Sun Power
Volume 1, Issue 1
July 2007
California Solar Energy Initiative Victory
Congratulations and thanks to all of you on a victory for solar! The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently removed mandatory Time-of-use rates for solar customers. The original California Solar Initiative resulted in higher electric bills for some people with solar, in some cases higher than those without a solar system. The new legislation, pushed forward by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, fixes that flaw and makes the use of TOU rates optional. The legislation has impacted solar electrical systems installed since January 1, 2007 and as a result it has increased solar rebates in California. Thanks to all of you for helping to get this important change passed so quickly!
Now is the time to go solar. The new legislation makes it even more attractive, allowing customers to save more each month off their electric bill, and reducing the payback period for a system to 3-5 years. Call or email us for an updated quote, and see how much more you can save now with the new solar rebates in California.
Beat Air Conditioning Bills
If your air conditioning bills are through the roof, keep cool with the power of the sun! Install an air conditioning bill reduction system designed specifically to reduce your electric bill during the peak consumption months of June, July, August and September. Your SCE electric bills and rates rise steeply with summer power consumption. Solar Electrical Systems can help you eliminate your highest-priced electricity and bring down that high monthly bill, especially during the hot summer months. You’ll keep saving year-round as solar helps you fight back against rising rates. Right now, a government rebate for solar energy and federal tax incentives can reduce the cost of a solar electrical system by as much as 60%. But the longer you wait, the lower the rebate.
President’s Soapbox
On most of our marketing materials, you’ll see “Hurry,” or “Call Today!” I wanted to make it clear to you, our customers, that we’re not trying to pressure you. We’re trying to save you money. Under the new California Solar Initiative, rebates go down as megawatt triggers are met across the state. Right now, the rebate is $2.50 per watt for residential solar power systems installations. When about 8.5 more megawatts are installed in California, the rebate will go down to $2.20 per watt. The next step will take it down to $1.90 per watt. When we say, “The longer you wait, the lower the rebate,” we mean it! That’s why if you’re considering solar, we’re urging you to do it now. We can help you go solar. We are an exceptional solar power company that can help you with all the complicated paperwork involved in processing your rebate. Hurry, call today!
Open Space “Open” to Solar
In a ground-breaking move, Solar Electrical Systems asserted the Solar Rights Act to install a solar system on Thousand Oaks open space land owned by their clients. The solar electrical system cuts their electric bill by $2000 per month and the hot water system is saving them over $300 per month on their gas bill.
The customer had been trying to get permission to install solar on their open space land for five years. Solar Electrical Systems worked with the Thousand Oaks building department and obtained the necessary approvals to move ahead with the project. This was the first time Thousand Oaks open space covenants were breached for solar.
SES is a solar power company with extensive knowledge in land use and zoning issues, and we take care of all the complicated paperwork and documentation for solar rebates in California and utility interconnection agreements. Plus, we handle the building department permit process and HOA approvals. We make solar simple for you.
No Electric Bill-No Gasoline Bill for 30 Years!
Your Total Solar Solution is a residential or commercial solar power system coupled with a plug-in or hybrid vehicle. The solar system provides clean, renewable solar energy for your home or office, and allows you to use that same solar energy to charge your vehicle at night. New utility time-of-use electric rates magnify your savings, because you get the most credit for the solar energy you feed back into the grid during peak middle-of-day use hours. When you charge your vehicle at night, you pay the lowest electric rates and charge your car with your solar system’s credits. Adding one kilowatt to your solar electrical system will provide you with enough additional energy for 30 solar powered miles per day.
Business Had a Good Year? Go Solar and Save!
The new 2007 California Solar Energy Initiative offers business owners unbelievable incentives to go solar. When you generate power with a solar electrical system, the utility company pays you 3 times what you are currently paying them. For an average-sized system, that can mean up to 60% of the system’s cost. All you have to do is go solar with a commercial solar power system.
You can also enjoy:
- 30% Federal Tax Credit
- 5-year MACRS Depreciation
- 5 to 12-year Accelerated State Depreciation
- Section 179 (up to 112K the first year)
- 5-year Return on Investment
Your best tax strategy now is buy solar and save!
Bear’s Corner-Summer Maintenance Tips
Some simple maintenance on your solar electrical system can make a big difference in the system’s output. Here’s what you need to do now to get the best performance:
The panels of your residential or commercial solar power system should be cleaned regularly. If you live in a very dusty area, clean them once a month. Otherwise, cleaning every three months should be sufficient. Don’t wash your panels in the heat of the day. Cold water on hot panels can cause them to crack. You can clean your panels with a power washer, a scrub brush, or a string mop.
If your inverter has a heatsink, make sure it’s clean. But the most important thing to remember is … be careful on your roof!
Solar Electrical Systems
Solar Electrical Systems has designed and installed over 8 megawatts of solar power systems since 1978. They are Southern California’s largest and most experienced full-service licensed solar contractor, with over 800 commercial and over 200 residential solar power systems. They have helped over a thousand customers reduce or even eliminate their electric bills. Solar Electrical Systems has earned a Triple-A rating from the Better Business Bureau. Call us or visit our website today.
