How Does Solar Save Money?
We all know that using renewable solar energy helps protect our natural resources. But it also allows you to take advantage of the financial benefits that come with it—from increasing the value of your home to getting tax rebates and saving some cash on everyday activities.So what does that look like in action? Here’s a closer look at the benefits of a residential solar ecosystem:Solar Panels Increase Home Value: Average residents of northern California pay over $300 a month for electricity from PG&E. Going solar eliminates that bill, while at the same time increasing your home's value up to 7%.Battery Backup: Streamline and optimize your entire solar [...]
It’s Panel-Cleaning Season!
Over time, solar panels can get dusty, dirty, and covered in debris—just like the rest of your yard. This buildup can block those powerful photovoltaic cells, slightly decreasing your overall production. But here's the good news: a quick and easy cleaning can boost your efficiency by up to 10%. Spring is the perfect time to give your panels some TLC. And the best part? It's so simple, you can do it yourself! We just launched our NEW solar panel cleaning DIY tutorial that walks you through the process step by step. If you’d rather leave it to the pros, that's no problem. Contact us and we'll take care [...]
How to Clean Solar Panels: A Simple Guide
Solar panels are a brilliant investment in renewable energy, but keeping them in top shape requires a little effort. Dust, bird droppings, and even snow can reduce their efficiency. One study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) looked at the effect of dirt on solar panel efficiency. Energy lost annually to soiled solar panels was estimated to be up to 7% in the United States! That might not sound like much, but if you factor that over thousands of solar installations over years of time you can start to see that dirty solar panels can have a [...]
A Call for Help
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU What started as a promising solar upgrade for a Bay Area native quickly spiraled into a costly disaster. Sarah, a local resident, installed solar on her home in 2015. For years, she was very happy with her system. It was saving her thousands of dollars in electricity bills. However, in 2024, she realized that she needed more panels and a battery system to offset her increased energy needs. Since her original solar provider had gone out of business, she found a new company. They agreed to eliminate her annual true-up bill with an upgrade, [...]
Spring (Cleaning) Time Is Here!
Hey Solar Family, now that summer—and peak solar energy production season—is on its way, your panels might be due for some maintenance. We recommend cleaning your solar panels every one to two years to keep your system optimized. Over time, your panels gather dirt, dust, and debris, which reduces their effectiveness by blocking the photovoltaic cells. Thankfully, most solar panels are so easy to clean, you can do it yourself! Watch this instructional video about how to tackle the job on your own. Would you rather skip the chores and get right to your summer fun? Schedule a professional cleaning and we’ll handle it for you. Meet the [...]
Which Rate Schedule Is Right for You?
Have you taken a look at PG&E’s newest rate schedule increase this year, Solar Family? If you’re wondering which one is right for you, you’re not alone. Before you make any changes to your rate schedule, please talk to your solar professional first. We’ll help you find precisely the best (and most cost-effective) one for your energy needs. Remember, being on the wrong rate schedule can have serious financial consequences—so it's important to choose wisely. The Saga of Sammy Solar Sammy Solar is a homeowner living happily in California. This year, Sammy decided to lower his carbon footprint a step further by purchasing an electric [...]
Re-Energize Program
New 12-Year SolarEdge Inverter Warranty Whether you’ve got 1 year left or 11, get a fresh warranty with your purchase. Capacity for More Panels Add more panels to your system as desired—up to 200%! Expand Your System Add smart energy devices, home backup, EV chargers, load controllers, and more. Attention, all SolarEdge users! Anyone with a qualifying “older” SolarEdge inverter—installed before June 30, 2022—can now upgrade to a battery-ready Home Hub inverter at a serious discount. You’ll also get a NEW 12-year warranty and a 5-year cell plan, plus the ability to add more panels, a battery backup, and more. Contact us to find [...]
Your Solar vs. Winter Weather
If you thought our weather this year has been unusual, Solar Family, you’re absolutely right—and “unusual” might be an understatement. Between higher rainfall, milder temperatures, and even unprecedented snow in our area, we’ve seen weather records breaking all over. And your solar system might have seen a slight decrease in production because of it. Rest assured, your solar will still work—even under stormy skies. Just remember these key tips for getting the most out of your system in the winter: Conserve power by turning off lights when you’re not actively using them. Run appliances during the day to avoid evening peak usage. Be proactive with [...]
SOLAR SAVINGS ARE HERE TO STAY
Solar Family, if you’ve been considering switching to solar energy but are hesitant, now is a great time to make the switch. With California's net billing tariff (NBT) program, you can eliminate your electric bill and save thousands annually by installing solar for your home. Take a look at this real example from a recent homeowner who installed solar under the program through PG&E. REAL EXAMPLE Without Solar With Solar Monthly Bill $275–$679 $10–$20 Yearly Increase 4%–10% No Return on Investment No Yes Yearly Savings No Yes Like the example above, we'd like to help you and your family [...]
Your Summer Solar Checklist
Our good ol’ California sunshine has returned to the state. That means your solar panels should be working at peak production… provided everything is functioning as it should. To make sure you’re ready for the upcoming season, here are three ways to ensure you get optimal performance out of your solar system: Regularly check your monitoring. Log into your monitoring platform to ensure your system is producing and no alerts or errors are present. Check the status of your inverter, if possible. Each inverter is different. Depending on your specific system, you may have a display screen or indicator light that shows if your system [...]
We all know that using renewable solar energy helps protect our natural resources. But it also allows you to take advantage of the financial benefits that come with it—from increasing the value of [...]
Over time, solar panels can get dusty, dirty, and covered in debris—just like the rest of your yard. This buildup can block those powerful photovoltaic cells, slightly decreasing your overall production. [...]
Solar panels are a brilliant investment in renewable energy, but keeping them in top shape requires a little effort. Dust, bird droppings, and even snow can reduce their efficiency. [...]
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU What started as a promising solar upgrade for a Bay Area native quickly spiraled into a costly disaster. Sarah, a local resident, installed solar [...]
Hey Solar Family, now that summer—and peak solar energy production season—is on its way, your panels might be due for some maintenance. We recommend cleaning your solar panels every one to two [...]
Have you taken a look at PG&E’s newest rate schedule increase this year, Solar Family? If you’re wondering which one is right for you, you’re not alone. Before you make any changes [...]
New 12-Year SolarEdge Inverter Warranty Whether you’ve got 1 year left or 11, get a fresh warranty with your purchase. Capacity for More Panels Add more panels to your system [...]
If you thought our weather this year has been unusual, Solar Family, you’re absolutely right—and “unusual” might be an understatement. Between higher rainfall, milder temperatures, and even unprecedented snow in our [...]
Solar Family, if you’ve been considering switching to solar energy but are hesitant, now is a great time to make the switch. With California's net billing tariff (NBT) program, you [...]
Our good ol’ California sunshine has returned to the state. That means your solar panels should be working at peak production… provided everything is functioning as it should. To make sure you’re [...]