5 Tips for Converting your Home to Solar

As costs rise for families, and challenges in the economy become more widespread, there is a simple, common sense way for families to save money: going solar.  New financing programs offered in conjunction with cities offer the opportunity to install a solar energy system on your home with no money down, and savings on electricity bills can pay for a system in as little as four years.  Alan H. Lee, CEO of Irvine-based solar solutions provider ecoSolargy (www.ecoSolargy.com), reported, “Going solar is a common sense choice for many Southern California families.”

The solar energy industry is competitive, and quality and cost of installers varies.  Here are five common sense tips to convert your home to solar:

#1 Shop Around

Compare several solar installers in your area.  Each region of the country has its own microclimate, and installers who have worked in an area get skilled at positioning solar panels for their maximum effectiveness.  In Orange County, for example, because of “June gloom” solar panel installers position panels facing slightly to the west. 

Take advantage of the many ratings or reviews offered on Yelp or Facebook.  Ask your friends who have gone solar for their recommendations.  Or, Lee recommended calling a solar panel manufacturer like ecoSolargy and asking for a list of quality solar installers in your area.  Some companies even offer referral rewards.

#2 Meet Prospective Installers

Invite at least three prospective installers to your home to offer you bids.  Make sure the company has the proper licensing, and is bonded and insured. 

Have your utility bills on hand.  An installer can look at your usage patterns and design the optimal system to offset your most expensive power usage.  While a larger firm may offer stability, a smaller company might have the agility to personalize an optimal design for your home.

 #3 Remember all Solar Panels are not Alike

Solar panels can vary significantly in terms of efficiency and quality.  Ask your installer what he thinks the best choice for your home is.  Most panels have a 25-year warranty; some have special features such as self-cleaning.  Some panels will blend in better with your home.  ecoSolargy, for example, offers a black on black panel in its Giving Children Hope Series which is much more aesthetically appealing than traditional panels.  Other panels can be purchased in conjunction with local charities, so a portion of the electricity savings can be donated to the homeowner’s charity of choice.

Once you’ve made your choice, a typical solar system can be installed in about a week.  Installers need access to your roof and electricity meter.  While rain will help keep your solar panels clean, remember that even panels with self-cleaning features should be professionally cleaned periodically.

#4 Explore your Financing Options

A solar system can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so taking advantage of government-supported financing systems can help you maximize your savings when going solar.  One of the most exciting new programs is HERO financing (www.heroprogram.com), which is offered in many California cities.  A homeowner can install solar panels on his home with no money up front, and apply his electricity savings each month to the cost of his solar system until the system is completely paid off.  Should the homeowner move before the system is paid off, the financing can be transferred to the new homeowner.  A typical solar system can be completely paid off in four to eight years, making solar affordable for even homeowners of modest means.

#5 Know it is your Right to Go Solar

By California law, every homeowner has a right to install solar panels on his home.  Homeowner associations can place some limitations on how you position particular panels—so that, for example, they are not readily visible from the street—but you cannot be prevented from installing a solar system even if you live in the most restrictive of condo associations.

If homeowners take the time to do the needed research, installing a solar system can be an excellent choice for many California families.  If you take advantage of the financing opportunities available, it offers substantial cost savings and makes a positive impact on our environment.  ecoSolargy’s Lee concluded, “Solar works.  Not only does it help save our environment, but with the money saved on utility bills, parents can have more money to devote to the needs of their children.”