When it comes to choosing a solar company on California’s Central Coast, homeowners need a provider with experience, reliability, and a deep commitment to community and sustainability. Solarponics stands out as the best choice for several key reasons: unmatched local expertise, high-quality solar solutions, exceptional customer service, and a legacy of environmental stewardship.
50+ Years of Trusted Local Experience
Solarponics has been serving the Central Coast since 1975, making it one of the oldest and most experienced solar companies in California. Unlike newer or out-of-area providers, Solarponics understands the unique energy needs, climate conditions, and permitting requirements of communities from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. Their long-standing reputation ensures that homeowners receive proven, reliable solar solutions tailored to the Central Coast’s sunny yet coastal-influenced weather.
Strength Through Collaboration: Member of Amicus Solar Cooperative
Solarponics further enhances its value to Central Coast homeowners as a proud member-owner of Amicus Solar Cooperative, a nationwide network of like-minded solar companies dedicated to excellence in renewable energy. By partnering with Amicus, Solarponics gains access to cutting-edge technology, bulk purchasing power, and shared industry expertise, ensuring customers receive the most advanced and cost-effective solar solutions available. This cooperative model allows Solarponics to remain locally focused while leveraging national-scale resources, providing homeowners with better products, competitive pricing, and unmatched service quality. Membership in Amicus reinforces Solarponics’ commitment to ethical business practices, innovation, and long-term customer satisfaction, setting them apart from less-connected competitors.
Exceptional Customer Service & Support
Many solar companies disappear after installation, but Solarponics provides lifelong support to its customers. From the initial consultation to post-installation maintenance, their team ensures a seamless experience. Solarponics has over 400+ 4.9-star average Google reviews, and 150+ five-star reviews via Guild Quality, an independent customer experience evaluation website. Their A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)and positive customer reviews on numerous other review sites highlight their dedication to honesty, transparency, and customer satisfaction.
Custom Sustainable Energy Solutions for Every Home
Solarponics doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solar systems. In fact, they don’t stop at just solar energy. The Solarponcis team realized that the best path to energy sustainability was to first reduce and manage energy use. Thus each home is evaluated for other energy-saving opportunities, such as more efficient water heating, heat pump HVAC systems, water conservation, smart electrical panels, radiant heat and cooling, to name a few.
Solarponics energy experts conduct detailed energy assessments to design a system that meets each homeowner’s specific energy usage and budget. Whether it’s a grid-tied system, off-grid setup, or solar + storage, Solarponics ensures maximum savings and efficiency.
Financing Options & Incentives
Going solar is more affordable than ever, thanks to Solarponics’ flexible fpayment options, including solar loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Additionally, they help homeowners take full advantage of tax credits, as well as all national and local incentives and rebates.
A Commitment to Sustainability
As a locally owned company, Solarponics is deeply invested in the Central Coast’s environmental future. By helping homeowners switch to clean energy, they reduce carbon emissions and promote energy independence. Solarponics management team members also lobby for sustainable energy legislation throughout the state, not just in our local communities. Their holistic approach to sustainable energy and better livingextends to ethical business practices, including their business relationships with like-minded vendors, ensuring that every solar installation makes a positive impact.
Deep Roots in the Central Coast Community
Beyond providing top-tier solar solutions, Solarponics is deeply committed to giving back to the communities it serves. The company actively supports local environmental initiatives, educational programs, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to sustainability. Whether sponsoring clean energy workshops, participating in community solar fairs, or partnering with schools to promote renewable energy education, Solarponics demonstrates a genuine investment in the Central Coast’s future. In fact, they wrote the resolution to proclaim June 21 as Solar Energy Day.
Team members also volunteer with local environmental groups, reinforcing their mission to foster a cleaner, greener, and more energy-independent region. By choosing Solarponics, homeowners aren’t just getting the best solar company—they’re supporting a business that cares about the well-being of the Central Coast and its residents. To date, Solarponics has donated over $500,000 to local area organizations.
The Verdict: Solarponics is the Top Choice
For Central Coast homeowners looking to save money, increase home value, reduce their carbon footprint, and truly live better, Solarponics delivers unmatched expertise, premium sustainable energy technology, and outstanding customer care, and a commitment to community and planet. With decades of trusted service and a commitment to excellence, they remain the #1 solar provider in the region.
Ready to go solar? Visit www.solarponics.com to request a free consultation and see how much you can save with solar energy today!
By Frank Scotti – Sustainable Energy Advocate Aug 15, 2024 As California continues its ambitious push towards sustainability, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a key component of the state’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Just last week, my son purchased his first new car, and it is an EV. He did so in an effort to help in the effort to reduce carbon emission as well as to save money.
