Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I install a solar PV system?
A solar PV system will enable a homeowner or a business to save money on electricity bills and reduce emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming. It will also help reduce the country's dependence on foreign fossil fuels.
Federal and state government incentives have made installing a solar PV more affordable than ever. As a result, investing in these systems will provide a large financial return and a short investment payback period.
Why should I make energy efficiency improvements?
Just like a solar PV system, energy efficiency improvements help homeowners and businesses save on energy bills, reduce emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming, and help reduce the country's dependence on foreign fossil fuels. There are also a series of federal, state, and SDG&E incentives that have made the cost of implementing energy efficiency measures even more affordable.
However, energy efficiency systems will typically provide energy savings at a much lower investment cost than solar PV systems.
Why should I combine solar with energy efficiency improvements?
Combining solar and energy efficiency systems will provide homeowners and businesses the highest energy, economical, and environmental benefits, resulting in shorter investment paybacks and higher financial returns. See example
What incentives are available for solar PV?
The federal government provides an investment tax credit of 30% of the total system cost, after any state rebates.
The California Solar Initiative (CSI) provides residential, commercial, government, and non-profit organizations with a rebate for installing solar PV systems that are connected to SDG&E's electricity system. While CSI rebates represented up to 25% of total system cost when the program first started in 2007, the rebates are going down as more installations are put in place. Currently, CSI rebates represent about 15% of total system cost.
What incentives are available for solar hot water?
The federal government provides an investment tax credit of 30% of the total system cost, after any state rebates.
The state is currently running a solar water heating pilot program in San Diego County that is providing rebates for residential and commercial solar water heating systems. Rebates for residential systems average $1,250 per system, representing close to 20% of the total system cost. Rebates for commercial systems average $2,800 per system, representing close to 15% of the total system cost.
What incentives are available for energy efficiency improvements?
The federal government provides an investment tax credit of 30% of the total energy efficiency improvements, limited to a maximum credit of $1,500 for cumulative improvements in 2009 and 2010.
SDG&E offers a series of incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. These programs vary by customer segment and type of efficiency improvement.
What financing options are available for customers?
Residential customers can finance solar PV and energy efficiency systems through savings, home equity loans, or a solar system lease. Savings and home equity loans will typically provide higher monthly savings and financial returns as leases are expensive to administer and setup. See comparison
How long does it take to get the systems installed and running?
It varies greatly by installer. For residential systems, many firms will take up to three months from the time you sign a contract to the time your system is running. At Solare Energy, we typically have our systems running one month after signing a purchase contract.
How do I request an energy assessment?
Call us at 800-411-SOLAR or send us an email at info@SolareEnergy.com
