tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87229396005110265432012-02-03T13:33:04.090-08:00This blog is provided by Nova West Solar, Inc. A solar energy company located in California and dedicated to placing the power of the sun in your hands.Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-4042955971791313642012-01-14T11:58:00.000-08:002012-01-14T12:17:55.873-08:00

Understanding Time of Use Rates Gary Fairhead 2010  PG&E customers are billed according to “how much” electricity they consume. This volume of energy is measured in kilowatt hours i.e. kWh.   “Tiers” have been created to “Price” the energy you use each month.  These “Tiers” of energy increase in price as consumers consumption of energy increases. The first tier is what PG&E believes the average

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-53775421338339679912011-12-29T09:34:00.000-08:002012-01-14T12:12:21.735-08:00

Solar in 2012 The high cost of electricity is expected to soar in the next 5 years and nearly everyone is looking for a way to lower their costs. Solar power is a great way to do this because you own and operate your own system plus state and federal rebates pay for about half of the investment price. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “solar energy systems are the best way to

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-63143548380045307732011-11-14T20:53:00.000-08:002011-12-17T00:04:23.554-08:00

Government Subsidies versus Loan Guarantees Earlier this week, Beacon Power, a company that builds systems to stabilize solar and energy power, declared bankruptcy. The company's Massachusetts plant will continue to operate at full capacity, but its finances will be restructured. This is big news mostly because Beacon Power received $43 million in Department of Energy loans, and because it

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-15023135684833840322011-10-01T12:33:00.000-07:002011-12-13T16:00:36.497-08:00

Solar Panels and Kilowatt Hour Productions Consumers interested in going solar often wonder which solar panels are the “best” and also which panels represent the best “value” A lot of emphasis will be placed on the financial stability, years in business, and warranty differences by solar sales people. So, which solar panels are the best value??? Below is a list of solar panels that compare 

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-87035769956152918522011-10-01T11:28:00.000-07:002011-10-02T14:56:33.127-07:00

When you are purchasing a solar system, you have the option to offset part or all your power. Here in Fresno and the Central Valley, summer bills can get out of control with air conditioning use and kids being out of school so it pays to think this through before finalizing the purchase.Many solar companies here in Fresno and the in Central Valley will usually recommend offsetting all your usage

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-37887710805279565602011-10-01T11:19:00.000-07:002011-10-02T14:55:16.173-07:00

Electric Cars and Solar PowerWe have a lot of customers that are looking to install solar on their homes and are also considering an electric car. We call this our Electric Car Option. Although we can’t help you get your new Tesla any faster due to the long lead times, we can help you generate the power so you won’t ever have to go to a gas station again.Here’s how it works. From Wikipedia, I

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-43423721709086620652011-10-01T08:03:00.000-07:002011-10-02T14:56:04.446-07:00

Smart meter capabilitiesA smart meter system allows for two-way communication between a customer and PG&E. The smart meters record energy use information daily. The technology allows for the meters to be read automatically without the need for a physical visit from one of PG&E’s meter readers. However for quality assurance purposes, after meters are installed, meter readers will continue to read

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-77640332044288301662011-09-15T21:23:00.000-07:002011-09-17T08:38:51.359-07:00

Water and PV SolarWater conservation is set to be as important as saving energy in terms of our financial investment into our current lifestyle. Homes are being prepared to have water rates spike as early as next year and homes that have never seen a water meter will be getting one of these meters in the near future. If customers are in the country and have their own well, the less it runs the

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-72398386160488530572011-09-15T12:49:00.000-07:002011-09-17T08:38:05.982-07:00

If you want to save as much energy as you can, there is one more thing you can do once you have optimized the heating and cooling systems, kitchen appliances and laundry routines. This thing is your electronic appliances. While most of them are thought to use only a trickle of energy, the total amount of electricity needed to power them is considerable.1) Never leave your computer on if you can

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-64002493751264880612011-07-28T06:17:00.000-07:002011-07-30T22:47:21.343-07:00

Energy Saving Tips Follow these tips to save on energy costs1. Replace and recycle your old refrigerator and purchase energy-efficient models. Units only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as a new ENERGY STAR® labeled model.2. Insulate ceilings to R-38 levels if your attic has less than R-19.3. Caulk windows, doors and anywhere air leaks in or out. Do not caulk around water heater