With the federal rebate and incentives, he got a great deal. Calculating cost of ownership shows other advantages as well such as less maintenance costs and lower fuel costs, although calculating fuel savings over time (electric vs. gas) is a tad less predictable.
With electric rates climbing sharply, particularly those we’re seeing in Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) territory, a utility energy provider in California, a crucial question arises: Will owning an EV still be a cost-effective choice for Californians in the face of rising electricity prices?
Compared to gasoline vehicles, EVs offer significant savings on fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that driving an electric vehicle costs about half as much per mile as driving a gasoline vehicle.
However, the benefits seem to be shifting as PG&E continues to raise rates, 12.8% in the first eight months of 2024. PG&E’s rate increases are often attributed to a range of factors including infrastructure upgrades, wildfire mitigation costs, and regulatory pressures. As a result, the anticipated savings on fuel could be diminished if these costs continue to escalate.
To understand the impact, consider this: If electricity rates rise significantly, the cost per mile for charging an EV will also increase. For instance, if an EV owner previously paid 20 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and energy rates rise to 30 cents per kWh, the cost of driving the same distance would increase by 50%. While the exact impact depends on the efficiency of the vehicle and driving habits, a substantial increase in electric utility rates could offset some of the financial advantages of EV ownership.
The good news is, If there is any, is gas prices have been as volatile as electric prices. In 2000, a gallon of gas in California costs about $1.58, a kWh of electricity cost about $0.13. Since then, gas has increased 316% and electricity has increased 346%, a pretty even increases over a 24-year period.
Charging an electric car in California currently costs the equivalent of $2.60 per gallon, but gasoline costs more than $5 per gallon. The net result is that EV drivers in the Golden State see a savings of $2.40 per gallon. Going forward, as electric prices increase, so will gas prices. So the savings remain relative. Electric price increases would have to far outpace gas price increases over time to negate any savings from driving an EV, which no one anticipates will happen. Many first time EV buyers are homeowners who also already have a solar energy system, which can mitigate the effects of higher utility rates by charging their EV from solar energy.
Going forward, as EV technology matures and production scales up, the cost of EVs is expected to decrease. Technological advancements in battery efficiency and energy storage could reduce the cost per mile of EV operation. Innovations in battery technology and energy management systems could lead to lower charging costs. While disproportionately rising PG&E rates could erode some of the financial benefits of owning an electric vehicle in California, we historically have not seen this happen.
As California progresses towards its environmental goals, ongoing policy adjustments, rate restrictions, and technological innovations will play a crucial role in determining whether EVs remain a financially viable option for its residents.
As for now, though, investing in an EV in California still makes a good deal of sense vs. purchasing a gasoline engine vehicle.
For better or for worse, the energy crisis of 1973 was pivotal in spurring interest in solar energy, creating a brand new industry and launching new companies and innovation. Solarponics is one of those companies. Founded in 1975, Solarponics is now California’s oldest, continuously operating solar energy company, celebrating its 50th anniversary this month.
What began as a small startup in San Luis Obispo installing solar thermal water heating systems has grown into a leader in whole-building sustainable energy and resource management. Today, the company, located in Atascadero, CA, designs and installs solar electric systems, heat pump water heating, heat pump pool heating, heat pump HVAC heating and cooling, EV charging stations, battery storage and backup systems, for residential and commercial projects on the central coast.
With a vision for a net-zero energy future on California’s central coast, Solarponics has made a lasting impact on the region’s environmental footprint. To date, more than 25,000 homes and businesses in San Luis Obispo County have gone solar, saving over $500,000,000, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 250,000 metric tons annually—the equivalent of planting 60 million trees.
San Luis Obispo County has also achieved a solar saturation rate of about 32% for single-family homes, far exceeding the national average of just over 7%, highlighting the areas commitment to quality of life.
Solarponics operates on a simple but powerful philosophy: Be kind. Live local. Work hard. Respect others. Make a positive difference every day. Over the past five decades, the company has remained true to its core and has contributed more than $500,000 to local organizations, reinforcing its commitment to make a positive difference.
Another point of pride is its 4.9-star customer satisfaction rating across all review sites. “We work tirelessly to deliver the best experience, and that means delivering reliable and proven performance over time,” said Frank Scotti, Solarponics CMO. “You don’t last 50 years without delivering what you promise and doing the right thing.”
