Grid-connection makes you a partner with the electric provider. Power from your system, in the daytime, might power 3, 5 or even more houses on your block, lowering the need for expensive and environmentally harmful "peak power" generators. In addition to a standard building permit, the electricity company must issue you a "net metering" contract with your own number. Further, they are allowed to inspect your equipment to ensure that it's up to code, and to make sure the meter can record your production as well as your consumption.

Solar cells are built into panels, the panels are mounted on racks. Racks must be strong enough to withstand wind, and bolts holding them down must be sunk into roof joists, then sealed with silicone sealer. Tile roof requires removal and re-insallation of the tiles.

Flexible metal conduit is sealed from the elements and collected at a sub-panel or fused collector box. The powerful DC current is combined and carried by heavy duty wire in solid conduit to the Inverter. The (optional) battery pack is connected to the DC side of the inverter. The inverter changes the current to familiar AC, and hooks up to the electric meter.

Roof orientation is important. Panel efficiency is related to the angle to the sun. South-facing sloping roofs (in the northern hemisphere) are the easiest, but a system can be configured for almost any roof. California law does not allow banning solar rooftop systems based on appearance considerations or Association rules or covenants. Also, if a neighbor's trees block your panels, the law does require their owner to trim them.

Besides rooftop installations, you may also opt for groundmount installations. The panels may either be oriented south-facing by the use of racks or a naturally south-facing hill. Since groundmount installations are closer to the ground, they are often more vulnerable to shading from nearby tall objects, so it is usually best to place groundmount installations in a cleared area.

...YES! The CEC, City of Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power, Anaheim, and other agencies, provide substantial "buydown" assistance (up to HALF the cost of the solar panels!). This dramatically lowers the cost of the systems supplied by EESolar. We handle all this cost-cutting paperwork for our customers: system documentation, 5 year warranty, receipts and so on.

For your solar system installation, you will require expertise in roofing to make sure that no leaks occur during the rainy season. Different types of roofs require different treatment and installation techniques. The simplest, ideal roof for installation is composite shingle. Rails and solar racks may be mounted on top of composite shingle without removal. Similarly, a flat gravel roof does not require much re-roofing work for installation. Concrete, metal, and clay tile roofs, on the other hand, present a greater challenge -- they require removal and replacement. Since they are delicate and extend significantly above the roof, the tiles need to be temporarily removed so that the rails can be mounted firmly. After the installation of the rails, the tiles may be placed back on the roof. Click here for a detailed photo-description of how tiles may be done.

Yes, you can do almost all the work yourself. The difficult rewiring and new wiring must be done at least under the supervision of a licensed electrician. EESolar provides assistance and advice if you wish to do it yourself. Contact the office for details and costs.  You can start by looking over the chronology of tasks, thanks to SCE's Net Metering Dept, and the pricing guidelines for panels and other supplies. Consult the CEC and/or SCE for the latest required documentation.

The "hills and valleys" of electric demand are reflected in the TOU rate schedule. While normal domestic service does not charge depending on the time, the TOU rate schedule, when available, charges (and, for solar owners, pays) depending on the time. If you opt for TOU, and if it is available in your area, you can sell electricity during the day at a higher rate but your usage (at night) would be charged at a much lower rate. This leverage allows even small systems to lower or even eliminate the electric bill (excluding the $5 monthly cost of the meter).

Plainly put, it saves you money! The solar energy that you generate will not just be available during the day, but also during the night, cutting your monthly electricity bill by more than 50% (often up to 100%!). Because solar panels are heavily subsidized by various sources, this investment will eventually completely pay for itself and then more ... forever!

Thousands are now living with their own clean rooftop power systems, contributing to the grid during peak demand and lessening our dependence on fossil fuel supplies, as well as reducing the environmental costs associated with energy production. Power grid operators and government regulators alike recognize the mutual benefits of solar power generation during peak daylight hours -- when it's most needed, and generated where it's needed, lessening power tranmission costs and losses.

In the long run, you're saving yourself a significant amount of money, AND you're helping out the environment. What can beat that?

Graph Depicting Cumulative Value of Solar Panels Over Time

Our analysis shows that a typical solar panel installation will literally pay for itself over a period of about ten years, and how after three decades, you would have saved enough money to buy TWO decent midsized cars! Visit our signup form or contact a sales representative to find out more.

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