxes. His tax credit covers this $1,200 amount that he owes and then the remaining $6,300 tax credit will roll over to any succeeding taxable years through 2016. It may be possible to roll any remaining tax credit past 2016, but it’s not entirely clear as reported by DSIRE.

While most people qualify for the solar tax incentive, there are some that do not qualify. Anyone who does not owe taxes will not be able to benefit from the tax credit. Also, it does not apply for solar installations on rental properties. That said, anyone who installs solar panels on an existing home, new construction or second residence will be able to utilize the solar tax credit.

While you’re in the process of purchasing a solar system, AMECO Solar suggests you consult your accountant or tax professional to figure out the specifics on how to approach the solar tax credit in your specific situation. While we are definitely experts in all things solar, we can’t necessarily claim the same with filing taxes.

If you are interested in a solar installation for your residence or business and would like to see how much you can save with the federal solar tax incentive, contact us at (888) 595-9570 or gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com.

* Typically, “quality expenditures” include the cost of the solar products (panels, inverters, hardware, etc), installation labor and any permitting fees associated with the job. In some cases, you may be able to claim the cost of any re-roofing or electricity work done in conjunction with the solar installation.

Among the many advantages of solar panels are the low maintenance costs associated with the technology. Photovoltaic (PV) panels have no moving parts, and the relatively mild weather in Southern California means they’re almost never subjected to extreme conditions such as high winds, thunderstorms or hail.

For many years, the solar experts at AMECO Solar have recommended that our customers clean their solar panels by merely hosing them off a few times a year. This easy cleaning process combined with the intermittent rain of the area typically cleans the panels enough to keep the solar system running at high efficiency.

However, many solar panel cleaning companies are now selling more thorough cleaning services. They argue that if dust and dirt accumulates on the solar panels, then they will become less efficient in converting sunlight to electricity.

A team of engineers at U.C. San Diego recently called this assumption into question. They studied the efficiency of solar panels for homes that had not been rained on for a period of almost 5 months during a drought, versus those that were cleaned regularly. They found the systems that had not been cleaned or rained on for a 145 day period lost only .05 percent in daily power output. In comparison, those who had washed their solar panels at least once during this same time period ended up saving owners about $20.

“You definitely wouldn’t get your money back after hiring someone to wash your rooftop panels,” Jan Kleissl, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at U.C. San Diego and the principal investigator on the study, said in a news release on the solar research.

The study focused on smaller residential solar systems. Kleissl pointed out that owners of larger commercial solar panels might see more gains from routine cleaning, as these systems typically produced thousands more kilowatt hours more than a residential rooftop array. There was little indication that hiring private contractors to clean panels would be worth the cost, unless you live in an area regularly exposed to soot or petroleum residues that would cause collectors to soil more profusely than those tested in San Diego.

Moving forward, AMECO Solar will stick to our recommendation that our customers in Los Angeles and Orange County allow the rain to clean the dust that might accumulate on their solar panels and, if necessary, merely hose them down every once in a while. If you still think that your solar panels need a more thorough cleaning, please contact us about our per panel price.

Scientists from U.C. Berkeley have found that solar power could supply a third of the electricity needs in the Western United States if the grid parity goals of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are met by 2050. The report, released the Berkeley Energy and Resources Group and the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, argues that the DOE’s current goals of bringing solar power to a comparable cost with conventional energy sources would lead to a displacement of other fuels such as natural gas and nuclear.

The study found that if public policies such as carbon caps and pricing are put in place, and if investment in solar technology continues, it could become a much more crucial part of the region’s energy portfolio. This would help the country reduce its carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Given strategic long-term planning and research and policy support, the increase in electricity costs can be contained as we reduce emissions,” Dan Kammen, study leader and Distinguished Professor of Energy, said in a news release. “Saving the planet may be possible at only a modest cost.”

The DOE has a program called the SunShot Initiative, the goal of which is to bring the cost of solar power down to the equivalent per-kilowatt-hour rate of non-renewable sources by 2020. Doing so would lead to a major shift in the energy infrastructure toward cleaner technologies, but at the moment this is being done through the use of government subsidies that incentivize homeowners and businesses to make use of California solar energy. Taxing carbon emissions and capping output could make the price of fossil fuels reflect the true environmental and economic costs of these sources, thereby making solar power more attractive.

Although the financial and environmental advantages of solar energy are clear, this technology still only provides less than one percent of the total electrical generation in the entire country. As such, it is important for the solar community and public officials to continue communicating to residents everywhere how they can benefit from having solar panels installed on more rooftops and vacant land.*

It’s clear that this encouragement won’t come from utilities, who are concerned that if more people switch to solar power, it will cut into their profits.

A recent New York Times piece discusses this issue and how electrical companies are trying to slow the growth of solar energy, despite the fact that there is so much to be gained for ratepayers.

The main claim being made by utilities is that Net Energy Metering (NEM) policies, which allow payers to sell solar-generated electricity back to the grid and lower their electricity bills, will cause charges for other customers to rise as more homes switch to solar power. As a result, they’ve been campaigning for public officials to eliminate Net Metered systems so that fewer residents can enjoy the advantages of solar energy.

There are many reasons that Net Metering benefits all utility customers as a whole. It is recognized in a general sense that less electricity produced by fossil fuels will improve the health of anybody who breathes air. However, the reason that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) instituted the NEM class for solar owners in the first place was to create distributed energy throughout the grid. They believe that solar panels help generate electricity during the hottest days of the year, when marginal or ‘peaker’ power plants fueled by conventional means are ramped up to meet higher than normal demand. This not only stabilizes power production when it is most likely to fail, but lowers the cost of building infrastructure and new power plants because the owners of the distributed solar power plants assumed the burden of building the generator, not the state or the ratepayers.

In fact, it has been estimated that the costs of NEM solar has been exceeded by its benefits to the tune of $92.2 million a year in California alone (Crossborder Energy Study, January 2013). This study proves that all ratepayers benefit from solar and that it does not adversely affect non-solar owners.

*AMECO Solar is doing our part to spread the “solar gospel” to Los Angeles residents and officials by working with Environment California, a state-based nonprofit, on their “Go Solar California” campaign. By highlighting the stories of solar system owners in the area, the report will continue to build support for the goal of 20% rooftop solar power by 2020 in the county. Our hope is that by proving how beneficial solar is for all residents, we can bring more clean energy to Los Angeles.

Proposition 39, which was approved by California voters in November 2012, contained two important policy provisions. The first one closed a corporate tax loophole that will cause the state to lose billions in extra revenue. The second provision mandates that money raised by the closing of the loopholes would be invested in other public projects, specifically energy efficiency improvements in educational institutions. The goal was to promote clean technology job creation while also helping local education agencies (LEA) upgrade buildings.

Half of the money raised by the bill was earmarked for the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund, which would be used to pay for upgrades to electrical systems and insulation for aging education facilities. The original legislative language also allowed for agencies to spend grant money on clean energy installations, including Los Angeles and Orange County solar projects. Although some have called into question whether the California Energy Commission (CEC) will still fund solar installations due to ambiguity in the language of later versions of the law, the CEC has never officially ruled out solar energy projects for monetary awards.

The deadline to apply for grants is August 1, so institutions that are hoping to improve energy efficiency at their facilities or invest in solar technology should submit applications as soon as possible.

AMECO Solar can help you plan, budget and install a solar energy system that will help your organization or educational agency save money on utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint. For more information, contact AMECO by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com.

After many months of negotiations, the European Union (EU) has finally brokered a settlement with China’s Chamber of Commerce regarding the price at which it exports solar panels to European countries. The agreement could have consequences for the U.S. solar panel market, where a similar controversy has erupted over recent years about Chinese “dumping” of photovoltaic (PV) panels.

The New York Times reports that under the terms of the new deal, Chinese solar panel manufacturers cannot sell their products to EU members for less than 56 euros ($0.74 cents) per watt. Those companies that refuse to comply will be subject to a 47.6 percent “anti-dumping” tariff.

The deal was thought by some to be less favorable to the EU than had originally been hoped. The European Commission had launched an investigation into the Chinese practice of dumping in September 2012, hoping that it could pressure China into raising the prices of its panels, making European-manufactured solar cells more competitive.

The practice of dumping, in which China floods a market with low-cost panels, thereby forcing competitors to lower their pricing, has been controversial in the U.S. as well. The Department of Commerce levied a 31 percent tariff in May 2012.