This commitment is more than just words. For the seventh consecutive year, Solarponics has been recognized as a “Best of the Best” company by the national firm Best of the Best, which honors outstanding businesses based on licensing, accreditation, longevity, community involvement, customer reviews, responsiveness, and transparent leadership.
As demand for more and more energy continues to grow, so does Solarponics’ role in driving sustainable innovation. However, the road to net-zero electricity continues to be hindered by politically motivated legislation. Solarponics employees have made several road trips to San Francisco and Sacramento to lobby the CPUC for solar rights for homeowners. And while the industry has had some victories, legislation continues to favor oil, coal, and gas over sustainable energy.
The 30% investment tax credit that homeowners and businesses are eligible for when installing solar and battery backup ends on December 31 of this year, which is forecasted to significantly affect continued solar energy adoption. “Thankfully, energy rates continue to skyrocket, which makes solar a sound financial investment even without the tax credit here in California,” says Mr. Scotti. California has the second-highest energy rates in the country—just behind Hawaii, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration[1].
Solar Water Heating Display, Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo, 1975
When asked about how the industry will cope with the loss of the tax credit, Mr. Scotti responds, “You’ll still save money with solar and battery, just not as much over time. And that’s what the utility companies want, to reel back in some of their losses. All we can do is continue to fight for consumer-friendly legislation, continue to pivot, continue to focus on other innovations that will help homeowners save energy and save money.”
Solarponics recently began installing heat pump HVAC systems—technology that is up to 60% more energy-efficient than traditional gas or electric systems. Solarponics also offers heat pump solutions for water heating and pool heating, further expanding its energy-efficient product portfolio.
With California targeting 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045, and more than two million electric vehicles consuming 24 million kilowatt-hours of electricity daily, the need for cleaner, more efficient, easily scalable energy has never been greater.
“If I were to predict where we will be in ten years, I’d say this: Utility energy will cost over $1.00 per kWh, so we’ll still be installing solar and battery storage systems. Peer-to-peer energy trading—where one home sells excess solar to another—will be commonplace. Community-based grids will replace larger state-wide or regional grids. Battery storage will be made from safe, abundant, affordable sodium, and every home will have one. EV’s will integrate with homes, trading energy back and forth as needed. And California’s central coast communities will continue to lead the nation in sustainable energy and net-zero technology adoption,” says Mr. Scotti.
Registration figures published by the California New Car Dealers Association report that pure EV’s claimed 7.83% of market share for the second quarter, 2018. This is up from 3.3% in second quarter, 2017. Estimates show that EV’s will reach a 20% market share by the end of 2020, that’s more than 400,000 new EV sales in the next two years.
With California is moving forward on crafting new fuel economy rules for 2026 and beyond, with a goal to establish those new standards by June of 2020, we should see a continued demmand for EV’s.
Next 10, a think tank in San Francisco, estimates new EV sales will surpass 1.5 million by the year 2025 in California alone.
It’s often said that more vehicle models will boost EV sales, and historically that has proven to be true. According to the California New Car Dealers Association, new light truck sales surpassed new car sales in the state last year. This year, that gap widened — despite high gas prices.
The key going forward is that new EV models need to align with broader automotive industry trends if they’re going to break out of the early-adopter population. Specifically, there need to be more electric trucks, crossovers and SUVs.
Total cost of ownership is now in line with traditional gas vehicles. An analysis of 17 popular models found that EV’s can already be price-competitive without gevernment incentives. Based on 12,330 miles driven per year, the pure battery electric Nissan Leaf has a LOWER five-year and 10-year cycle cost of ownership than the internal combustion Hyundai Elantra and the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, even without gevernment incentives.
If you’re thinking about buying an EV, we encourage homeowners to consider solar energy and a Level 2 charger. The solar tax credit will dropat the end of 2019, and energy rates are likely to sharply increase. Going solar and switching to an EV will not only significantly cut your carbon footprint, but also save you a lot of money. Call Solarponics for a free Solar PLUS Battery PLUS EV Charger quote today. (805) 466-5595.
Check out these two super cool solar-powered cars.
For years, the concept of solar-powered cars has loomed over the electric car industry as a hopeful, possible future. But there are many who argue that this concept is not only impractical, it is basically impossible.
But the innovators behind Lightyear One, a fully solar-powered vehicle to be released in 2019, just won an award for their design. Lightyear One, a car whose ability to use solar power has been thought of as an impossible feat, just won a Climate Change Innovator Award. Designed by the Dutch startup Lightyear, the “car that charges itself” can supposedly drive for months without charging and has a 400 – 800 km range.
