Utility Company Pays You for Solar Electricity
In California a new law called AB920 was passed not long ago that will force your electric company to buy any solar electricity that you don't use (BLOG about AB920).  This law has to go into effect sometime before Jan 1, 2011 which means it will go into effect sometime in 2010. 

Remember, this does not change net metering (see also BLOG on net metering).  In the past if your solar electric system generated more electricity than you used, then the utility company got that electricity for free.  In other words you paid for the solar electric system and the extra was free to the utility company.  Of course that should never happen on a properly sized system (for more information see also Sizing a Solar Electric System).  But with this new law the utility will have to pay you for any excess electricity you don't use. 

But Wait
Now, before you go out an install that enormous, gigantic, humongous solar photovoltaic system there are many unknowns.  But the BIG unknown in my mind is what price will they pay?  Nobody knows.  That is all being worked out.  

What Will They Pay for Your Solar Electricity?
However, it seems very unlikely that they will pay the higher rates in Tier 3 or 4 rates (see also Tiered Electric Rates).  In fact it's not even clear that they will pay the Tier 1 or 2 rates.  These tiered rates are all full retail rates.  They may only pay a wholesale price or utility cost price.  Nobody knows!  So in the end this may not be that big of a deal. 

Plan Carefully and Make Informed Choices
As always it seems best to plan carefully and size your solar system properly for your needs. 




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Electricity Consumption
All the electric appliances in your home use power.  Your lights, refrigerator, microwave, television, stereos, air conditioner, heater (even if it's gas heating because the blower fan uses electricity), electric stove/range, jacuzzi, pool pump, and electric pool heaters all consume electricity.  You are then billed by the electric company for the amount of electric energy that you use.  This energy is measured in kWh (which stands for kilowatt-hours). 

What does a "kWh" mean?  1 kWh is 1,000 watts used for 1 hour.  Or you could think of it as the same as turning on twenty, 50 Watt light bulbs for one hour (20 bulbs x 50 Watts x 1 hour  = 1,000 W = 1 kWh). 

You can also see the kWh's that you are being billed for on your electric bill (see also Deciphering Your Electric Bill and Tiered Electric Rates).  
Solar Power Production
Any power you produce from solar electricity is simply subtracted off your bill.  For more details, see articles on Solar Power 101 and  System Sizing.  The energy your solar electric system produces is also typically measured in kWh's. 

Solar Energy Production and Electricity Consumption
Solar electric systems produce energy while your home's appliances and lights consume it. 

You can think of power used/consumed as adding on to your electric bill while power produced by solar is subtracted from your electric bill.  In other words, energy that you are billed for by your electric company in kWh = Total Energy Used minus Total Solar Energy made by system. 



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kWh or KiloWatt-Hours

If you leave a 60 Watt light bulb on for one hour then this uses 60 Wh (or Watt-Hours) of energy.  Most solar electric systems are considerably larger and so are measured in Kilowatts (1,000 Watts) and Kilowatt-Hours (1,000 Watt-Hours or kWh). 




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Solar Electricity:  Kilowatts DC (kWDC) and Kilowatts AC (kWAC)
If you have been investigating solar you have probably already heard the terms kWDC and kWAC.  But the differences between these two are often explained very poorly or not at all.  
kWDC or Kilowatts DC are the direct current (DC) power produced by the solar electric panels prior to any conversion to household electricity (see also inverters). 

KWAC or Kilowatts AC is the alternating current (AC) power that is used by your home.  This is electricity that has been converted ("inverted) from the DC produced by the panels to the AC used by your home and provided by the electric company (see also Solar Electricity Basics). 


What are Watts and Kilowatts? 
Watts and Kilowatts are a measurement of instantaneous power (1 kilowatt = 1,000 Watts). To help put this in perspective:  You are probably familiar with a 60Watt light bulb.  A 60 Watt light bulb consumes 60 Watts of power when it is on.  Also "kilowatt" or 1,000 Watts is often abbreviated as"kW". 

Electrical Energy Losses
Between the DC from the panels and the AC used in the home there are losses caused by multiple factors.  These losses come from things like the conversion to AC (inverter), wire losses, dirty panels, shading, and other imperfections in the system.  It is not possible to get this to 0% loss.  There will always be some loss going from DC Solar Panels to AC Electricity Used.  So there is a conversion factor that says some percentage of the power from the panels will be available to your home (or electrical grid - see also Solar Electricity Basics).  Often this conversion factor comes out to be between 70% to 85%. 

How Losses Affect Your Electrical Generation
What this means to you is that if your solar panels produce 1kW of power then you will likely get 0.70 to 0.85kW of power to use in your home.  If someone says they can get you a 95% conversion rate, then they are not including everything, lying, or just don't understand how to properly calculate the conversion losses.  I would avoid doing business with this person.  Anything over an 85% conversion is pretty unlikely. 

kWDC vs kWAC Explained
Now kWDC is the power produced by the solar electric panels; and kWAC is the usable power to your home after the losses described above.  
Using the same example as above:  What this means is if your solar panels produce 1kW of power this is 1 "kWDC".  And since your conversion factor for losses are likely to be in the range of 70% to 85% then you will get 0.70 to 0.85 "kWAC" of power to use in your home. 

The actual conversion factor will be determined by many design details like the specifications of the inverter, wire diameter and length, operating temperatures, and many other details.  This is where choosing a good design and installer is crucial. 



Comparing Competing Bids for Solar Electric Systems - kWDC vs kWAC
You should be careful when comparing kW numbers.  First be sure to compare kWDC to kWDC.  And kWAC to kWAC.  Never compare kWDC to kWAC numbers because that's like comparing "apples to oranges".  Also, it's probably best to look at both the DC and AC numbers when making comparisons between competing systems or bids. 

kWDC Comparisons
The kWDC is a rating on the solar panels based on standardized test conditions.  This is a pretty good comparison to make between different systems.  Especially, when comparing prices on competing bids.  And when you consider that the solar panels are typically the most expensive part of the entire system. 

kWAC Comparisons
The kWAC is what you will be actually using or deducting off your electric bill (see Solar Electricity Basics) so this is what you are probably most interested in. 

HOWEVER, remember that the conversion factor for losses is an ESTIMATE only.  The only way to know what this will actually be is to install a system and take measurements over time. 

Conclusions
I would recommend looking at both the kWDC and kWAC when comparing competing systems.  Make sure the conversion factor looks reasonable (probably in the 70% to 85% range).  There are some unscrupulous individuals that will try to mislead you on comparing kWDC and kWAC or unreasonably inflate the conversion factor.  Be informed, keep reading, and compare both the kWDC and kWAC numbers. 




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Article from North County Times about "micro-bond" (AB811) financing for solar systems takes one more step to allow homeowners to pay for solar systems in their tax bill in Riverside County.  San Diego County has been pursuing a similar plan for some time now.  However, the biggest obstacle seems to be getting the money for the loans for the microbonds. 

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REGION: County explores solar loan program.

Initiative could remove cost obstacle to rooftop panels

By DAVE DOWNEY - Posted: Friday, November 6, 2009 10:35 pm

Many people would love to put solar panels on the roofs of their homes and take the edge off those crazy summer air conditioning bills, if only they could afford the up-front installation cost often of thousands of dollars.

Soon, however, Riverside County residents may not have to foot that expense.

In late September, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to study creating a program by which the county would provide loans to homeowners to install panels that generate electricity from the sun for use in their homes.

The county also may issue loans for home improvements that save energy and water.

At the suggestion of Supervisor John Tavaglione, the board asked its staff to explore the idea of setting up a solar loan program for the entire county, including its 26 cities.

Palm Desert already has a loan program, and Murrieta planners are looking into the idea.

Tavaglione, in a telephone interview recently, stressed that a county wide program wouldn't pre-empt any individual community from going it alone, as a recent state law authorizes both counties and cities to issue such loans. He said he just thought it would make sense for the county to administer a regional program on cities' behalf because loans are repaid over 20 years through assessments on twice-a-year property tax payments. And the county's treasurer-tax collector sends out those bills.

County spokesman Ray Smith said officials will be surveying cities to gauge their interest in a regional program.

Regardless of the scope of the county's initiative, Tavaglione said it could put a lot of people into position to install solar panels who couldn't otherwise afford them and help them save hundreds of dollars on electric bills.

"Everybody today is looking at saving their hard-earned cash,"Tavaglione said. "And this is just another way to become moreefficient."

Tavaglione said the county will check to see whether it can obtain funding for loans through the federal stimulus program, a finance corporation set up by California State Association of Counties or the private sector.

"We need to look at all options," he said.

The concept of a public loan to finance rooftop solar projects and energy- and water-efficiency upgrades is something that grew out of Assembly Bill 811 by former Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Los Angeles, which was signed into law in 2008. The legislation authorized city and county loans for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects.

Assembly Bill 474, by Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-San Fernando Valley, was signed into law last month by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and extends such loans to water efficiency upgrades.

The bills are a product of the state's move to curb emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to climate change.State officials have said that almost every home in the state will have to become more efficient, or obtain its electricity from green sources such as sun and wind, for California to make a serious attempt to slash emissions by a mandated 30 percent by 2020.

Many people would love to contribute to that effort and cut their utility bills in the process. But most cannot afford the expense, said Cisco DeVries, president for the Oakland firm Renewable Funding, which financed Berkeley's pioneer loan program.

"The piece that has been missing all this time is how to pay for it," DeVries said.

And he suggests the loan program is that missing piece.

Even with federal tax credits and state rebates, solar panels can cost homeowners anywhere from $25,000 to $60,000.

