MAKE THE GOLDEN STATE GREEN
Why go solar in California
California’s beautiful weather is perfect not only for fun in the sun, but also for solar. The Golden State takes first place in the U.S. for solar.* In fact, beginning in 2020, all new homes built are required to have solar. By going solar you can take your power back, be prepared for outages, and preserve the beautiful outdoors.
Save on energy
California residential electricity rates have increased 29%** more than the national average. This is mostly because of high time of use (TOU) rates. With solar, you can get a system to accommodate for hotter months. If you install batteries, you avoid using electricity on the grid. This means you will likely just have a minimum utility payment.
Be prepared for outages
Your utility may schedule outages to conserve energy. As the weather warms up, they may become more frequent. In the event of an unplanned or planned power outage, you won’t be left in the dark. As long as you have batteries, you will continue to have power.
Preserve California’s outdoors
California is full of beautiful beaches, parks, and forests. By reducing your carbon footprint you help protect the state’s natural beauty. Installing solar to your home is one major way you can do your part in cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2 from your environment.
Have predictable payments
Solar can help you budget monthly energy costs and focus on what’s important. Your monthly solar payment will remain the same for your system. As for your energy utility bill, in some cases you may only have a minimum bill to budget for. Make your monthly budget easier and more predictable.
Invest in your home
Many go solar for potential home equity. Real estate studies have found that 36% of homeowners saw an average 17% increase when selling their home.* The average California home is worth $618,016, a 9.8% value increase over the past year. Keep up with the market by adding panels!***
Solar Incentives in California**
California’s Property Assessed Clean program offers certain cities and counties the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity Financing program. Additionally, eligible homeowners in high fire-risk areas may be eligible for a $1,000 per kilowatt-hour of installed battery capacity incentive. And other homeowners that live in financially disadvantaged communities may be eligible for an $850 per kilowatt-hour incentive. These programs are available until funds are exhausted. They can be combined with county incentives as well.
PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers may qualify for the Disadvantaged Communities – Single-family Solar Homes program which provides rebates for eligible customers.
California homeowners are also eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).* The ITC allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes.
Solar panels perform in all kinds of weather
Going solar is a big decision, and although there are many factors you should consider, local weather shouldn’t be a deterrent. Solar panels are designed to work in almost any type of weather… even snow and clouds!
Sunny
There are sunny days ahead for solar. The more sun you have access to, the longer your panels work during the day. Your panels work best at converting energy when sun rays shine directly at them. The more energy you produce, the more excess you may be able to send back to the grid. Take advantage of the excess through net metering and other incentive programs.
Rainy
As the rain pours down, your panels will continue to be hard at work. Solar panels will work with reflected or partially blocked sun rays to keep your home powered. Your production is linked to the amount of clouds. Rain will have some effect on your production, but the rays will still penetrate through the rain. It may actually help keep your panels working efficiently as they wash away any dust or dirt.
Cloudy
It is a misconception that panels don’t work on cloudy days. The best way to know how much the clouds affect your system’s performance is to monitor your system on sunny days and compare. Your system may actually be more efficient without the excess heat. This is because solar systems prefer the cold! The sun’s rays are still able to penetrate through cloudy skies and keep your system running.
Snowy
Amazingly enough, even when covered in snow a solar system can still produce power! Scattered light filters through snow and reaches solar panels even when the snow cover is fairly heavy. Your solar panels may actual be more efficient in light snow. Cold weather helps them perform better, and usually snow slides right off. Power production may be reduced with heavier snowfall, but your system can still produce.
Windy
Solar panels are highly reliable and sturdy, they hardly notice your average winds. In most cases, damage from wind will be due to weakened roofs, not solar panels. This is why we assess your roof condition and reccomend any repairs prior to installing your system. In the event that higher winds cause an outage in the grid, you will still have power if you have batteries with your system.
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Solar power freedom starts here. Get 25 years of clean, reliable solar power with Freedom Forever’s Production Guarantee! Your energy freedom starts here. Terms and conditions apply.
*You should contact a qualified tax expert and consult with them. Neither Freedom Forever’s family of independent authorized dealers nor Freedom Forever itself can give you tax advice. A qualified tax professional will understand your situation and be able to give you the most relevant advice.
**This information is current as of May 5, 2021 and customers are encouraged to check with their local utility providers for the most up to date and accurate information.
*We advise you to consult with the appropriate professionals (including, but not limited to, your solicitor or attorney, accountant, CPA, CGA, or any other financial or legal advisor) for the implications of any information contained in our website and in any link you access through our website.
