How To Finance Your Solar Power System
Investing in solar power is a smart financial decision that millions of homeowners and businesses are making. Most solar power systems last for 25 years or more and generate considerable savings on utility bills – sometimes completely offsetting your monthly costs! As with all investments, going solar comes down to dollars and cents. What is the best way to pay for solar power? Three options make it easy for you to finance your solar system. Which one is right for you? The Trifecta of Solar Financing Buy, loan, lease – these payment options aren’t new concepts to home or business [...]
Energy Storage in California: Rebates & Incentives
Are you a California homeowner who’s interested in using a solar storage battery system with your panels? Well, 2021 is your year. You now have more incentives to install a solar battery than ever before. The state’s top energy storage rebate incentive program, the SGIP, underwent a major overhaul recently that makes it easier for residents to save money on battery installation. Selling excess power back to the grid isn’t the only way homeowners can see a return on their energy investment. With this program, homeowners with a solar system have the opportunity to expand their system to include storage [...]
From Signing to Savings: 5 Steps to Switch to Solar
So, you’ve made the decision to switch to solar. Congratulations! You are just five steps away from soaking in all of the benefits that solar power can bring. As your installer, Synergy Power will be coordinating and taking care of the majority of the project. But understanding the process yourself will give you a good grasp on what to expect along the way. Step 1: Site Evaluation Before you sign your installation contract, your home will be assessed for solar panels. The initial assessment will determine your daily electrical usage, the [...]
Solar Tax Credit Extended: Act Now
In December 2020, Congress passed an economic stimulus package to help relieve the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in that package was a two-year extension to the federal solar Investment Tax Credit* (ITC). Originally set to phase out in 2022, the ITC is now available until 2024. That may seem like a long way off, but if you want to take full advantage of this tax credit extension, now is the time for action. What Is the Investment Tax Credit (ITC)? The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal tax credit for a percentage of the purchase cost of [...]
A Light of Hope
It’s the season to be thankful—and we’re thankful for so many things. We’re thankful for the California sunshine that powers our homes and businesses. We’re thankful for our wonderful team, who have worked tirelessly through the ups and downs to keep us powering through 2021. And we’re thankful for the opportunity to build a better future. But most importantly, we’re thankful for you, our solar family. Your shining commitment to becoming energy independent, reducing our collective CO2 emissions, and conserving our environment is a much-needed beacon of hope. You truly light up our lives. So from all of us to [...]
Solar Panels for Every Type of Roof
Lots of solar companies won’t install solar panels on special roofs. Why? The sad answer is sheer laziness! Contrary to popular belief, solar panels can be installed on a wide variety of roofs. But lots of solar companies turn away business from customers with anything but composite roofs. That's because special roofs, such as Torch Down, S-Tile, and Metal Tile, need a different type of racking system than the standard composition shingles. The work might take a bit more planning, effort, and time to install solar panels on a unique roof, and it does require alternative materials than a standard [...]
The (Solar) Train Is Leaving the Station
Get Your NEM-2 Status before It’s Too Late Big changes are ahead in the solar market... and they’re not good for consumers. NEM—net energy metering—is a program for solar owners to supply clean energy to the electric grid and sell over-produced power to the utility companies. But PG&E doesn’t like paying solar customers for stored power. The utility giant has lobbied for changes to this program, fighting to keep its stranglehold on consumers. The result is NEM-3, a new energy metering program that will alter PG&E's financial obligations to solar owners selling stored power. And, if history is any judge, [...]
Should You Buy or Lease Your Solar Panels?
One of the most important decisions to make when switching to solar energy is whether you should buy or lease your solar panels. There are clear benefits to both, but understanding their differences is crucial to determining which choice is right for you. Buying Solar Panels in Northern California The long-term value of a solar energy system largely depends on how it’s financed. Buying your system outright or acquiring a solar loan will yield the most savings. Typically, a solar system will cost between $15,000--$30,000. You can purchase it outright, or with a $0 down solar loan, pay for [...]
Alert! NEM-2 Savings Are Ending
There are major changes on the horizon that will impact how much you can save by going solar. The current net metering program, NEM-2, will be replaced by NEM-3 this year, and PG&E and the other big utility companies are pushing to reduce the cost-saving benefits solar customers enjoy. While we don’t want to be the bearer of bad news (who does?), it’s important to understand how NEM-3 could negatively affect you if you wait to go solar. Your ROI will decrease. The big utility companies suggested that “bill savings eventually cover the cost of the investment over the life [...]
Lights Out for 2020!
Wow, what a year it’s been. Things were a little different than we originally imagined but we’re finishing out 2020 with immense gratitude for our solar family. Because of this community, the installations we completed helped offset our carbon footprint, allowed you to become fully energy independent, cut down CO2 emissions, and conserved trees. Your contribution to the planet and future generations is not lost on us. As we wrap up the year, we hope that the rest of your 2020 is full of family time and relaxation. We’re excited to see what the new year holds. From the entire [...]
Recent Projects