Wildomar retirees Richard and Sylvia Stephens, for instance,said they spent $60,000 on a ground-mounted network of solar panels they installed a year ago this month.

Sylvia Stephens said that, while the couple were able to come up with the money, they know others who simply can't.

"This would help people because of the high expense of putting it in," she said.

However, cities and counties can't help homeowners foot the expense unless they can come up with financing for making loans.

"Good luck. It's going to be tough," said John Weil, chief of staff for San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, when told of Riverside County's initiative.

At Slater-Price's urging, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors explored a similar countywide program at the beginning of this year. The county recently had to abandon in its initial plan to obtain financing through banks.

"What we found was, banks were willing to finance, but only at their usual rates," Weil said. "And we didn't think that would be a bargain for homeowners."

Last month, the board changed direction and sought funding instead from the San Diego-based California Center for Sustainable Energy.

"Under this route, only unincorporated area residents may apply or financing," Weil said. "The cities would need to take their own action to join with CCSE. However, it could be that, if that happens, we could create one large umbrella program."

Fifteen states have passed laws authorizing renewable-energy loan programs, but there are only two umbrella programs like the one Riverside County would like to create, DeVries said.

DeVries, who is tracking the green loan trend, said both are working well. He said California's Sonoma County has issued $22million in loans to date, and Boulder County, Colo., has loaned $10million.

Just two other California counties —— Orange and San Francisco—— are close to launching programs, he said.

Still, DeVries said enthusiasm is building despite the financial obstacles. One day, he figures, such programs will be widespread and houses with solar panels will fill every block.

"Thirty years ago, nobody had curbside recycling and only 1 or 2percent of people did it," he said. "And now in this state it's law. Every city must provide curbside recycling and we're diverting half of our waste stream. Ten years from now, we may divert half o four energy use."

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Article Source:  http://www.nctimes.com//news/local/swcounty/article_1b2a1e06-ba64-56ee-b1f1-4afdaba1aa6e.html

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Installing Solar Electric & Solar Hot Water at Same Location

So you want to get as much benefit from the sun as possible and you would like to install both solar electric and solar water heating.  There are some things to consider when you do this.  (see article on Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)


Solar electricity is more sensitive to shade than solar hot water so put the solar electric panels where there is the least shade.  And put the solar hot water in the next best location.  
Plan for both Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water at the same time so you avoid: 
         (1) creating extra work and costs by needing to relocate solar water panels or
         (2) significantly reducing your solar electric energy harvest by putting the panels in a place that gets shaded at part of the day or year.  (see article The Location of the Sun is Crucial for Every Solar Electric System)

You don't have to install them both at the same time, just plan for them at the same time.  If money is a concern then install the one that will benefit you the most (Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)

I have seen systems that integrate solar electric and solar hot water into one panel, but these concern me.  It's like if you own an-all-in-one stereo that has a CD player, DVD player, turntable, etc all built into one unit.  When one part breaks you often have to replace the whole thing not just the broken part.  Additionally, combining electricity and water into the same panel seems to be asking for problems.  Solar hot water has its own set of constraints and concerns and solar electric has its own different set. 

When you want to install both solar electric and solar hot water, careful planning is the key to success. 




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From San Diego Union Tribune on October 30, 2009


Full Story:  County wins big share of solar funds - Projects could up regional capacity by 40 percent




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Source:  PV Tech - October 22, 2009 - PV cost study shows no better time than now to go solar in the US



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A well designed and properly installed solar electric system requires very little maintenance.  But it's still a good idea to watch your system for problems if they should ever occur. 

System Monitoring:  Is your solar electric system working properly? 
Solar electric system monitoring is an often overlooked part of a well designed system.  You probably would like to know if a solar panel or inverter ever fails.  And I bet you would prefer to know this before your electric bill goes up at the end of the month.  If something ever fails, you might just think your usage is higher for the month and not consider that your system may not be working properly.  And so you could wait another month "just to see".  This costs you money in your electric bill. 

If instead you have a monitoring system installed then you can check anytime you want to see if everything in your solar system is working properly.  Monitoring with string inverters can do a good job of monitoring each string of solar panels;  However, microinverters go one step better and offer great per module and per inverter monitoring, so it's easy to pinpoint any problems right away (be sure to see the earlier entries on Microinverters and Monitoring and More Power from Microinverters). 

If your system is older and you have not been paying much attention to it, then it may be worth having a solar electricity professional take a look at it to make sure everything is in order. 



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Decrease in California Solar Rebates
The California State Rebate for residential solar electric systems in the SDG&E territory dropped from $1.55/watt to $1.10/ watt.  Or about a 29% drop in residential cash rebates.  These rebates will continue to drop over time until they go away completely.

What Does this Mean?
If you were to install a mid-sized 5kW solar system then the cash rebate you would receive has dropped from $7,750 to $5,500.  A decrease of $2,000.  For a larger 10kW system the rebate decrease would be $4,000.

Planned Rebates Decreases
This is exactly as planned.  It is NOT because of state financial problems.  It is simply the natural progression of the state rebate program.  As the amount of installed megawatts (MW or millions of watts) of solar electric power increases, the state rebate is set to decrease in predetermined steps.  This will continue until the rebates go to $0. 

This current decrease is the planned decrease going from the state defined "Step 5" to "Step 6".  These steps were defined years ago when the rebates were set up.  You can find more information on these steps at the state's "Trigger Tracker" website.

The Good News
The good news is that prices on many solar panels have dropped; Making solar more affordable than ever. 



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New laws will force California electric utilities to purchase excess power produced by homes and businesses with solar electric systems with net metering. 

But will it really make any difference?  Pricing and details of how program will be implemented have not been set yet.  Pricing and implementation details can make this a great program or make it completely useless. 

Only time will tell . . .


From Renewable Energy World

Source Article:  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/10/feed-in-tariff-and-met-metering-bills-signed-in-california




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Solar electric systems are expected to last 20 to 40 years depending on who you ask.  Even at the low end of that range that's a long time.  Think of all the changes in your life from where you were 20 years ago.  
No Moving Parts
Almost all modern solar electric installations have no moving parts (except for shutoff switches and circuit breakers).  So there are no mechanical parts to wear out or to be lubricated.  A few inverters have fans but these are quickly disappearing. 

No Fluids to "Top Off" or Replace
There are no oils or coolants to fill up or replace.  There are no pumps and no pipes to corrode. 

What Maintenance is Required for Solar?
A properly installed system should require very little maintenance.  The primary maintenance that solar electric systems need is to keep the panels free of dust, leaves, bird droppings, etc.  Also, inverters could fail and need to be replaced in the future.  However, most inverters have 10 or 15 year warranties.  I take that as a good indicator that the manufacturer expects them to last at least that long. 

Silent Operation of Solar Electric System
Your solar electricity generating system will operate almost silently, except for the low hum of your inverter(s).  You can hear them if you listen closely. 

To know more about how your system is running, you will need to use a meter of some sort.  Your utility meter is a good indicator of whether your system is working or not.  Midday during a bright sunny day your utility meter should run backwards when not much electricity is being used in the house (see also Make Your Electric Meter Run Backwards, Legally).  To get more detailed system information you will need a monitoring system (see also Another Major Advantage for Microinverters). 


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What's the Difference?
Solar electric systems are completely different from solar water heating systems in almost every way.  The only thing they have in common is that they both collect energy from the sun.  

Solar Electricity Systems
Solar electricity starts at the Solar Panels (see also Solar Panels).  These panels are often located on the roof and are full of solar cells that convert the Sun's energy directly to electricity (see also How Solar Works).  They use "semiconductors" and "quantum physics" to absorb light and release electrons that become an electric current. 

But you don't need to know all the details of that.  Just like you don't need to know how your engine runs to be able to drive a car.  You just need to know how to use it.  And you already know how to use your electrical appliances and lights in your home. 



What is important is that the electric current created by a solar electric system can be used to power your home.  Fortunately, the solar electric system is automated.  It turns itself on when the sun comes up and turns itself off when the sun goes down.  It converts the electricity to the same type that your home uses (see also Type of Electricity).  It knows to automatically use the power made from your solar panels when the sun is up and to use the utility company's electricity when the sun is down (see also article on Net Metering).  There is not much for the owner to do.  It would be difficult to make it much easier to run a solar electricity system. 

Solar Water Heating Systems
Solar water heating is a even simpler.  At least, no quantum physics are needed.  A liquid fills a collector that sits on the roof or some other exposed area.  This liquid then is circulated to heat your water (in some cases the water to be heated is itself circulated, like is often done for pool heating). 

This solar heated water can be used to heat your pool or your home's hot water.  For home hot water heating (for showers, dish washing, etc.) water can be used to "preheat" water before it goes into your regular water heater.  This is to reduce your water heating bill.  Also, home solar water heaters usually require an extra tank to store the heated water in addition to your regular water heater.  So you need the space for this tank. 

With solar water heating you have to be very careful that there are relief valves, drainage valves, and antifreeze protection to protect the system from freezing and overheating which can destroy the collectors. 

How to Choose:  Solar Electric or Solar Water Heating
Look at your gas and electric bill.  How much of it is for electricity and how much of it is for gas?  If you are like most people your gas bill is a small part of the total bill and your electric bill is much larger.  So where would you prefer to save money?  On the relatively small gas bill or the more substantial electric bill?  I'll bet the electric bill gets your attention.  If this is the case then solar electricity could be the right choice. 

Solar electric systems typically cost quite a bit more than solar water heating systems, but they also typically save a lot more money on your bills and pay for themselves very quickly (see also Solar Electricity as an Investment and System Sizing). 

