The article reported:
With President Obama asking Congress for $6 billion for the Home Star retrofit program and Vice President Joe Biden promoting PACE programs as a means to finance home retrofits and repairs, everyone is going to start getting into manual labor and household repairs.

There are the policies that have been, or soon may be, enacted to provide the needed cash to get the trucks rolling. At least fourteen states and 30 municipalities have enacted PACE programs that allow homeowners to finance retrofits through property tax supplements. Renewable Funding, whose president Cisco DeVries helped created PACE, received $12.2 million in funds from Draper Fisher Jurvetson and other VCs recently. Citibank and other large banks are currently setting up programs to funnel credit to PACE programs.

"With a federal loan guarantee (for PACE programs), it can grow from a hundreds-of-millions to a $400-to-$500 billion program," Jack Hidary, a PACE advocate, told us last year. "It can also help the 1.5 million people out of work in the construction industry."

Want to go solar and don’t think you can quite afford it, still? Do you need a little more incentive than the

Residential Solar in Suisun installed by HelioPower

state and feds can give you (state rebate and federal tax credit)? How about looking into your local city and county programs? How about checking into Community Action of Napa Valley (CANV) and their “Napa Valley Solar Partnership” program?

The City of Napa, California has been looking for a way to take advantage of AB 811 and be one of the pioneers of citywide residential solar. Their sister county of Sonoma found a fabulous way to incent their green minded residents to go solar. It’s called “Solar Sonoma County.” Residents who go solar can receive a one- time loan for solar system purchase and pay it back over time through their property taxes. Sonoma County’s program kicked off fairly quickly and with great success due in part to the fact that their water district had funds available for the program. Unfortunately Napa City and County have not yet identified a funding pool for their own AB811 program.

In walks Jon Vaden, Director of CANV’s (Community Action Napa Valley) Napa Valley Solar Partnership Program. CANV applied for and received a federal grant to educate the residents of Napa Valley and get as many of them as possible to go solar before the end of 2010. The organization is trying to help all Napa County homeowners go solar, but also has a special emphasis on helping match low-income residents with available loan programs that can provide the upfront cost for solar.

With the grant in place Jon has set out on a trail of solar seminars around the valley called “Making Cents out of Solar” (with me, Solar Sarah, in attendance). He covers how solar works and how residents are connected with PG&E with their “net metering” agreement to buy AND sell energy back to the utility. He also goes over the programs and incentives available, as well as what to look for in a contractor. He explains to homeowners what to expect as it pertains to the process of bidding and installation – basically covering the ins and outs, from paperwork and permits to financing and commissioning your solar system. All of this is done from an educational standpoint with no pressure or steering to any one installation company. Of course I’m always ready, willing and able to schedule a site visit for those eager to get started!

CANV has a prescreened vendor list to assist Napa residents in choosing a qualified installer. Jon has vetted each company carefully, checking their contractor licenses and standing with the Better Business Bureau as well as the requirements of C-10 (Electrician), C-46 (Solar) and NABCEP certifications. The program requires that each company use screened employees and not sub-contractors or temporary workers, ensuring quality workmanship and professionalism from any company participating in the program.

HelioPower, Inc is proud to be a part of CANV’s Napa Valley Solar Partnership and I am privileged to attend every seminar and meeting. I’m Solar Sarah Madsen of the Napa Valley and you can find me at the weekly seminar spot, wherever that may be (find event listings on CANV’s website). I’m grateful to Jon Vaden for including us and believing in my commitment to service the Napa Valley and beyond. Everyone has worked together to create a successful program and it won’t work overnight, but your solar system doesn’t work overnight either  

Now let’s get going GREEN and GO SOLAR with SOLAR SARAH in the NAPA VALLEY!!

You can reach Sarah Madsen via email at solarsarah@heliopower.com.

The newest, most exciting trend in residential solar today is on the financing side. Leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) make solar available to almost every homeowner. Radio airwaves are thick with companies pitching “No Money Down” or even “Cash Back” offers.