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-47606858030144841862011-07-26T07:43:00.000-07:002011-07-30T22:42:20.849-07:00

There are 3 main types of solar panels. Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous.Monocrystalline solar modules are the most expensive and there is a reason for this. These modules are made from a single large silicon crystal. Typically, a monocrystalline module will begin producing electricity at about 5% of maximum sun energy while a polycrystalline module will start producing power at

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-89725538153836138172011-07-15T13:27:00.000-07:002011-07-16T08:55:55.514-07:00

Author Gary FairheadNova West Solar Inc.07/15/2011In the typical house 38% of all lost heat escapes though leaks and cracks in the shell of the building. That's a lot of heat and money gone with the wind. A particularly drafty house might have the air completely replaced up to 10 times every hour. Ideally the air should only refresh once every hour or two.Though it can be difficult to find all

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-7775743256468688582011-07-15T07:04:00.000-07:002011-07-16T08:55:09.139-07:00

Author Gary FairheadNova West Solar Inc.07/15/2011The washer and dryer are two most commonly forgotten appliances in the house, but their energy consumption is considerable. You may have no idea about it, but you can reduce your energy bills simply by changing a way of doing your laundry.First of all, remember that nine tenths of the energy used by a washer comes for heating the water. Try to

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-59396458070964831732011-07-03T09:02:00.000-07:002011-07-04T07:56:28.883-07:00

Solar Sales People and YouIn one of our earlier blogs, we discussed solar sizing. A professional solar salesman should go over those items to help you evaluate your needs so a solar system can be sized and priced accordingly.Questions to ask yourself are1. Do you like the person you are dealing with? What is their attitude toward your hard earned after tax dollars you will be using to purchase

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-61685549559834028572011-07-03T07:05:00.000-07:002011-07-04T07:45:40.363-07:00

Author Gary FairheadNova West Solar Inc.07/03/2011The Washing Machine performs a fairly simple function… it cleans clothes. Yet anyone who goes to an appliance store to look at washing machines encounters what seem to be unlimited choices. Today, consumers are faced with top-loading, front-loading, high-efficiency (HE) water saver, steaming and wrinkle remover models to name only a few.One option

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-65467314270765738782011-06-21T09:57:00.000-07:002011-06-22T14:48:58.174-07:00

The Premier Lease to Own ProgramLast month we posted an article on solar leases and PPA"s (Power Purchase Agreements)The consensus in the industry is that leases and PPA"s are better than renting your energy from the utility company but not as attractive as actually owning your own power.Solar Leasing of California LC, has opened in the Central Valley of California and is offering a Lease to Own

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-27042032285730486242011-06-20T08:28:00.000-07:002011-06-22T14:48:25.082-07:00

SOLAR LEASING CONSIDERATIONSWhen is a solar lease a very good investment for consumers? The answer is when the consumer can own it in a very short time frame and if there is a specific and affordable buyout amount at the end of the lease.Current leases and PPA’s (Power Purchase Agreements) are offered from several different solar companies in the central valley. There are differences between the

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-27164177338282506402011-06-20T07:38:00.000-07:002011-06-22T14:43:44.558-07:00

How to Save Energy & Money on Your PoolPools are a major investment, not only in the initial expense involved, but also the ongoing maintenance and energy expenses. Maintenance and energy savings will directly affect how much solar you need to have installed or how much "extra" energy you can direct elsewhere.Algae is a living aquatic creature that multiplies rapidly on warm, sunny days.

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-65200843763066195762011-06-12T16:19:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:03:29.495-07:00

Gary FairheadDec 2010California passed a law in 2010 that will require Public Utilities to pay for excess solar generation. The bill, AB 920, sponsored by Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.Currently, if you generate more electricity than you use in a year, the excess simply goes to the Utility for free. This bill is the equivalent of a feed in

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-82975734021690089512011-06-12T06:31:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:04:15.837-07:00

How To Determine The Right Size Solar System For YouMany people call into the office and immediately want to know what a solar system will cost them for a 2000 sq ft home. The answer is it depends on the following:1. How much is your last 12 months usage in kilowatt hours (KWH) on a monthly basis? This information can be plugged into a solar sizing software program and give you a very good idea

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-66259152133787585142011-06-11T07:31:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:02:08.478-07:00