Imagine getting rid of 50%, 80%, 90% of your electric bill with solar electricity.  Would that be valuable to you? 



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Solar electric systems have no (or few) moving parts and operate almost silently (slight hum from inverters) so it's not that easy to see if your system is workingproperly. 

Microinverters Give You More Information
Microinverters have a great advantage when it comes to monitoring.  With microinverters, a system can easily be setup that allows you to see power production over time (today, last week, or since the system was first installed).  It can show you things like voltage, current, power, temperature and how it changes through the hours of the day or the months of the year.  All of this can be shown in an easy to read graphical interface so you can quickly scan it to see your system working properly.  This is valuable information to let you know your system is working properly.  

Instant Notification
Additionally, the system can be setup to send an email to you and your installer if a module or inverter fails.  This means you can have the problem fixed right away and not wait until you notice  your utility bill has increased. 

This should increase your system "up time" and produce more electricity, which is the main goal of a solar electric system. 


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Micro inverters are small boxes that go underneath each solar panel.  They optimize the energy production and convert the electricity to what your home uses right at the panel.  They have some significant advantages!  They can often produce more electricity from the same panels. 

Two Main Types of Solar Inverters - String and Micro
As I've discussed in previous postings the inverter (see also Key Components of A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System: The Inverter) is what converts the electricity into power that your home uses and is compatible with the utility company's "grid power" (for more info click here:  grid power or electricity AC and DC.  
There are two main types of inverters:  large string inverters and microinverters.  This may be a bit of an oversimplification but it's sufficient for this discussion.  String inverters for the home are typically a large metal box that hangs on a wall in the garage or on an outside wall.  They are fairly heavy at about 50 to 100 lbs.  Typically they are are a couple of feet wide by a few feet tall and less than a foot deep.  They take up space. 

Microinverters are small boxes that are installed under each solar panel.  They are measured in inches and don't take up any garage or wall space. 

Microinverter - Optimize Power at Each Solar Panel
With microinverters, the output of each solar panel is optimized at each panel so if there are any less than perfect conditions on any one panel it simply lowers the output on that panel instead of the entire string like a string inverter.  String inverters optimize for an entire string of panels so a problem with one panel can pull down all the other panels in the string.  While using microinverters typically results in more energy being delivered from your panels. 

You might ask what are "less than optimal conditions".  Dust and bird droppings on panels can ask just like the shade from a tree or chimney and significantly reduce electricity production.  With microinverters problems like these effect only one panel, but with string inverters this affects an entire string of panels. 

Microinverter - No Single Point of Failure
In the unlikely event that one microinverter fails you simply lose power from one panel.  However, if a large string inverter fails then EVERY panel connected to that inverter stops producing power for you.  If you have one inverter this means your entire system is down.  This is not true with microinverters.  If a micro inverter fails, all the other panels should continue to produce electricity for your home.  All of this means higher reliability and more "up time" that your system is producing power for you. 

Microinverter - More Electricity - Lower Electric Bills

Using microinverters should better optimize the amount of electricity generated and they should have more "system up time".  Both of these mean they should produce more electricity for your home than a string inverter.  This results in lower electric bills! 

There are other "techie" reasons to use microinverters to get the most out of your electrical system, but they are beyond the scope of this article and most of the major points are already covered here. 

The only drawback I can think of with microinverters is they are not as easily accessible as a string inverter so if maintenance is needed it is a little more complicated because they are under a solar panel.  However, this should not be a big issue with a properly designed and installed system. 

Otherwise, it seems that microinverters are the way of the future because of their many advantages. 


Contact Us with Your Questions at:  blog@SunCalSolar.com

Or Ask a Question by Clicking Here:  Submit Question for Blog

Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org. 
It's free for anyone to subscribe by going to www.SunCalSolar.org and entering your email address on the left side of the screen (or subscribe by RSS feed). 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Do you have any unanswered questions about Solar Electricity?  What would you like to see answered in this BLOG? 

Is there anything about solar electricity that just doesn't make sense to you?  Or concerns you?  Tell us what you like, don't like, or just don't understand. 

There is a great deal of misinformation and myths about solar power.  This BLOG intends to replace those with accurate information for you. 

Contact Us with Your Questions at:  blog@SunCalSolar.com

Or Ask a Question by Clicking Here:  Submit Question for Blog

Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org. 
It's free for anyone to subscribe by going to www.SunCalSolar.org and entering your email address on the left side of the screen (or subscribe by RSS feed). 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Waiting to Install Solar Electricity (Power)
I hear this question from time to time and I have a standard answer.  Yes, it will become obsolete.  HOWEVER, you could say the same thing about buying a personal computer (PC);  If I buy a computer today, there will be a newer, better, faster, cheaper version out in weeks or months from now.  Right?  Yes, that's all true.  But if you waited to buy a computer until the final, "ultimate" PC arrived you still would not own a computer.  And worse than that you would have lost all the benefits of using a computer in the time you were waiting.  Imagine not having a PC.  
Waiting Just Doesn't Make Sense
How long would you wait for the "ultimate" in solar technology to arrive?  5 years, 10 years, 20 years.  I think you'll be waiting a long time.  Solar power technology is continuously getting better just like your personal computer. 

Now think about how much you will pay for electricity in that time you are waiting.  And remember, almost everyone believes your electric rates will increase in that timeframe.  Waiting will cost you in the electricity you are paying for.  (see other articles:  Take Control of Your Electric Bill, Protect Yourself from Future Rate Increases, and Make Your Electric Meter Run Backwards - Legally)


Rapid Changes in Technology
PC technology is rapidly evolving and so are solar electricity solutions.  So it seems very likely that there will be a better solution in the future, but this is part of continuous change that will likely last for many years.  Many of today's solar power solutions are excellent and will be even better in the future.  To help make a decision just look at the costs of the system and the savings and think of it as an investment (see Solar Electricity as an Investment blog entry).  

Note:  However, PC's seems to be changing much more rapidly than solar electric systems.  Maybe this is because the certification process for solar products involves many more bureaucracies like utility companies, their powerful lobbyists, local building permitting authorities, the CEC, and many others.  However, this does have an upside;  It makes solar electric systems very stable and safe. 

The Benefits of Going Solar
So what if your solar electric system is not the latest and greatest in 5 years or 10 years from now.  Your system should still be providing free electricity for many years after it is paid off.  Remember these systems are expected to last 25 years or more.  Most solar panels have a 25 year power guarantee warranty. 

Of course you can always make the decision to upgrade to the latest and greatest solar tech at any time.  But you will have benefited from all the free, clean electricity from the sun until that time. 

To continue the analogy with computers:  When your computer is a few months old or even a year old and a better models comes out.  What do you do?  Do you throw out the "old" one and rush out and buy a new one or do you continue to use that computer for a few years and enjoy all the benefits.  Why would a solar electric system that is expected to last 25+ years be any different. 

Free, Clean, Green Electricity
You have free sunlight falling on your house everyday.  Maybe it's time to start collecting some of it to use for your own free, clean, green energy? 




Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Things Have Changed!
It was not that long ago that the stereotyped image of anyone installing solar systems was a long-haired, patchouli smelling, granola eating hippie type.  But times have changed.  Installing solar systems is becoming a mainstream part of our society.  This is not just my opinion alone, but is shared with many others.  CNN's Money magazine has a recent article about this subject (Press or Money).  And there are many other  articles and news about solar power these days.  Just look at the paper or scan the Internet.  Solar power even seems to be on our local, state, and federal governments' agendas. 

What's Different for Solar Power Now?
Skyrocketing electricity rates coupled with tough economic times areforcing people to look at how to save money on their bills including their electric bill.  Electric rates seem to keep going up and up with no end in sight.  Do you know anyone that is predicting electric costs to drop?  I don't. 

Wouldn't it be nice if you could have the electric bill you used to have in 1990?  How much has it gone up since then?  How much do you think it will go up over the next 20 years?  Double, Triple, Quadruple, or more?  Solar power can be used as a hedge against rising electric prices.  
Lower Prices for Solar Power
Also, solar power equipment is better than ever and at a lower cost than ever.  The technology has become mainstream and mass produced.  So the quality is great and the supply is there.  Additionally, demand from other countries in the world has dropped off in the last year or so.  This is primarily because of decreases in their rebates and incentives. 

Remember the "supply and demand curve" from basic economics.  This high supply in combination with lower worldwide demand has lowered prices and is driving a lot of installations here in the US.  Prices are great and lots of people are taking advantage by adding solar power to their homes.  

Rebates and Incentives
To make it even better, here in California we have cash rebates for installing solar.  They commonly pay for about 20% of your total system cost.  And the federal tax credit is 30% of the system cost.  The government pays for almost half of the cost for a new solar electric system! 

Solar Power:  Lower Costs, Higher Quality, Government Pays Large Part
So installing solar can make a lot of financial sense.  Especially when you consider how low your costs are right now and how high your electric bill savings can be. 


Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Many Electric Cars Planned
There is a lot of talk about electric cars right now.  Currently, we have only hybrid vehicles (i.e. gas with auxiliary electric power) readily available, but it looks like we will soon have plug in electric cars. 

There are many new models planned to be sold over the next couple of years.  Almost all the mainstream manufacturers are developing plug-in electric cars.  In fact, it's amazing how much development work is being done right now.  I'm convinced there will be some incredible cars available in the next few years. 