It’s important to note that the cost of going solar will likely continue to fall even with the tariffs in place. GreenTech Media Research, a solar industry research publication, predicts that the cost per watt of solar panels will fall from 50 cents at the end of 2012 to 36 cents by 2017.

The key to wider integration into the electrical grid of solar panels for homes is how the costs of these PV systems compare to natural gas and coal power. A drop in the price of panels will have a positive impact on the availability of solar to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Scientists at Stanford University have developed an ultra-thin, light-absorbing material that could eventually be used to create inexpensive solar cells. In a news release, researchers stated that the new material, which is only several nanometers thick and absorbs 99 percent of the light that hits it, is significantly thinner and lighter than any known material with the same properties.

By laying gold dots only 14 nanometers by 7 nanometers onto a wafer, the research team was able to “tune” the dots so that they absorbed particular wavelengths of light. They found that the wafers were incredibly efficient and could potentially be used as materials for a whole new class of solar cells.

“Our results show that it is possible for an extremely thin layer of material to absorb almost 100 percent of incident light of a specific wavelength,” Stacey Bent, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford, said in the news release. “Achieving complete absorption of visible light with a minimal amount of material is highly desirable for many applications, including solar energy conversion to fuel and electricity.”

It remains to be seen if these wafers can actually be applied to solar cell technology, as these experiments only proved they could absorb light. The scientists need to run additional tests to see if the wafers will be able to convert the absorbed wavelengths into electricity.

One of the most exciting aspects of operating in the California solar energy industry is that there are constantly new developments in solar cell technology that promise to revolutionize the way we produce electrical power.

An interesting innovation was announced recently regarding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), which are transparent, low cost and can convert more sunlight to electricity when it is cloudy outside. Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland have created DSSCs that achieve efficiency rates of 15 percent, making them comparable to the silicon-based cells that are currently on the market.

Commercially manufactured solar cells, such as those in photovoltaic panels that AMECO Solar installs on our customer’s rooftops, typically have a power efficiency of 15 to 23 percent, meaning that approximately a fifth of the sunlight hitting the panel is converted into electricity.

DSSCs are somewhat transparent, giving them broader applications such as installing them on windows. They are also more durable, lighter and cost less to produce. While typical silicon solar cells need to be protected by a sheet of glass, this is not the case with DSSCs.

This technology is still in development, but it is thought that these cells will someday become ubiquitous in rooftop systems and lower the cost of going solar. In the meantime, solar consumers will continue to rely on photovoltaic solar cell technology to provide renewable energy to their homes and businesses.

With temperatures rising into the 80s and 90s, many homeowners in Los Angeles and Orange County are thinking about investing in a swimming pool. But for some, the energy expenses of operating a pool heater are so high that they do not to move forward with the investment. Fortunately, there’s a solution that will allow you to heat your pool without worrying about your monthly utility bill.

A standard pool filter pumps water through a solar collector, which heats it up and then allows it to flow back into the pool. It provides you with enough heat to make your pool comfortable to swim with little or no additional energy cost. A solar pool heater will reduce your normal energy costs significantly.

Although the typical solar pool heater will cost $3,000 to $5,000, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners will see a payback period between 1.5 and 7 years, depending upon the fuel that is being replaced, meaning that the cost of installing a solar heater will be offset by fuel savings within that timeframe. Most of AMECO’s solar pool customers see a payback period between 1.5 and 2.5 years.

Depending on your climate and temperature needs, the solar collector will take up between 50 and 100 percent of the surface area of the pool with the average pool taking up about 60 percent of the surface area. Placed on your roof, this will hardly be noticeable, and you and your family will be able to enjoy temperate waters.

If you already own a pool and have been looking for a more cost-effective way of heating it to a reasonable temperature, or if you’re in the market for adding a swimming pool to your property and want to start off on the right track, contact AMECO Solar by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com to schedule a consultation.

Solar System Type: Solar Electric (PV)

Solar System Details: 27 PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter

Electric Bill After: $6

Reduced by 98%!

To say that Sarojni and Bruce are environmentally conscious is an understatement; the Long Beach-based couple should really be considered environmental pioneers. They were recycling many years before the city provided curb-side bins and have always maintained a composting system at their home.

As a landscape designer, Bruce uses drought-resistant plants whenever possible while his wife Sarojni created the Long Beach Green Guide, a comprehensive online directory & resource for green products and services in Long Beach.

In an effort to meet other eco-minded people, Sarojni attended the first Long Beach Green Drinks gathering in the fall of 2007. It was during one of these events that she met Todd Fanady, one of AMECO Solar’s representatives. They talked about his bio-diesel fueled car and briefly discussed the benefits of solar energy.

Shortly thereafter, he visited their home to evaluate it for solar. “Todd really educated us during the first consultation. I honestly had no idea how electricity is powered by so much coal,” Sarojni explained. The couple recognized that solar would not only benefit the earth, but would also benefit their finances.

“Since we were already accustomed to paying high electricity bills at an average of $250 a month, we decided to apply that money to a solar loan instead. The idea was that the solar system would be paid off in 6-7 years and then our energy would be completely free,” Bruce explained.

Though their roof had some challenges, the AMECO Solar installers were able to use a special technique to bypass 2-3 inches of insulation panels and mount the solar panels into the wooden support beams. Bruce shared, “We were pretty impressed, the installation went really well.”

The couple’s solar installation was completed mid-December of 2007. Now, almost 6 years later, Bruce and Sarojni are happy to use renewable energy to power their home. “Relying on fossil fuel is not the answer,” Bruce stated. By installing solar panels, they hope to encourage social change and inspire more of the community to go solar as well.

A pair of recent interviews with some of the solar industry's top professionals has shown that, as far as these chief executive officers are concerned, there is little stopping the growth of the solar energy movement. 

In a sit-down talk with Bloomberg News, SunPower head Tom Werner speculated that within the next ten years, the solar industry will begin to supplant traditional sources of power like coal, oil and natural gas. His forecast is based on current expansion projections in California and abroad, which have been encouraged primarily by educational outreach that promotes the benefits of solar. He also pointed to growing demand for quality solar panels for homes that are both more durable and energy efficient. Because of this market strength, he predicts that more Americans will opt to buy these electric systems for their residences.

According to CleanTechina, a green community news source, the CEO of a major German solar panel maker said in an interview with the German-language newspaper Deutsche Welle that solar power might even become cheaper than coal one day. While more technological development is needed to push solar efficiency to new heights, he suggested that shifting perspectives on fossil fuels and growing alarm over the dangers of coal burning could push more households and businesses to adopt solar power.

Residents of California do not need to wait for new types of solar panels to be invented in order to benefit from a solar electric system or solar pool heater, the latter of which makes home recreation even more affordable. The professional team at AMECO Solar can help you determine which solar technology is best suited for you and develop an installation plan. Call our offices today to learn how solar power can change your life for the better! 

A new study compiled by the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), a Southern California-based Latino outreach and research group, indicates that Latin Americans value clean energy overwhelmingly compared to fossil fuel sources like coal, oil and natural gas. A poll conducted by the organization and published late last month showed that the Latino community is making inroads in spreading the word about energy efficiency and renewable power.

Antonio Gonzalez, the president of the WCVI, said in a press statement that the researchers themselves were stunned by the high number of those who believe that sources such as solar energy are worth the investment, rather than relying on coal and oil that harm the environment and do not deliver the same kind of results as renewable power. Nearly 80 percent of respondents said that solar is the way to go.

"The results from this survey show a deepening of the Latino voter embrace for conservation and environment. Our survey shows over 80 percent support for solar power – this is unprecedented and profound especially since things like rooftop solar access are only just beginning to penetrate the Latino community. The bottom line is that green ideologies are being embraced by southern California Latinos," Gonzalez said.

This report is just one indication that popular opinion toward solar power is shifting in a positive direction. Residents of the Golden State are discovering just how advantageous it is to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

If you're someone who wants to learn more about solar power, reach out to AMECO Solar to hear about how photovoltaic solar panels can benefit your household. Our team of Los Angeles solar installation experts can answer any questions you may have, so call our offices today!