A well structured solar financing agreement should be a Win/Win/Win proposition – A win for the homeowner who gets the benefits of low cost green solar energy without the relatively large upfront investment, a win for the solar installer who grows their business with new customers, and a win for the solar financing partner whose investors generate a steady revenue stream for years to come.

But just like every other offer that may come your way, the devil is in the details!

Solar is a long-term investment and you should be careful to make sure that you’re negotiating the best agreement possible with a reputable, experienced installer. When evaluating a financing proposal from a company, there are several things you should consider when reviewing their agreement.

First, if you are serious about going solar, ask the solar company’s representative for a copy of their agreement. If they are reluctant to provide this to you prior to signing up, be wary. Some companies will not even send out a representative unless you’ve committed to them! Reputable companies are transparent with their agreements and terms and conditions. They’ll strive to make sure you’re comfortable with them before asking you to sign a contract.

Next, see if you can determine how much they are they charging for the system and how much the buyout is at the end of the agreement. Many companies make this information very difficult to discover! One well-known nationally advertised company charges as much as 30% more per Watt than most installers for similar systems. After 10-20 years of making your monthly payments, are they asking you to pay almost half the original cost to buyout the system? Are you responsible for paying to remove the system should you choose not to buy it? Add up the total of the payments and the buyout at the end and see if this seems reasonable.

Are the payments fixed or do they escalate? If it’s a PPA, then the payments should be fixed at a reasonable kilowatt hour (kWh) price for the life of the contract. If it’s a lease, the payments should escalate at a no more than a nominal rate (2.5 – 3%/year) to cover inflation. Anything more than that sounds like a low teaser payment to get you contracted followed by an increasing rate of return for the finance company.

Virtually all homeowners are installing their very first system and are not familiar with the technology. One of the benefits of a financing agreement can be freeing the homeowner from the responsibility of maintaining and insuring a system. Well-structured agreements place the responsibility for the system with the system owner (the financing company) and also guarantee the amount of energy the system should deliver. If the financing company owns the system, but you’re still responsible for the maintenance, walk away!

Speaking of maintenance, what provisions does the finance company make for funding the maintenance? The best agreements stipulate that an appropriate amount of money is held separately ensuring your system is maintained for the duration of the agreement. This also protects you in the event that the finance company is sold, goes bankrupt, or sells your contract to someone else. The best contracts make it impossible for a company to separate the revenue stream (your payments) from the responsibility of maintenance.

Lastly, what options are available to you to get out of the contract?  If you move before the term is up, can you easily and at no cost transfer the agreement to the new homeowner?  Can you buy the system for a reasonable price at anytime? Can you pre-pay your remaining payments at a discount reflecting the reduced time value of money?  Can you continue on a year-to-year basis without purchasing the system when the initial agreement expires?

Remember, a good, flexible and equitable agreement allows a homeowner to get the benefits of low cost green power now at a fair price from a reputable installer with several options to transfer, buyout, or purchase the system. Read the fine print, ask lots of questions and, most importantly, if the representative is pressuring you to sign something you don’t understand, find another company!

Contact Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com

By Steve LoRusso

Vice President, Commercial Sales, HelioPower

Nonprofits have seemingly been out of the luck when it came to monetizing the 30% federal cash grant for renewable energy installations provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Tax disregarded entities have not been able to take advantage of the lucrative 30% treasury cash grant or the federal and state depreciation benefits (IRS 200 MACRS).  However with the participation of a lease partner, organizations that were previously left out of the ARRA funding picture now have a new opportunity to build solar power generating systems on their buildings utilizing the support of the ARRA cash grant for renewable energy installations. 

This solar financing structure involves an interested third party utilizing the tax incentives in the role of a Site-Delivered Equipment Provider.  The resulting solar financing product is much simpler and less costly to arrange than a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for smaller sized solar power installations. The minimum transaction size is $200,000.