Electric Motors
Electric motors have a wide power band (have power available from almost 0 RPM up to their maximum speed) and so don't need a heavy, complicated transmission that gasoline powered cars require.  Electric motors are efficient and powerful.  Some of the planned electric car models are very sporty.  So don't think electric cars will be limited to the acceleration of a 1962 VW.  Some models will be all out performance cars.  You may not get the roar of a gas engine, but you can get loads of silent acceleration. 

Batteries
Batteries are probably the in need of the most development work for electric cars to succeed.  The good news is that many companies are pouring research and development on battery technology.  So batteries will be rapidly improving over the next few years.  They should be getting smaller, hold more energy, charge faster, and be more recyclable.  It's all racing forward. 

It's an exciting time! 

Increasing Value of a Solar Electric System
When electric cars start to be sold a solar electric system becomes even more valuable.  That electricity you capture from the sun can be used to charge your new car and keep your electric bills and gasoline bills low. 



Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Did you know you can get your electric meter to run backwards?  And it's completely legal.  If you invest in a solar electric system (see also article Solar Electricity as an Investment?) you can start generating your own electricity.  Anytime your "solar electric plant" is generating more electricity than you are using then your meter will run backwards, LEGALLY (see also article Solar Electricity Explained). 

        

How the sun hits your solar electric panels and any shadows created by the sun is arguably the most important design consideration for your solar electric system.  This should always be carefully thought out during any design and before starting any installation. 

Daily Sun Motion
The location of the sun is as it moves across the sky every day is crucial.  You might be saying "of course" by now, but please read on.  There's more. 

Your solar electric system only produces significant power when it has direct sunlight is hitting it.  As the sun comes up and runs its course across the sky, shadows form and move as the sun moves.  If these shadows move across your solar panels they will significantly reduce the power output. 

Seasonal Sun Motion
Equally important is how the Sun's location changes throughout the year.  It changes quite a bit throughout the four seasons.  Because of this, shadows can be very different in Summer as compared to Winter. 

Shadows are typically longer in the winter and shorter in the summer.  They may also shade different locations because their orientation can change.  A shadow that does not shade your solar panels in the Summer could cause problems in the Winter.  Again, if these shadows encroach on you solar system they can significantly reduce your energy production. 

Seasonal Changes in Number of Sunny Hours Each Day
Summer days are longer (unless you're on the Equator) and so there are more hours of sunlight.  In the winter,the days will be shorter and have fewer hours of usable sunlight.  So noticeably more electricity is normally produced  in the summer months. 

How to Know If a Shading Problem Exists
If you have good trigonometry skills, you can use some math and charts that provide the Sun's path throughout the year for your approximate location.  That's beyond the scope of this article. 

A much easier way is to ask your solar design professional to provide a detailed shading analysis and determine if you have any shading problems.  Sometimes it's very obvious and sometimes it will take detailed measurements to figure out the severity of problems. 

Catch Shading Problems in the Design Phase
Every solar electric system design should include a thorough attempt to minimize any shading on your solar panels.  And always remember how much shadows can change throughout the day and throughout the year. 


Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It: www.SunCalSolar.org


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Sunlight, of course, is the key to solar power;  but what does that mean to you.  For any solar electric system you want direct sunlight hitting your solar panels as much of the time as possible.  The goal is to maximize the power that the system produces by maximizing direct sunlight.  You want to avoid shading solar panels as the sun moves through the sky every day and throughout the year.  

The Five Main Things to Keep in Mind to Get the Most Out of Your Solar Electric System Are: 

1. Sunny Area Available to Install Solar Panels - First you must have a relatively large area to install solar panels. Typically, this is a large rectangular roof area that is free of  shade throughout the year.  This area could also be triangular ( /\ ) or other shapes with angles (like trapezoids).  
   
   If you have space on the ground you could also install a ground mounted system (see Installation Location Blog Entry). 
2. Panels Southerly Facing - The solar panels should be facing generally South (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere) to improve power production of the panels.  Southeast and Southwest are also usually good choices.  East and West facing are ok.  But avoid northerly directions, because you will get a poor energy harvest because northerly directions get less direct sunlight. 
3. Daily Sun Path - Everyday the sun rises in the East, passes overhead, and sets in the West.  Anything that will block sunlight as the sun crosses the sky can cause shading problems.  Shading can be caused by trees, shrubbery, hills, nearby homes, chimneys, vents, etc.  Shading will reduce the amount of power that is produced by the solar electric system.  Avoid shading.  
4. Annual Sun Path - The sun's daily path changes throughout the year.  In the winter time it is generally more southerly and in the summer it rises more directly overhead.  Also, the days are shorter in the winter and so produce less power.  Remember, that the location of the sun at 10am in July will not be the same location of the sun at 10am in January.  The sun is typically lower in the sky in the winter.  This will change shading effects and can change the power produced.  Avoid shading. 
   
   
   
5. Angle That Sunlight Hits Solar Panels -  The closer to perpendicular that sunlight hits the solar panel the better because it improves panel performance increases power output.  Since the sun is moving from moment to moment and throughout the year this is not possible with a fixed mounting system. If you go though a lot of calculations you can find out that an angle of about 33 degrees from horizontal is best (and facing south).   Tracking systems can be used to keep sunlight perpendicular to the panel, but these add considerable cost, weight, complexity, and maintenance.  They also take up more space because they need space to move.  Most roof mounted systems are not a good fit for a tracking system. 

The Bottom Line is Simple in Theory, but a Bit More Complicated in Practice

Get the most direct sunlight on your solar panels that you can by locating them in a good location that maximizes direct sunlight and minimizes shading throughout the year.  You probably have a good idea of areas like this from living in your home.  When installing a solar electric system you should complete a thorough and detailed shading analysis that considers the location of the sun throughout the year and through everyday. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Getting Rid of Your Electric Bill Completely May Not Make Financial Sense
Many people dream of getting rid of their electric bill completely.  However, this may not be the best financial decision.  The reason is simple, but not that obvious.

It all has to do with the tiered electric rate structure.  (see also "System Sizing" BLOG entry).  If you produce all of the power you need then you are producing power that you could purchase relatively cheaply in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 electric rates.  It makes more financial sense to purchase the inexpensive Tier 1 & 2 electricity from the utility company and produce your own electricity for the relatively expensive Tier 3 and Tier 4 electric rates.  This improves your payback period and rate of return.  Use the electric company for their inexpensive electricity.  

Having said this, it is possible that the Tier 1 & 2 rates could go up in the future.  Or the cost of solar systems could drop so much that producing all of your electricity could make financial sense, but for now it does not. 

There may be a good reason to produce all of your electricity that I have not mentioned, but it is not financial.  It is to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. 

And just FYI, here in San Diego Gas & Electric Territory your minimum bill even if you produce more electricity than you use (or the same) is $5.17/month. 



Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Install the Right Amount of Solar Electricity for YOU

Everyone's electricity usage is different.  And so is everyone's goal for the size of their electric bill.  In other entries I have mentioned there are reasons you may not want your electric bill to be "zeroed out".  The main reason is that it may not be your most cost effective approach (see also Tiered Electric Rate structure and System Sizing).  Also, if you oversize your system you will pay for a larger system, but will not get any benefit for producing more than you use (I'll address this in a future entry). 

In the simplest terms, the amount of electricity that your Solar Electric system generates is subtracted off your electric bill.  For example, if you use 700kWh's per month on average and your system generates 600kWh's per month on average then you will pay the utility company for the difference of 700kWh - 600kWh = 100kWh.  This will put you into the lower priced tiers for electricity (Tiered Electric Rate structure) and significantly lower your electric bill. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Why Not Just Go Off-Grid with a Solar Electric System?
The simple answer is yes;  you can get rid of your utility connection with solar electricity. 

BUT ...   There are some trade-offs.  This independence comes at a price.  I don't recommend an "off-grid" (no utility connection) unless a grid connection is not possible because of a remote location or if your utility power is unreliable.  In most cases, it's best to stay "on-grid" connected to the utilities power system. 

Electricity Made only During Sunny Times
Remember that solar panels produce power only when the sun is shining brightly on them.  So they produce no electricity at night.  So if you want power at any time of day or night then you will need a way to store power from the daytime.  This is usually done with a bank of batteries.   This sounds great at first.  However, batteries are expensive and require maintenance (or you could use a generator that uses fossil fuels, is loud, and requires maintenance). 

Battery Backup Comes at a Cost
You can usually expect to add at least $10,000 to your system if you want a battery backup.  Also, the batteries need to be replaced periodically; typically every 3 to 10 years depending on the batteries.  They also need to be topped off with distilled water regularly and need to be vented to release flammable hydrogen gas that they produce.  Additionally, they need a safe cool (not hot, not cold) dry location to be stored.  
Remember, the common "flooded lead acid battery" is basically a plastic box filled with lead and sulfuric acid.  These banks need to be protected from short circuits which can quickly overheat the batteries and wiring enough to cause a fire and/or explosion.  They need to be stored safely!  I'm not trying to scare you;  You can safely install and use a battery backup as long as it is installed properly and maintained properly.  But you need to know this comes at a price in dollars and time.  

Oversize the Solar Array
Additionally, your solar array will have to produce 100% of your power and will have to be oversized to compensate for battery losses and cloudy days.  What happens if you have 3 days of rain?  You will need to have enough energy stored in your batteries to carry you through that time.  This adds costs to your system because you will need to buy more solar panels to compensate. 

Advantages of Keeping Your Grid Connection - Let the Electric Company Work for You !
If you keep your grid connection, you produce electricity during the day.  When you produce more than you use the utility company buys it back from you (via net metering).  Then at night when your solar electric system is not producing electricity, it is easy to buy power from the utility company as you need it.  This gets rid of all the extra costs and maintenance related to batteries.  It's just much simpler and less expensive.  Let the utility company work for you for a change! 



Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Are You Sick and Tired of Your High Electric Bills?
Maybe it's time to take control of what you pay for electricity?  Maybe it's time to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on electricity?  Do you think electric rates will go up in the future?  If so then you're not alone.  
It's no secret;  You can save money by making your own electricity from the sun.  All you have to do is install a solar electric system and sit back and enjoy the savings.  A solar electricity pretty much system runs itself and has very low maintenance.  If you want, you can track your savings from day-to-day, month-to-month, or year-to-year. 

A solar electric system simply captures energy from the sun and converts it to electricity.  This amount of electricity is subtracted off your electric bill.  It's a very clear savings. 




Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Integrating Solar Panels into Your Home
Did you know you can hide your solar panels by integrating them into your home?  Three common ways to do this are:   

Skylights or Patio Covers as Solar Panels
There are solar panels that let about 15% of the light through.  These make excellent skylights and patio covers because they stop a lot of heat and light from getting through which can often make the area underneath much cooler and more pleasant to sit. 





Solar Roof Tiles
Solar Roof Tiles tiles can be integrated with many types of roofing and are very unobtrusive once installed.  Typically, these are used with flat concrete roofing tiles, but there are options for rounded (or Spanish style tiles) as well as composite shingles.  Some of these options blend in very well. 

Thin Film on Standing Seam Metal Roofs
You can also install thin film solar cells directly onto standing seam metal roofs or any other flat or gently curved surface you have in direct sunlight. 


Of course you can use your imagination to discover many other ways to install solar panels. 



Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Three Main Considerations When Installing a Solar Electricity System

1. The people that benefit the most and get the best return on their investment are the ones who have large electric bills.  The larger the bill the more the savings will be.  High electric bills are typically driven by at least some of the following:

• Air Conditioning in a hot climate
• Pools
• Refrigerators (old inefficient ones and multiple small ones throughout the home)
• Spas / Jacuzzis
• Children
• Computers
• Video Games

2. To successfully lower your electric bill with Solar Power you need a good sunny area to install the panels.  You can find more information about locating your solar panels in last week's and other entries in this BLOG. 
3. You will also need a way to finance the project.  This can be cash, a home equity loan, or a HELOC (home equity line of credit).  You can find more information on financing options in an entry in this BLOG a few weeks back. 

Contact us if there is a topic you would like discussed or if you have a question about solar power. 



Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Locating Solar Panels?
Most solar panels are installed on roofs.  However, this is not required.  Solar panels could be installed on ground mounted racks, on outside walls, on fences, on carports, or built into a building.  They can be installed anywhere that there is a secure and strong structure to mount them on or in.  After all, you want them to stand up to the elements over time and to produce electricity for many years. 

The One Main Requirement in Choosing a Locating for Your Solar Panels - SUNLIGHT!
There is only one overriding requirement for all solar panels:  Your panels must have strong sunlight for most of the day throughout the year.  The more sunlight the panel receives the more power it will generate and the better your return on investment for solar power will be. 


Roof Mounts

Most solar power systems are mounted on roofs.  This is usually a safe and out-of-the-way location for solar panels.  The main disadvantage is they are a little harder to access, but fortunately solar panels require very little maintenance. 

Ground Mounts
If you have extra land then a ground mounted system can be a great solution.  These are often protected by a simple chain link fence to keep kids, animals, and untrained hands off the system.  But many people don't have the extra land to take advantage of this option and this is why roof mounts are so popular. 

Additionally, sun tracking system are usually best with ground mounts.  A sun tracking system captures more power from the sun by keeping panels facing the sun.  But a tracking system adds cost, complexity, and maintenance.  Using tracking or not is a trade off between performance and costs. 

Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV)
Solar panels can also be integrated into roofs, patio covers, and carports just to name a few common ones. 



And remember, you could install solar panels anywhere there is a safe & secure structure and access to the sun!  Use your imagination. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Decrease in California Solar Rebates
As of June 17, 2009 the California State Rebate for residential solar electric systems in the SDG&E territory dropped from $1.90/watt to $1.55/ watt.  Or about an 18% drop in residential cash rebates.  These rebates will continue to drop over time until they go away completely. 

Planned Rebates Decreases
This is exactly as planned.  It is NOT because of state financial problems.  It is simply the natural progression of the state rebate program.  As the amount of installed megawatts (MW or millions of watts) of solar electric power increases, the state rebate is set to decrease in predetermined steps. 

This current decrease is the planned decrease going from the state defined "Step 4" to "Step 5".  These steps were defined years ago when the rebates were set up.  You can find more information on these steps at the state's "Trigger Tracker" website. 

What Does this Mean?
If you were to install a mid-sized 5kW solar system the cash rebate you would receive has dropped from $9,500 to $7,750.  A decrease of $1,750.  For a larger 10kW system the rebate decrease would be $3500. 

The Good News
The good news is that prices on many solar panels have dropped which should more than offset this decrease in rebate; Making solar more affordable than ever. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

5 Reasons to Install a Solar Electric System - Is This "The Perfect Storm"?

1. Electric rates seem to keep going up.  I have not found anybody who is predicting that electricity rates will drop.  The price of solar electricity does not go up because you pay a fixed price on the system and you know what that exact amount is ahead of time.  Solar electricity is free after you pay for the system.  So it protects you against future rate hikes.  You can actually reduce your bill down to $5.17/month if you have the space for the solar panels.  You start saving money as soon as your panels are connected. 
2. Prices have dropped on solar panels.  This due to several reasons, but is primarily based on "supply and demand".  The demand has dropped overseas and a lot of new suppliers are starting to manufacture the expensive solar cells. 
3. The Federal tax credit pays for 30% of total price of your system.  This significantly drops the cost of buying a solar electric system
4. California State Rebates will continue to decrease down to zero, so in the future you will get a smaller rebate. 
5. It's the right thing to do.  It lowers carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning plants.  It reduces the need for nuclear energy.  It reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy. 

These are 5 great reasons to install a solar electric system.  You can find a lot more information about generating electricity from the sun at www.SunCalSolar.com. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Take Control with Your Own Solar Power System. 

Did you know that you could use a solar electric system to protect yourself from future electricity rate hikes?  Everyone I know believes rates are increasing, especially when you consider the past rate increases.

• What were your electric rates 5 years ago?  10 years ago?  20 years ago?
• What do you think electric rates will be in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?

Save Money - Even if you have a $200, $300, $400, $500, $600 or higher, per month electric bill you could bring that down to only $5.17 per month!

With Net Metering, the utility company buys back unused electricity at Full Retail Price to reduce your electric bill.

And since the utility company bills you on a Tiered Electric Rate structure,  this means that the most expensive electricity is the first electricity the utility buys back at Full Retail Price when you have a Solar Electricity System. 

Pay for only for the amount of electricity that you actually use minus the amount your new solar electricity system generates. 

Your Electric Meter May Actually Run Backwards During the Day!

---

Protection from Rising Electric Rates

Protect yourself from inflation and rising electricity prices - It's like locking in your electricity rate at today's prices!  Because the price you pay today for your solar electric system can never change.  However, it's almost guaranteed that electricity rates will continue to increase. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

More Sunlight, More Sunlight, More Sunlight!
The best climate for solar power is where there is a lot of direct overhead sunlight.  These are places that have very few cloudy or rainy days.  It would also be a place where the sun is high in the sky everyday of the year - like in the more southern latitudes here in North America.  The closer to the equator the better because then you have more sun that is high in the sky throughout the year.  When the sun is high solar electric panels produce more electricity than when it is low in the sky. 

Heat is Not Good for Solar Electric Systems
There is a common misconception that hot sunny days are great for Solar Electricity Systems (photovoltaics), however this is not really true.  What would be better are cool or cold sunny days.  Solar cells work by converting light from the sun to electricity, so sunny days make the solar electric panels work best.  However, solar cells produce less power when they are hot than when they are cool or cold.  Cool sunny days produce more power over time which means more energy produced and more savings to you. 

Additionally, excessive heat also will slightly accelerate the degradation of the solar panels over time.  Heat is not great for the inverters either.  Inverters are the devices that convert the electricity from the DC (direct current) electricity produced by the solar panels to the AC (alternating current) used by your home lighting and appliances.  Heat can lower the efficiency of the inverter and shorten it's lifetime.  Heat is usually bad for reliability for anything electrical. 

A properly designed and installed solar electric system can help reduce the temperature that solar panels operate at.  As always the design and installation are critical to a properly operating system. 

Not Black and White:  But San Diego County is Fantastic Climate for Solar Electric Power
By now you may be asking, "What if I live in a part of the county near the coast where there are lots of cloudy mornings" or "What if I live inland where there are lots of hot sunny days". 

This just means you don't have ideal conditions for solar, but how many things in life are "ideal".  However, just the fact that you live in San Diego County means that you have fantastic conditions for solar electric power.  We generally have lots of sunny days, few rainy days, very little snow, and not much sleet.  We are pretty far south and so get lots of overhead sun that solar panels work well in. 

The bottom line is that only a complete financial analysis by your solar installer will give you the details on how much you can save on your electric bill by adding a solar electric system.  But here in San Diego County we have a great climate for solar electricity. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Solar System Sizing, Payback, and Rate of Return
Tiered electric rates should effect your decision to install a solar electric system and the size of the installed system.  I discussed the tiered electric rates in last week's entry if you want an overview / review of Tiered Electric Rates. 

