Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems use the sun’s energy to make electricity.  PV technology produces direct current electricity by collecting electrons freed by the interaction between sunlight and the semiconductor materials in a PV cell.

Solar cells made of silicone (sand) are the primary component of solar modules.  These silicone wafers or solar cells are coated with a positive coating on one side and a negative coating on the other. Very fine wires are placed across the top of the solar cell and when sunlight hits the cell, electrons flow from the negative side to the positive side of the wafer converting sunlight into DC electricity.  This is also known as a photovoltaic (PV) process.

 

However, your home needs AC electricity in order for the power to be used, so an “inverter” converts this DC power into AC power. Since solar cells only work when there is sunlight, your home is still connected to your utility's power grid; hence the term “a grid-tied system”.  The power grid acts like a large bank of batteries so during the day when the system is producing more power than your home is using, you are “charging” or putting electricity back into the power grid.  At night or high power demand times, you are “drawing” or pulling power from the grid so you are never without full power capability. Your meter will actually run BACKWARDS when this happens!  

A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your utility or electric service provider. A PV system can save you money on your electricity bill and act as a hedge against future price increases. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean, renewable and reliable. You help your community by reducing the electricity demand and provide additional electricity for the grid when you generate more than you use during the day, when this demand is highest.

Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west may be OK. If a rooftop is not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground.  If you have a location on your roof or land that is unshaded from 10:00am to 3:00pm each day, then solar can be a good investment for you! 

Arise Solar does not believe it is a good investment to replace all of your electrical needs with solar if you are grid-tied. (Unless that is you have an incurable disdain for your utility company or you just want to “put it to the establishment!).  You can size the system to match your electricity needs and budget with the following advice.  First, the average household in California uses about 6,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year which establishes a baseline usage. (This baseline amount is different per utility’s territory or region).  Normally, the cost for this baseline power is very low and does not make financial sense to replace this power with solar.  However, the upper electrical tiers such as PG & E’s residential E-1 rate are very expensive.  In fact, tiers 3-5 of this rate have gone up 247% since June of 2001.  This is where replacing this cost with solar gives you a great return on your investment!  Use the interface below to select the specific calculator that will determine the size of solar system needed:

 

Remember, you don’t want to over size your solar system for two reasons: First, the cost of electricity for the baseline amount is cheap power.  Don’t replace cheap power with more expensive power.  Second, your utility company WILL NOT send you a check for any additional power you generate above and beyond what your home uses.  However, on those sunny summer days, you may find that your system is generating more power then your home is using.  When this occurs, your meter will actually run backwards allowing you to benefit from “net metering.

A small PV system requires as little as 50 square feet; however, a larger system that meets the needs of a typical household, would use between 300 to 600 square feet. As a rule of thumb, 100 square feet of PV area produces one kilowatt of electricity.

If you’re like me, I like to be able to see how my solar system is performing no matter where I am at any time of the day or night. That’s why at Arise Solar, every one of our systems come standard with a web connected reporting service. This enables you to log on from any computer from any location with internet access to see what your system has done. Follow this link for information about this service from our preferred inverter provider, PVPowered.

 

You can also install batteries that can provide back-up power for your home or business in case of grid outages, but they also increase your costs by as much as $5,000 and need to be replaced every 6-8 years.

Although many factors affect the cost, an average PV system currently costs from $9 per AC watt for a 5.5 AC kW to $10.75 per AC watt for a smaller 2.2 AC kW system including installation before CSI rebate.  Use the interface below to select the specific calculator that will determine the size of solar system needed and a cost estimate:

 

 

YES! The California Energy Commission offers cash rebates on eligible PV systems for new homes under the NSHP (New Solar Home Partnership) and on retrofit systems on existing homes. Both programs are part of California’s Solar Initiative (CSI) in cooperation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

 

To find out more, click these links below:

 

          • Rebate amounts available:  CSI Statewide Trigger Point Tracker

          • Rebate information on new homes:  NSHP 2008 Handbook

          • Rebate information on existing homes:  CSI Handbook

Yes, In order to obtain your rebate for existing homes, a FREE energy audit must be taken through your participating utility company which can be done on line or over the phone.  You will then need to provide a letter stating what additional energy saving measures you will be implementing over the next year to obtain an additional 20% energy reduction.

 

Follow this link for more information on the 2008 Energy Efficiency Audit Requirements.

If you live in the electricity service territory of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, or Bear Valley Electric and you are installing a system of at least 1 kW, which is grid tied, you are eligible for a rebate.  You or your system retailer can apply for the rebate.

Yes, The IRS offers a Federal Income tax credit of 30% of the cost of the system with a cap of $2000. This can be taken right off your Federal Tax Liability at the end of the year. Go to the website of the DSIRE (Database of State
Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency) for more information on available tax credits and programs.  Another great tax advantage is the cost of your solar electric system is exempt from State property taxes.  How many other real estate improvements are TAX FREE?  SOLAR IS!

The best way to finance a PV system for your home is through a mortgage loan that includes a primary mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan secured by your property. Most of the time, 100% financing is available with no prepayment penalties.  You can install a solar system today with ZERO CASH OUT OF POCKET!One of the companies we recommend is Central Financial who specializes in solar electric system financing.  Contact them today to find out how easy it is to own your own system.

Your solar electric system will back feed on to the grid through your main electrical panel.  Normally this is done by simply adding another breaker to your panel.  However, sometimes it is necessary to increase the size of your main panel or connect through a “main line tap”.  Arise Solar will advise you of how this connection will be made after we have done a site survey.  Once your system is installed and ready to turn on, you must enter into an Interconnection Agreement with your utility to connect your system to the electric grid.  This agreement addresses the terms and conditions under which your system will be safely connected to the grid and specifies the metering arrangements (called Net Metering).   Arise Solar will handle all this paperwork for you during your installation process.