The California Solar Initiative (CSI), a program intended to spur widespread adoption of solar energy throughout the state, has led to massive growth in the industry. A report released in June 2013 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) stated that rooftop solar installations rose 26 percent in 2012, as California homes added 391 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity. What makes this number remarkable is that it doesn’t include Los Angeles solar panels and other cities that are run by municipal electric companies, as CSI only applies to investor-owned utilities.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2013, the state has a total installed capacity of 1,629 MW of grid-tied solar energy “on the customer side of the meter”, meaning rooftop systems on homes and businesses. This does not include utility-scale projects like the recently completed California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. The stated goal of the CSI in 2007 was to add 1,940 MW of solar generating capacity by the end of 2016.

Most of the funding for CSI has been taken, with the program having met 66 percent of its installation goals while another 19 percent of the goal is slated to be met with projects in development or under construction. What remains to be seen is whether the California legislature will extend additional funding to the program to encourage more solar power, as the state is hardly at its full capacity.

Even without the rate-payer funded CSI, there are still plenty of tax incentives and a federal renewable energy credit available to Southern Californians who want to make the switch to solar. For more information, contact AMECO Solar at (888) 595-9570 and speak to one of our solar energy experts.

2013 is off to a great start for the solar power industry, and you won't find better results than in California. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, our state leads the nation in terms of solar electric system installation for the first quarter of the year.

Thanks to both federal and state-based subsidies, the U.S. added a collective 723 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) generation capability from residential, commercial and utility solar projects. California alone installed 408 MW of PV solar panels during the first three months of 2013. A large majority of the increase is due to installations conducted by utility companies, however the Los Angeles Times noted that residential PV installations did experience an incremental increase when compared to this same time period in 2012.

Rhone Resch, who heads the Solar Energy Industries Association, suggested in an interview that this year's developments are only just the beginning for the solar power movement.

"Obviously California has been a leader for solar energy for some time, but now we're seeing gigawatts installed on an annual basis. It is absolutely conceivable that solar will be installed on pace to replace San Onofre," Resch said, referring to the controversial nuclear power plant that is in the process of being decommissioned.

Californians hoping to take advantage of the eco-friendly benefits of solar power should reach out to AMECO Solar for the professional know-how and guidance that has defined our company for decades. We work with both homeowners and businesses to develop the kind of energy solution that best suits their needs. Contact our offices today to learn more.

The California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR), a 250 megawatt (MW) solar generating station located in Eastern San Luis Obispo County, has been completed. Once fully operational, the facility will produce enough electricity to power 100,000 homes, almost the entire city of San Luis Obispo.

Energy generated by the CVSR will be transmitted over the PG&E grid, and will allow our Central Californian neighbors to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 333,000 metric tons per year.

California has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires utilities to derive 33 percent of the electricity they produce from renewable sources. The CVSR project will go a long way towards meeting that goal. It is currently the largest photovoltaic plant in the state, although GreenTech Media, a clean technology website, reports that a 550 MW capacity generating station will soon begin construction in the Carrizo Plain of Central California.

The CVSR facility covers 4,700 acres, but only about 1,500 of that is actually taken up by solar panels. The remaining 3,200 acres will be set aside for permanent conservancy, in order to support several species living in the area. According to the plant's website, it will inject $315 million into the local economy both during construction and operation, while generating $10 million in total tax revenue.

This development represents a major step forward for California solar energy, but you don't need to wait for your local utility to build its own large scale plant to take advantage of the financial and environmental benefits of solar power. AMECO Solar can design and install a solar electric system that will significantly lower your energy costs while improving air quality. Contact us today for more information.

Last month, the LADWP Board of Water and Power Commissions voted to approve changes to their Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program that will go into effect on July 15, 2013. The most notable change is that the utility company will be lowering the incentive levels for the remaining steps of the program. The residential solar PV incentive for Step 8 will drop from $0.75 per watt to $0.40 per watt, Step 9 will drop from $0.65 to $0.30 and Step 10 will drop from $0.60 to $0.25.

The incentive program was originally launched as a way to encourage LADWP customers to go solar by rewarding them with a rebate that lowered the initial cost of a solar electric system. Incentive levels were designed to be paid in steps, meaning that as more people install solar systems, the amount of available rebate funding would decrease. At the moment, the program is currently in Step 8 of 10.

Once enough solar panels have been installed and the capacity of the program is reached, it will close and LADWP customers won’t be able to receive any rebates for their solar installations. Estimates by the utility company project that the program will last through 2016. However, many solar experts speculate that it may end earlier, possibly in late 2014 or early 2015 since there is usually an explosive increase in solar installations towards the end of a rebate program.

Many other rebate programs have already closed in other parts of California. The residential solar incentive programs for SDG&E and PG&E have both ended while SCE’s residential solar rebate program is currently in its last step.

If you have been on the fence about going solar and live within LADWP’s territory, there is no better time than the present to go solar while you can still take advantage of the rebate program and get money back on your initial solar investment. Contact AMECO Solar by calling (562) 633-4400 or emailing gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com and we can assist you in going solar.

Location: Van Nuys, CA
Solar System Type: Solar Electric (PV)
Solar System Details: 14 PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter

Electric Bill Before: $200
Electric Bill After: $9
Reduced by 96%!

Originally from Malta, Pat has spent much of her life traveling around the globe. After seeing so many natural wonders up close, she decided to lead a green life as a way to preserve the world’s treasures. Whether driving her Prius hybrid car, following a mainly vegetarian diet or tending to her organic garden, she always aims to be environmentally conscious.

When her daughter installed solar panels on her garage in Arizona and was extremely pleased with the results, Pat was convinced that it was time to install a solar system on her home. “Just the idea of the sun going to waste when it could be doing all these good things made me want to go solar,” she said.

Of course, the fact that she could save money by using solar energy was an added benefit. The hot weather in Van Nuys often required her to use the air conditioner driving up her electricity bills to $200 a month.

Technicians for Sustainability, the Tucson-based renewable energy company that installed her daughter’s solar system, recommended Pat get in touch with AMECO for her solar installation in California. She explained, “They told me AMECO is a reliable and long-standing company, so I called you right away.”

During the site evaluation, AMECO Solar Consultant Todd Fanady discussed her solar options and explained the different steps of the installation process. After their conversation, Pat decided to install 14 PV panels on her roof. Shortly thereafter, the AMECO crew arrived and took only a day and a half to install the solar electric system.

Since her solar system has been turned on, Pat has received two bills with zero electricity charges. She enjoys checking the solar monitor to see how many pounds of carbon dioxide she has saved so far. In just a few months, she has already saved 2,800 pounds!

Happy that she’s reducing her carbon footprint with solar energy, Pat tells everyone about her great experience with AMECO. Her friends in Northridge already took her advice and are now using an AMECO solar system to power their home as well. She’s hoping more people will follow suit soon.

In recent years, many solar companies have shifted their focus to leasing solar photovoltaic systems and it has become increasingly popular for consumers. In fact, more than half of all new residential solar installations were financed and owned by a third party in 2012, and many industry experts expect this number to increase in 2013. As a result of its popularity, marketers are spending their budgets promoting solar leases and the market has been flooded with “Zero Down” advertising and sometimes confusing claims.

Once someone has made the decision to investigate solar, they come to us with many questions, and are especially interested in understanding about solar leasing. They want to understand how leasing works and figure out if it makes sense for them. Since so many people have been confused by the mixed messages in the media, we decided to discuss the pros and cons of leasing a system in hopes that the choice to lease or buy will become more clear.

First, let’s go over the basics of a solar lease. A solar lease allows you to rent a solar system from a leasor by paying monthly payments for a certain amount of time. Typically, most lease agreements are for terms of 20 years. Once the lease term is up, one may have the option of renewing the lease, removing the system or purchasing it at fair market value.

The biggest incentive for leasing is that your monthly payment may be less than the amount you previously paid to the utility company, resulting in immediate savings the moment your system is turned on. Additionally, you will continue to realize savings throughout the entire lease term as electricity rates continue to rise and your home benefits from solar energy instead.

Another pro is that the lease provider will take care of the maintenance for twenty years because they are the owner of the solar system. On the other hand, since you are not the owner, you will not receive any rebates, incentives and RECs (renewable energy certificates) associated with your solar system. Instead, they will go to the lease provider.

At the end of a twenty year lease, the final cost of the system for the user is about 2-3 times more than the cost it would require to install and maintain your own solar panels. This is what makes the leasing process so lucrative for providers and explains why so many companies are happy to finance your solar with a lease product.

That said, leasing companies guarantee the solar panel performance for the entire lease term, so you can rest assured that you will be powering your home with solar energy for the next 20 years with no maintenance or repair costs. Also, they usually keep track of production by installing an online monitoring system. If you are a tech geek, you will enjoy checking in online to see how much energy the solar panels produce.

