Solar Solutions

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Check out these super sleek solar panels in Fountain Valley, CA.

Our team of solar experts had a great time working with this homeowner on their journey to solar.

As with most SoCal homeowners they had two main reasons for wanting to add rooftop solar panels. High electricity rates and a desire for clean energy.

Fountain Valley sits right in the middle of Orange County, which means high utility bills. The average Fountain Valley homeowner pays 15.98¢/kWh. Keep in mind, this is a base rate and does not consider peak rates which can climb to over 40¢/kWh depending on the time of use rate increases.

For further context, this means the average Fountain Valley resident pays 4.17% more than the California average and 34.51% more than the national average.

Adding rooftop solar panels, like this homeowner did, immediately reduces your monthly electricity bills and allows you to save tens of thousands of dollars in the long-run.

Also, adding solar panels can drastically cut down on your carbon footprint. Rather than using grid-based electricity that utility companies generate in unsustainable way, solar panels allow you to capture energy to power your home carbon free!

Ready to make the switch to solar? Then contact the experts at AMECO to see how much we can help you save when you go solar.

Location

Fountain Valley

Budget

$10,000 - $25,000

Year

2021

Turnaround

2 Months

Tech

Panel Brand: REC

Inverter Brand: SolarEdge

System Size: 8.9

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ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Check out this solar project Pasadena, CA.

Take a look at this beautiful solar installation in the Pasadena neighborhood. This project with countless others was a real pleasure to work on. This customer was not only looking to lower their electric bill, but also looking to lower their carbon foot print. One thing people are facing is more time at home such as this client and just like this customer many people are seeing an increase in their electric usage. For this client we would wanted to get a complete understanding of the client usage, budget, and also forecast usage.

Once we gathered this information we were able to create a custom system for the client. The type of system we created for the client was using top of the line REC panels and we used Solaredge optimizers to maximize solar production. Since going solar the our customer has been able to enjoy thousands in years savings and at the same time they are doing their part to help the environment.

Ready to get started on your solar project? Then contact our solar energy experts to see how much you can save with AMECO Solar.

Location

Pasadena, CA

Year

2021

Turnaround

2 Months

Tech

Panel Brand: REC

Inverter Brand: SolarEdge

System Size: 4.38

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As Enphase has announced its release of solar inverters, it is important for people who use solar panels to learn its benefits. Enphase IQ8 upgrade, which is an exciting update, promises to be the most advanced battery backup for stabilizing power. It will also make sure that you will not come across power interruptions every time in case of bad weather.

Of course, backup power without the need to use batteries would be ideal and much more convenient. But before explaining the benefits and why you should consider getting a solar panel inverter, it would help to understand how solar panels work. This basic understanding will allow you to utilize them more efficiently. 

Why use inverters?

The inverters’ main function is that converts the AC (alternating current) energy into DC (direct current). DC energy can be stored in batteries. In the future, when the power in your house suddenly goes off, you can rely on your inverter to convert the AC energy into DC and stop worrying about not having enough energy for your appliances to run. This function can also serve you well during rainy days. Even though they don’t occur that often, still using an inverter will be a backup for not running out of energy during rainy days. It will allow you to use the restored power in your grid during winter.

Besides, the IQ8 series provides six models, all of which have their own power capacity. With this wide range of models, you won’t have to worry about finding the appropriate inverter for your panel. 

For example, IQ8A (max input is 295 W – 500 W), IQ8H (max input is 320 W – 540+ W), or IQ8M (max input is 235 W – 460 W) which are higher capacity models, can be used for larger solar panels. 

If you have a smaller, more residential solar panel, then the model IQ8+ (max input is 235 W – 440 W) will be the right choice for you. 

The economic and environmental benefits of inverters

Another important aspect of this is when you convert the DC energy into AC energy, you are also ensuring you are not wasting any energy. In case of the panel produces more energy than needed, a solar panel kit with a battery and inverter stores the energy back in the grid. This way, you can use it later for your electronics, during days that are not very sunny. This feature is not only useful economically and financially but also is beneficial to the environment. So when using inverters and saving energy, you’re doing good to yourself, nature, and future generations. And if you want to learn how much energy you are consuming and producing, you can do that with the app specifically designed for that. The app helps you to track the management of the Enphase systems. You can also turn on and off your appliances with this app.

The different types of inverters

The first type of inverter is the string inverter. It connects a series of panels (strings) to the inverter and converts the energy generated by the whole string into alternating current (AC). This way, if you encounter any difficulties with your panels, you will have less produced energy on the string. 

Next, we have microinverters. As their name suggests, they are smaller in size. They must be installed on every panel. This way, if one of the panels experiences any problems, it will not affect the functionality of the other panels. 

Presenting the IQ8 inverter

The high-performance inverter Enphase IQ8 is equipped with a special chip. This makes switching between on-grid and off-grid more coherent. Its special breakthrough is Burst Mode.

The technology ensures you have electricity even during cloudy and gray days. In case of new features, the system does the automatic update itself through the Internet so you won’t have to spend any time doing it yourself. 

What makes the Enphase IQ8 unique?