This solar lease structure is available to well-established, creditworthy U.S. based companies and nonprofit organizations. It can also benefit municipalities, churches, schools, and 501c3 structured entities that want to leverage ARRA funds and state utility rebates to go solar. The effectiveness of this solar financing structure will be impacted by construction site considerations and the financial strength of the host as it would be in any other type of solar installation.

HelioPower is working with financial partners who are able to offer a low cost seven (7) year financing program for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to financially strong commercial firms and nonprofit entities in California and surrounding states. We work with our solar financing partners to provide 100% financing of a PV system at a fixed payment for 7 years with an 8.5 year amortization. Normally no additional collateral is required other than the solar equipment. The nonprofit entity applies to the U.S. Treasury for the 30% cash grant which, when received, is applied against the financing agreement.  Additionally the monthly lease payments required from the organization are offset for the first five years by the CA State Performance Based Rebate payments to the property owner.

We see great promise for endowment foundations, grant makers and personal contributors that make annual contributions to their selected charities, to rethink their contributions.  These contributions could take the form of milestone payments on energy leases.  Thus the supported solar panel system benefits the organization for decades  - generating electricity from a self-generated and sustainable source, hedging the nonprofit against escalating and unpredictable power rates thus creating a stabilized utility burden.

As in the Old Chinese Proverb, “Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.” When supporters fund a turnkey solar electric system through a true lease solar financing structure they empower the organization to create their own electricity for years to come as well as enable them to benefit from ARRA federal cash grants and CA state solar incentives. 

Disclaimer:  This is not tax advice.  We encourage you to talk with your tax advisor before proceeding with any financial agreement.

Source information:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Click here for link to page that includes Frequently Asked Questions:

21. Question: Is an applicant who owns eligible energy property eligible to receive payment if the energy property is leased to a non-profit or otherwise ineligible entity?

Answer:  Yes.  If the owner of the energy property is the applicant and is otherwise eligible, the fact that the property is being leased to an ineligible entity does not impact the eligibility of the owner/applicant provided it is a true lease and not a disguised sale. 

For more information contact Steve LoRusso directly at SLoRusso@HelioPower.com.  

By Glenna Wiseman, Vice President, Marketing, HelioPower

At HelioPower we help our clients tell their solar story.  We work with commercial, community and utility clients creating communication programs to herald their new solar power installation.   Our efforts help them weave the aspects of a solar installation into an overall green marketing message that supports their brand.

Solar is an exciting addition to an organization’s environmental efforts.  In fact, a solar power system assists on multiple levels of a Triple Bottom Line approach benefiting the company’s people, its profits and environmental efforts (the planet).

Having successfully completed several affiliate marketing programs for HelioPower clients, this information is designed to contribute to the industry’s knowledge base and guidelines for successfully telling a client’s solar story and thus contributing to their overall green marketing message.

Nearly all of our commercial and public sector clients have worked through the normal list of “reduce your energy and energy use costs” before they adopt solar.  Way before the solar conversation starts they have harvested the “low hanging environmental fruit” of recycling, green purchasing, etc.  Past this phase, they move to implementing energy monitoring to determine peak demand usage and reduce it, and energy use overall to create cost reduction programs. Out of this information comes the use of energy efficiency technologies including lighting, motors, HVAC, etc.  Solar is not generally where they start or where they should start, unless they are building a new U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) structure. Then solar power technologies should be part of the design from the initial stages of the development.

Once solar is part of the client’s overall green building, thus environmental strategy, HelioPower works with them to communicate the role solar plays in these efforts and thus the environmental aspects of their brand.

A marketing / communication program for a HelioPower solar client becomes appropriate when we can implement the following guidelines:
• Assist our clients to communicate environmental benefits of solar
• Optimize strategic partner alliances
• Involve the community, green building, local and state government
• Utilize Internet and social media to provide transparency & communication
• Educate stakeholders
• Work as a team

Each solar promotion program will have its unique opportunities and challenges.  In order for solar promotion program to be successful we have found that it is essential to meet all of these objectives. 