Where to Start Conserving Energy in Your HomePeople are always asking what energy conservation items should be addressed first when wanting to conserve energy.This is important because just by conserving energy, we can build consumers a smaller solar system. Usually the cost of solar is more than conserving your existing energy consumption.The first items on the list should be the least expensive

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-73136170998835319612011-05-29T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-29T18:40:15.408-07:00

A Tribute to George Harrison by Paul Simon, David Crosby, and Grahm Nashhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muFOeZSIC2U

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-86210876185983927802011-05-28T12:39:00.000-07:002011-05-29T18:37:04.228-07:00

Buy CarefullyThe United States Department of Agriculture inspects the nation's beef supply and grades it according to tenderness, texture, and "marbling," a term that refers to the distribution of intramuscular fat. (Remember this equation: Fat = Flavor.) There are eight USDA grades, but only two -- "Prime" and "Choice" -- are of interest to steak lovers.Only about 2 percent of U.S. beef is

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-41520734307358496112011-05-22T10:43:00.000-07:002011-05-22T07:13:14.801-07:00

The time to seriously consider solar is here. California electricity costs in 1970 were $0.02 per kWh and have risen to around $0.20 per kWh in 2006 and topped $0.49 per kWH by spring of 2010. This is an average increase of approximately 7% per year and does not consider the doubling of our rates since 2005! Worldwide supply and demand will increase energy costs above 7% per year. These increases

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-46311301041400095252011-05-13T17:32:00.000-07:002011-05-13T16:47:35.169-07:00

CFL's Change is in the AirThe lighting sector is on the edge of a spectacular revolution, a shift from the century-old, inefficient incandescent light bulb to far more efficient technologies. Perhaps the quickest, most profitable way to reduce electricity use worldwide—thus cutting carbon emissions—is simply to change light bulbs.The first advance in this field came with compact fluorescent lamps

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-11093532289058666812011-05-13T16:50:00.001-07:002011-05-14T17:23:03.253-07:00

Solar Leases and PPA's in Todays MarketplaceSolar leases are now the most popular way for consumers in California to invest into solar. There are two different options in this arena, leases and PPA's. (Power Purchase Agreements)A PPA works by allowing you to purchase energy produced from the solar system at a lower cost than purchasing the same energy from PG&E.A solar lease supplies energy for

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-180950215173874272011-05-07T07:52:00.000-07:002011-05-07T07:55:55.321-07:00

PG&E Gets Approval To Raise Your Rates PG&E officials won approval from state regulators on Thursday to seek about $395 million from customers through rate increases this year, but rates will not go up until the beginning of 2012, a company spokeswoman said today.As part of a settlement between PG&E and several advocacy groups, the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco approved

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-16961122040082636282011-05-06T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-07T07:58:58.425-07:00

Air conditioners are a pain. They use an incredible amount of energy, reflected in incredibly high electricity bills in the summer months. But in some places, like Texas and Arizona, it’s hard to go without them. Now, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory may have an answer to the problem: A brand new air conditioning design that could make AC units 90 percent more efficient than they are

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-59609192957716825512011-04-24T16:06:00.000-07:002011-04-24T11:44:41.492-07:00

Property Tax ExemptionMany consumers are confused at to whether their new solar system is subject to Property Taxes. The below paragraphs are from the State Legislature's California Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 73 which exempts homeowners property taxes from being increased due to the value to their homes increasing after solar is installed. Property Tax Exemption Jan.08, 2009California Law

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-50221312804663293472011-04-24T16:01:00.000-07:002011-04-24T11:42:35.482-07:00

Buy Now or Wait and SeeIt’s the eternal question: Buy now or wait? Assuming you want to install solar panels on your roof, should you go for it or hold off for better technology or lower prices? Some consumers are concerned that solar pricing and higher efficiencies are just around the corner. Why then, would consumer's want solar now?The first reason is pricing has dropped from over $4.00 per DC

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-91889169799690970992011-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:002011-04-24T15:49:28.977-07:00

Building Equity With SolarAll of the homeowners who have been installing residential solar panels over the last decade may find it was a more practical decision than they thought. The electricity generated has cost less than that coming from the local power company (especially when utility rebates and federal tax credits were accounted for) But if they choose to sell their homes, the price

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-70873751680217203242011-04-16T11:33:00.000-07:002011-04-16T09:46:10.805-07:00

Here is an easy explanation on how solar works. Enjoy!

