Thursday, December 12, 2013
4 Facts about Solar Panels That Will Change the Way You Think About Clean Energy Forever
Residential solar energy systems are at the forefront of efforts to switch to clean energy – not because they’re popular among people who want to conserve the environment, but because they’ve become an affordable and money-saving alternative to powering homes. These four facts will broaden your perspective on how tremendous of an impact solar panels can make in your life.
1. The working and middle-class accounted for over 60% of solar panel installations in California last year. Homeowners with median incomes ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 are leading the rooftop solar revolution: middle-class neighborhoods make up the fastest growing areas for solar panel installations in California. Why is this? Protecting the environment is not the only reason that people “go solar.” In one poll by a California solar company asking why homeowners purchased solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, 74% of them said that they did it to save money, not to make a statement about being environmentally friendly. Saving on power bills can be a deciding factor for those who are especially concerned about rising electricity costs.
2. A home solar power system can raise the value of your home. A study performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that solar homes sell 20% faster and for 17% more than non-solar homes in California. New homes with PV cells, costing $380,000 to $500,000 sold for as much as $600,000. And although they were expected to sell in 3 years, they sold within just one.
3. Solar panels require minimal maintenance. 97% of Americans overestimate the cost of installing a solar energy system, including the cost of maintenance and repairs. Other than a semi-annual cleaning, solar panels don’t require a lot of maintenance because the PV modules have no moving parts, and they are also designed to hold up against all weather conditions. Although most solar companies offer a manufacturer’s warranty of 25 years for the panels, some systems may last 40 to 50 years.
4. Installing the right solar system can result in a $0 electricity bill. California home owners can save hundreds of dollars each month by installing a residential solar system. Many local energy companies, such as Solaire, report that their customers end up with a $0 power bill by eliminating electricity costs. It can even take as little as 5-7 years for the solar system to pay for itself.
Are you weighing your options for the right solar system? We’re here to help - contact us for more information on solar panel installation.
Photo Sources: 1, 2
Monday, August 19, 2013
6 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioner More Efficient
During the summer months, the air conditioner is
probably the busiest electrical machine in your home. Regular maintenance is
key to ensure that it runs well without running incredibly high energy bills.
Most units (with regular home maintenance and an annual professional service)
will last around 8-12 years. After this, it may be time to consider upgrading
for a more modern machine that uses the latest air cooling technology with
maximum energy efficiency.
Here are a few maintenance tips that’ll help keep
your current air conditioner in working order this summer. Caution: before performing any home cleaning or maintenance on your
central air conditioning unit, be sure to power
it off.
1. Keep
filters clean and well-maintained.
Regular maintenance of your air
conditioner’s filters will ensure that it runs efficiently. Filters should be
cleaned at least once a month to
make sure they’re not getting dirty and clogged. Dirty filters obstruct
airflow; any air that manages to bypass the filter will carry dirt into the
evaporator coil and damage the coil’s ability to absorb heat. This can increase
energy consumption from 5%-15%.
*Tip: if you have any pets in your
home, you may need to clean your filters more often.
2. Clean
your air conditioner coils every summer.
The job of the air conditioner coil
is to cool by absorbing heat. Remember how we mentioned above that dirt damages
this function of the coil? Even with regular filter cleaning, after a few
months of use, dirt will make its way onto the coil and reduce efficiency. So,
in addition to cleaning your air conditioner filters, you also need to clean
your air conditioner coil to remove dirt and dust. You should clean your air
conditioner coil annually or more often if the environment around the air
conditioner is particularly dusty or dirty.
*Tip: Sometimes the coil will be
outdoors. You’ll be able to tell if dust is building up on an outdoor coil by
seeing if there’s a collection of dirt on its fins.
3. Clean
the fins.
Cleaning the fins outside your air
conditioner will also improve efficiency. You can easily clean the fins with a
small soft brush (a toothbrush, for example, works well). Using the soft brush,
brush each fin individually, taking care not to bend the metal.
4. Have
your machine serviced by professionals.
To get a long life out of your air
conditioner, get an annual maintenance check by professionals who can give it a
professional cleaning and service. They’ll be able to get your machine working
efficiently so that your energy bill stays reasonable. At Solaire Energy
Systems, we provide HVAC machine service and maintenance. Get in touch here (or call us at
1-800-847-7751), and we’ll provide you with a free estimate.
5. Clear
the condensation lines.
The condensation lines carry
condensation away from the air conditioner. If you don’t regularly clean these
lines, they can slowly build up with dust and dirt, which gradually makes its
way up the pipe back into the air conditioner. Needless to say, when this humid
debris reaches its way into the air conditioner, it can cause a nasty mess in
your home (not to mention an expensive repair bill). An easy way to avoid this
is to pass a firm wire through the lines on a regular basis.