One of the biggest disadvantages of leasing a solar system is that it will complicate and perhaps halt the future sale of your home. If you resell your home before the lease term is over, you must either convince the soon-to-be owner to take over the solar lease (and hope that they will qualify the credit review) or pay off the lease yourself before selling (and hope that there is no penalty for pre-payment).

In summary, leasing is a good way to go solar if improving your immediate cash flow is your goal or simply going green is paramount. If you want a better investment value, then purchasing the system will provide the best results, especially if cash flow is not the primary objective. We offer all types of financing (including leasing) and we’re more than happy to explain and discuss the details of financing options.

Patrick Redgate, AMECO’s CEO and President, was recently interviewed by Solar Industry Mag. In the article, Nora Caley discusses a report released by Lux Research that goes over the solar panel oversupply issues in China and the current health of individual solar companies. After reviewing the past year, she turns to solar experts to get their opinion on the future of the industry.

Redgate responded with the following, “What I think is going to happen this year is there is going to be a shakeout . . . we are going to see who comes out the other end, and it will be either manufacturers committed to staying with this business or manufacturers who have technology that is superior.” He also comments on how competition from other energy sources will affect solar and shares his prediction for the continued growth of residential solar installation.

For more, please visit Solar Industry Mag to read “Coming Soon: Solar Profitability.”

Solar System Type: Solar Electric (PV)

Solar System Details: 22 PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter

Electric Bill After: $1.74

Reduced by 99%!

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With retirement on the horizon, Linda and Dan started to evaluate their monthly budget and figure out ways to reduce costs. After some research, they quickly realized they could save a substantial amount of money by going solar.

Before they installed PV panels on the garage of their Santa Ana home, they were paying about $250 a month for electricity. However, when guests would visit during the summer and they had to run two air conditioners in the house, the bill would creep up to $300 or more. “Our electrical bill was becoming a large expense and Edison was continuing to increase rates,” explained Dan, a chemistry teacher at the local high school, “We wanted to invest in solar energy before our bill got even higher.”

The couple researched many solar installation companies, receiving estimates from a total of four firms. Though they were originally impressed by our reviews on Angie’s List, they eventually signed a contract with AMECO because of the no-pressure sales environment and the knowledgeable staff. “Todd really knew his stuff,” Linda said, “He went above and beyond to answer all of our questions, many of which were too difficult for the other companies to answer.”

After a quick and easy installation by the AMECO crew, Linda was extremely happy with the result. She immediately shared photos with her friends on Facebook, wrote her own glowing review on Angie’s List highlighting our personal customer service and even sent a handwritten note thanking us for the solar system.

While solar is saving the couple money in the short term, they are well aware of the long term financial benefits. Investing in a solar electric system will give them a 20% return-on-investment, significantly more than any other type of investment that they could make at this time.

Now that solar energy is powering their home and the savings is going straight to their bank account, Linda and Dan are prepared for an easygoing and enjoyable retirement. Congrats to another pair of happy AMECO customers!

On Friday, May 17, AMECO employees joined a large group of government officials, local residents and members of the solar community to celebrate the Mendoza family’s solar installation.

The family was the sixth on the street to benefit from California’s Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program, which aims to provide low income families with solar energy.

“California is number one in its production of solar energy and we’re number one in our commitment to it,” Governor Jerry Brown said during his speech.

Other government officials, including Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and California Assemblyman Steven Bradford, commemorated GRID Alternatives for arranging the solar installation in North Long Beach. As the manager of the SASH program, the organization has installed almost 8.5 megawatts of renewable energy for over 3,000 families during the past 9 years.

The family watched with pride as a team of trainees from LA Trade Tech worked alongside seasoned solar workers to install the solar panels on their roof.

Thanks to GRID Alternatives and SASH, the new solar system will reduce the family’s monthly electric bill by 90% and allow them to redirect the savings to other expenses. While they are thankful for the financial benefit, they are also excited that the PV panels will reduce their carbon footprint.

Last week we wrote about how to choose a trusted solar contractor by checking professional credentials, customer references and online reviews. This week’s article will go over the importance of hiring a company that focuses on solar installation in addition to seeking out trained solar professionals and quality products.

Every few years, we see an influx of people trying to get into the solar business. For instance, your general contractor might add solar installation to their services or the local roofing company will start selling solar panels. One time a customer even told us that their real estate company was getting into the solar business! Beware of these types of companies; it’s very likely they will not have the proper training and experience. Since solar installation can be quite complicated and there are many different rules and regulations, it is best to find a firm who is solely focused on solar.

We also recommend going with a locally-based company. They are usually familiar with your city’s building codes and inspection procedures, so they will most likely provide you with a higher quality installation and better service in the future.

In nearly 40 years of business, we have seen a lot of solar installation companies come and go. If a company shuts down it can result in a variety of issues; it is possible the terms of your lease might change or you won’t be able to solicit them for any future maintenance. By choosing a company that’s been installing systems for at least 10 years, there is a better chance that they will stay in business for as long as your solar system is producing energy. You can look this up by going on the CSLB website.

Pay attention to any other contractor’s licenses they have opened in the past. Many people will claim that they have been in business for 20 years but it’s possible those years were spent as a roofer, burglar alarm company or other trade, and they just recently started installing solar panels last year.

Of course, it’s important to hire trained solar professionals to work on your solar system. First, if a company has C46 solar contractor’s license, then you know they have gone through special training. Second, make sure that they do not subcontract any part of the job. Ask them once, ask them twice, and get it in writing. You really want experienced, solar installers up on your roof instead of someone who was hired for just a few days of work.

Finally, there are some companies who have one or two pre-packaged solar deals that they offer to everyone. However, since energy usage, roof space and location vary so greatly from project to project, it’s better to choose a solar installer who offers a variety of products from reputable brands (like SunPower, Sharp, and Bosch/Aleo to name a few). Then, the company can tailor the solar system to your needs and, ultimately, provide you with a higher performing array that will better fulfill your expectations.

Deciding to invest in a solar system is a huge decision and long-term investment. Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid a fly-by-night operation and find a trusted solar installation company who will provide a smooth transition to using clean, renewable solar energy to power your home or business.

If you haven’t already, read Part 1 of our “How to Choose A Solar Installer” series. Also, check out Troy Wolverton’s article  at the Mercury News website. He provides some great information about how to shop for a solar system and solar installer.

Once you have decided to go solar, it’s time to choose who will install the solar system. With hundreds of solar installers and contractors in Southern California alone, it can seem pretty overwhelming. By properly researching your solar contractor, you can ensure that you will receive a quality installation and your system will produce the maximum amount of solar energy for the duration of its lifetime. But, where to start?

First things first, research the company’s professional credentials. We suggest finding out the following:

• Are they a member of CALSEIA?
• Are they listed as an eligible vendor at the California Solar Initiative website?
• Are they licensed by the Contractors State License Board?
• Are they a member of the League of California Homeowners?
• Do they have an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau?

CALSEIA, or the California Solar Energy Industries Association, is dedicated to spreading solar technology throughout the state. They make sure that their members are avoiding any deceptive acts and are running an ethical business model. Of course, it’s important to check that the company is listed as an eligible vendor on the California Solar Initiative (CSI) website and is also licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

We also recommend choosing a solar installer who is a member of the League of California Homeowners. This nonprofit organization does a rigorous background check on their members every year. Among other things, they check to see that the company did not file for bankruptcy and has the proper workers comp and insurance. They also interview three customers a year to make sure that folks are happy with the company’s work.

The Better Business Bureau doles out ratings from A+ to F based on a 16 point system that evaluates everything from the number and degree of any complaints filed to the use of questionable advertising. We would only accept a solar installer with an A+ rating from the BBB.

Second, ask the solar contractor to provide you with customer references from previous installations. Pay attention to the amount of references they give you. For instance, did they provide you with 3 or 30 references? Are the references from recent jobs only or the entire time that they have been in business? We recommend contacting a few of the references to see what they have to say. Ultimately, their feedback might help you make your final decision.

Lastly, research the solar company’s online reviews on websites like Yelp or Angie’s List. Since these sites are unedited, you can get a pretty good feel for the company’s reputation by reading through the commentary. Solar Reviews is also a good website to gauge a solar installation company’s quality of work and service.