HelioPower assists our clients to communicate environmental benefits of solar.  Part of our responsibility as an organization’s solar power partner is to help them gather the information needed about their solar installation.  We assist them in developing a full understanding of their solar power system, how it works, energy generation data, environmental offset data, how to explain it to their constituents and whatever information they need to communicate their solar program. 

We provide information online about the client’s solar power installation on the HelioPower website.  Our efforts are coordinated with the client’s to create information that is easy to access and captures all the correct data about the solar project. 

Affiliate marketing programs must optimize strategic partner alliances. At HelioPower we have

Bill Nye, the "Science Guy" shines light on Bob's Big Boy solar event, supported by Canadian Solar, SMA and sponsors

the distinct pleasure of working with some of the industry’s great brands and high profile clients.  Any program that we participate in or spearhead for one of our clients must involve strategic partners in the industry and those affiliated with our client.  Communicating the solar story would not be complete without involving the solar power panel manufacturer, inverter partner, and potentially the energy performance monitoring company.  It can also involve brands that do business with the client as was the case with the Bob’s Big Boy campaign we implemented last fall.  The key is to involve those within the industry who have participated in the solar installation by way of product and those who do business with the client.

Involve the community, green building, local and state government.  One of the very exciting aspects of taking on a communication program to highlight a solar installation is involving the stakeholders in the community. 

Community groups gather to support Porsche solar panel dedication

We are all obviously familiar with the solar “ribbon cutting/ throw the switch” ceremony.  These are important celebrations of the commitment the client has made to solar power generation.  This type of event is the most valuable when it is an opportunity to reach out to stakeholders in the community and give them a chance to support the client. 

In the construction phase of a solar celebration or marketing program, it is our job to identify community, green building, local and state governmental groups and leaders who should be involved in a program.  And you don’t need to stop here.  You can reach out to a loyal customer base, supporters, local charity groups, and any other organization whose contribution to the program will enrich all parties involved.

Utilize Internet and social media to provide transparency & communication. Marketing messages regarding environmental strategies must be transparent and easy to find online.   This upholds the integrity of the message. 

It is critical to strategize the online aspects of a client’s solar marketing program.  The effort may be as simple as identifying the best media distribution source and insuring the joint press release is supported with accurate online information about the solar installation.  It may be a more comprehensive approach that involves a program-specific website.  Each effort is unique.  Insuring opportunities for an online program are investigated and maximized as needed is essential.

Educate stakeholders.  Telling a solar story must include programs to educate the client’s constituents.  Programs typically include communication to employees, investors, media and press, community members, etc.  When you are considering a program, think about what groups are involved with your company or client and what aspects of the solar installation would hold meaning for them.  Within a particular solar story, different themes and information will hold meaning for each distinct constituent group.  Thinking through all these “story lines” will create positive communication and honor the many groups that support or are involved with the client, and thus have some level of involvement with the solar installation.

Work as a team.  Our renewable energy industry is filled with talented, positive professionals who are a joy to work alongside and truly are impassioned by their mission within the industry.  We have the distinct pleasure to assist our clients in communicating their solar story.  Thus we work to create a team approach for each marketing program, from a relatively simple press release to solar ribbon cutting events and more elaborate affiliate marketing programs. 

It takes a dedicated team of client and solar installation company individuals to successfully design and install a solar power system. So too the best programs to tell a client’s solar story, within the auspices of their brand message, also involve a team effort.

You can reach me at gwiseman@HelioPower.com.  I welcome your comments, insights and observations.

This past year’s tremendous growth in residential solar installations hasn’t gone unnoticed and new solar companies are hanging their shingles out every day!  Contractors that up until last year were busy installing aluminum windows and garage doors or wiring parking lot lights are now touting themselves as solar power experts. California alone has over 1,500 solar installers operating in the state. More than a few of these companies are very small operations run out of the owners’ garage.

