Solar isn't just the answer to all of our power needs, a properly sized photovoltaic array turns your roof space into an income generator. While many people imagine selling power back to the utility, however, your objective is merely to maximize the payoff of what your system produces.

There are two approaches to this, both of which are detailed in our solar classes.
The key determinant is roof space. With a tiered billing rate, the more  you use, the more you pay, so a small system will knock the most expensive electricity off of your bill. With Time of Use rates you eliminate your bill entirely, by generating a credit in the summer while the price of electricity is highest. This page will give you some good basics, but we've invested much more time in our class.

Solar isn't just the answer to all of our power needs, a properly sized photovoltaic array turns your roof space into an income generator. While many people imagine selling power back to the utility, however, your objective is merely to maximize the payoff of what your system produces.

There are two approaches to this, both of which are detailed in our solar classes.
The key determinant is roof space. With a tiered billing rate, the more  you use, the more you pay, so a small system will knock the most expensive electricity off of your bill. With Time of Use rates you eliminate your bill entirely, by generating a credit in the summer while the price of electricity is highest. This page will give you some good basics, but we've invested much more time in our class.

Power Bill - Rate Tiers - System Sizing
The PG&E website is loaded with information about how to read your bill. Your exact usage allowances are based on your location. In any case, a solar array that offsets your Tier 5 usage pays you 36 cents per kWh. When it is offsetting your Tier 1 usage, it's paying you 11 cents per kWh. When you think about return on investment, this is a prime consideration. Customers who regularly wind up in Tier 3 or above should seriously consider a solar system. However, with Time of Use Metering, eliminating even a small bill is a good investment. To fully understand these rate structures, watch our classes. We'll need a copy of your billing history, so follow these instructions to get a copy from PG&E.
Energy Audit
In order to receive your rebate from PG&E, you need to contact them to schedule an energy audit. This free service will help you understand how your home consumes energy, and how to apply conservation measures to minimize your use. While we'd love to sell you a system, the fact is that dollar for dollar, Conservation is King, and Power Production is Prince. That said, many homes are are fairly efficient and can make good use of solar technology. The DOE has great information on audits

Site Assessment
Looking back to our Insolation page, you'll get and idea of the primary concerns, Azimuth, Pitch, and Shading. While the systems we offer can work with multiple roof facings, the roof structure itself, it's accessibility, obstructions such as gables and dormers, and shading from neighboring objects all play a crucial role.

Google Earth
While a compass gives you the exact heading of your roof faces, a look at Google Earth can tell you a lot about your roof, including accessible area for a system. We're finding their coordinates to be somewhat inexact, however, so take a look and see if your address matches your house.

System Size Estimating (A bit of math here)
Having added your annual power usage and calculated the monthly average, and considered future changes (larger or smaller family, electric car or heat) you can determine what system size will work most effectively. Subtract your Tier 1 allotment from your monthly average, divide the remainder by 30 (the days in a month) and divide that number by 5 (the average hours of sunlight in a day, year round). The remainder will be the best size for your system, in kilowatts. Too complicated? Don't worry, we'll take care of it.    

Roof Space and Condition
Panel outputs currently equal about ten watts per square foot, so a 4 kW system needs 400 square feet of accessible roof space. While our professional mounting hardware is approved by all international roofing codes to work seamlessly with all roof substrates, and is guaranteed for 10 years or more, your roof's current condition is a major factor. A solar array can extend your roof's life for many years, but if you're at the third level of re-shingling, or have structural issues that need resolution, we rely on BBB Gold Seal roofer Central Bay. A solar system that is mounted under a new roof is warranted with the roof.

Electric Service Capacity - Your electric panel has a current rating, in amps. This is the maximum amount of power that can be fed through your system. We'll need to check your load capacity to know that the draw from your house leaves enough room for the feed from the inverter. In some cases, such as this Federal Pacific Panel, an upgrade to your electrical panel is required.

Bid
Once we've assessed these factors, we can get you an estimate. It will explain the system and it's benefits, as well as give you a complete financial analysis. From there, your deposit secures your spot in our schedule and we get to work powering you up.

Finance
Sun's Free is proud to team with Clean Power Finance for all your residential and commercial needs. We also work directly with Bank of Alameda to provide direct, local financing for our clients. If you need financing for a solar array, contact Ana Long at (510) 748-8402.

Rebate Application
Once you've signed your contract, we can apply for your rebate, this will get you in the queue for a rebate at the current level. As time goes by, the rebate pool shrinks, and the rebate levels drop, so getting your request in as quickly as possible is important. Sun's Free will generate all the paperwork so that the check will come to you as soon as the utility processes your completion (usually 4-6 weeks after inspection).