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-45725206523171078142011-04-16T09:50:00.000-07:002011-04-24T15:51:17.929-07:00

New Solar Panels from SchucoSchuco is pleased to announced the arrival of their new Black frame and Black glass panels just a few months ago. These new panels have an amazing 0%-5% tolerance rating. This means they preform very well in in hot climate zones like Fresno. They are also announced the arrival of yet another solar panel. This new solar panel also carries the impressive 0%-5% tolerance

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-2736263761341486312011-04-04T12:07:00.000-07:002011-04-10T11:37:41.120-07:00

Nuclear Energy, Solar, and Tsunamis So much for the “nuclear renaissance,” said Eugene Robinson in The Washington Post. Until last month's earthquake-triggered disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, even some prominent environmentalists had begun championing nuclear power, portraying it as a means to end our dependence on foreign oil and “significantly mitigate global warming, all

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-87789301048356860722011-03-26T16:45:00.000-07:002011-03-26T20:27:51.211-07:00

How much power should I offset? When you are purchasing a solar system, you have the option to offset part or all your power. Here in Fresno and the Central Valley, summer bills can get out of control with air conditioning use and kids being out of school so it pays to think this through before finalizing the purchase.Many solar companies here in Fresno and the in Central Valley will usually

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-60976887330901650202011-03-20T15:44:00.000-07:002011-05-29T14:19:44.521-07:00

New LocationNova West Solar is proud to announce the location of our new offices. We are now located at 7429 N First St, Suite 104, Fresno, Ca 93720. This location is located on the North West corner of Alluvial and First Av. The complex is comprised of single story red brick buildings. What makes these buildings stand out are the "bow" glass window configuration on all of the building's

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-67156081715104508882011-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:002011-03-22T22:08:20.242-07:00

How and When to Clean Your Solar PanelsCleaning solar panels should be done two to three times a year if you live in the city and three to four times a year if you live in the country.Excessive dust and dirt build up can lower your output by anywhere from 5-15%! By generating electricity, we are in essence generating money. It only makes sense to keep your solar investment running at an

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-76797798654422919722011-03-10T09:50:00.000-08:002011-03-08T22:18:01.485-08:00

Choosing 3 Solar Companies from HundredsRight now, we are seeing a flood of new solar companies joining the solar installation ranks in California. Every day, a new website goes up proclaiming years of experience and yet, there are only a couple dozen real players out there. Every year, several hundred solar companies try their hand at solar and you never hear from them again. The next year, a

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-79066739690694830202011-03-08T08:58:00.000-08:002011-03-08T21:58:22.870-08:00

Grid Tied InvertersInverters work by taking the DC power from the source, such as an array of photovoltaic modules (typically 250 to 600 volts DC) or micro hydroelectric turbines, and inverting it to AC power so it can be fed into the grid. The inverter must also synchronize its frequency with that of the grid (e.g. 60 Hz) using a local oscillator and limit the voltage to no higher than the grid

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-30542489245545910302011-03-06T08:57:00.000-08:002011-03-06T12:13:57.053-08:00

FUTURE UTILITY INCREASES PLANNEDThe electricity that we are supplied today from PG&E and the other investor-owned-utilities is produced by a multitude of different power plants. This group of power plants is called the "portfolio." Electric power plants are characterized by their size (Megawatts) and the fuel source used to drive the generators. PG&E's electricity generation mix (fuel mix or

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-29889865694354049512011-03-05T22:28:00.001-08:002011-03-05T22:28:45.251-08:00

How Mono Crystalline is MadeTo better understand the expense of a single solar panel, it is necessary to know how the highly efficient mono crystalline cells are produced.Silicon is a semi conductor that can either block or conduct electricity, depending on how it is treated.It has taken decades to perfect the manufacture of mono crystalline crystals. The process starts out with heating raw poly

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-16488627902086592482011-03-02T14:42:00.000-08:002011-03-02T22:40:27.357-08:00

Solar Terms and DefinitionsBaseline RateThis is the lowest or base rate you pay for electricity. This is shown in blue in the Tiered Rate Structure below. The entire tiered rate structure is founded on this baseline amount.The baseline amount of electricity varies by several factors. These factors are:Summer vs. Winter (actual electric rates can also change by Summer vs. Winter)The region you