Designing and installing a reliable and efficient solar power system requires expertise in engineering, roofing techniques, and electrical systems. Another overlooked skill is the ability to accurately submit your permitting and rebate application paperwork in a timely manner.

Selecting a contractor can be stressful! This is a significant investment and you’ll have to live with the results for decades. Some questions a homeowner should ask include:

Does the contractor have more than one crew? If not, managing your installation along with inspections and follow up visits will be challenging.

What is the likelihood of this contractor being around in ten years to back up their warranty? The California Solar Initiative requires all installers to warranty their workmanship for 10 years but if your contractors is out of business, you’re out of luck.

How does this contractor manage their cash flow? This is very important considering they may be floating literally tens of thousands of dollars in rebates. Cash flow problems can result in delays or substandard materials used on your home. Make sure your contractor is well capitalized. Evidence of a financially strong contractor can include direct relationships with their industry partners. Larger contractors are able to leverage their size to get the best pricing and availability of components from their vendors as well as offer residential solar financing services from companies that trust their installation abilities.

Fortunately for homeowners there are several on-line tools to help answer these questions and steer you to an experienced professional.

The first place to start is at the California Contractors Board website to check their license. Just type in the contractor’s license number (if they don’t provide you with a license number be suspicious!) and this website will verify that their license is current and in good standing. Confirm that the license number they gave you corresponds with their company name. You can also check the contractor’s bonding and workmen’s compensation policy information as well as if there are any complaints against them.

Next go to the California Solar Initiative website to find out a little more about your potential installer. This webpage has a search function so you can see how many, where, and what size installations they’ve done. The data is compiled from reservation requests filed within the last three years with Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, or Pacific Gas and Electric. (Municipal utilities like LADWP or SMUD are not included in this database.) Many solar water-heating installers with limited solar electric experience inflate their installation number claims – this is where you’ll see just how many installs they’ve done. Another red flag is an inordinate amount of withdrawn or cancelled applications.

One of the best features of this site is the ability to determine if your installer is actually the one doing their installations! Many new solar marketing companies function as a middleman and are not the actual contractor on the job. Note the two different fields “Seller” and “Contractor” in the search tool. If they aren’t the same, this may be the case.

Two other useful resources are Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau. You can see if anyone else has experience with your contractor. Of course, a potential contractor should be able to provide you with a few customers as references.

It’s a fact that a well-engineered and properly installed solar system will deliver you clean low-cost power for decades. Spending a little time researching your solar power contractor is the best way to avoid headaches and ensure that you get your money’s worth out of your investment!

Contact Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com

On February 17 I posted on overview of the SolarGenerations solar rebate program status here in Nevada.  This week NV Energy circulated an update, setting March 24 as the date they will begin taking rebate reservations for SolarGenerations, with applications being taken then throughout the year. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis and reservations will be issued from available incentive steps. Incentive steps correspond to program years and have declining incentive values. Example:

Step 1
Corresponds to Program Year 2010/11
Rebate per Watt Installed
Residential – $2.30
Small Business – $2.30
Public Building – $5.00
Schools – $5.00

Step 2
Corresponds to Program Year 2011/12
Rebate per Watt Installed
Residential – $2.10
Small Business – $2.10
Public Building – $4.90
Schools – $4.90

Step 3
Corresponds to Program Year 2012/13
Rebate per Watt Installed
Residential – $1.90
Small Business – $1.90
Public Building – $4.80
Schools – $4.80

Pending the approval by the Commission of NV Energy’s Annual Plan, the maximum incentives per meter per step will also increase to the following kilowatt levels:
• Residential from 5kW to10kW
• Small Business from 30kW to 50kW
• Public and Other Property from 50kW to 100kW.   
• School applicants may apply for 50 kW per meter or up to a maximum 100 kW per meter if the applicant applies to the Commission for approval of capacity greater than 50 kW within 10 calendar days of submitting the application.