Installation
The installation process is fairly straightforward. Our crew will install roof mounts, rails (racks if necessary), and panels, while leaving no trace on your roof. Our licensed electricians will wire the system into your existing electrical service, and set up any monitoring equipment.

Site Inspections
Once your local Building and Fire inspectors have signed off on the installation, the PG&E will make it's inspection, and sign the final form, your Generator Interconnection agreement.

Now you can watch the meter spin backward!

Rebate
In 4-6 weeks, you'll receive your rebate check from the utility. You'll also be able to apply your $2,000 tax credit to your upcoming tax bill, or extend it for several years until it's used.

Power Bill - Rate Tiers - System Sizing
The PG&E website is loaded with information about how to read your bill. Your exact usage allowances are based on your location. In any case, a solar array that offsets your Tier 5 usage pays you 36 cents per kWh. When it is offsetting your Tier 1 usage, it's paying you 11 cents per kWh. When you think about return on investment, this is a prime consideration. Customers who regularly wind up in Tier 3 or above should seriously consider a solar system. However, with Time of Use Metering, eliminating even a small bill is a good investment. To fully understand these rate structures, watch our classes. We'll need a copy of your billing history, so follow these instructions to get a copy from PG&E.
Energy Audit
In order to receive your rebate from PG&E, you need to contact them to schedule an energy audit. This free service will help you understand how your home consumes energy, and how to apply conservation measures to minimize your use. While we'd love to sell you a system, the fact is that dollar for dollar, Conservation is King, and Power Production is Prince. That said, many homes are are fairly efficient and can make good use of solar technology. The DOE has great information on audits

Site Assessment
Looking back to our Insolation page, you'll get and idea of the primary concerns, Azimuth, Pitch, and Shading. While the systems we offer can work with multiple roof facings, the roof structure itself, it's accessibility, obstructions such as gables and dormers, and shading from neighboring objects all play a crucial role.

Google Earth
While a compass gives you the exact heading of your roof faces, a look at Google Earth can tell you a lot about your roof, including accessible area for a system. We're finding their coordinates to be somewhat inexact, however, so take a look and see if your address matches your house.

System Size Estimating (A bit of math here)
Having added your annual power usage and calculated the monthly average, and considered future changes (larger or smaller family, electric car or heat) you can determine what system size will work most effectively. Subtract your Tier 1 allotment from your monthly average, divide the remainder by 30 (the days in a month) and divide that number by 5 (the average hours of sunlight in a day, year round). The remainder will be the best size for your system, in kilowatts. Too complicated? Don't worry, we'll take care of it.    

Roof Space and Condition
Panel outputs currently equal about ten watts per square foot, so a 4 kW system needs 400 square feet of accessible roof space. While our professional mounting hardware is approved by all international roofing codes to work seamlessly with all roof substrates, and is guaranteed for 10 years or more, your roof's current condition is a major factor. A solar array can extend your roof's life for many years, but if you're at the third level of re-shingling, or have structural issues that need resolution, we rely on BBB Gold Seal roofer Central Bay. A solar system that is mounted under a new roof is warranted with the roof.

Electric Service Capacity - Your electric panel has a current rating, in amps. This is the maximum amount of power that can be fed through your system. We'll need to check your load capacity to know that the draw from your house leaves enough room for the feed from the inverter. In some cases, such as this Federal Pacific Panel, an upgrade to your electrical panel is required.

Bid
Once we've assessed these factors, we can get you an estimate. It will explain the system and it's benefits, as well as give you a complete financial analysis. From there, your deposit secures your spot in our schedule and we get to work powering you up.

Finance
Sun's Free is proud to team with Clean Power Finance for all your residential and commercial needs. We also work directly with Bank of Alameda to provide direct, local financing for our clients. If you need financing for a solar array, contact Ana Long at (510) 748-8402.

Rebate Application
Once you've signed your contract, we can apply for your rebate, this will get you in the queue for a rebate at the current level. As time goes by, the rebate pool shrinks, and the rebate levels drop, so getting your request in as quickly as possible is important. Sun's Free will generate all the paperwork so that the check will come to you as soon as the utility processes your completion (usually 4-6 weeks after inspection).

Installation
The installation process is fairly straightforward. Our crew will install roof mounts, rails (racks if necessary), and panels, while leaving no trace on your roof. Our licensed electricians will wire the system into your existing electrical service, and set up any monitoring equipment.

Site Inspections
Once your local Building and Fire inspectors have signed off on the installation, the PG&E will make it's inspection, and sign the final form, your Generator Interconnection agreement.

Now you can watch the meter spin backward!

Rebate
In 4-6 weeks, you'll receive your rebate check from the utility. You'll also be able to apply your $2,000 tax credit to your upcoming tax bill, or extend it for several years until it's used.