System Sizing, Payback Period, and Rate of Return are all drastically influenced by the tiered rate structure. 

Drastically Different Electric Rates Charged
The main reason for this impact is that the Tier 1 (up to 100% of baseline) electric rate and Tier 2 (100% to 130% of baseline) electric rate are considerably less expensive than the the Tier 3 and Tier 4 electric rates (above 130% of baseline).  The key to remember here is that Tier 1 and Tier 2 electricity usage is relatively inexpensive, but electricity used over that amount is expensive (as shown in this diagram).

Baseline Electricity - In case you were wondering:  Baseline electricity is a amount of electricity (in kilowatt-hours) that the utility company has calculated to be about 75% of the amount of electricity that the "average" household in the region uses.  Baseline changes between summer and winter as well as by the area of the county you live in.  Remember, the baseline amount is a measure of a quantity of electricity, not a price.  However, the price is set by the amount used relative to the "baseline" amount. 

Understanding Tiered Electricity Rates - An Example
To help understand the tiered electric rates here is an example to illustrate it.  It would be similar to the situation of: 

1. the first 10 gallons of gasoline you purchase cost $3 /gallon
2. then the next 3 gallons cost $3.50 /gallon
3. then the next 7 gallons cost $8 /gallon
4. and anything over 7 gallons cost $9 /gallon. 

Wouldn't you rather try to not use the $9 /gallon and $8 / gallon gasoline first or get it another way?  That's exactly what solar electricity does with your tiered electric rates.  It removes the most expensive electricity first.  So if you are trying to maximize your savings then you want to size your solar system so that it gets rid of (or "shaves off") the electricity that would be charged in the Tier 3 and Tier 4 rates.  This will improve your payback period and rate of return. 

Substantially Different Savings for Solar Electricity
The difference in the rates you pay is crucial to calculating Savings, Payback, and Rate of Return because when you generate solar electricity your savings or payback is based on what you avoided paying for that electricity.  For example, if you are currently in the Tier 4 electricity rate and your solar system "shaves off" electricity billed in Tier 4 then you will be saving about $0.32 to $0.34 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).  However if you are in the Tier 1 (baseline) electricity rate then you will only be saving about $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 

This is a big difference because if your solar system is generating even a small amount of electricity like 300kWh per month then this means it is saving you about $39 ( = 300kWh x $0.13/kWh) if you are in Tier 1.  However, if you are in Tier 4 then your are saving about $100 / month ( = 300kWh x $0.33/kWh) .  This is substantial when you consider this happens month after month and year after year.  And these dollar savings are typically even higher for most properly sized solar electric systems that produce much more electricity than this. 

So be sure your solar electric system is sized properly for your specific situation.  This will help improve the savings, payback period, and rate of return.  Then sit back and enjoy the money you're saving while helping the environment. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Utility Rates and Your Bill
If you have ever tried to "decipher" your electric bill you know it is not easy.  The tiered rate structure is a little complicated, but the way they put it on you electric bill makes it downright confusing.  Today, I will be discussing the "DR" rate or tariff, because this is the rate most homeowners use.  DR means "Domestic Rate". 

There are also the "DRTOU" rate which is "Domestic Rate Time-of-Use" rate and "DRSES" rate which is "Domestic Rate Solar Electric System" rate.  Usually, the regular DR rate works best for most homeowners, even people who own solar electric systems.  I will save discussing these other rates and commercial rate structures to a later date.  Commercial rates have additional complications like "demand charges".

Basic Idea of Tiered Electric Rates
The basic idea is this:  the more electricity you use the more you are charged per unit of electricity.  The basic unit of electricity you are charged for is the Kilowatt-Hour or kWh.  The utility company is trying to get you to conserve by charging a lot more if you use a lot or waste a lot of electricity.  Low energy users pay less per kWh than high energy users.  The idea is:  if you use a lot of electricity then you pay more for your share than if you were a lower consumption user

Here in San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) territory there are 4 tiers for the rates you are charged for electricity. 

Tier 1 - The first tier is called "baseline". 
Tier 2 - The next tier is 100% to 130% of the baseline amount. 
Tier 3 - The next tier is 130% to 200% of the baseline amount. 
Tier 4 - The next tier is 200% and up of the baseline amount. 

The baseline is an amount of electricity measured in kilowatt-hours and you are charged one rate for this electricity.  Then when your usage goes over this "baseline" amount and up to 130% of it (Tier 2) you are charged a slightly higher rate.  Then when your usage goes over 130% of this "baseline" amount (Tier 3) you are charged a significantly higher rate.  And similarly for when you go over 200% of the "baseline" amount (Tier 4).  

Large Difference in Electric Rates Between Lower and Upper Tiers
The Tier 1 and Tier 2 are supposed to be the average electrical usage for the entire territory.  These rates are held artificially low.  The bottom line is that the prices/rates for these two tiers are fairly low.  And when a rate hike is announced it is loaded more onto the Tier 3 & Tier 4 rates.  What this means is a 6% rate hike will typically be substantially more than a 6% increase in the Tier 3 & Tier 4 rates.

The other very noticeable part of this rate structure is that the first two tiers are substantially less expensive than the upper two tiers.  Roughly, the price is more than double for the upper two tiers.  This is a strong reason to conserve power and generate solar electricity.  Conservation and solar electricity generation "shave off" the electricity you pay for in the upper two tiers FIRST!  Let me repeat that, the part of your electric bill that is removed first is from the top tiers so your savings is more substantial. 

Baseline Electric Rate
The baseline amount of electricity varies by several factors.  These factors are: 

• Summer vs. Winter (rates can also change by Summer vs. Winter)
• The region you live in (coastal, inland, mountain, or desert as defined by SDG&E)
• If you are an all electric household 

And to make it more complex; usually twice a year you get a bill that straddles between summer and winter so your baseline and tiers change in the middle of the billing cycle.  Yes, it's complicated.  Fortunately, you don't have to do the calculations.  Your utility company does that for you. 

Electricity Charge vs Distribution Charge
Now, as if this were not confusing enough.  They also break the charges down into: 

• Utility Distribution Company (UDC) Charges  or  Distribution Charges
• Electric Energy Charge / Commodity / Electricity Generation / Consumption / Usage Charges

The "distribution charges" are for the infrastructure that gets the electricity to your home.  This includes things like the power lines and transformers.  These are the rates that vary quite a bit by usage tiers discussed above.  The "electric energy charges" are for the actual electricity itself.  This rate does not vary by tiers, but they still break it out by tiers.  There is also a DWR bond charge added in there.  

Then at the end of your bill there are an assortment of charges that are explained on the back of your bill. 

Total Electric Rate for Each Tier
To get your total electric rate in each tier you have to add up all these charges to figure out what you are paying.  Confused yet?  It's not easy.  Just remember, what is important is:  The more electricity you use the higher your rate goes.  Conserving electricity and making your own from a solar power system can significantly reduce this impact. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Microbonds or Tax Bill Financing for Solar Electricity in California

You may or may not have heard about California Assembly Bill 811 or "AB 811" that passed last year.  If you haven't, then you should make sure you read more about it.  AB 811 allows local government entities like cities and counties the option to offer loans to property owners for sustainable energy projects (like solar electricity). 

Atfirst this may not sound like a big deal, but it is!  The idea is that local governments can setup small loansfor solar power projects (actually more like very small bonds or"micro-bonds").  It is a powerful solar financing option because it could make financing much easier. 

What is AB 811?
AB811 paves the way for homeowners to finance their solar electric system through a loan that is paid off with their regular semi-annual property tax bill.  It would look like the other bond charges like sewer, water,and trash assessment districts that you may already have on your property tax bill.  AB 811 allows local government entities, such as cities and counties to finance renewable energy projects (like solar electricity) for homeowners.  And give homeowners the choice to finance renewable projects, like solar electricity, and pay through their tax bill. 

What AB 811 is NOT
Property tax bill loans for solar projects are not in place yet (with a few small exceptions).  AB 811 "allows" local governments to provide financing for solar projects, but it is not required. 

Many local governments, like here in San Diego city and county, are working hard to put this solar financing in place. However, it's not done yet.  The key to implementing these loans seems to be finding a way to get the cash for the loans and figuring out how to manage the lending and payments.  A contact of mine in the county Board of Supervisors office tells me they are working hard to get thisfinancing in place (and have been for some time), but it is far from complete.  There are still a lot of details to work out.  There is nodate set for when these solar project loans will be available.  

Also, these loans are not expected to be low-interest or interest-free solar loans, but will be a market rate loan. 

Remember, there are other financing options currently available, as I discussed in my previous entry. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Financing a solar electric system in today's economy can seem a little overwhelming, but it's not.  You just need to arm yourself with a little knowledge.

Solar Financing Specialists
Many banks are not familiar with solar electricity systems and how this type of improvement increases the value of your home.  If you want, you can educate them on solar, but this can be frustrating (like banging your head against a brick wall).  If you don't fit their model, they just don't know how to deal with you and most of the time won't give you a loan anyway.  Banks usually are not very flexible. 

Instead, I recommend finding a financial institution that specializes in financing solar electric systems.  This way you don't have to educate them on solar.  They already know.  They will know what information they want up-front and the whole process will go much smoother. 

Most solar installers have a network of lenders that they work with because these lenders are good at solar improvement loans.  They are experts at getting the loan funded.  If you don't know where to start, just ask your solar contractor / installer if they know anyone who can help.  I bet you'll get at least a couple of great lending contacts. 

