Posted by Steven Teneriello on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 @ 04:45 PM
The first step in making the move to go to solar energy is, of course, making the commitment. The next step is to find a solar panel system that fits within your budget, and to make sure that you account for all of the other components of the system. Once you have done both, you are ready to plan your Menlo Park solar panel installation. This is a very involved step that requires a lot of special attention. Some of the things you need to do to complete this step include:
Identifying what size system your home needs
This is a fairly straightforward step, but it is fairly involved. First, look at your energy bills for the past 12 months and determine how much power you’ve used. The size of the system that is right for you depends on whether you want to eliminate your electric bill entirely, or you are simply looking to lower the bill. Next, take a close look at your roof in order to see how much space you will have available for the installation of the panels. At POCO Solar, we will not only be glad to help you determine the size of installation that is right for you, but the type of solar panel that is right for your needs as well.
Selecting the right equipment
Choosing the right type of solar panel you want for your Menlo Park solar panel installation involves taking into consideration several factors, including the budget you’re working with, the level of efficiency you’re looking for, and the amount of shade your home receives. You next need to determine the number of power inverters that you need. Power inverters convert a home’s DC power into AC power; each inverter can handle a certain amount of energy emitted by a certain number of solar panels. Next, you need to determine where you want to place the inverters and whether or not your roof will allow for expansion of your system in the future.
Deciding your budget
There are several financing options you will need to investigate, because a Menlo Park solar installation can run into the thousands. Even if you are fortunate enough not to need that financing, there are still advantages to leasing panels and buying them.
Deciding on the right installer for your solar power system
When it comes time to determining what company you believe is right for your Menlo Park solar panel installation, you should conduct some thorough research. Do an Internet search and look for positive reviews on the companies that are worthy of your consideration. Then, call those companies and ask to speak with customers who have had an installation similar to what you will need to you can ask them personally about their experience. This is a very, very important decision, so you have to be extremely careful in choosing a qualified installer.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by jonathan gonzalez on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 @ 04:41 PM
When you decide to make the commitment to solar energy, it is obviously not one to take lightly. After you have made sure that you have accounted for all the components of your system, and made sure that your solar panel system will work with your budget, the next step is planning for your San Jose solar panel installation. This requires a great deal of attention, and here are some of the things you need to do.
Determine the right-sized system for your home
While this is a fairly involved step, it is one that is pretty straightforward. Take a look at your energy bills over the past year to determine the amount of energy that you have consumed. You then need to decide whether you want to simply reduce your energy bill or you want to eliminate it altogether, because the answer will determine the size of system that you need. Then, inspect your roof closely to determine how much space you have for the panel installation. A POCO Solar representative will help you determine the kind of solar panel that is right for you, and will also help you determine the size of installation that you need.
Choose the right equipment
A critical part of planning for your San Jose solar panel installation is selecting the correct type of solar panel for your needs, and there are several factors you must consider when making that determination. You need to consider your budget, the amount of shade received by your home, and the level of efficiency that you want. Next you need to determine how many power inverters you need for your installation. A power inverter converts the DC power of a home into AC power, and each inverter can handle a particular amount of energy that a certain number of solar panels emit. You then must decide where you want the inverters placed, and whether or not your roof has enough space to allow your system to expand at a later date.
Determine your budget
A San Jose solar panel installation can run into the thousands, so you will probably want to look into several financing options. However, even if you are not in need of financing, there are still advantages to both buying panels and leasing them that you should explore.
Choose the right installer
This is probably the most important component of planning for your San Jose solar panel installation. You need to do some detailed research; do an Internet search and look for installers that have positive reviews. Call those providers and ask for the contact information of customers who have provided those reviews so you can get detailed information on how their experience went. Preferably, you will talk to customers who had an installation similar to the one you are considering. Again, this is a crucial decision, so you need to take extreme care and make sure the installer you choose is qualified.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by jonathan gonzalez on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 @ 02:39 PM
We are fortunate in Southern California to be able to have a progressive utility like Southern California Edison serving us. While you may have had your issues with the utility, like people across the country have with theirs at one time or another, there is no disputing the fact that SoCal Edison is an innovative provider that is constantly looking to diversify the means that they generate electricity through renewable and sustainable forms of energy. And they continue to invest millions in smart grid technologies that will benefit everyone in the long term.
The downside, of course, is all of that investment costs a great deal of money, and SoCal Edison is a profit-driven enterprise, obviously. So that cost gets passed down to customers and makes your electricity bill rise.
