Solar Electric

A-1 Energy Solutions

Design By Dancing Dragon Design

Hosted By The Mountain Connection

What is a Solar Electrical System?

A Solar Electrical System is a device that generates electricity when exposed to the sunlight. It literally spins the electric meter backwards, providing you free solar electricity day and night!

How does solar power work?

Silicon wafers laminated under non-reflective glass in solar panels collect photons from the sun, and turn this into DC electrical power. This power then flows to an inverter, which converts and transforms it into usable voltage and AC electrical power.

What kinds of systems are available?

There are two basic types: bill reduction and blackout protection. There are many different solar power system designs including ground and patio mounts, metal, round, and tile roof mounts, and sophisticated commercial building designs.

What kind of Solar Systems do you offer?

We offer strictly residential solar power and specialize in strictly solar electrical systems and we pride ourselves in providing "Grid-tied" and "Grid-tied with batteries" photovoltaic (PV) power systems.

What is the difference between a Grid-tied and a Grid-tied system with batteries?

A Grid-tied photovoltaic system produces solar electricity during the day and spins your utility meter backwards for you to use free electricity during the night. A Grid-tied Photovoltaic system with batteries provides the same benefits as the system without batteries but, this system will provide limited electricity if the grid fails. The usual protected circuits are refrigerator, telephone, alarm and entertainment circuits. The system provides enough electrical power to provide emergency lighting and minimal comforts during prolonged electrical outages.

What are the economic benefits of a Solar Electrical System?

A solar electrical system protects you from future rate increases and allows you to “fix” your utility rates for the next 30+ years. Systems are designed to lower—or in many cases eliminate--your monthly electric bill! For California customers, the benefit is obvious.

How much do these solar power systems cost?

It depends on your electrical usage and your service area. For example a 3kW solar system in California would remove the majority of a $100.00 per month electrical bill. Winter months are a little less and summer months a little bit more. Unless you use electric heat. These numbers vary widely depending on your home. We recommend an in home evaluation to consider all the alternatives.

A 3kW Grid-tied system costs approximately $x to install after California rebate but before any tax incentives. California rebates depend on your service area and purchasing entity. For example, if you lived in the Southern California Edison, PG&E or SDG&E service area, you would receive a $2.60 a watt rebate. If you live in the LADWP area you would receive $3.00 a watt rebate. If you were to purchase this solar power system as a business you would receive an additional 30% Federal tax credit and accelerated depreciation for State and Federal on the balance. Of course, this would be different for each person and tax bracket, and should be examined by your tax professional...but you get the idea. We're looking at a 3-7 year break-even and a positive cash flow for 30 years. Another benefit here is solar power systems are exempt from property taxes, a good thing to remember when the tax man cometh. Fax electrical bill with contact information for a cost analysis.

How long do these systems last? What is the warranty on these systems?

Photovoltaic systems have been around for 30 years so far and the original systems are still working just fine. Yet the accelerated testing is giving us numbers like 40-42 years with a 2% per decrease throughout the systems life. The limited warranty is X years on the solar modules and 5 years on the balance of system installation.

What is the maintenance on these systems?

These systems require little to no maintenance. Because there are no moving parts in a solar power system, there is nothing to go wrong. Basically, make sure the modules are clear of bird droppings and dirt and trees aren't shading the system. Also, make sure the system is putting out its proper power during the year by glancing at the metering system from time to time. Other than that... keep smiling every time you see the sun and knowing it is working for you all day long.

How much roof area do these systems take?

Typically, we need approximately 100 square feet for every kilowatt of photovoltaic system We also need South, West or East facing roofs that are not shaded between 9 am and 5pm. Our solar power systems can be flush or tilt mounted and uses light to generate power, not heat.

Does a solar electrical system have enough power to run all my major appliances?

A solar electrical system is connected to your electrical main and is designed to offset all power usage within your home or building—this includes air conditioning and all major appliances!

Do I need batteries?

No, the most popular systems sold in California do not have batteries and are designed specifically to lower or eliminate electrical bills only. However, batteries are an option for solar power systems designed for blackout protection, so when power goes out the batteries will operate special isolated circuits in your home, and your “power” stays on!

What do I do next if I want to see about getting a system on my house?

To get a twelve-month history contact your utility suppliers web site and request a twelve-month history via e-mail or fax it to us for a free evaluation.

How does the whole process work to get started?

Once we review and analyze your current monthly electricity usage and bills, we talk about your needs based upon your budget and how much savings you would like to receive from solar power, we visit your California home or business, determine structural qualifications, placement, etc., and then we make a system recommendation. It’s that simple!