The global shift toward renewable energy is in full swing at this point and, for Californians, there’s no better time to invest in solar. In Santa Cruz County, we get to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine annually, which is a tremendous benefit to local homeowners and businesses considering solar panel installation. California also happens to be one of the most affordable places to install solar panels, showing greater savings and a quicker return than most states.
According to recent statistics from Cost of Solar, Californians stand to save more than $30,000 over 20 years by installing solar panels–one of the highest figures of any state. In the same study, you’ll notice that the amount of time it takes to cover the costs of solar panel installation in California is only 9 years, making it one of only a handful of states that offer a return on your investment in under a decade.
There are some circumstances in which it may be appealing to go the do-it-yourself route when it comes to installing solar panels. There are two main reasons why this can be a risky proposition. The first is that it can be dangerous if you don’t fully understand what you’re doing. The second is that most rebates are contingent upon using a qualified installer of solar panels to qualify.
Call us at the number at the top of the page to learn more about solar panel installation in Santa Cruz! For a FREE cost estimate, complete the short contact form at the top right of this page!
Installing Solar Panels: Process & Components
Evaluation – The first step in the process of installing solar panels is the evaluation. An expert meets with you to assess whether your home or business is appropriate for solar panel installation and you’ll be advised on the amount of energy production and savings you can expect.
Two topics that should be covered in the evaluation process are the types of panel options available and required permits for solar installation. This resource from the Center for Sustainable Energy has more information about the required permits for installing solar in California.
Inverter – Put simply, an inverter converts the energy produced by the solar panels into usable energy for your home or business. Obviously an important piece of equipment, the inverter is separate from the panels themselves in terms of warranty coverage. In other words, a solar panel installation company will insure your panels for an extended period of time (typically 20-25 years), but not the inverter.
Panels – Panel placement will be discussed during the evaluation phase and will generally boil down to two options: roof mounted or rack. If the angle of the roof is appropriate, the solar panels can be installed directly on it. If the roof is not ideal, a rack can be used to help create the proper angle.
Thinking about going solar in Santa Cruz County? Give us a call at the number at the top of the page to learn more about solar panel installation and the options we have available! All estimates are FREE OF CHARGE and we’re happy to answer your questions, both over the phone and through our online contact form!