Next year will be no exception, as rates will rise in 2012. But if you are considering a solar power installation for your home, this could be good news for you. We talk to scores of people on a regular basis about the benefits of turning to solar, and many times we point to ever-increasing electricity costs. These costs tend to rise gradually over time; the current rate increase will, according to how much power you use, raise your bill somewhere between $3 and $10 a month. And SoCal Edison is not alone, as several other utilities will be raising rates as well, including San Diego Gas and Electric and Pacific Gas and Electric. It’s simple economics – as demand for a product goes up, so does its’ price.
When you make an investment in solar power, your monthly electric bills are either reduced significantly or eliminated entirely. As soon as you receive your first bill after your installation, you begin to see return on investment. And one that investment has been paid back, then you will see even more substantial savings. And when rates increase, as they soon will, those savings only get better.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by Steven Teneriello on Thu, Jan 05, 2012 @ 04:06 PM
A solar inverter converts electricity generated by your solar panels (this is direct current, or DC, power) into power that can be used in your home for your computer, television and other wired products (this is alternating current, or AC, power). A solar panel cannot create AC power on its own; it needs help in the form of an inverter.
How AC power differs from DC power
In AC power, the current moves both forward and backward along a wire. In DC power, the current flows in just one direction. There are some products, such as light bulbs, that can run on either AC or DC power. However, electricity networks in the U.S. were built to use AC because that form of power can easily travel over long distances.
Devices that use DC power
It is true that televisions, phones and computers use DC power, and have to convert AC power back to DC power. That is what is going on in the small black box attached to the power cord of your laptop. However since the U.S. grid is designed for AC power, the products we buy are obviously also designed to use AC power. When a solar panel creates DC power, the inverter converts it to AC power so that it is compatible with the gird. That power is then inverted back to DC by the power supply on your electronic devices. Many countries use DC networks, but because we are in the U.S. we have to have inverters.
The efficiency of DC to AC (and back again) conversion
Usually, inverters have about 95 percent efficiency, meaning the conversion of DC to AC results in only about a 5 percent loss of power. Converting from AC to DC, however, is less efficient and results in anywhere from a 10-40 percent power loss. This is the case whether you are getting your power from the grid or your solar power system. If the black box on your laptop power card is hot to the touch, that means the conversion from AC to DC is low in efficiency.
The different kinds of inverters
The typical home has a central inverter, a box that converts DC power to AC. Many homes have that box on a garage wall. There are newer kinds of inverter, called a “micro inverters,” that work independently from each other and are located under each solar panel. These inverters take longer to install and are more expensive.
If you have any questions in regard to power inverters or any other components of a solar power system, please call POCO Solar at (408) 970-0680.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:53 PM
It happens at the worst time. You neglect to charge your smartphone or your laptop computer, and it runs out of juice when you need it the most, and you have no access to an electrical outlet. However, that problem may eventually be a thing of the past, thanks to solar energy and work being done by researchers with the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.
According to a recent story that appeared on the Science Daily website (www.sciencedaily.com), the UCLA researchers have created a way for electronic devices to harvest and recycle energy. By equipping these devices’ liquid crystal display (LCD) screens with photovoltaic (PV) polarizers, they will be able to convert not only sunlight, but also ambient light and their own backlighting into electricity.
Just about every portable electronic device on the market today has some form of LCD display – it is found on tablet computers, laptops, monitors, smartphones and television screens. These LCDs consist of two polarized sheets of material that let a certain amount of backlight emitted by the device pass through. Between the two polarizers are located miniscule liquid crystal molecules. These crystals can be manipulated by small transistors to act as light valves, which let a certain amount of backlight escape.
But the UCLA team has developed a new kind of polarizer for LCDs, one that harvests energy. It is called a “polarizing organic photovoltaic,” and can work as a polarizer, a PV device and a sun-powered or ambient light PV panel simultaneously. Basically, according to the Science Daily article, the polarizers can act in the same fashion as typical solar cells, turning indoor or outdoor light into energy. For example, an iPhone user could conceivably charge his or her device via sunlight instead of a wall outlet.
