Solar

Building Performance Professionals can help improve your energy efficiency by installing high performance, quality solar panels. Our team will help you decide what solar package fits your home’s energy needs, and will design and install panels that are specific to your home’s architectural design, weather conditions, and roof top capacity.

When assessing your energy needs we pay careful attention to important elements of selecting the appropriate solar system. Finding the optimal financial efficiency for your home’s solar panels will assure that you are getting the most out of your solar panels. We evaluate a solar system on the cost of the energy that your panels will produce over its lifetime. By selecting the perfect ratio of solar performance (electricity generated) to the cost of those panels, we will help you optimize your energy savings and provide the shortest payback period on your investment.  This is combined by only using panels that offer long-term reliability with high performance electricity across many different weather conditions. Our team integrates building design to help select low-profile, sleek panels that will look great on your home and fit seamlessly into existing architectural and aesthetic design. 

Solar Saves Money

Installing solar in your home will not only help save our planet’s natural resources, but will also save money on your monthly utility bills. California has among the highest rates of electricity in the country, with rates as high as $0.50 per KWh. Over the last 30 years Californians have seen an average increase in energy rates of 6% per year. Solar will help protect you against further increases in utility rates. Further, utility companies charge the most for electricity during peak hours. This typically occurs during the middle of a hot day. With solar power, you will most likely be generating excess power during these periods, which is sold back to the utility companies at the peak rate. At times that you do use energy from the grid (at night) you will be buying the energy at its lowest rates.

Special rebates offered by Federal, State, and Local governments will significantly lower your installation expenses. California has one of the largest, and most ambitious solar incentive programs with the California Solar Initiative (CSI). Further, the Federal government currently offers a Federal tax credit of 30% to any homeowner who installs a solar system. See our Financial Incentives page for more information regarding these programs and other rebates for home energy improvements. 

Solar Basics

Standard photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity operates as follows:

1. Solar PV panels:  Modules installed on your home’s roof convert sunlight into DC electricity.

2. Inverter:DC electricity is sent to an inverter where it will be converted into AC electricity. AC electricity is compatible with the electrical grid and is capable of powering electrical devices.

3. Electric Panel:AC electricity is sent to the electric panel (breaker box) where it is now ready for your home.

4. Utility Meter: Your home’s utility meter will track the energy that your home produces and consumes. When your home produces excess energy, your meter runs backwards and your utility bill is credited.

5. The Grid:The home will stay connect to the grid. When your solar system does not create enough energy to meet your needs, you will still have access to the grid’s power supply. Conversely, when excess energy is generated, it will be fed back to the grid and you will earn money on the excess energy production.