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California Solar Consumer Protection Guide July-2021

Solarponics is the longest, continuously operating solar company in California. We have been installing systems and honoring warranties since 1975. Solarponics is privately owned and now in its second generation of leadership, planning for the next 47 years.

You can divide the total disclosed kW AC production on a proposal by the total cost of the system to get a cost per kW, similar to cost per square foot when looking at homes.

Another factor that can affect similarly sized systems is the quality of equipment. All panels are not the same. Some cheaper panels may be warranted for 25 years, but due to lack of quality materials and control, they may degrade much faster, affecting their ability to produce power. Saving money up front by using cheap panels could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars in lost energy production savings over the life of the system.

Solarponics only installs Tier 1 solar panels, those that have met rigorous testing and qualification standards, and are proven to be the best in the industry.

Lastly is install quality. Some solar companies who have already gone out of business, hired laborers that were poorly trained, and inexperienced. They can cut install costs with cheap labor, and now those homeowners who went with the lowest bid are paying the price, literally.

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) compared sale prices of solar homes to homes without solar across eight different states to determine just how much value a solar energy system adds to a home. What they found: “Home buyers consistently have been willing to pay more for homes with host-owned solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems —averaging about $3 per watt of PV installed—across various states, housing and PV markets, and home types.

Updated 07-19-22

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There’s no right or wrong answer here —just consider whether a small or large company makes a difference for your needs. Note on your document which companies fall into each category. Being an actual installed product on your home, we recommend a comany that can service the warranty in a timely fasion if need be. Oftentimes an 800 help line is not much help.

Solarponics is a member/owner of Amicus, the nation’s largest solar co-op. We are very competitive with large solar installers when it comes to panel pricing, and excel when it comes to quality.

Solarponics has installed thousands of systems on every roof-type imaginable including comp, metal, tile, flat, rolled, and just about any other material you can think of.

There are 60-cell solar panels, and 72 cell solar panels. There are solar panels with a 19.1% efficiency and solar panels with a 21.8% efficiency. The efficiency difference can add up to significant savings oner 20 years.

There is also a big difference when it comes to the quality of inverters regarding features and benefits. So, you want to look at a quote and consider the price, but also the equipment, the efficiency, the savings of proposed system, as well as the features and benefits.

Beware. Internet solar installer scammers may be selling you outdated solar panels and inverters. It happens a lot.

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Do you want to have power when the grid goes down? If so, then you should look into adding battery backup to your solar energy system. Battery backup can recharge itself from your solar during the day, supplying endless power even when the grid is down.

10-year cost of ownership calculations have shown that adding battery backup to a solar energy system is more affordable than adding a gas-powered emergency generator, not to mention a lot quieter. Your Solarponics expert will evaluate your needs and help you make an informed decision.

Battery Backup VS. Home Generator

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We recommend at least twice a year.

Dust and debris that settles on your panels in urban areas won’t significantly impact solar production, and average wind and rainfall will keep your solar panels producing at near optimum levels. In rural areas, those with more dust, wind, leaves, dust and debris, wildfire ash and fallout, can decrease your solar production by 15% to 50%.

How To Clean Your Solar Panels

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It doesn’t have to be completely sunny for your panels to produce electricity. In bad weather, your panel production won’t be 100%, but your panels will still be producing power. On a cloudy day, your panels might produce 30% of what they normally would. We hope that snowfall will never be a factor to consider here on the Central Coast.

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The risk of a roof or home catching fire because of a solar photovoltaic power installation is extremely unlikely. The MCS (microgeneration certification scheme) is in place to ensure all panels meet rigorous testing standards and installers are properly trained.

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All solar energy systems are equipped with a system quick disconnect.  There are many hazards that occur during a home fire. Occupants should exit any unsafe building immediately and call emergency personnel. Solar panels will not explode or catch fire. They can, however, melt. The material is mostly aluminum, glass, silicon, and some plastic.

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Solarponics is highly active in educating and training fire departments on solar PV safety. Firefighters are trained to deal with electricity and PVs are very visible to the fire service on their arrival. The key to firefighter safety is “voltage isolation”. Products are now available to isolate the panels at roof level, and prevent electricity flowing into the house.

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Yes. Today, solar power is so cost-effective that even without any tax credits and rebate, it is a guaranteed energy cost saver. 30% federal tax credit are still in place thru 2019. In 2020, the federal tax rebate drops to 26% for residential solar energy installations.

