Helping you better understand and become educated with everything solar.
Going “off the grid” sounds cool, like something Carrie Mathison might do to get intel in Homeland. But if you’re considering off-grid solar, you probably have more practical concerns. When discussing electricity and solar power, “off-grid” refers to a system that is not connected to the electrical grid—the traditional way to get power from a…
Unless you are licensed to install a rooftop system yourself, you will likely contract professionals when you go solar. When you do, you’ll want to be sure the people who will be on your rooftop know what they’re doing. When doing this research, check your potential installer’s license number. In California, the Contractors State License…
You’ve decided to go solar, crunched the numbers, and picked an installer. So now what? Who handles the permits, the inspection, and the estimates? This post will outline what a homeowner should expect during the installation process, from consultation to monitoring. You Will Get a Written Installation Plan and Cost Estimate The first thing you’ll…
While it can be financially beneficial to buy your solar panels and take advantage of the solar power incentives in Los Angeles, that isn’t the only option for homeowners. For those who want the benefit of solar power for their home without the expense of owning the system, leasing is a great option. But what…
Tax credits, rebates, and other solar incentives in Los Angeles have helped helped many thousands of homeowners across the Southland go solar in recent years. If you have recently installed a solar system in your home or are considering doing so, you should make sure you take advantage of any incentives for which you qualify,…
One of the first questions homeowners ask about going solar is “How long does the solar system’s efficiency last?” This is the right question to be asking, since if you get solar installed, you want to know that it’s going to provide power for a long time. Let’s Define “Efficiency” The first thing to know…
When you’re deciding to go solar, one of the first things you’ll want to know is “How much will it cost?” In general, it can range from $15,000-$30,000 before incentives or electric bill savings. But why is there such a wide range in prices, and why might installers quote you higher or lower figures? Let’s…
One of the biggest drivers of the rooftop solar trend has been net energy metering (NEM). NEM is an agreement between a homeowner and the local electric utility. Under NEM, homeowners generating excess electricity from their rooftop solar systems can send it back to the electric utility, which credits the customer’s bill. NEM benefits homeowners…
For years, net energy metering (NEM) has been a key driver for solar adoption. This arrangement obligates utilities to credit homeowners for any net unused energy sent from their rooftop solar systems. So in addition to saving on your electric bill, you could also “make” money on your excess power generation. That’s a great deal.However,…
If you’ve done any research into rooftop solar systems for your home, you’ll notice a lot of “average system size” numbers tossed around. The Center for Sustainable Energy puts the average residential system size at 5kW, as do many other sources. However, averages are only so useful when determining the proper system size for your…