6. Check
the seals on your home’s windows and doors.
Check that all the seals around the
windows and doors in your home don’t have any breaks. Breaks in the seals will
allow cool air to escape, which overworks your machine (and in turn will
increase your energy bill).
At
Solaire Energy Systems, we’re experts at installing and maintaining HVAC
systems. Our energy-efficient air conditioning systems keep your home cool while
keeping your energy costs down.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
SunPower’s X-Series Delivers the Latest Solar Power Technology
“This is our moment in time. America's solar
energy industry stands ready to do our part to help fight climate change and
usher in a new era of clean energy in America and around the world.” – Rhone Resch,
Huffington Post, 2013
We couldn’t agree more – the
time for solar power is now.
Thanks to SunPower’s new
X-Series solar panels, delivering efficient electric energy to your home has
never been more cost-effective. Released in April of this year, the X-Series is
the energy experts at Solaire’s new preferred choice of
residential solar panel. These new panels deliver more energy, are highly
reliable and have superior aesthetics to previous models.
The X-Series’ efficiency is a
world record breaker and makes them the most efficient residential solar panels
on the market. Efficiency in solar panels is measured by what percentage of the
sun’s energy they’re able to convert into electricity. Standard solar panels have an efficiency of
around 15%, while the
X-Series work at an impressive 21.5%.
Their top-of-the-line features
include:
- A high-energy output with no light-induced output degradation. Output degradation sometimes happens with older solar panel modules – the solar cells lose efficiency after being exposed to sunlight. Over time, this degradation by sunlight can substantially decrease solar cell efficiency. SunPower’s X-Series solar cells have, by far, the lowest degradation rates of any solar panel in the industry.
- SunPower’s X-Series are hardworking, too. With their better low-light and spectral response, they’ll be at work before you get up in the morning and still be generating electricity long after you’re home in the evening (especially with California’s long summer daylight hours).
- Some rooftops have higher temperature than others. X-Series panels make the most of this. They are low temperature co-efficient, which means that even under the highest heat condition, SunPower’s X-Series solar cells will produce more power than any other product on the market.
- The X-Series is available for the residential market with its standard (335 watt) and smaller (250 watt) formats. The cells’ sleek black design makes them ideal for house rooftops, as they blend in smoothly with outdoor décor and look much more attractive than traditional home solar systems.
Here at Solaire Energy Systems
we are an Elite Sunpower Dealer, which means we are experts in supplying and
installing SunPower’s new X-Series Model, and we are national leaders in
customer satisfaction and sales. If you’re interested in getting this new solar
panel model for your home, or you’d just like to know more, contact us online.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Solaire Gives Solar Education Seminar for Shadowridge Rotary Club
As part of our mission to promote clean energy sources and environmentally-friendly technologies, Solaire Energy Systems recently held a solar education seminar for members of the Shadowridge Rotary Club in Vista, California. The seminar was conducted by our Director of Sales and Marketing, San Diego solar panel expert Peter Stern during a lunch meeting at the Rotary Club on April 9.
During the meeting, Peter talked to Rotary Club members about solar energy, including actions the government is taking to fight the threat of climate change, such as promoting sustainable energy sources in businesses and private homes.
The California Clean Energy Act, for example, has allowed utility companies to install their own wind and solar farms and pass the costs on to consumers. The California Solar Initiative program, on the other hand, provides rebates to state residents who install solar panels on their home property or business. Additionally, homeowners in Riverside County a solar loan through the County’s HERO program, which is a form of PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing that requires no income or minimum credit score requirements if the homeowners have at least 10% equity in their home and meet a few other conditions. PACE financing is repaid by the homeowner through their property taxes.
Actions such as these have helped the state of California set an example as a leader in solar projects and wind installation throughout the country. However, many Californians are unaware of the incentives for installing solar panels and other energy efficient technologies.
After sharing our solar panel knowledge with members of the Shadowridge Rotary Club, we got great feedback, including these kind words from Luene Corwin: “[Solaire] was well prepared, the information was accurate and informative, and it was presented in an entertaining manner that everyone enjoyed. It was well worth our time, and I would recommend the presentation to anyone interested in solar energy.”
To schedule a clean energy seminar of your own or to learn more about the benefits of using solar panels for San Diego homeowners, contact us by calling 1-800-847-7751.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
San Diego Solar Energy Company Solaire to Speak at 8th European-American Business Mixer
March 6, 2013 (San Diego, CA) – San Diego solar panel installation company Solaire Energy Systems is announcing its participation in the 8th European-American Business Mixer on Thursday, March 14th, 2013. Centered on green technology as the future of the economy, the event will take a special focus on “How Obama’s Green Energy Initiative will affect economic growth and job creation in San Diego.”