Verifying a solar company’s professional credentials and reviewing their customer references and reviews are a few tips that will give you a good start on researching the best solar installer for your project. Be sure to check back in on the blog next week for the second installment on how to choose a solar contractor with even more pointers and advice.

The California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center has awarded a solar pool heating project to AMECO, a local company that is considered a pioneer and leader in the solar industry.

Originally organized as the California Communities Pool for the Handicapped in 1956 by civic leader Evelyn DuPont, the nonprofit organization offers accessible and affordable aquatic therapy to nearly 2,000 children and adults each year.

Because therapeutic pools are typically warmer than the average pool, heating the two community pools has become a significant expense for the center, costing upwards of $13,000 a year. The original solar pool heater, installed by AMECO in 1981, was removed in order to replace the roof and make way for more efficient solar panels that will offset the energy needed to heat the pools.

“California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center has been a long-standing institution in Long Beach for fifty years now. We’re honored to provide them with clean, renewable energy so that they can lower their utility bill and direct the savings to support their integral community programs,” said Pat Redgate, President & CEO of AMECO.

Community programs include aquatic therapy and rehabilitation sessions offered to children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and muscular dystrophy. Many of the pool’s members spend all day in their wheel chairs explained Kit Gabel, the Aquatic Director who has worked at the center for five years. “This is the only time that they can feel free,” he said.

The center also provides programs including ‘Moovin and Groovin’ for children from low-income families and aquatic exercise classes for the elderly.

Funding for the project is provided by the Port of Long Beach as a grant to reduce greenhouse gasses. In addition to the solar system installation, the grant will provide funds to educate local community members about solar energy.

Solar System Type: Solar Electric (PV)

Solar System Details: 20 PV Panels with Micro-Inverters and Monitoring System

Electric Bill After: $22

Reduced by 90%!

‍

Ever since the neighbor across the street installed a solar system six years ago, Rita and Nick had been toying with the idea of going solar. With Rita working from home and two teenage girls constantly watching TV and using blow dryers, their electricity bill was already on the high side. But it wasn’t until 2012 when Edison hiked electricity rates and they saw their bill increase significantly that the family became more serious about investing in a solar system.

Another selling point was that AMECO offers a technologically advanced solar panel with a micro-inverter attached to the back, often referred to as an AC panel. This set-up allows the DC power generated from the sun to be immediately converted into AC power that can be used in the home. Since each panel works independently, it allows the configuration to produce the maximum amount of energy. Also, you can easily enable a monitoring system and access it online as Rita and Nick have done.

Rita reported that the installation process went smoothly, “I was at home the two and a half days that it took for the installers to complete the project. They were so polite and pleasant, and always made sure that our dogs were safe when coming in and out of the house.”

All in all, Rita and Nick are very happy with their AMECO-installed solar electric system. A few neighbors and friends have already come by asking about it and they are eager to share how they’ve reduced their electric bill to practically nothing. “I wish we could say that we went solar to be green and save the environment,” they said, “But we really did it for the other green . . . to save money!”

As the sun rose over El Dorado Park this past Saturday, large groups of middle school and high school students gathered for the Fourth Annual Solar Grand Prix. The event, hosted by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and partly sponsored by AMECO, focuses on solar energy education by challenging students to work together to a design, build and race a model car that’s powered by a solar panel.

While checking in teams from 22 different schools in Long Beach, AMECO was able to evaluate each solar-powered model car.

Many teams tried to utilize lightweight materials in hopes that it would increase the speed of their car. One team made a long, sleek frame out of balsa wood while another group used the Styrofoam shell from the packaging of a younger brother’s toy as the body of the car.

Others team got into the technical aspect of the design by trying out new gears, tinkering with the motor or adding traction to their recycled wheels. One team of young women had taken apart an old sewing machine and used some of the parts for the engine — whenever the car ran it sounded like a sewing machine!

We were impressed by the ingenuity and creativity that the students put into their designs. Some of our favorite creative solar cars included a design that looked like the Endeavor space shuttle. Another was doused in glitter to try to increase the amount of sunlight going to the solar panel, also because the team was made up of 12 years old girls.

After every solar-powered model car was registered and reviewed in detail by the judges, the races were set to begin. The appointed rep from each team prepared their solar car at one end of the track, being sure to cover the solar panel with a piece of cardboard. Once the race flag was lowered, off came the cardboard and the sun gave energy to the solar model cars so that they moved down the wooden race track while everyone cheered. Some cars went extremely fast and completed the race in seconds while other cars went at a steady speed.  Unfortunately, a few teams experienced technical malfunctions and had to rescue their cars from the middle of the track.

While only a few teams received trophies for being the fastest or having the most innovative design, it was a winning day for all of the Long Beach students and families involved in the Solar Grand Prix. The students enjoyed the process of planning, designing and building their solar models cars as much as the thrill of the competition. All the while, everyone learned about solar power and how it’s clean, renewable energy benefits our community and environment.

If your home has a solar energy system, how does this translate into value for a potential buyer when the house is “For Sale”?

Today, whenever you purchase a product that uses energy, information provided by Energy Star Label is available to make comparisons. However, there is no standardized approach to assess these features for the many houses that were built before Energy Efficiency methods became widely adopted. Since there is no accepted metric used by appraisers and the real estate industry as whole to gauge the dollar value of energy saving or producing features of older homes, it is important for the prospective buyer or seller to look for an appraiser that uses the Green Addendum and for sellers to insist that solar and other green features be highlighted in their listing.

In the past, the American Appraisal Institute estimated that any feature that saved a dollar a year in operating costs would add twenty times that amount to the home’s value, because such savings would potentially increase the loan amount available to any buyer. This is an example of reverse engineering that could be considered optimistic, or even fanciful.

Since then, thousands of homeowners have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and enough data now exists so that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was able to conduct a comprehensive survey and establish a value for homes that produce their own energy through solar panels. Their research analyzed data from the sale of 72,000 homes in California, 2000 of which had a solar electric system. The study indicates that the average solar system added between $3.90 to $6.40 per watt, or approximately $17,000 in value for a house with a 3.1 kilowatt solar system. This would mean that in most cases today, the entire pre-incentive cost of a grid-tied solar PV system will be recaptured once the home is sold.

Many other studies have been published that speak to the importance of solar energy and other energy saving products when selling a home. The National Association of Home Builders reported that home buyers would be willing to pay an extra $7,095 for a home that saved $1,000 in utility costs. Another survey by the National Association of Realtors indicates that 87% of today’s buyers rate energy features as important.

In yet another study, the University of North Carolina has discovered that there is connection between homeowners who install green features and mortgage default rates. The researchers also determined that homes with savings of 15% or higher on utility bills are 32% less likely to default on home loans. This may be connected with the fact that houses with solar panels or other green features are cheaper to live in, and therefore mortgages are easier to pay.

There are so many reasons to go solar, not the least of which is the fact that it’s a home improvement that will not only pay for itself, but will recuperate any funds initially invested in the solar system with value added to the home at the time of sale.

Join us for our Solar 101 Community Workshop on Wednesday, May 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Long Beach.

Organized by AMECO, the workshop will teach you how to use the sun’s power to benefit your home or business.  Our team of experts will go over the basics of solar energy in addition to other topics including: how much money you can save with solar, how to finance a solar installation and how to choose the best solar system and solar installer.  Attendees will be given the chance to ask questions at the end of the workshop.

Patrick Redgate, our President & CEO commented, “After thirty nine years in the solar business, we have accumulated a lot of knowledge about solar. We want to pass this information on to the community and hope that our session will inspire more people to consider solar, making their homes and business more sustainable.”

There are a limited amount of spaces available so register today to lock in your spot at the Solar 101 Community Workshop.  Fill out a brief form on our Solar 101 Registration page or call us at (562) 633-4400. We hope to see you there!

Solar photovoltaic panels generate DC (Direct Current) electricity. However, almost every household and business in Southern California uses AC (Alternating Current) electricity. A solar inverter changes DC power to AC power so it can provide electricity that is suitable for use in your home or business. Also, this conversion allows you to “backfeed” electricity to the utility grid to which the inverter is connected so that you can sell electricity back to the utility company (a process that is known as net metering).