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A solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to pre-heat household water before it enters the conventional gas (or electric) water heater. Because of the tremendous amount of sun that the Central Coast receives, a solar water heater could generate up to 90% of your annual water heating needs.

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Yes. Since the water heater will operate far less frequently, solar will extend its life significantly. Some water heaters that were retrofitted with solar in 1975 are still in service today. The life of an ordinary gas heater without solar is between five and ten years.

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A solar hot water system would save you 60% to 80% of your yearly water heating bill. The exact amount of savings depends upon the size of your family, the way you currently heat your water and the size of your new solar hot water system. The average annual cost for water heating can be over half the expense of a household’s entire annual gas bill, especially in those homes with teenagers or those who love their showers. In an average home a person uses between fifteen and twenty-five gallons of hot water a day, which can cost $5.00 to $25.00 per person every month. A family of four could be spending between $384 to $1200 a year just for heating water.

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Solar heating does have a payback, and it can vary from four to ten years. But it may be more useful to think of solar as an investment that yields an annual return, much as a bank savings account provides interest. A solar water heater will generate savings that can equal a bank account generating a twenty percent (20%) annual return, and the savings are not taxed as income, as is the interest you earn at the bank. The truth is, if you want hot water… you will be paying for that heat. You may prefer to pay the utility bill forever, or you may wish instead to go solar, and become your own utility. It is quite similar to the reason you once decided to buy your home and stop renting. Solar is simply the best investment available today because it guarantees a return on money that you will otherwise give to the gas company.

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Pool heating systems use a modified solar hot water system to capture the sun’s rays to heat your pool or hot tub. The heaters are large plastic panels that are installed on your roof and connected to your existing circulation system. As the water runs through the system, it takes a brief detour to the panels to be warmed before being sent on its way and flushed back into the pool. Automatic systems can be programmed to open and close at certain times to keep the temperature within a certain range.

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A solar pool heater can be less expensive up front than a gas heater, depending on the size of your pool. Once a solar pool heater is installed, your heat is FREE from the sun. With a gas heater you need to pay the gas company depending on how much you use the heater. In the spring and fall when you really need heat, you use the pool heater more, so it costs you more – but solar energy is still free. Also, solar is non-polluting.

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Yes. A solar pool-heating system generally costs in the thousands of dollars. But according to Renewable Energy Resource Center, it can pay for itself in energy savings in less than four years. The cost of a solar pool heating system is also a one-time expense. As the cost of natural gas and propane fuel increases, traditional heaters become more expensive to operate. Not to mention the value in extending your swim season and increasing your comfort every time you use your solar heated swimming pool.

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Solarponics solar pool heating systems use an automatically controlled valve to divert the existing filtration flow to the solar panels, so there is no additional cost to operate the solar pool heater.

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Solarponics solar collectors can be expected to last between 15 and 20 years. Many Solarponics solar pool heating systems that were installed over 20 years ago are still going strong.

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A pool cover prevents heat loss, particularly at night. The cover traps the solar heat that has been added during the day. This is very complementary to the solar system. The solar system can be viewed as actively adding heat. The cover retains that heat passively.

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Usually no special maintenance is required. Electronic controls allow you to “set and forget” the solar pool heater. The only exception may be for a solar pool heating array that is mounted below pool level grade. In this case, the panels should simply be drained in the winter.

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With radiant heat, every object in the room becomes warm and contributes to your overall comfort. Because you’re heating more than just the room’s air, your living space maintains an even, satisfying warmth with no air currents, blowing dust, or cold spots. Unlike other heating methods, radiant heat doesn’t dry out the air. The warmth starts at your feet where it is most desired instead of blowing out of ductwork and ending up on the ceiling.

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Absolutely! Radiant heating applies solar thermal technology. Transferring solar energy through pipes into an under floor radiant heating system is a wonderful way to stay warm. Radiant floor systems are typically up to 40 percent more efficient than their forced air counterpart and can be zoned to match thermal comfort to each room.

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No. Solarponics radiant floor heating systems are designed for low water temperatures (125 degrees) and, as a result, floor temperatures will be approximately 5 degrees warmer than room temperature. In fact, many customers have noticed that sunlight striking the floor on a bright winter day will warm the hardwood more than the radiant system.

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Carpet will slow the transfer of heat to the living space, but it can’t stop it. Using carpet over a heated slab will simply result in warm carpet that effortlessly heats the room.