FAQs

Renewable energy refers to power harvested from natural sources, such as the sun, wind, or water, which are not in danger of being depleted. The five renewable energies are: Solar: power absorbed from the sun and converted to usable electricity through photovoltaic technology. Hydropower: power created by channeling water to generate turbine-produced electricity. Wind: power created by harnessing wind energy to generate turbine-produced electricity. Geothermal: power created by harnessing the steam given off when water is pumped onto underground rocks naturally heated by the earth’s core. Biomass: power created by harnessing the steam and heat given off by processing wood, green waste, garbage, or manure.

Most utilities in California currently offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your energy until you need it, virtually eliminating your electric bill. Net metering lasts for a whole year, so you can build credit in the summer for those darker winter days. It measures the difference between the electricity you buy from the utility and the electricity you generate with your solar panel system. When you are making more electricity than you are using, such as on summer days, your extra electricity automatically gets metered back (sold) to the utility grid. You receive credit for this power at the [...]

Economic benefits: Sunlight is free, abundant, and dependable. Unlike power from the utility company, solar energy is not subject to rate hikes. PV systems also allow for energy storage that can be used when needed (such as during a power outage) if installed with a battery backup. As far as the savings of installing a PV System, the payback on a loan will be significantly less than your current electric bill. Environmental Benefits: Solar energy is clean energy: no CO 2 emissions and no cleanup. Because solar energy is renewable, it can help slow down global warming and its negative effects.

Albedo – Ratio of light reflected from a surface. Alternating Current (AC) – An electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals. Altitude – Height of the sun above the horizon. Ampere (amp) – Unit of electric current (refers to flow of current); one ampere corresponds to a certain number of electrons passing a fixed point each second. Array – Photo-voltaic modules connected together to provide a single electrical output. Azimuth – Horizontal angle measured clockwise in degrees from a reference direction, usually the north or south point of the horizon, to the point on the horizon intersected by the object’s line of altitude. Cell – Basic [...]

It depends on how much electricity you use. Two homes the exact same size will use different amounts of electricity and therefore require different size systems. Major electrical loads within a home are air conditioners, electric heaters, pools, and other heating elements or motors. That being said, an average 2,500 sq. ft. single-family home uses about 5,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A 3 kilowatt (AC) system will generate nearly all the electricity required for such a home on an annual basis. Sometimes a PV system can be installed that is slightly over-sized to allow for the possibility of a growing [...]

With so many choices on the market and an ever-growing list of companies offering solar panels for your home or business, which solar panel system meets your needs in making the switch to solar? In answering that question, it’s important to get as much information about the product you are purchasing or leasing. Panel efficiency differs between manufacturers and so do product warranties. Solar power systems are designed and warrantied to produce a certain amount of energy, usually stated in kilowatt hours (kWh). As technology develops, this will require a smaller and smaller physical area, but it will produce exactly [...]

Solar panels generally require very little maintenance since there are no moving parts. A few times a year, the panels should be inspected for any dirt or debris that may collect on them. Always make sure you are safety conscious when inspecting panels and don’t take any needless risks! If your panels are too high up on the roof to see very well from the ground, use caution with ladders. For a general cleaning, simply use a standard garden hose to wash the face of the panels during either the early morning or in the evening. Avoid spraying cold water [...]

Since every customer’s needs are unique, the exact solar panel system cost will depend on system size, ease of installation, and state or local rebates or incentives. Each installation is custom built depending on the unique power needs of each residence. We’d be happy to provide you with a free quote over the phone at (866) 877-0901 FINANCING SOLAR POWER SOLAR FOR HOMES When purchasing, most people decide to finance a solar power system. However, you are welcome to pay cash, find your own financing solution, or use our lending program. Synergy Power offers several different lending options that are [...]

The sun transmits energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. When this radiation is absorbed by the solar cells, a chemical reaction occurs, causing rapid electron movement. Because of the way the cells are manufactured with layers of material with differing atomic structures, the electrons are forced to move in one direction, creating direct current, or DC. It then flows into an inverter which converts the DC into alternating current, or AC, to be usable in your home or business. The best part is that sunlight is abundant and infinite, unlike fossil fuels which are definitely limited, not to mention [...]