There are two types inverters used in solar installations today: 1) a central “string” inverter or 2) multiple small “micro” inverters. Micro-inverters are relative newcomers to the marketplace and despite their higher cost (as much as 30% more than a central inverter) their popularity has been growing rapidly in Southern California. In 2008 there were only 18 residential solar systems that possessed micro-inverter technology, but by the end of 2012 that number had increased to 12,000.¹

A typical central inverter is located at ground level, usually near the Main Electrical Service Panel. It combines all of the power from multiple solar panels in this one central location. As a result, voltages can be quite high in the central inverter, sometimes as much as 600 volts DC. Micro-inverters are connected to each solar panel in the system and immediately convert DC power to AC current, usually at 240 volts. Although both voltages can be dangerous, there is an improved safety factor when using micro-inverters that have lower voltages.

Other perceived advantages of micro-inverters:

• Since each solar panel has its own inverter, a failure would mean that only one panel is not working;
• One panel’s poor performance would not affect its neighbor’s production, but if there is a shaded panel in a system with a central inverter then it can alter the energy output of other panels;
• Multiple orientations of panels are possible with micro-inverters while a central inverter usually requires its panels to all face in the same direction.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with micro-inverters:

• Because they are rooftop-mounted, there are higher installation costs and higher costs associated with future serviceability;
• A micro-inverter is installed on the roof under the solar panel where high heat could reduce its life, whereas central inverters have a documented history of reliable performance;
• Voltage drops for long runs at 240 volts of AC power in micro-inverters is greater than that with higher voltage DC wiring associated with central inverters.

Although performance and failure rates are more predictable with central inverters at this point in time, the future looks promising for individual or micro-inverters. If reliability and cost trends continue, central “string” inverters may become a feature of the past in the not too distant future.

The fact that micro-inverters allow AC power output of a solar system to be interrupted by a switch located at ground level markedly improves safety for first responders in the event of a fire. In addition, the ability to design a system with minimal regard for solar panel orientation opens up more roof area for module deployment. Lastly, since many micro-inverter manufacturers provide module-level monitoring, a defective unit will be recognized and replaced, hopefully in time to take advantage of its warranty. This may become more crucial in time as smaller foreign manufacturers leave the US market.

All in all, micro-inverter technology is a winner on many levels, but only time will decide which technology crosses the finish line.

¹Data from the CSI for the utilities of SCE, PG&E and SDG&E.

As the local solar expert of Los Angeles and Orange County, we’re constantly reading up on the latest news to keep informed about the solar industry. Every once in a while, we’ll share the most interesting articles that we come across in an effort to help spread some solar knowledge.

• With so much speculation about the future of solar energy, Rosana Francescato tries to set things straight with her article at the PV Solar Report. In particular, she explains why solar makes financial sense and makes a detailed comparison between renewable energy and fossil fuels.

• In Solar Today’s March 2013 Issue, Tracy Dahl writes about his unique solar photovoltaic (PV) system on Greenland’s ice cap. Its tower-like design allows for maximum solar energy production that powers the Summit Station research center.

• Jennifer Runyon reports on the incredible growth of the solar industry in 2012 on Renewable Energy World. Of course, California comes out on top with the most residential and non-residential solar systems installed last year.

• Did you know that Pope Benedict XVI is often called the “green pope” and installed solar panels on the roof of the Vatican? In Kate Galbraith’s article in the NY Times, she explores the Pope’s influence on churches across the nation and why they are considering solar energy.

• It warms our hearts to see nonprofit organization We Care Solar using solar energy to save lives in Nigeria. Read more in Christie O’Reilly’s article, ‘Solar suitcase’ saving moms, babies during childbirth.

We’d like to take a moment to introduce the newest member of the AMECO Solar team…our Chevy Volt!

The bright and bold design — done by Iconography Studios over in Los Alamitos — highlights the fact that our brand new electric car is powered by solar energy.

Each evening, we plug in the electric car so that it can refuel with clean, renewable energy that has been produced from our solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. After a full night of charging, the Chevy Volt has sufficient energy to go anywhere from 40 to 100 miles on solar power alone. That’s more than enough for a short commute to the office and a few visits to our installation sites.

Similar to solar rebates and incentives, you receive money back from the state and federal government when you purchase an electric car. The California state government offers a $1,500 rebate for plug-in electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt, and the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500. Added together, these rebates reduced the price tag of our electric car by $9,000.

But that’s not all! We’re saving even more money each month by fueling with solar power instead of gas or electricity from the utility company.

Let’s say, on average we drive about 1,000 miles a month.

If we were driving a car that gets 25 MPG with gas currently at a record high of $4.32 a gallon (ouch), then we would spend $172.80 a month to refuel with gas.

If we were driving our Chevy Volt that uses 2.7 kilowatts per hour with electricity currently at an average of about $0.20 per kilowatt per hour, then we would spend $74.07 a month to refuel with electricity from the utility company.

But, by driving our Chevy volt with energy generated from our AMECO Solar-installed solar panels, we will spend $0 to refuel with solar power. Saving us up to $2,000 a year!

While driving an electric car is already reducing our carbon footprint, we are reducing our greenhouse emissions even more by using solar power to charge our new Chevy Volt. And that’s saying a lot for a car owner driving around Los Angeles and Orange County.

If you are interested in adding solar panels to offset the energy usage of your electric vehicle, contact us by replying to this blog post, calling (888) 595-9570 or going to the AMECO Solar website.

For so many Californians who have chosen to install a solar electric system, the phrase Net Metering is simply a way of describing the way power from roof-top solar panels will reduce their own electric consumption and spin the meter backwards.

But Net Metering also allows owners of solar systems to receive credit for clean power provided to the utility company when their own energy needs are being exceeded during the day. The result: electricity generated by your solar panels is purchased by the utility company at the same price that it is sold to the customer.

Most likely because they receive no profit in this transaction, the utility companies originally argued that another customer receives no economic benefit from their neighbor’s decision to go solar.

However, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) believed otherwise. In 1996, it created the Net Energy regulation to permit 0.5% of the utility company’s demand to be generated by clean resources, and later increased it to 5%. The commissioners were convinced that the Distributed Generation (DG) produced by commercial and residential solar panels would offset the cost for new conventional power plants and transmission lines. It would also help to stabilize power supplies during peak summer demand when solar energy is at its maximum.

As the cap of 5% is drawing near, Californian utility companies (including PG&E, SCE and SDG&E) have made it very clear—paying customers full retail value for the clean energy that your solar panels generate is not an economic model that is sustainable for their shareholders.

Meaning, they do not want their customers in the business of generating power and are planning to do whatever they can to stop the advance of net metering at 5% of peak demand. If they aren’t able to stop net metering completely, they would like to require that energy be sold at a wholesale rate (rather than retail rate) at the very least.

Without net metering, the utility companies will pay only a fraction of the cost for electricity generated by photovoltaic solar panels, which would significantly reduce the economic viability of investing in solar power and directly threaten over 120,000 individual solar panel owners and an industry that now employs over 43,000 Californians.

Moreover, a recent study by former CPUC advisor, Tom Beach of Crossborder Energy, estimates that the financial benefits of solar energy are actually exceeding its costs by 92.2 million dollars a year. This study reveals that the utility companies are wrong, and that solar power actually benefits both the owner of the solar panels and their neighbors. These and other arguments will be made by clean energy advocates during the next year as the cap of 5% gets closer and closer.

Net Metering has been the backbone of California’s transition to a cleaner, solar-powered DG future. Unless battery technology that is clean, efficient, non-toxic and affordable is developed soon, Net Metering will disappear and solar panel owners (and rate-payers alike!) will suffer as conventional fossil fuel and nuclear plants are built to meet our future power requirements.

Here at AMECO we hope that clean energy advocates and the solar power industry can win the fight against the utility companies.

And their off!

Recently, hundreds of middle school and high school-aged students gathered for the kick-off orientation of the fourth annual Solar Grand Prix, an event put together by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, the 5th District Solar and Sustainability Task Force and Partners of Parks.

We’re proud to announce that AMECO Solar is sponsoring this exciting and educational event where local students learn about solar power while also applying their practical math and science skills.

At the kick-off, each of the 79 teams was given a Solar Power Car kit that included a miniature-size solar panel and motor. The challenge? Work with their teammates to design and build the car that will race down the 65 foot track the fastest. Rumor has it that the lightest designs are usually the top competitors, but awards are also given for the most creative designs.

AMECO employees have enjoyed participating in past years, cheering on our sponsored teams and even participating as one of the highly esteemed judges.

One of our team members explained “It’s cool to see the kids get so excited about solar energy and the designs of their cars. Some are so innovative! I remember one group picked up trash at the park a few weeks before the event and then used different pieces from the trash to build the solar power car.”

