April 11, 2023

Do Solar Panels Really Save Money?

These days, solar power is fast becoming a go-to renewable energy solution for homeowners. It offers a reliable, environmentally friendly way for them to cut their energy bills and reduce their reliance on California’s sometimes shaky electricity grid. However, one of the biggest remaining problems with residential solar power is the cost associated with installing it. That makes it difficult for many homeowners to figure out if solar power will, in fact, benefit their budget. To answer that, here’s everything you need to know to decide if solar panels will save you money. The Cost of Solar To discuss the subject of saving money with solar panels, there’s no avoiding discussing their cost. Here in Modesto, the average residential solar system provides 5kW of power for an average installation cost of approximately $14,850. That’s a substantial investment for the average homeowner. However, there is a bright side. The first bit of good news is that the average cost of installing solar panels has remained in decline for over a decade. This means that installing solar panels gets cheaper every year. Plus, the recently-passed federal Inflation Reduction Act extended and expanded tax credits meant to defray the cost of installation for...

View Article

Continue Reading
December 19, 2020

The Basics of How Solar Panels Work

Everyone knows that solar panels turn sunlight into energy. But how exactly do they turn energy from sunlight into usable electricity? The High-level Explanation As sunlight hits a solar panel, it creates an electric field, which is otherwise known as electricity. This electricity, which is in DC (direct current) form, flows to the edge of the panel into a conductive wire. The conductive wire then brings this electricity to an inverter that transforms it from DC to the AC (alternating current) electricity needed to power buildings. After the electricity is converted to AC power, another wire transports it from the inverter to a breaker box. The breaker box then distributes the electricity throughout the building as needed. Any energy not needed in the building flows through the utility meter, causing it to run backward. This credits your property for excess energy generation, and in some places, you can be credited by the utility company for this excess energy that is flowing into the electric grid. The Molecular-level Explanation Solar panels are made from many small photovoltaic cells. These cells can convert sunlight into electricity and are made up of semi-conductive materials, usually silicon. This semi-conductive material is able to conduct...

View Article

Continue Reading
February 10, 2020

How Do Solar Panels Work?

More and more solar panels are popping up all over the country, especially in California. Since the sun is our greatest source of power, it only makes sense that we try to harness some of its energy for our own advantages. The Idea Behind Solar Power The sun releases millions upon millions of photons each day, which are tiny packets of energy. Those photons make their way to Earth, and when they hit solar cells in solar panels, they cause enough disturbance to knock electrons away from their atoms. When those break loose, electrons flow between the negative and positive layers of solar cells and electricity is generated. The electricity that’s created is called direct current (DC) energy. Since the electrical power grid in the US uses an alternating current (AC), an inverter is used to make the DC energy compatible with the AC circuit in your home. At , we take care of the whole solar panel installation process for our customers in and around Modesto, Stockton, Tracy, Turlock, and Manteca, CA. What About When the Sun Isn’t Out? Many solar energy systems are able to store energy through a process called “net metering.” If your system creates more...

View Article

Continue Reading
January 20, 2020

How Much Energy Can Solar Panels Create?

Before you make the upfront investment required to install solar panels, you will understandably want to know how much power you will get from the system. This information will help you decide if the system makes sense for you and how many solar panels you need to purchase. Not only can you meet all of your electric needs, but you can have extra power left to sell. Solar Panels Can Meet Your Electric Needs One array of solar panels can produce up to 850 kWh of AC energy per month. To put that in perspective, the average household will use just under 900 kWh each month. Thus, a solar array can meet practically all of your power needs for your home. Of course, if you purchase additional panels, not only can only all of your needs be met, but you will have extra solar power. It Depends on the Type of Panel When you are choosing a solar panel, you have two different options. Monocrystalline panels will be the most efficient and produce the most energy; although, they will be more expensive. If you are looking to get the most possible electricity from each panel, you should opt for this...