According to the article, today’s LCD polarizers are extremely inefficient. A backlight can consume up to 90 percent of a device’s power, but up to 75 percent of that light is lost through the polarizers. A PV LCD, however, could recoup much of that lost energy. The UCLA team is working to increase the efficiency of polarizing organic photovoltaics and hopes to work with device manufacturers to integrate the technology into retail products.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:51 PM
When considering Aptos home solar power, one of the first questions might be, “Will this work in my home?” There are also other considerations, such as the orientation of your home toward the sun and overhanging trees. But active and passive solar power systems can work under a wide range of conditions, with photovoltaic systems being especially more flexible than most people may think. There are still, however, quite a few factors when deciding if Aptos home solar power is right for you. Here are a few of them.
- Closeness to the power grid – If your home is more than a half-mile from the nearest power line, you may be better off using an off-the-grid solar power system with a combination of active and passive technologies.
- Electricity costs – California has some of the highest electric rates in the country, making an Aptos home solar power system a very good investment.
- Financial incentives – California is one of the leaders in providing financial incentives to homeowners who install a solar power system. Contact POCO Solar to learn more.
- Shade – One factor that is always present in regard to the use of a photovoltaic system is that of shade. If you are in an area that is heavily wooded, then you need to decide if the trees blocking the potential part of your roof that will house the PV panels need to be cut back or removed. If you are in a denser neighborhood, the trees blocking your roof may not be on your property, and thus you may not be able to have them altered. There are some systems with a set of panels mounted on a backyard tracking system that can be as effective as a roof system. Solar meters can tell you not only the amount of sun a certain position is receiving, but can also project the level of sun expected to be in that location for the whole year.
- Roof pitch and direction – Regarding direction, south facing roofs are better for solar panels, but systems can still produce ample output if they don’t face that direction. Even if a roof is 45 degreesoff due south, the reduction in electricity production will only be about 4 percent. Regarding pitch, a 30-degree angle is recommended but not necessary. A pitch of even 45 degrees can work.
If you have any other concerns or questions regarding your potential Aptos home solar power installation, please call POCO Solar at (408) 970-0680.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:51 PM
In order to get the most out of your Monterey solar water heater installation, you need to have a large enough area for the solar collectors, and an area that provides the proper sun exposure. It would be ideal if you have a flat roof, because it is very easy to orient the collectors so that they directly face the sun. If you have a pitched roof, it is best that the collectors are installed on the south side.
The size of the area depends on the amount of hot water you need daily. It will also depend on the kind of collectors that are used, your geographic location, and the orientation of the collectors.
There are two kinds of solar water heater systems; active and passive. An active system does not require a tank located on the roof and uses a small pump to circulate the water that is heated through solar power. A passive system does not use a pump, but the tank (or tanks) has to be installed on the roof.
If you choose to use an active system for your Monterey solar hot water heater installation, then you will more than likely not need structural calculations or roof bracing because the weight of the collectors used are normally well within the load limits of the roof. If you want a passive system, however, some simple structural bracing may be needed.
Maintenance and operation
You will probably not have to do very much, if anything at all, once your system has been installed and in operation. Solar water heater systems are used year-round and are totally automatic. An active system has a small electronic control that has indicator lights that will inform you of any sort of malfunction. Make sure you do not ignore the instructions included in your system in regard to freeze protection, because freeze damage is possible anywhere in California.
If you have any other questions regarding a Monterey solar water heater installation, please contact the expert professionals at Poco Solar by calling (408) 970-0680 or (650) 324-0680. Let us put our 25 years of experience in the solar power industry to work for you.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:50 PM
The best economic option for heating your Salinas pool is by using solar energy. Over the life of your system, using solar power will be less expensive than propane, fuel oil or electricity. A Salinas solar pool heating system can pay for itself in as little as two years.
POCO Solar Energy is proud to be a FAFCO solar panel dealer. While traditional solar panels transfer energy only to the top 25 percent of a pool’s water, FAFCO technology exposes all levels of your pool’s water to the warmth of the sun.
If you are considering a Salinas solar pool heating system, you probably have quite a few questions. In this article, we will provide some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we receive.
Why should I heat my pool?
You have spent quite a bit of money on your Salinas swimming pool. By heating it you can enjoy that investment year-round instead of only for a few months. You can enjoy your pool in the evening after you come back home from work, earlier in the spring and later in the fall. That provides you more time to get great exercise and have fun doing it.
How much warmer can my pool get?
Salinas solar pool heating can raise the temperature of the water in your pool by an average of 10 degrees Fahrenheit over several days where the weather is good. To conserve that heat at night or when it is windy, you can put a “solar blanket” over the pool. That will also increase the effectiveness of your Salinas solar pool heating system.