Other favorite designs included one made entirely of old, plastic CD holders and more technical designs where the solar panel could tilt to find the best angle for solar energy or bike gears were used to adjust the speed of the car. We can’t wait to see what the kids come up with this year.

“This year’s Solar Grand Prix will be bigger and better than ever. We have a record number of students and coaches who have signed up to compete in the race. Every year, I’m amazed at how innovative and technologically advanced our students are when I see the model cars they create each year,” Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske told the reporter at Everything Long Beach.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20 and join us at El Dorado Park for the fourth annual Solar Grand Prix!

In the meantime, read more about the Solar Grand Prix at Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske’s blog and Everything Long Beach, or check out the Grunion Gazette’s video of the solar-powered model cars in motion from last year’s event.

More than one-third of U.S. solar installers believe that permitting requirements are limiting market growth, according to a new nationwide study conducted by Clean Power Finance.

The study, which the company says is the largest of its kind to date, provides quantifiable evidence of the negative effects that complex permitting regulations have on U.S. solar installers and also on the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), including municipalities and utilities, that oversee permitting processes.

Clean Power Finance undertook the study as part of preparations for the National Solar Permitting Database (NSPD), a free, online database of permitting requirements from across the U.S. that is funded in part by Clean Power Finance and in part by a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative grant.

“The study puts real numbers to what all installers have been feeling: permitting is an albatross around the industry’s neck,” says Patrick Redgate, president and CEO of Ameco Solar Inc., a Southern California-based solar installation company, and a member of the board of directors for the California Solar Energy Industries Association. “Clearly, not all cities are bad, but we need to call out the ones that are particularly problematic.”

Please click HERE to read the article in its entirety.

SOURCE: https://solarindustrymag.com/frustrated-installers-say-permitting-holds-back-the-us-solar-market

By Joshua H. Silavent – Staff Writer, Long Beach Business Journal

December 4, 2012 – Patrick Redgate has seen the solar power industry grow from its nascent days of potential several decades ago to a market today that is expanding to meet increased residential and commercial demand.

While working in Saudi Arabia in the late 1970s, during a time of severe gas shortages, Redgate began to think about “where I could make a difference.” He understood the necessity for a robust renewable energy portfolio from both an environmental and economic perspective, long before it was fashionable to do so in either sense.

Patrick Redgate, president and CEO of Ameco Solar, shows off a solar panel
at his company’s headquarters in Paramount. “We have a saying in our
business: Fossil fuels are too precious to burn,” he told the
Business Journal. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)

“The energy sector’s huge,” Redgate, the CEO of Paramount-based Ameco Solar, told the Business Journal. So getting in on the ground floor of the emerging solar industry was important for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the world’s need to broaden its energy supply to incorporate sustainable power sources and move away from dependence on oil. “We have a saying in our business: Fossil fuels are too precious to burn,” he said.

Redgate began working with a solar company in Signal Hill in 1979 after his return from the Middle East. He purchased the company two years later and changed the name to Ameco. Today, the company designs, installs and repairs solar energy systems for homes and businesses. “Most of what we do now is photovoltaic, which is electric,” he said.

But it took a while for solar technology to catch up with Redgate’s vision and early entry into the market. “I got to the point where I thought I was just never going to see it in my lifetime,” he said.

These days, however, solar is more popular than ever. One reason lies in the fact that more and more Americans want to reduce their environmental footprint and are resorting to alternative, renewable sources of energy to do so. Solar also makes good fiscal sense these days. “We may put in a system that only tackles 20 percent of their consumption but cuts their bill in half,” Redgate said.

Moreover, companies are finding solar power helps improve the bottom line and adds a measure of credibility for consumers who want to spend their money with socially and environmentally responsible businesses.

“Companies that can afford to go solar and want to present that image just automatically do it,” Redgate said.

The solar industry also has government investment to thank for its recent growth spurt, but many subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2016, which will likely cause some winnowing in the industry, or a “clearing of the field,” Redgate said. But these incentives have helped keep costs down as the industry expands. “I think that people would really be surprised to find out how affordable solar is,” he added.

Net metering, which provides retail rate credits to consumers who generate energy supplies for the power grid, has perhaps been the biggest incentive for consumers to invest in solar. However, utilities are fighting the way this benefit is calculated.

Still, Redgate makes a powerful case for solar. “Not only are we building infrastructure, but we’re creating wealth for the people that live in this state,” he said. Many residents and businesses in Long Beach like the sound of this pitch.

Whereas solar was once an option for the well-to-do, Redgate has seen young families and blue-collar workers clamoring for a new, green-friendly energy source. Furthermore, Ameco has performed installations for a number of small commercial retail centers, as well as doctor and dental offices, in Long Beach.

Ameco holds free workshops once or more a year for interested consumers to learn about the benefits of solar power, both from an environmental and economic standpoint. The company works with three photovoltaic and three thermal manufactures to provide clients with today’s best industry technology.

Thanks to increases in oil and natural gas production, as well as sustained growth in the renewable energy industry, the International Energy Agency reports that the United States is poised to become energy independent in the next decade or so. Redgate understands that solar is but one component of the nation’s energy portfolio, but a strong one at that. “You can’t just go all solar, or all wind, or all coal, or all nuclear . . . You have to have a mix,” he said.

Source: Long Beach Business Journal

Interview with AMECO Solar CEO – Patrick Redgate

The Solar Industry Then & Now

How did you get started in the solar industry?

I got into solar because I was working for an engineering firm in Saudi Arabia in the 70’s.  When I came back from Saudi Arabia, I said this is not sustainable.  That’s probably not the word I used, but that’s a really popular word now and it’s really an important one because when I came back to America I realized this isn’t a business that I wanted to do.  I wanted to get in the business of saving the planet.   Now however, solar has been a rocky road and in the meantime we have learned that solar is really just a part of the mix.  There are many other energy generating technologies that are important for us.

How has the hardware changed?  What improvements have you seen?

The kind of hardware we used to install commonly was generating heat and that would be heat for people’s homes and hot water for businesses, swimming pools.  In fact that technology has really ripened and is mature now.  But what we’ve seen now is that photovoltaics have come down in cost and photovoltaic is the science of generating electricity.  Electricity is so expensive to get in any other way because of not only the economic costs, but the environmental costs.  Photovoltaics are now something I never thought I would see in my lifetime available for everybody for any application that they want.

What were some of the challenges facing you when you were starting out and what are some of the challenges now?

The biggest challenge when we started out was first of all locating products that made sense.  And without any track record or understanding it was our job really to discover what was out there.  Sometimes I think we were just lucky.  We picked the right products and those products did us well.  But we are pretty conservative in how we choose what we represent and what we install.  We don’t manufacture, however in the 70’s we actually did manufacture because the offerings were so limited.  By the mid 80’s there were over 280 domestic manufacturers of Solar Products available to pick from.  So we had a big job, to understand what was good, what was bad, what worked, what didn’t.  We had to work our way through all the claims and figure out and understand if this was a good fit for our customer base.

Now in today’s world the market has changed to the point where there are only a few domestic manufacturers of solar in the United States and a lot of the competition in the photovoltaic field and electric field is coming from China simply because they have a government directing their programs.  They understand the benefit of solar and they have a vision, but we have a laissez-faire economy.  And so the nice thing to see is that solar is doing quite well even in a laissez faire economy, but manufacturing costs are very high and we still have a lot more foreign manufacturers to pick from than we have domestic manufacturers.

Net Metering is the term given to the act of selling energy back to the energy companies.  What are your thoughts on their future use?

Well actually, electric generation for home owners and businesses would not really be technically or economically feasible for the great number of our customers without Net Metering.  Net Metering was passed by the California legislature I think it was in 1996 and it was done as an incentive to…it was done as a…you can deregulate the utilities, the utilities can deregulate themselves, as long as they provide Net Metering.  Net Metering is simply the way that people sell energy back to their utility.  They generate power during the day, the utility buys it back from them at the same price they bought it – they bought the energy the last time.  So it is not a good business model for the utilities.  They can’t generate power and buy it back at the same price they sell it, but it really makes the economics here work.

As far as Net Metering’s future is concerned, I think that it’s already been written that only 5% of the customer base can go Net Metered and if that doesn’t change then the solar/electrical applications will really be left for people that want to power their electric vehicles or they want to sell their electricity at a wholesale price.  And if they sell their electricity at a wholesale price, it may be feasible because the price for solar has dropped where that may be a good deal for everybody.