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-51193372110203352562011-02-25T12:57:00.000-08:002011-02-26T08:19:57.914-08:00

In March of 2010, Solar Leasing of California debuted their new ten year lease. Most leases like Solar City, REC & Real Goods (Sun Run Lease) do not allow customers to buy their solar system at the end of 20 years.They usually do not offset all of a customers electric bill and do not use high end solar equipment.Solar Leasing of California is different in that it offers Schuco (GERMAN MADE) solar

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-83237454407190803062011-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:002011-02-22T19:43:40.657-08:00

Solar Design and System PerformanceSolar Energy is becoming more common in the United States and especially in the central valley of California. If you are considering a solar energy system for your home, there are some design considerations that will help make your system cost effective, reliable and safe.Cost Effective Solar EnergyThe first and most important consideration for a solar array is

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-73194650392204493052011-02-20T08:37:00.000-08:002011-02-20T08:58:06.162-08:00

Xantrex announces inverter recall - Xantrex, Sunpower and GE brandsUnfortunately, we have learned about a fairly extensive product recall regarding Xantrex inverters that have been marketed under the Xantrex, Sunpower and General Electric brands.We understand from the attached Recall Notice that this is a voluntary recall on the part of the manufacturer and that it covers Xantrex GT series

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-21836435728442104952011-02-19T15:55:00.000-08:002011-02-18T19:50:00.408-08:00

Quality MattersFrom the inception of the company, we wanted to offer a very personalized, custom approach to each client. That meant doing one project at a time, with an emphasis on high quality, outstanding products and complete follow through on everything promised. Our Sales Engineers work with each client to design a system that exceeds their expectations. We schedule permits, material

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-7310410085320696062011-02-18T11:41:00.000-08:002011-03-02T22:38:47.378-08:00

Paying Less and Getting MoreConsumers have many different solar panels available to use under the CSI (California Solar Initiative). With so many different solar products available, it is easy to get confused on which panels to purchase. Several factors need to be incorporated into the final decision on which solar panels to use.What is the efficiency of the panels? This is important because

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-31358031077916240842011-02-11T14:40:00.000-08:002011-02-12T18:33:14.442-08:00

Quality of Life and EnergyPeople want to run their air conditioners when it is hot. People want to keep their lights on when it is dark. People want to run their computers and other household electronics when they need to work or be entertained. Eventually people will want to charge their electric cars or generate hydrogen, using electricity, for their hydrogen cars. Buying a solar power system

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-34660516163182713572011-02-11T11:44:00.000-08:002011-02-13T10:31:05.823-08:00

Solar Hot WaterThe 10 Million Solar Roofs & 10 Million Gallons of Solar Hot Water Act would address rising energy costs, global warming and America’s dependence on foreign energy sources and create tens of thousands of new green-collar jobs and billions of dollars in new investment. The legislation would spur the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating (SWH) technology across

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-88717629831263296502010-12-30T11:42:00.000-08:002010-12-30T11:51:15.150-08:00

Fed Tax Credit Grant for Commercial Solar Jobs Extended!On December 17, President Obama signed into law the tax legislation that includes a one-year extension of the Federal Tax Credit Grant Program.The successful program has allowed 1,100 solar projects in 42 states to move forward and supported $18 billion in investment. The program has been critical in allowing the solar industry to grow by

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-59752805693883603722010-12-20T11:32:00.000-08:002010-12-20T11:50:33.203-08:00

Homeowners Must Pay Off Energy Improvement LoansMany homeowners who participated in a program that let them repay the cost of solar panels and other energy improvements through an annual surcharge on their property taxes must pay off the loans before they can refinance their mortgages, two government-chartered mortgage companies said recently.The guidance came from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722939600511026543.post-43551975229849108142010-07-09T11:26:00.000-07:002010-07-09T11:37:24.431-07:00

Despite a massive $46 million campaign, Proposition 16 — the California ballot measure backed by utility Pacific Gas & Electric — failed in yesterday’s election with 52.5 percent of voters saying no to the company’s attempt to block local governments from creating or growing their own municipal utilities.Specifically, if passed, Prop 16 would have required a super-majority of two-thirds of voters

Gary Fairheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015008878056585439noreply@blogger.com0