If you are interested in going solar or even thinking about it, please give me a call with your questions.  HelioPower will provide you with a free solar pre-site of your home or business and an estimate for your solar power system in Nevada.

For more information contact Matt Turville at MTurville@heliopower.com or call him directly at 775.297.5579.
Click here for the NV Energy information site.

The Nevada Solar Rebates are coming back! The Nevada Public Utilities Commission approved new

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 30 kW solar installation by HelioPower

regulations for the solar, wind, and hydro power incentive programs at the end of January 2010. On February 1, 2010, NV Energy submitted its Annual Plans for the three programs that described the implementation of the program per the new regulations. The Commission is deliberating the Annual Plans and has until July 1, 2010 to approve them. During this process, there could be adjustments to the Plans.

Here are a few preliminary highlights of the New SolarGenerations Guidelines for Nevada per VoteSolar.org:

Rebate Levels: Residential rebates will begin at $2.30 per watt in step 1, declining by $0.20 cents per step. Schools and Public Buildings start at $5.00 per watt in step 1, declining by $0.10 per step. *These levels are at the same level as 2008 for residential and commercial installations.  With the declining costs of Photovoltaics in late 2008 and 2009 customer who install in 2010 will enjoy more accelerated returns on their solar investments: Lower cost solar + high rebates = faster ROI.  These high rebate levels are more than twice the level of rebates that are being paid in California!

Awarding of Rebates in Step 1-3: Beginning in 2010, Steps 1 through 3 can be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis until the capacity limits are reached.  However, the rebates for steps 2 and 3 will not be paid out to customers until 2011 and 2012 respectively.  NV Energy will be required to issue a confirmed rebate notice, which companies should be able to use to secure capitol to complete projects.

Start Date of Revamped Program: The step 1 start date was left to the discretion of NV Energy in their annual plan. However NV Energy stated in the public record that they plan to release rebates tentatively on March.

16.59 kW commercial solar power installation in Carson City, NV by HelioPower

System Size Limits: NV Energy shall be able to determine individual system size limits in the annual plan.  However at the workshop we came to a verbal agreement with the utility that residential customers could receive rebate for up to 10 kilowatt (kW) systems, while public agencies could receive a rebate for up to a 100 kW system.  Systems on school will remain at 50 kW with the ability of a school district to petition for an exemption to rebate up to 100 kW.  Small commercial projects will be capped at 30 kW as to not eat up the entire combined residential/small commercial category capacity limit.

Revamped Website: NV Energy is required to keep an updated website to indicate total kWs available in each step and each category, including kWs newly available due to reallocations.  This information should be real-time, at the least updated weekly. (We need to make sure that this accurately reflects unspent previous allocation when the website is published!)

Signed Contract: To apply for a rebate a customer must have signed a contract with a solar installer.

Completion Timeline: All categories of projects need be completed within 12 months. However schools and public building will be given an initial 90 day period to submit a “checklist” approved by the Commission documenting progress towards project completion.

This is all very good news for anyone who is planning for solar in Nevada.  As a result of these large

5.28 kW residential solar power installation in Reno, NV by HelioPower

rebates and pent up demand we are expecting a big rush  of applications at the end of March in order to secure the highest level rebates available.  If you are thinking about going solar or if you have already made the decision HelioPower is standing at the ready to offer free solar pre-sites, evaluations and estimates for your home or business.  With ten years of solar installation experience and over 1,000 installations to date HelioPower is your best option for a licensed, quality engineered solar power solution that will eliminate or lower your electricity costs while improving the value of your home and business and contributing to a cleaner environment for all.

Please visit our installation galleries online at www.HelioPower.com to see a sampling of our professionally installed systems or call or email your local Nevada Solar Energy Consultant: Matt Turville at (775) 297-5579, email:  mturville@heliopower.com with any questions or if you would like to schedule a free pre-site and energy analysis for your home or business.

