Robert Sarai is a leading expert in energy efficiency and sustainability with L.A. Solar Group, one California’s highest-rated solar companies. His goal is to provide smart energy solutions to property owners though engaging and meaningful content on solar technology, energy efficiency, market trends, and sustainability in Los Angeles and throughout California.
California homeowners don’t currently have to deal with power outages from hurricanes like those that hit Houston and Florida. However, there are always natural disasters that can knock the power out here, too: earthquakes, wildfires and the like. Occasional man-made problems can cause outages as well. You might think that homes with solar power would…
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…
With the solar eclipse coming on Monday, August 21, 2017—and another coming in 2024—we’re getting more questions about the effects of solar eclipses on solar power. This is a great opportunity to discuss some basic facts about solar and what happens when the sun isn’t shining. Yes, Solar Eclipses Affect Solar Productivity Obviously, if the…
There are usually a lot of questions that pop up when you consider going solar. One important question is how going solar affects your financial relationship with your local electric utility. If you go solar and connect your system to the electrical grid, how does that change your relationship to the utility? What if you…