For financing you have lots of options.  Here are a few: 

HELOC's
Probably the easiest way to finance a solar electric system is with a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).  That is, If you have one or can get one.  Banks are not as eager to extend this line of credit as they were a year or two ago.  HELOC's have become more difficult to get for many people, but not impossible.  Talk to the bank(s) that you have accounts with and see if you can get a HELOC.  Look at all of the terms especially, annual fees and interest rate.  The main criteria to get a HELOC are typically the equity in your home and your income.  The more equity and income, the better.  The equity is simply how much your house is worth minus how much you owe on it.  The bank wants to be assured they will be paid back. 

The way a HELOC works is:  If you have a HELOC you just write checks and the check amounts are added to the loan balance on your line of credit.  You then pay interest and make loan payments against this loan balance.  It is just a bank loan that you can borrow as you need it. 

Equity Financing
The next best option to pay for a solar electric system is standard "equity" financing.  This is just a regular home loan like your "first trust deed" or "second trust deed" loans.  These are often simply called your "first" or  "first mortgage" and  "second" or  "second mortgage".  The "first" is the primary loan on your home and the "second" is an additional loan that is often made to purchase the home or make improvements to it. 

A couple of options are:  You can take out a "second" loan if you do not have one, or you can refinance your "first" loan, your "second" loan, or both your "first and second" loans at the same time.  For most banks this will depend on the "equity" you have in your home.  The equity is simply how much your house is worth minus how much you owe on it (loans). 

How Much Equity Do I Need?
If you don't have much equity in your home, then getting either of the above types of loans will probably be difficult.  A good rule of thumb is that the total amount of your existing loans plus any new loans should not be above 75% or 80% of your home's value. 

Non-Equity Loans
There are also "non-equity" loans that are typically based on your income.  Actually, they are normally based on your debt to income ratio or just  how much you owe versus how much you make.  These usually have higher interest rates and are not always such a good deal, but shop around there may be a great loan for you.  Ask your banker. 

Interest Rates
The HELOC and standard equity financing have interest rates that are about what you should expect for a home loan.  These are some of your best interest rates available now.  To get an idea of these rates:  You can look for for these online (just search for home interest rates).  Or your bank can give you a current idea of interest rates.  Non-equity loans typically have much higher interest rates. 

Next week, I'll discuss Tax Bill Financing as another option.  You have probably heard rumors about this in newspapers and the Internet.  They are not really here yet, but are promising for the future. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Solar Electricity Explained or Solar Electricity/Power 101

---

This week I'll go over the basics of a solar electric system and then I'll cover what this means to you and for your utility bill. 

Sunlight hits your home almost everyday here in San Diego County.  This is energy that is already hitting your house and normally just goes to waste.  A solar electric system captures some of this light energy and puts it to good use. 

Photovoltaic Solar Cells generate electricity by converting the sun's energy to electricity. Solar cells are "semiconductors" (a material with unusual electrical properties) that capture the sun's light and convert it to electrons(electricity is just a flow of electrons). 

Solar panels are groups of solar cells that are enclosed in a frame to protect them from rain, snow, ice, etc and most things that may hit them on your roof.  Solar panels collect and convert the sun's energy to DC electricity (green line below). 

This electricity is then changed (by an Inverter) to the same Type of Electricity (AC, blue line below) that your utility company provides to your home. 

The lights and appliances in your home can then use this electricity and any "extra" unused electricity is sold back to the utility company using Net Metering.  Net Metering just means that you pay for any electricity you use minus any electricity your system makes.  

During the day when there is full sunlight your solar panels are producing quite a bit of electricity.  If you are home you can use this electricity, but if you're at work then the unused electricity is "sold" to the utility company at full retail price.  Or if you are at home and your solar electric system is producing more electricity than you are using the excess is sold to the utility company also. Your meter will actually run backwards when you are generating more electricity than you are using (you can show this off to your neighbors)

At night when there is no sunlight and so your solar system is producing no electricity.  But you are connected to the utility grid and so buy electricity from the utility company. 

You simply pay for the difference in electricity that you use minus what your solar system produces.  Or the "net" amount which is where the term net metering comes from. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

The 8 Key Components for a Solar Electricity Generating System are: 

1. Solar Panels:  These collect and convert sunlight into usable electricity.  They are groups of solar cells mounted inside a frame that protects them from the elements, like rain, snow, hail, wind, and physical damage.  They collect energy that is normally wasted and used for nothing.  (note:  solar panels typically create direct current (DC) electricity but your home uses alternating current (AC) electricity). 
2. Racking or Mounting System: This is the aluminum (sometimes steel) rack that is used to physically mount the solar panels.  Most urban and suburban installations are roof mounted because this is usually the only available space to mount solar panels in a city.  If there is space available on the ground then the racking system can be mounted on the ground.  This is usually only a possibility outside of cities.  Ground mounted systems may have "trackers" that track the sun on one-axis (less expensive) or on two axes (more expensive, more maintenance).  However, most systems do not track the sun and work very well.  Trackers add expense and maintenance while improving system performance. 
3. Inverter:  This is the device(s) that changes the DC electricity produced by the solar panels to AC electricity that is compatible with your home's and utility's electrical system. 
4. Wiring:  There are the wires that connect all the components of the solar system that carry the electricity. 
5. Cutout Switches:  There are safety cutout switches that disconnect parts of the system for maintenance.  These are provided for safety of anyone working on a solar system so parts of the system can be shut off and worked on. 
6. Overcurrent Protection Devices (OCPD):  Ther are overcurrent protection devices that automatically turn off if too much current is flowing and causing a safety issue.  OCPD's are often just called circuit breakers just like you have on your house now.  
7. Utility Grid:  The utility grid is system that the utility company uses to provide electricity to homes and businesses through its power distribution "grid".  The grid is all of the interconnections that distribute power to customers. This includes the distribution system of high voltage lines and lower voltage lines, transformers, switches, in-the-ground wires, and everything that brings electricity to your home and business.  This is a crucial element for a solar power system, because it is used to sell electricity to the utility company during the day when your solar system is producing the most electricity and you may not even be home.  In effect it is like your are "banking" electricity or storing it with the utility company.  In reality your electricity produced is not stored but is used somewhere else on the grid.  The later, like at night, when your solar system is not producing electricity you simply buy back electricity from the utility company.  The end result is that you pay for the amount of electricity your buy from the utility company minus the amount your solar electric system produces. 
8. House:  And of course your home, lights, and appliances that are using electricity. 

For a non-grid tied system (i.e. no utility connection) you would also need a battery bank, battery charging & regulating system, and would have to oversize your system a bit more for when there are some cloudy days or your consumption goes up.  As you might guess an "off-grid" system like this has higher initial costs and higher ongoing maintenance costs primarily because of the batteries. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Imagine what it would feel like to generate your own electricity from the sun by adding a solar electric power system to your home.  You could be saving money, helping the planet, and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources all at the same time.  This is your chance to "Be the Source of Change". 

Imagine how it will feel when you show your neighbors and friends your meter running backwards and a $5.17/month electric bill?  Be the talk of your neighborhood.  Be proud that you are making a difference and saving money.  Imagine how you'll feel when you show off your shiny new solar electric system. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Solar power systems typically have excellent warranties that last for 10 years or more.  This is because these systems are expected to be working for a very long time.  Typically people estimate they will be in place for 25 to 50 years.  Usually longer than the time you will be in your house. 

Most solar panels have a 25 year warranty.  If they don't I recommend some additional investigation.  Inverters often have a 10 year warranty and some have 15 year warranties.  A few inverters have only a 5yr warranty,  but an additional 5 years can be purchased.  Workmanship it typically warrantied for 10 years. 

The details of the warranty vary quite a bit, but most of the big manufacturers stand behind their product with solid warranties because they care about their brand name.  And longevity of their company. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

The connections of a solar array to your roof are crucial for a successful long-term, troublefree solar electricity installation. 

These connection points to your home/roof need to be flashed and waterproofed properly using standard roofing practices.  These will look very similar to the flashings around your existing roof vents.  If they are not flashed correctly then water can get through the roof of your home that can cause many types of water damage and eventually structural damage to your house.  Water damage is expensive to repair.  This is why roofers use this "flashed" method.  It is time tested and proven in real-life. 

If any installer just wants to drill a hole and patch it up with caulking or use any other "non-flashed" method, I recommend finding another installer.  I have not seen any method besides flashing that will hold up for many years leak-free.  And remember these solar electric systems are expected to last 25-50 years.  Make sure any installation includes proper flashing!

The solar array must also be securely anchored to your roof.  If the anchor points are weak the array could be blown off the roof in a storm and who knows where it will land.  On your car, a neighbors car, a neighbors house, or ???  Also, if the array moves or "wiggles" in a storm it could damage electrical connections or weaken waterproofing of the panels themselves.  This could also be an expensive repair and a safety concern.  Fortunately, there are excellent manufacturers that make high quality solar array anchors that work great. 

As always make sure your solar electric installation is done correctly at the beginning and you should have many years of troublefree free electricity from the sun! 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Recently I'm seeing a lot of articles on "thin film" for solar electricity.  And many of these articles seems to cause more confusion than help explain what "thin film" solar actually is and is not. 

Thin film is just a thin layer of semiconductor material deposited onto a substrate which can be a flexible plastic sheet.  The major Advantage of "thin film" is it is much less expensive to produce.  It can also be made to be somewhat flexible. 

The major Disadvantage is that it is much less efficient.  What this means is that "thin film" will take up much more space to produce the same amount of electricity as typical crystalline silicon panels would.  Typically, it will take almost double the space to produce the same amount of electricity. 