What’s your viewpoint on incentives and rebates? How do they impact the solar industry?

It’s hard to say the word sustainable and then ask for incentives.  When we have a sustainable technology it should be able to offer the benefits that people would expect without having an incentive applied. But this is an industry that will not come into its own at this point without some kind of support from the government.  And what we have seen for instance, the solar industry go to the point now where over 100,000 people are employed in the state of California where as 10 years ago it wasn’t – this couldn’t have happened without some kind of incentive and support.  And also what we have seen happen is because of that support, prices have come down and we are at the point now where we really may not need incentives much longer.

When the current incentives end for solar, we’ll be faced with a market that is very well developed.  People accept solar as an alternative.  Will the pricing be good enough?  We don’t know.  But if the incentives are gone, the tax credits are currently in place until the year 2015 – that’s a huge break for the buyer.  The California rebates are almost all gone and they were scheduled not to be gone until 2016 also, but it’s been so popular in California that the rebates have disappeared almost.  They started out at $4.50 a watt and now they are down to .20 a watt now.  So we are really at a small percentage – its almost ridiculous the size of the rebates compared to what it used to be.

I think the challenge that we face and the challenge that anybody in the solar business faces is to keep costs low enough so people can buy the solar and justify rather than just being green and employing locally and going sustainable.  They are not only doing the good thing, but they are doing the right thing economically.  And if we can get to the point where the tax credits are on the verge of going away, there will be a huge rush of many people that will want to buy solar before its gone and then the market will collapse.  In my opinion, we need to reduce the support slowly and incrementally and predictably as has the state of California with the rebates.  When the Federal Government reduces its support on December 31, 2015, this industry will be in for a big, big shake down.

Who are your target markets and how has that changed over the years?

We have done commercial, and industrial and residential applications, but because this is a business that has been ephemeral and there have been booms and busts, we have mostly concentrated on the small business and residential market place.

Do the jobs get bigger the longer you are in business?

We have done large projects.  In fact in Long Beach we did the smallest system and the largest system.  The largest system up to that point in history was the California community pool and the smallest system was done for my daughter’s science fair project.  But we haven’t gone for the big bang; we aren’t a big union shop.  This is a family owned company and we believe that we can really provide better service by keeping the operations close at hand.

You have run a successful business for almost 40 years.  What advice can you give to young entrepreneurs today who dream of a career in solar energy?

There are so many different levels, it is a business like anything else; there is engineering, there is marketing, there is product development, customer relations.  And if anybody would want to get into solar back when I did, I had to spend two weeks in the library to read every book there was and then there was nobody to give me advice.  But the advice really is, just as any other business, if you can find a school that has a program that teaches you, you can become an installer.  If you want to go to a business school it’s the same business environment we all lived in and so you can get a job with a solar company if you have a business degree.  If you want to become a marketing person, there’s nothing more unusual about marketing solar or selling solar than any other product that’s out there.   Again, we have the internet is a huge resource and it’s not just a matter of tapping somebody on the shoulder and saying can you help me.  You can help yourself.  If you know how to Google, you can get there pretty quickly.

What makes your company different from all other solar energy installation companies?

My favorite topic.  We have the experience, we have the knowhow and we are dedicated.  We want to make sure what we do works because we’ve discovered our best resource for future customers are the ones we are working with today.

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To watch a video of this transcript, please visit http://youtu.be/kQIBPlaFE14

About AMECO Solar
Since 1974, AMECO Solar has been dedicated to the concept that solar energy is the solution to our energy future. Solar energy is unlimited, non-polluting and free. We are committed to providing cost-effective and reliable solar systems and strive to offer the best components available. We believe that using solar energy is simply the best investment available to homeowners or businesses today, since the alternative to solar is just a never-ending monthly expense. Extensive Solar information can be found on our website: www.amecosolar.com .

Environment California announced the winners of its first-ever “Sunlight. Camera. Action” video contest in which contestants submitted two-minute videos making the case for Los Angeles to become a world-class solar leader.

Congratulations to Alex Loverde on his first place finish. His video, It’s Time,  reflects the fact that LA is a city in the sun, perfect for generating clean solar power, and that it’s time to go solar in a big way because, as the video says, “Los Angeles is a place of what’s possible.”

Winning second place is the video, Go Solar!, by Ms. Vargas’ 6th grade class at Micheltorena Elementary School, whose enthusiasm for solar is infectious.

Third place and the People’s Choice Award goes to the 1st grade classes from Plasencia Math and Science Magnet Center with their video, “Let’s Go Solar: The Solution is in the Sky,” which reminds us that “there’s so much to gain and nothing to lose” by tapping into the power of the sun.

New features include upgraded calculator with cost benefit analysis, and the addition of solar hot water and efficiency projects.  Mobile access to solar information is also added.

(Los Angeles, Oct. 17, 2012) – Los Angeles County and Energy Upgrade California are pleased to announce the launch of the LA County Solar Map and Green Planning Tool, the next upgrade to the award winning LA County Solar Map website.

The site brings new visualization and analysis tools for residents and businesses interested in “going green” to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.  Local businesses that install green projects can use the tools to identify properties with the best potential for outreach.

“The site provides a single source for information about solar electricity, hot water and energy efficiency projects, and personalized information about their property, including where panels would go and what their production and savings could be,” said Howard Choy, manager of the L.A. County Office of Sustainability.  “It also allows the public to access Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County through the Green Planning Tool, and connect with solar and energy project installers.”

Recent updates to the map include an improved user interface, graphical ‘calculators’ detailing costs, savings and payback for solar systems,  addition of detailed rooftop shading visualization for panel placement, a birds-eye view option for inspecting rooftops, mobile access to solar data and printable property-level solar reports.

At the heart of the site is the largest high-resolution solar model in the world, covering  more than 3,000 square miles and including over 250 million calculations of solar potential including the impacts of trees, roof pitch and features, and nearby buildings.  The new site, developed by Critigen, BKi & Renewable Funding,  shows the County’s commitment remain at the forefront of improving the lives of County residents and businesses through the cutting-edge use of technology.

A major enhancement to the site is the new cost/benefit calculator, which estimates the cost, payback time, and cost savings over 25 years.  Interactive graphs allow users to change the interest rate and system size and see the impacts on cost and payback.  Users can then find qualified installers from the County’s Contractor Directory.

In partnership with Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles, the new LA County Solar Map and Green Planning Tool also recommends and informs citizens on efficiency projects and associated cost savings to those projects like adding insulation, installing energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and insulating pipes and ducts.

A free iOS and Android mobile application allows solar potential to be accessed on the go, so that users and installation professionals can view solar potential in the field.

The first solar map for La County was launched on Earth day 2009 and this release will mark the 3^rdversion of the LA County Solar Map.

“This application has evolved to provide citizens with new interactive tools that allow them to gain insight into cost savings and return on investment information for their solar rooftop, solar hot water, and energy efficiency projects quickly,” Choy said.

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Originally organized as Link & Sun Solar Co., AMECO Solar specializes in solar system services including design, installation and repair. As a licensed energy auditor (# 4181), we can provide a feasibility study that encompasses solar and details the complete energy picture for an entire facility. As a licensed solar contractor (# 483280), we do not represent just one manufacturer of solar equipment and reserves its recommendations until after the site is examined.

We are approved by The League of California Homeowners. The League approves only those contractors that meet the following criteria:

• Valid contractor’s license and bond, no outstanding complaints.
• Current Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Insurance.
• Pass a background check for liens, civil litigation, bankruptcy and tax defaults.
• Good business credit verified by the Building Industry Credit Association & Experian.
• Provide at least six satisfactory customer references.
• Provide at least three business references, including material suppliers.
• Abide by the League’s Code of Ethics.

We are a member of the Southern California Better Business Bureau.

We are a member of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA), and currently, its owner is a board member.

We are approved by the Southern California Gas Company to provide financing through the Fannie Mae program entitled: Home Energy Upgrade Finance Program.

We are a licensed Energy Auditor (# 4181). As an energy consultant, we can design a solar system to fulfill the needs of anybody from the do-it-yourselfer to the architectural, engineering and construction sectors.

We are a licensed Solar Contractor (C-46 – # 483289) and have been since 1974.

If you have any questions about solar installations in Long Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Lomita, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos/Seal Beach or San Pedro area, please call AMECO Solar today: 888-595-9570.