What’s better, a solar pool heater or a gas heater?
Well, we’re biased, but we have several good reasons to believe solar is superior. First, the up-front costs of a solar pool heater can be significantly less than a gas heater, depending on the size of the pool. And when that solar heater is installed, the heat you receive is free because it comes directly from the sun. If you use a gas heater you are obviously paying the gas company. When you really need heat in the spring and fall, that solar energy is still free. Solar does not pollute the environment, either, and it can even cool your pool when the weather is hot.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:49 PM
Going solar in Carmel Valley means more than simply having a lot of photovoltaic cells attached to your roof. Before you make the investment, you should take steps now to start making your home more energy efficient. By doing so now, you can save even more money in the long run.
You may be surprised to know that nearly half – 40 percent – of the energy consumed by American homes is wasted due to several factors including poor insulation. By improving the efficiency of your energy use before going solar in Carmel Valley, you can not only reduce your energy needs but also the size of the solar energy system required for your home. And the smaller the size of the solar energy system, of course, the smaller the costs associated with that system.
Here are some ways that you can increase the energy efficiency of your home before you make the decision to go solar in Carmel Valley:
Use LED bulbs or CFL lights
Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs or compact florescent lights (CFL) are closer to incandescent bulbs then ever before – not only do they look more like those traditional bulbs, but they are also getting closer in terms of the warmth they produce. Traditional bulbs use six times more energy as CFLs. When you consider how many lights you have in your home, it’s pretty easy to see how much energy you’re wasting by not making the switch.
Turn off your lights
This is a basic one, but one that many people still ignore. It doesn’t matter what kind of bulb you use; if there’s no one in a room, it makes no sense to leave the light on. Either set up a rule in your house that the last person who leaves a room needs to make sure a light is turned off, or use motion detectors that turn a light on when a person enters a room and turns the light off when someone leaves.
Look for “phantom loads”
This term refers to the wasted energy that “bleeds” from TVs, DVD players, computers, cell phones, etc. Even when one of these devices is turned off, their charging systems remain on standby, wasting energy and money. You can easily get a power strip and turn that strip off when the devices are not in use to save money.
Use solar for heating your water
When the time comes for you to go solar in Carmel Valley, do not forget to switch to a solar hot water system. If you use electric coils to heat your water, that is very expensive an inefficient.
To learn more about increasing the energy efficiency of your home before going solar in Carmel Valley, please contact a POCO Solar representative.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.
Posted by steve coach on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 @ 02:48 PM
Here are some other questions we commonly receive from people who are considering a Salinas solar pool heating system.
Can I use my solar pool panels to heat my home?
No. Solar pool controls and panels are only designed to heat a large volume of water in a pool. It takes a different application of solar to heat a household space.
Do I need to use a pool cover with my Salinas solar pool heating system?
A pool cover is used to keep evaporation from taking place, especially during the nighttime hours. This cover traps the heat that has been accumulated during the day. A cover is a complement to your solar pool heating system. While the solar system actively adds heat during the day, the cover passively retains that heat at night.
Can a Salinas solar pool heating system also cool my pool?
If you run the system at night during the hottest portion of the summer, you can run your solar system to cool the pool several degrees should the right conditions exist. In addition, if your pool is too warm you should leave that solar blanket off during the nighttime hours so that heat can escape.
How much does a solar pool heater cost?
That depends on the size and location of the pool, the location of the solar panels, the temperature you want and the kind of pool equipment needed. There are far too many variables to give you a concise answer here; please contact a POCO Solar representative who can set up an appointment for a free analysis and estimate.
Can a solar pool heating system save money?
If you heat your pool with natural gas or propane, a solar heating system can pay for itself in as little as two years. If you do not use gas or propane, then while solar will not necessarily save you money, the pool will be useable for a larger portion of the year. And whether or not you use the pool you will still have maintenance costs associated with it. A Salinas solar pool heating system can allow you to enjoy your pool much more.
How long will solar pool heating equipment typically last?
Solar collectors made by FAFCO, which we sell exclusively, can be expected to last from 15 to 20 years. However, many FAFCO systems sold more than 20 years ago are still performing very well.
About Poco Solar: Poco Solar is a full service solar company that provides solar electric, solar pool heating, solar hot water heating and repair of solar systems in Monterey County, San Benito County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County. With more than 25 years of experience we have been helping Bay Area California residents stay comfortable, save energy and sell excess energy back to PG&E.