Thin film solar is not based on large silicon crystals.  This is important because large silicon crystals are expensive to produce and so drive up the cost of solar electric cells and panels.  This is the primary reason why "thin film" is so much less expensive to produce. 

Today crystalline silicon solar panels are the norm for residential solar electric systems.  This is mostly because thin film has not been readily available in the past.  However, this is rapidly changing, so it offers yet another option for solar electric installations. 

But remember thin film based solar panels will take up much more space.  Many people who live in cities or the suburbs do not have a lot of extra roof space to waste.  In fact, many people do not have enough roof space to produce as much electricity as they would like, so efficiency and the amount of roof space is important.  In many cases, thin film may not be good solution because of it's lower efficiency and resulting requirement for more space.  However, when there is enough space it can be an extremely cost effective solar energy solution. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Did you know there is an option to the standard solar electric panels that most people are installing today? 

There are solar roofing tiles available.  These are a great product with a great look, but they're not for everyone.  They do look fantastic, but cost more.  They work best with Flat Cement Roof Tiles and can be installed with the rounded "Spanish" style tiles with a bit of extra work.  Tile manufacturers say they can be installed on composite shingle roofs, but I have not seen one installation on comp shingles that is up to my personal standards. 

These tiles replace standard roof tiles, so the best time to install these is when you are putting on a new roof or making major repairs to your existing roof. This way you are not throwing away perfectly good roofing tiles. 

This installation is a bit more involved because you need a solar contractor that works closely with a roofer.  The roofer knows how to install a roof properly and the solar contractor knows how to do the electrical design work and installation of equipment.  If done properly this is a great way to generate your own clean electricity from the sun! 

If you're considering installing solar and your roof is in need of repair or replacement these solar roof tiles may be a great solution. (see more information here:  Solar Roof Tiles)

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Should I Wait to Install a Solar Electric System?  I hear there is a new "whatchamagadget" that will change everything. 

I will have to say that is sort of like waiting for the next latest and greatest computer before you buy one.  The problem with this approach is that you will never own a computer, because there is never-ending constant improvement.  You know that soon after you buy any computer there will be some newer, faster, better feature on the newer model that would be nice to have.  But you don't necessarily need it.  And if you wait for that unknown feature you lose out because you don't get the benefit of a computer while you're waiting. 

Solar technology is somewhat similar because there are also constant improvements.  This does not seem to be anywhere near as rapid as changes in personal computers.  However, now with all the attention on solar electric, this will probably accelerate.  These constant improvements should improve the cost, reliability, and efficiency of solar electricity over time.  But these will be ongoing, small, incremental improvements.  There will be many small steps that gradually over time make solar electric systems better.  Revolutionary jumps are not very likely or common. 

So yes if you wait you will probably get a better system for a better price.  However, you will not get the benefits of all the solar electricity and the savings on your electric bill while you are waiting. 

To address the claim that there is some new, fantastic, incredible, unbelievable technology just around the corner:  Everytime I've heard about some new "wizbang" technology that will revolutionize everything solar it turns out to be false, impractical, or not applicable.  It's often just some urban legend.  Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 

Now, having said all of that:  Yes you could wait for whatever new technology is around the corner and never get the benefits of solar electricity.  Or you could do your research and get the best system available today that is in your budget and start reaping the benefits of a solar electric system.


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Solar Electricity as an Investment?

Have you ever thought of a solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) system as an investment?  Looking at it as an investment is an excellent way to analyze whether it is worth buying a solar photovoltaic system (solar electric) or not. 

Start with considering the amount of money spent on a PV system, which includes the purchase price (or down payment and loan payments over time) and relatively small ongoing maintenance costs.  Then consider the amount of money saved on your electric bill over time. 

If you do a financial analysis on these "cash flows" over time you can decide if Solar Electricity is a good choice for you.  Very often you can achieve a "Rate of Return" or "Yield" of 10-20% and often even more with financial leverage from your loan.  What else gives you this kind of return? 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Why Doesn't Everyone Go Solar?

For the most part it is because no one has explained how it works and what all of the advantages are.  State rebates, federal tax credits, net metering agreements all make solar electricity very attractive.  Additionally, solar panel prices have dropped recently, which makes them much more affordable and easier to make a financial case to install them.  Yes, there is an up front cost, but the monthly savings you get, can more than make up for the initial investment.  There are some cases where people just do not use enough electricity, but many people would benefit financially from using a solar photovoltaic system.  But the only way to know is to look at the numbers and do the analysis. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

4 Reasons to Install a Solar Photovoltaic (Electricity Generating) System: 

1)  Save Money - Even if you have a $200, $300, $400, $500, $600 per month electric bill you could bring that down to only $5.17 per month!  Imagine having only $5.17 per month electric bill.  And make the government pay for nearly half of the total installation while at the same time increasing your property value. 

2)  Help the Environment - Lot's of people are talking about being green, but you could actually do it with a solar photovoltaic system.  Making the world a better place to live today and for our children's future.  Wouldn't you like this to be part of your "legacy"? 

3)  Energy Independence - Reduce dependence on other sources of energy, like nuclear, foreign oil, dirty coal

4)  Pride of ownership - Be the talk of your neighborhood.  Be proud that you are making a difference and saving money.  Wouldn't you like to show your electric meter running backwards to your family and friends. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

You’re probably asking yourself: Sure, this "Solar Electricity" sounds great but how does it actually lower my electric bill?  Instead of buying 100% of your electricity from SDG&E, your solar electric panels produce part or all of your electricity, just as you would expect.  In the end, you end up buying less electricity and so have a lower bill.

However, many people are gone during the day when their solar panels are producing the most.  Instead of wasting this solar electricity, it is “pushed” back out to the electric power grid and the utility company buys electricity from you.  It can actually make your electric meter run backwards.

It’s beautiful in its simplicity.  Your electric meter does only one thing.  That is, measure how much electricity flows through it so the utility knows how much to bill you.  When you produce more electricity than you use and "push" electricity back to the grid, SDG&E is effectively buying electricity from you.

Staying connected to the electric grid is important because the utility company will provide electricity when the sun is not out.  It’s almost like you are “storing” energy on the utility grid for future use.  The utility company buys electricity from you during the day and you buy it back anytime you need it.

This is done through what the utility company calls, “Net Metering”.  Your electric meter measures how much electricity flows through it so the utility can bill you for the amount used.  Now what do you think would happen if you could "push" electricity back to the utility company.  You have probably guessed that the electric meter would run backwards.  That's what Net Metering is and that is what a solar electric system does when you produce more electricity than you are using.

This is important because Photovoltaic systems produce electricity only when the sun shines on them and they produce the most in the middle of the day.  This is a time when many people are not home and are not using much electricity.  So your electric meter runs backwards in this case, and allows you to effectively "store" electricity with your utility company for use when you are home.  The utility company buys electricity from you during the day and you buy it back when you need it. 

The amount of electricity is "netted" out every year starting on the first day your system is connected. In other words, the amount of electricity “generated” over one year is subtracted from the amount “used” over one year and you pay only for the "net" or remaining amount for that year.

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

        

Is Installing a Solar Power System a Do-It-Yourself Project?  It could be, BUT !!!!!!!!!!  I don't recommend it unless you have a LOT of experience with electricity and working on roofs. 

This is one of those times that for most people it's probably best to hire a professional that specializes in Solar Photovoltaic Systems (PV).  I strongly recommend finding someone who focuses exclusively on solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.  I don't recommend hiring a general contractor or general electrician who also happens to do solar installations, unless that is the main part of their business.  At least, if you want it done right.  Find a specialist! 

Safety and reliability are extremely important when installing a Solar electricity generating system.  If it's done wrong you can hurt or kill someone, start a fire, create leaks in your roof, and the list goes on-and-on.  Or you might just get a system that performs poorly. 

If your system is installed correctly you should expect to get many, many years of hassle-free and safe electricity from the Sun!  To get a system that operates properly and efficiently, the following (at a minimum) must be included and understood in your preliminary analysis:  Solar panel ratings and specifications, Inverter ratings and specifications, your home's power distribution panel and busbars' ratings and specifications, Panel orientation, shading, the sun's path and useful daylight throughout the year, wire sizing, temperature derating factors for panels/wires/junction boxes/etc, and the interconnect to the utility power grid. 

Here is a list of a some of the most important things to remember if you're considering Doing-It-Yourself: 

• Do you have the knowledge and experience comparable to a trained and experienced electrician?  And roofer for rooftop installations? 
• Do you understand the details of how to optimize your solar panels outputs based on your current electrical usage and the Sun's path throughout the year
• Do you know how to protect yourself from falls, high voltage, and high current equipment? 
• Do you understand the National Electric Code (NEC) and common practices of local permitting authority (usually city or county)?  This is a difficult read to say the least. 
• You will need to get building permits and have safety inspections before turning on system.  And remember you have to work with both the utility company and the local permitting authority. 
• Do you understand why Ground Fault Protection Devices, Circuit Breakers, and cutoff switches are installed and how they operate?   
• Do you understand wire sizing and how to run wires safely?
• You need to understand a multitude of safety precautions when working with DC and AC electricity.  This includes working on a rooftop and all the way to the circuit breaker box (power distribution panel). 
• Remember solar arrays often product voltages up to 600 volts and currents of 20 to 30 amps for residential systems and can be considerably higher for larger or commercial systems.  These are dangerous voltage and current levels if you are not experienced with electricity! 

Remember safety first!  This is for yourself, for others, and for your home or building. 

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com