German manufacturer Sono Motors is taking pre-orders for its Sion solar-powered car, with the vehicles due on Europe’s roads in 2019. Other manufacturers also have solar vehicles in development. Dutch Company Lightyear says the first deliveries of its own fully solar-powered car are scheduled for 2020, a year later than originally planned.
Both the Lightyear One and Sion vehicles are covered in solar panels that can either power the car directly, or charge the onboard battery.
End of the fill-up?
The batteries in the solar-powered cars offer a fairly standard range compared with other electric vehicles. The Sion has a 250km range, while the Lightyear One has a 400-600km range. By way of comparison, the Tesla Model S has a sector-leading range of more than 630km.
However, while you would need to recharge standard EVs at the end of their range, solar-powered cars could, in theory, go on and on. Even if the Sion’s battery was empty, its manufacturer says the car could drive 30km per day. Lightyear, meanwhile, says its car could run for months without being charged.
This could help overcome one of the biggest barriers to widespread EV adoption, the lack of charging points.
Bloomberg predicts that by 2022 EVs will cost the same as fossil fuel cars, helping kick-start a trend that could see them account for more than a third of global new vehicle sales by 2040.
Whether solar-power vehicles will join this affordability trend remains to be seen. The Lightyear One is currently being marketed at prices from $140,000, excluding taxes.
Sono’s Sion, on the other hand, is pitched to be more affordable, sitting within the market range for an average-price vehicle, which in the EU is currently around $25,000. The company is taking pre-orders for the vehicle at $18,800, plus a $4,700 rental charge for the battery.
Here’s how to understand your energy fuel savings, and the true cost of charging your EV.
Example: If you buy a Nissan Leaf, charge at home, and drive 1,000 mi/ month, your electric bill will increase by $62/month in added use.
HERE’S HOW TO CALCULATE:
1. Start with the electric car’s energy consumption rate, which is expressed as kWh per 100 miles. The average is 31kWh/100 mi. All EV window stickers base the MPGe on a national average of 12¢ per kWh. DO NOT USE THIS number. It is not representative of what YOU will pay.
2. Then figure out what you pay for electricity. If you are a PG&E customer living in the central coast, your average cost per kWh for electricity to charge your EV is 20¢/kWh.
3. Multiply 20¢/kWh by the EV models stated kWh/100 miles.
The sum is your cost per 100 miles driven.
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CURRENT EV MODEL kWh/MILES:
Hyundai Electric = 25 kWh/100 mi
BMW i3 = 27 kWh/100 miles
Scion iQ = 28 kWh/100 miles
Chevy Bolt = 28 kWh/100 mi
Chevy Spark = 28 kWh/100 mi
VW eGulf = 28 kWh/100 mi
Honda Fit = 29 kWh/100 miles
Fiat 500e = 29 kWh/100 mi
Mitsubishi = 30 kWh/100 miles
Nissan Leaf = 31 kWh/100 mi AVERAGE
Ford Focus Electric = 32 kWh/100 mi
Smart ForTwo = 32kWh/100 mi
Kia Soul Electric = 32 kWh/100 mi
Tesla Model S = 32 kWh/100 mi
Mercedes B-Class Electric = 40 kWh/100 mi
Toyota Rav 4 EV = 43 kWh/100 mi
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LET’S CALCULATE.
The Nissan Leaf is rated at 31 kWh/100 miles.
Average kWh energy costs = 20¢
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31 x 20¢ = $6.20 per 100 mile charge
$6.20 / 100 miles = 6.2¢ per mile electric costs.
The Nissan Leaf costs 6.2¢/mile to drive.
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COMPARE TO A GAS VEHICLE.
Driving a gas vehicle that gets 21 MPG, with gas at $3.50/gallon, the gas vehicle costs 16.6¢ per mile to drive. Driven 1,000 miles/month, the gas vehicle costs $167/month in fuel costs.
Gas Vehicle = $ 167/month in fuel costs
Nissan Leaf EV = $62/month electricity costs
SAVINGS = $105/month
SAVINGS MORE WITH AN EV PLUS SOLAR
Here’s where solar PV and battery storage can really magnify your savings.
Solar electric currently costs less than 8¢ per kWh to generate,
well under the average utility rate of 20¢ per kWh.
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8¢ x 31 = $2.48 per 100 mile charge
$2.48 / 100 miles = 2.5¢ per mile electric costs.
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If you drive the average of 1,000 mi/month, the Nissan Leaf
will cost you $25/month in electricity.
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Gas Vehicle = $167/month fuel costs
Nissan Leaf EV w/ solar = $25/month electricity costs