View Article

Continue Reading
September 15, 2019

What Size Solar Panel Should You Get?

If you want to save money and protect the environment, it is time to learn more about how solar panels work. One of the most common questions homeowners ask when they start thinking about adding solar panels to their house is “what size do I need?” Keep reading to discover what size solar panels you really need. Solar Panel Size and Output When trying to figure out how many solar panels you need, you will have to look into the size and output for various brands. There is no standard sizing or energy output guideline, so finding out what size solar panels you need is not so simple. For example, rather than tell you need two medium-size panels, you’ll need to be more specific. The average residential panel is about 65 by 39 inches, but a panel can produce anywhere from 150 to 370 watts. Higher-efficiency panels can have special materials. This means they produce more energy without taking up more space. As a result, you really need to figure out the number of specific-type panels you need, not just the actual dimensions. How to Calculate the Number of Panels You Need The first thing you need to do is...

View Article

Continue Reading
August 6, 2019

How Does Extreme Weather Impact My Solar Panels?

Solar panels continue to grow in popularity among homeowners. At one time, fossil fuel energy sources were the only option available for powering homes. Now, solar power offers an alternative, cheaper means of energy. Homeowners may still have concerns about investing in solar panels and wonder how extreme weather could impact the panels on their roofs. Here are some answers to those concerns. Cloudy Weather and Energy Production When sunlight hits the solar panels, conversion to energy takes place. Electricity also ends up stored in batteries for later use. When the skies are cloudy, sunlight becomes limited. An effect on energy production is possible, but the solar panel manufacturers considered this. The panels should continue to reliably produce electricity even during cloudy weather. Surviving Brutal Winds During fierce storms, winds can pick up tremendous speed and do a lot of damage to roofs and structures. Are solar panels safe? Most high-quality solar panels can withstand wind speeds of well over 100 mph. At , we work with clients to deliver the best available panels for their homes. Dealing With Debris At times, wind can lead to damage even if it isn’t reaching high speeds. Things like leaves, twigs, and other...

View Article

Continue Reading
June 1, 2019

How Long Does It Take My Solar Panel Investment to Start Paying Me Back?

One of the biggest reasons people often decide to go with solar energy is because they like the idea of getting free power from the sun. However, the cost of installation might have you wondering if you really end up saving money in the long run. It is true that you pay more for installation initially, but the investment will start paying you back eventually. How long this takes will depend on a few factors. Initial Costs To figure out how long it takes before your installation pays you back, it is useful to know how much it costs in the first place. Prices can vary depending on your location, power needs, and property size. Costs to Produce Energy The savings from getting to install solar power in your Modesto home will be apparent once you look at the energy production costs. There are absolutely no charges to use the power that solar produces. A residential household has power bills that average up to about $111 each month. This means that you end up saving enough to pay off your solar panel installation in roughly six to nine years. Solar Panel Duration To figure out if it’s a worthwhile investment,...

View Article

Continue Reading
January 5, 2019

What Tax Credits Do Solar Panel Upgrades Qualify For?

As licensed energy professionals in Modesto, our technicians at look forward to helping you create a more energy-efficient home with solar panels. If you have been considering installing solar panels, 2019 is an ideal time because of the available tax credits. Some of these tax credits are set to decrease or expire in 2020. Qualifying Products All solar panels made in the USA and installed by American companies qualify for solar panel tax credits. You must be the owner of your solar panel system. This means that if you signed an agreement with a utility company to install solar panels on your house, you do not qualify. You must be the one paying for the solar panels, and you must own the entire system. If you already had solar panels, but you need to replace them, your upgraded new panels will still qualify you for the credits. Qualifying Expenses All of the expenses related to a residential solar panel installation qualify for the tax credits. This includes the cost of the panels, the cost of associated parts such as batteries or wiring and the labor fees for the installation. You can receive the credit for a solar panel installation on...

View Article

Continue Reading