The European-American Business Mixer is a series of combined business mixer events held in the San Diego area by the French American Chamber of Commerce and the German American Chamber of Commerce California. As sustainable and environmentally-friendly technology grows increasingly important to businesses even outside of the energy industry, the Mixer is recognizing the influence of green technology on all types of companies and the need to open local business owners’ minds to networking with green energy companies. In addition to offering the French and German Chambers of Commerce an opportunity to promote trade and best business practices between the United States and Europe, the event is also a popular business networking opportunity and a way for local business owners to increase their company’s visibility.
The event’s guest speakers will include Jarrod Fisk, founder and CEO of Solaire Energy Systems. Experienced in solar and electrical contracting, Fisk founded Solaire in order to provide consumers in the San Diego area with a way to use high-quality renewable energy to power their homes while reducing their carbon footprint.
Now one of the leading residential solar energy companies in San Diego and Riverside counties, Solaire is proud to speak at an event highlighting the positive influence of solar power on the economy and job creation. “Solaire Energy Systems is honored to be invited to participate as a keynote speaker,” says Fisk. “We feel this is an important topic and a sector of our economy that will continue to be vital to the economic recovery, energy independence, and environmental stewardship of our local community and our country as a whole.”
Also speaking will be Clark Crawford, manager of Soitec Solar’s US headquarters in San Diego; and Tristan Grimbert, head of the EDF Group’s renewable energy operations in North America. The event will be held at the Mintz-Levin Facility at 3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, in San Diego from 6:00 to 9:00pm (doors will be closed at 7:00). To register online, visit http://crm.france-sandiego.org/index.php?q=civicrm/event/register&id=8&reset=1.
About Solaire Energy Systems
A leading installer of photovoltaic solar panels for residential use in San Diego and Riverside counties, Solaire offers a wide range of solutions that help homeowners improve the efficiency of their homes – including photovoltaic solar, thermal hot water solar, pool solar, high efficiency HVAC, and high efficiency windows and doors. For more information, visit http://www.solaireenergysystems.com.
Read the original post on PRWeb.com here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/solarenergysandiego/europeanamericanmixer/prweb10498914.htm
Monday, February 4, 2013
California Sets Another Solar Power Record
California
is becoming known for its solar power, and this winter the state set a new
record in solar power generation during not only the winter months – but during
the shortest day of the year.
Winter
days deliver about four fewer hours of daylight in California when compared to the
summer days, but that’s not stopping the state from setting peak solar power
generation records.
In
August of last year, California passed the milestone of 1,029 megawatts (MW) of
solar power production. To the surprise of many citizens in California and
around the world, the state nearly reached that peak August generation level
during the week of the Winter Solstice, which is the least-sunny time of the
year, setting a new winter solar power generation record.
On
December 19, solar power generation reached between 950 to 1000 MW. It’s
an important milestone because during the Winter Solstice, the sun is lower in
the sky than at any other time of year, which means that there is much less
solar energy available for solar panels to utilize.
Just
a few days later, on New Year’s Eve, the California Independent System Operator
tweeted early that solar output had set a new record of 1,122 megawatts, and on
January 2 hit 1,235 MW. Solar power companies in San Diego were
excited to hear the news of this record, and even more excited to help the
state reach more solar milestones in the coming year.
The
significant point here isn’t just the about of MW generated, but also how California’s
solar energy generating capacity has grown significantly since the August
record was set; and when compared to last year, the growth is especially
impressive. In December 2011, for example, there was a maximum of only 200 MW
of solar power production generated.
California
has one of the country’s most determined renewable energy programs. By 2020, the
state aims to generate 33 percent of its power from renewable sources,
including solar power.
Throughout
the state, San Francisco to San Diego solar panel installations
are becoming more common, and the growth is expected to continue – or even
increase – in 2013. What a great way for California to start the New Year!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Happy Holidays from Solaire, your Solar San Diego Experts!
Happy
Holidays from your solarSan Diego
experts, Solaire Energy Systems! We hope you spend this holiday season with
your friends and family while enjoying the solar power.
Here
at Solaire Energy Systems, we have so much to be grateful for this holiday
season. It’s been such a terrific year, and of course, we could not have done
it without our valued customers, our employees, and all of our friends and
family!
2012
has been great year not only for us, but also for San Diego. This year, our
city was named the #1 Solar City in California for the second year in a row by
the California Center for Sustainable Energy, making it not only the top city
in the state, but in the country. We are proud to have been part of the solarpanels San Diego
success!
Building
off of this year’s excitement and promise, we are extremely optimistic about California’s
renewable energy future. 2013 stands to be a remarkable time for green energy,
and our beautiful state is expected to maintain its position as leader of the
solar race in the year to come.
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