What IQ8 Enphase does that has actually never been done before, is allowing the installation of any kind of battery storage. Prior to this upgrade, the amount of storage your batteries had depended on how large your solar panel system was. Enphase IQ8 inverter is able to act without a battery and provide you with sunlight backup. Not only that, but Enphase IQ8 availability in your house gives you the ability to control the flow of the energy. Its technology is smart enough to understand the overall energy flow inside the house and adjust its functions based on them. If it sees the panel catches more energy but consumes less, it will immediately understand the situation; it will shut the system down until the excess energy is completely finished. 

In case of an emergency or accident, the system’s Rapid Shutdown will immediately turn off the solar power, which would allow first responders and utility employers to do their job safely.  

IQ8 can serve its duty, whether it is connected to the utility grid or not, due to its fast processing. Its speed helps its system create an AC microgrid that directly processes the panel’s output. As a result, you will have your own power grid wherever your solar panels are installed, so the DC to AC inversion process will go without having to send electricity to the utility grid.

The important function of batteries

Another important aspect is Enphase IQ8’s cutting-edge battery technology. The Recharge battery does the important function of storing power. As it keeps the excess energy accumulated throughout the day, you can let go of the worry of not having electricity during the night or power outages. So, you will no longer need to have a solar panel kit with a battery and inverter. Though the microinverters of Enphase IQ8 cannot store as much energy as batteries do, you can generate and consume solar power even when there are grid outages.

Why choose us?  

Finding the most experienced solar panel provider will take care of your installation process and provide quality products. AMECO Solar and Roofing, which is one of the best companies in the industry, can find the right solution for you. Having over 50 years of experience under our belt, we can provide service that meets your needs and offer solutions using advanced technology. Our competitive rates give you the opportunity to shop around before you decide to move forward. Additionally, we can provide online consultations if you would like to learn more about the installation process remotely. After that, you can go ahead and start doing your Enphase IQ8 review, as using an inverter is beneficial. We would be more than happy to accompany you on your solar journey.      

Hopefully, you understood the importance of using inverters with your solar panel. Enphase IQ8 is a great investment for homeowners who want to upgrade their solar energy production as it is sustainable and includes 25 years of limited warranty. After you have gotten your solar panels from AMECO Solar and Roofing, consider looking for Enphase IQ8 for sale, as it will give you better value over time.

If you’re considering going solar and trying to figure out how many panels you need for your home, you’ve come to the right place. The number of solar panels needed for any given property depends on various factors such as geographic location, climate, family lifestyle, and much more. We can guide you through this entire process so you have all the necessary information to make an educated decision before choosing among solar panel types or installing a solar panel system. 

Cardinal Points & Architecture 

You’ve probably figured out why cardinal directions would be relevant for a solar panel installation and may have a good hunch as to why architectural factors would be important. 

Most of us know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However, it would take an expert to properly explain why solar panels are the most efficient when they face south, and to quantify the impact shading will have on performance. The good news is that you don’t need to hire an architect or a scientist – a solar specialist can show you exactly what needs to be installed where in order to dodge most of the shadows cast upon by trees, chimneys, and other objects that might hinder direct sunlight. AMECO’s Energy Experts will be able to create a 3D rendering of your property and advise on the optimal layout given your home’s specifics!

Climate

If you live in beautiful sunny SoCal, then you’ve won the solar lottery. Whether you need a commercial solar panel for your business or a residential solar panel for your home, AMECO will calculate the panels needed based on usage, desired aesthetic features, and some formulas they need to compute, giving you the most advantageous outcome possible. Given the microclimates in Southern California, your solar production can vary drastically depending on your specific microclimate. AMECO’s Energy Experts take this into account when determining how many panels your system will require!

Identical Square Footage, Different Usage

A common question we receive is “my neighbor has 20 panels, but you are recommending 30 panels. Why do I need more panels when we live in the same size house?” Let’s do a side-by-side comparison between two families who are neighbors and live in identical 3,000 square foot homes. In Family A, we have a young married couple who work long hours during the week and enjoy weekend getaways outside of the house to wind down and relax. Since they barely spend any time at home, they usually end up with an electricity bill of $100/month. Family B, however, is on the other end of the spectrum. They consist of middle-aged parents who love entertaining guests on a regular basis and two teenage kids who are either glued to their electronics or are inviting their own friends to swim in their pool on the weekends. Family B is paying $400 a month! How is this possible? Yes, they both live in 3,000 square foot homes, but their usage differs tremendously.

Home Appliances

Oftentimes, buying a new electric appliance triggers clients to look into solar to avoid the increased electricity bills. The question is – how much energy will we consume with this new appliance? Our Energy Experts are trained to provide highly accurate projections no matter the appliance. We have formulas for EVs, Pool Pumps, Pool Heaters, Central Air, Heat Pumps. You name it, we’ve got it! 

Why Choose AMECO

With over forty years of experience under our belt, AMECO Solar & Roofing is considered one of the best solar companies in Southern California. We take pride in our work and guarantee customer satisfaction. All you have to do is call us at (818) 751- 0797 or email info@amecosolar.com. In a 30-minute Virtual Consultation, our Energy Experts can explain how solar works, assess how many panels you will need, and review potential layouts, equipment options, and financing options! Gone are the days of waiting for hours for a solar panel company rep to show up to give a high-pressure sales pitch and no information. We look forward to assisting you!