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Solar Expertise

Our team has decades of solar experience, from hardware and solar panel engineering to installation and troubleshooting in the field. 

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We work with our customers to design the best system for your needs, taking into consideration existing and projected electrical usage. 

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Services Include: Plansets, Permits, Materials, Installation, System Commissioning, NEM applications (PG&E), SGIP applications (for a fee), inspections, initial troubleshooting if required, and a 10 year workmanship guarantee.

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Why get Solar

  • Economic returns - solar and battery power cost less than utility power

    • PG&E rate: $.40/kWh

      • Increased 31% from 2009 to 2019

    • Solar: ~$.056/kWh with 30% tax credit

    • Battery: ~$.17/kWh with 30% tax credit

    • Solar + battery: ~$.23/kWh w/ tax credit

      • shifting consumption to match solar production gives the best return

  • Self sufficient, Emergency prepared, Sustainable

    • With a battery, your power will stay on through utility shut downs, wind storms, or earthquakes

    • Solar utilizes unused rooftop space to produce electricity

    • Solar shades your home and reduces heating

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Solar Panels

  • JA or QCells

    • We offer top rated modules from third party sources like the Kiwa PVEL Module Reliability Scorecard, RETC PV Module Index Report, and PV magazine

      • Both are top performers year after year

        • Lab tests for reliability (extreme temperatures, loading, hail resistance, and more)

Solar Panels
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  • JA is priced slightly better, efficiencies are 20.7% and 20.9% respectively

  • JA panels are made in Vietnam, QCells are made in the USA

  • Both offer 25 year power output warranties

  • Both offer a uniform black color 

  • Module reliability - modules don't fail, people fail

    • Most probable cause for field failure in CA residential applications is installer error

      • Scratched backsheets due to stacking or mishandling

    • We will install alternate brands by requests

Inverters - Tesla or enphase

Inverters
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  • Inverters convert DC electricity to 60 Hz, 240 V AC electricity for your appliances

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  • We recommend Tesla for most applications with good sun exposure to the South, West, or East

    • Tesla batteries (more below) include an inverter - one less thing to hang on the wall​

  • We recommend enphase for applications with lots of shade and lots of small arrays (<4 modules)

  • Tesla costs ~$.45/W less than enphase, $2,700 for a 6 kW system

  • Monitoring - comparable overall, enphase shows panel level which is typically useful for showing when inverters fail, so it’s not necessary for a string inverter like Tesla

  • Reliability & Maintenance are comparable for both at the system level.  Enphase inverters fail more but impact less.  Tesla inverters are easier to replace.

    • Expect to replace your Tesla inverter once over the system life

    • Expect to replace at least 20% of your enphase inverters over the system life

  • Warranty

    • Tesla offers 10 years

    • Enphase offers 25 years

      • Covers the product but inadequate for labor, and while enphase has high reliability for microinverters they have had product generations with high failure rates

      • We value performance more than promises

  • Politics vs. product

    • If you don’t like Elon we’ll use enphase

    • Both enphase and Tesla employ many good people here in Petaluma, both are headquartered in Fremont

Batteries

Batteries

Tesla, Enphase, and Franklin are our primary battery options, each offering distinct advantages. The ideal choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and desired level of backup.

  • Tesla for best overall value

  • enphase for heavy shade

  • Franklin for best generator functionality

Backup vs. Load Shifting:

  • Backup: Batteries with backup capabilities can provide power during grid failures, ensuring you stay on during emergencies

    • Our standard offering is for backup systems, let us know if you want load shifting only​

  • Load Shifting: These systems are primarily used to shift energy consumption to match solar production, reducing reliance on the grid and saving money

    • This can be a good option if you have reliable power, don't value emergency function, and want lowest costs​

Whole home backup vs. dedicated loads panel

  • Even large home batteries can be emptied by loads like an EV charger, swimming pool, or air conditioner​

    • If power goes out in the night and your car is charging, you could wake up to a dead battery

  • To reduce this possibility we can isolate critical loads to a specific panel, and leave off non-critical loads

  • The advantage of backing up everything is flexibility. In an emergency and with careful management you could run a water heater, clothes dryer, or some other load that may be taken off of a dedicated backup panel.  The risk is you aren't around or are asleep and it runs out.  In this case you'd have to wait until there was enough sun to recharge the battery adequately for restarting.

Battery Size and Configuration: 

  • Larger batteries can be operated at lower discharge percentages, extending their lifespan and reducing the overall cost of stored energy.

  • Backup Options: Choose from whole-home backup, dedicated load panels, or off-grid systems, depending on your specific needs and budget.

Compatibility:

  • Tesla includes an inverter and can work with other brands like enphase

  • enphase is only compatible with enphase

  • Franklin is compatible with other brands and offers more generator functionality

Key Considerations:

  • Emergency Backup: Assess your need for continuous power during outages. (we can help)

  • Load Prioritization: Determine which appliances or systems are critical to back up or assume the risks of load management if you choose whole home backup

  • Battery Size: Consider your energy consumption and backup duration 

  • Budget: Evaluate the upfront costs and long-term savings associated with each option

By carefully considering these factors, you can select the battery system that best suits your needs.​​

Tesla Powerwall 3 with Backup Switch

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Enphase IQ Battery with IQ System Controller

Mounting systems, Ground, Roof, Etc.

Mounting Systems

  • We install systems on your rooftop, the ground, car ports, even floating

  • Residential pitched roof mounting

    • Ironridge HUG - this product can be mounted directly to the roof deck eliminating the single largest source of solar caused roof leaks: missed pre-drill holes.  

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Off grid, other

Off Grid, Other

  • Estates

  • Cabins

  • Well pumps

  • RV's & campers

  • Custom engineered system solutions and products

  • We have decades of experience in solar products and roofing systems

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