2009 was a watershed year for residential solar photovoltaic (solar PV) installations in California. Lower panel costs coupled with the uncapping of the Federal Personal Tax Credit (previously limited to $2,000) made solar PV more affordable than ever. Factor in announced rate increases from state utilities and you can see why solar system integrators are one of the few bright spots in today’s economy.

As a Solar Consultant with HelioPower, one of the most common questions I hear from my customers is “Do you think I should wait another year or two to install my system?” Homeowners are fearful that either the cost of the systems will come down significantly or new technologies with significantly better efficiencies will come on the market.

There are several reasons why this argument does not hold up!

First and foremost is the fact that our current state utility ratepayer funded system is functioning exactly as it was designed. When the California Solar Initiative was created, the incentives were high to reduce the impact of the initially high system costs. The theory was that, until enough manufacturers and installers entered the market, homeowners and businesses would need large rebates to incentivize them to invest in their solar PV systems. As competition drives pricing down, the rebates required to make solar PV a sound financial investment are reduced as well. The program is functioning exactly as planned and is even ahead of schedule!

Another good reason to invest in your system now is that when you factor your current utility bills in the period between now and when you decide invest, you’ll have to increase the system’s efficiency or decrease in the system’s price just to compensate for the lost costs the solar PV system would have avoided. If your current bill is $200 per month and you wait 18 more months, you’ll need to save almost $3,400 just to break even. More efficient technologies are on the horizon over the next several years but their actual efficiencies, price-points and reliability have yet to be determined. Solar PV modules have been around for over 30 years and have a well-established track record of production and reliability.

Postponing your decision has a dramatic effect on the back end of the investment as well. To get the best return on your solar system (IRR’s of over 14% are not uncommon), you’ll want to use your system for the longest time possible. In fact, solar systems are designed to produce clean energy for over 25 years. Unless you’ve figured out a foolproof way to extend your life, you’ll lower your return by waiting to install.

Here’s an example of exactly how much doing nothing costs. A typical homeowner in Southern California uses about 10,000 kWh. They will spend over $150,000 on electricity over the next 25 years if rates follow their historical rate of inflation. The typical system to offset 90% of this use would be around 6.4 kW. Right now this system will return nearly $110,000 in avoided utility bills including factoring in the cost of the system! So the cost of doing nothing is $110,000. Who wouldn’t want to have an additional $110,000 in their retirement account?

New financing vehicles like SunRun’s residential Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) bring the investment required to go solar down to as low as $1,000. Your installer designs and installs the your system exactly as if you’d purchased it from them and SunRun pays the installer and sells you the power produced at a greatly reduced price. You get most of the financial benefits of solar right away with a minimal investment.

Finally, let’s not ignore the reason that most of us were interested in solar in the first place – our environment! Whether or not you believe global warming is both real and controllable, solar PV reduces the amount of pollutants introduced into the environment from burning dirty fuels.

The bottom line is that by installing your solar PV system now, you’ll make a big impact on your cost of living for decades to come.

You can reach Derek Girling at DGirling@HelioPower.com

HelioPower Temecula, CA solar installation using Canadian Solar modules

230P, CS5P-240M and CS5A- 180M, rank amongst the highest performing in last month's PV USA (PTC) ratings. PTC ratings are quickly becoming universally accepted standards for measuring real-world module power and performance.

The PTC measurement, a mandatory test in the State of California, measures a PV system's power output at atmospheric conditions that closely resemble true solar and climatic variable conditions. A higher PV rating indicates higher actual production on-site per-watt installed, which translates directly into higher rebates for system owners.

“With this industry recognition, it is again confirmed that Canadian Solar brings high quality products to market,” said Scott Gordon, Vice President Sales, Residential for HelioPower. “We are very pleased to offer Canadian Solar modules to our customers because of their compelling value proposition.”

Resource: Go Solar California, List of Eligible SB1 Guidelines Compliant Photovoltaic Modules http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/pvmodule.html