Learn more about the Emerging Renewables Program rebate, the state tax credit, and other helpful information from:

 

California Energy Commission Call Center: (800) 555-7794 or (916) 654-4058 for callers outside California.
E-mail: renewable@energy.state.ca.us
Website: consumerenergycenter.org

 

Or go to Helpful Links on our website.

Solar modules produce electricity that flows in only one direction.  From positive to negative or Direct Current (DC).  Your home however runs on electricity that flows in both directions or Alternating Current (AC).  An inverter is needed to change the DC power from the solar panels into AC electricity to power your home.  This AC power must also be “in phase” with the power supplied by the utility companies allowing it to be compatible with the electric power grid.

Net Metering measures the difference between the electricity you buy from your utility and the electricity your solar or wind system generates and feeds back to the electric grid over a 12- month period. Your meter keeps track of this “net” difference as your system generates electricity or uses electricity from the transmission grid. When you generate more than you use, your electric meter spins backward! 

 

Net Metering allows you to “bank” any surplus electricity your system generates on the electric grid.  For example, excess electricity might be generated during the day when your system produces more electricity than you use.  During this time, your meter would simply run backwards to record the amount of electricity your system has banked onto the grid.  Later, you can use an equal amount of electricity without incurring a cost.  If more electricity from the grid is used than your system has banked, your utility will charge you annually for the difference.  If your system produces more electricity than you need on an annual basis, your electric service provider may purchase it, but is not required to.  Check with your utility for their policy to buy your excess electricity.

You are eligible for Net Metering if you are an electricity customer in California and generate at least some of your electricity using solar or wind energy, or a combination of both, with a system capacity of one megawatt or less. Your electric generating system must be located on your premises and connected to the grid.

 

All electric utilities in California are required to offer “net metering” to their electric customers. Check with your local utility for more information on their “net metering” program.

Net Metering is a special metering and billing agreement between you and your electric utility. Normally your electric meter spins forward as it measures how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you buy, and is read by your utility monthly.

 

A Net Metering agreement allows you to use the electricity you generate first, reducing what you would normally buy from your electric utility. If you generate more electricity than you use, the excess goes through your electric meter and into the grid, spinning your meter backward. Your meter records the net
amount, measured as the difference between the electricity your system generates and the electricity you purchase from your electric utility.

Net Metering is a simple way to get the full value of the electricity you generate. For example, if you are a residential customer, you may not be home during the day when your system generates electricity. Net Metering allows you to “bank” this excess electricity on the grid, reducing or offsetting the electricity you would otherwise have to purchase.

 

Net Metering reduces the amount of electricity consumed at the higher rate above the “baseline” rate. The baseline is a set amount of electricity for your home or business; you are charged
a lower rate for each kilowatt-hour of electricity you consume below the baseline, and a higher rate above it. A properly sized system can offset most of your electricity needs. You are charged a lower rate for the electricity you purchase from your utility if your annual net consumption falls at or below baseline.

 

The Net Metering law has been expanded to allow “time of use” agreements that place a higher dollar value on electricity during peak times of high demand, such as on weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. during summer months. This could mean savings for you if your excess generation occurs during peak hours, and your
electricity use occurs mostly during off-peak or partial off-peak hours. If you generate more than you use during the afternoon, the electricity you put on the grid is valued at a higher price than electricity you consume in the late evening or early morning.

 

Net Metering offers additional benefits, depending on the size of your generating system. If you purchase a smaller, less expensive system, you could still offset most or all of your electricity bill because of the higher value of your excess electricity. If you purchase a larger system, you could “bank” your excess electricity on the grid and offset all of the electricity you would otherwise purchase from your electric utility.

Your utility will continue to read your meter monthly. Under a Net Metering agreement, you will receive a monthly statement indicating the net amount of electricity you consumed or generated during that billing period.

 

On the anniversary of your agreement, you will be billed for the net electricity you consumed for the previous twelve months. This is called your "true up" billing.  Please take a moment to read this information regarding the "true up" billing process, so that you fully understand how it works.  You may request the option of monthly billing.

 

Your utility is not required to pay you or credit your account for your excess generation each year. Contact your utility to discuss their policy and rates for purchasing excess generation.

To be eligible for a Net Metering agreement in California, electric generating systems cannot have a peak power output of more than one megawatt. Although a minimum size is not required, most residential systems range between two and four kilowatts. As long as your total system output is not greater than one megawatt, this modular approach is allowable.

Most residential and small commercial customers have simple meters that are bi-directional, capable of turning in both directions. Some electric utilities may want two meters for net metering, one to measure electricity going from the grid to your home or business, and one to measure the excess going from your system to the grid. If your electric utility wants two, unidirectional meters, they must pay for them, not you. If you enter into a time-of-use billing agreement, you must purchase a bidirectional time-of-use meter. Contact your electric utility for more information.

It’s simple. Contact your electric utility and ask about Net Metering. You and your utility must enter into an Interconnection Agreement, which will outline the requirements for safely connecting your generating system to the grid. Your electric utility is required to process Interconnection Agreement requests within 30 working days from the date your utility receives the completed application.

 

When connecting the system to your grid, your utility cannot:

     • Require you to purchase or pay for any meters beyond the simple, bi-directional meter that you probably        already have, with the exception of time-of-use meters.
     • Impose any requirements, standards, or tests on your system if it meets existing national standards for        grid-interconnected systems.
     • Require you to purchase any additional insurance.

• PG&E Net Metering Information

• SCE Net Metering Information