San Diego Solar Company | Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Roofing, HVAC
Few home improvements make the impact that you will get when you decide to go solar. The Department of Energy says that installing solar panels is one of the most important ways that residents can affect climate change while also improving their homes. There are also several other benefits that you can experience, and even better, several professionals that now specialize in these systems. So, how much do solar panels cost? These tips will help you when you're searching for the best solar companies in San Diego and need to handle some preliminary research. Understanding the Cost of Solar Panel Installation The best way to explore the cost of solar panels is by getting several price quotes. Talk to a handful of different solar installation pros so that you have an idea of what the market in San Diego offers. Finding the help of a local solar panel professional gives you the chance to find a good deal on your panels. The cost of solar panels will depend on the brand, quality, size, and the amount of labor involved. You should also consider the fact that the government offers tax credits, which you can take advantage of. This can also offer a sizable discount so you save some money on the installation. Why Solar Is Impactful Now that you know the factors that affect the cost of your panels, make sure you also know why these panels are worth every penny. For one, a solar power system helps you update your home so that you build equity in it and keep it more modern. It's also an incredible investment in sustainability so that your home and lifestyle are more green-friendly. Ask your professional about the energy efficiency ratings of the panels that you're getting ready to purchase. You'll also appreciate that installing solar panels can help you save money. They'll help you cut out the high cost of your electrical bill since you're switching from municipal power. Solar panels make it so that your home isn't reliant on the energy grid. Saving money in this way can help you become more financially savvy and responsible as a whole. Hiring Quality Solar Panel Work You have an obligation to find the best solar companies in San Diego. This lets you know that the work will be done correctly and with the highest level of craftsmanship. A solar contractor in San Diego will help you shop for the best panels and accessories, and will also make sure that the work is aesthetically pleasing. If needed they'll also help you shop for the best solar battery San Diego has to offer, and can sell you a warranty that protects the total package. Do Business With the Best Solar Companies in San Diego The tips above are excellent when you need to do business with the best solar companies in San Diego. Take the time and effort to shop around for these panels to do what's best for your home. Semper Solaris is happy to help you from there. If you need help with your solar installation, schedule an appointment with our team of professionals.
Do you rely on San Diego Gas & Electric to provide you with the power you need to keep everything in your home up and running? You might be under the impression that this is the only way to keep electricity flowing throughout your home. But counting on SDGE isn't the only option you have. You can also work with the best local solar company to have solar panels installed on your roof. It'll provide you with solar power in San Diego that you can use to replace much of the power that you're currently getting from SDGE. Keep reading to find out why you should embrace San Diego solar power from now on. Why Should You Look For an Alternative to SDGE in San Diego? If you have a home in San Diego that gets its electricity from SDGE, you probably got quite the surprise when you opened up your bill from the utility company earlier this year. Most people's bills doubled seemingly overnight. And this price hike wasn't just a one-time thing. SDGE has increased its rates substantially to account for the steeper prices it has faced when it comes to serving its customers. It has led to much higher electric bills for those in the San Diego area. It has also led to some people considering solar panels more than they may have in the past. Why Should You Install Solar Panels in San Diego? You should think about installing solar panels in San Diego, first and foremost, so that you can stop spending a small fortune to have SDGE provide you with electricity. You might be able to save your fair share of money each month using solar power in San Diego provided by solar panels on your roof. You should also give thought to installing solar panels in San Diego for other reasons. Here are several of them: Makes your home more eco-friendly Increases the value of your home Puts you in a position to potentially make money off your solar panels each month It would make all the sense in the world to install solar panels soon, especially when you consider the price hikes SDGE has imposed on its customers. What Is the Best Local Solar Company in San Diego? If you like the idea of having solar panels installed on your roof so that you can cut ties with SDGE, you'll need the best local solar company in San Diego to help you out. You shouldn't trust just any solar company to set you up with solar panels. Semper Solaris in San Diego is the best residential solar company around. You can obtain the solar panels you want through them for a fantastic price and begin enjoying the many benefits of using solar power in San Diego. Let Semper Solaris in San Diego Install Solar Panels for You Are you ready to make a clean break from SDGE? As the best local solar company in San Diego, Semper Solaris can make the transition as easy as possible for you. We'll help you select the right kind of solar panels for your home. We'll also figure out the right places to put them so that you're able to harness solar power from the sun from here on out. Take advantage of our solar panel services by scheduling an appointment with us today!
Reasons to Go Solar in San Diego Keep reading if you're looking for reasons to go solar in San Diego. Our article is here to help you learn how to start saving money. If you're lucky enough to live in San Diego, CA, then you know that it's one of the sunniest and most beautiful places in the country. From lush Balboa Park to the stunning Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, you're never far from an outdoor excursion. Have you ever thought about harnessing that gorgeous sunshine and using it to power your home or business? If you've been thinking about making the switch to solar power, now could be a perfect time. With a pleasant climate and more than 3,000 annual hours of sunshine, it makes sense to go solar in San Diego. Today, we're taking a closer look at why this is the case and how you can get started today. How Does Solar Power Work? Before we dive into the many aspects that make this city ideal for solar power, let's take a step back. How does this form of renewable energy work in the first place? Put simply, a solar panel system converts sunlight into electricity. Inside each panel is an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which contain electrons. When the California sun beats down on each panel, those electrons loosen and create an electric current. When the current flows out of the panel, it's known as direct current (DC) energy. A piece of equipment called an inverter converts the DC energy into the alternating current (AC) energy that your local electrical grid uses. Overall, this is an exceptionally clean, renewable, effective form of energy. If you're a San Diego resident looking to save money on your monthly utility costs and do your part to help the environment, switching to solar is a smart move. Let's take a closer look at a few reasons why. San Diego Is Super Sunny As mentioned, there are thousands of sunny hours in San Diego every year! In fact, one study found that the city sees an average of more than 265 bright days annually. This is a significant amount, especially compared to the national average of just 205 sunny days. For residents, this means more than just plenty of time spent outdoors. It also means that your solar panel system will be put to great use. As the sun hits your system, you can generate an impressive amount of solar power! Alternatively, think about how much money you'd spend in HVAC costs trying to cool your home down when it gets that hot! While solar panel systems can technically work in primarily cloudy climates, they don't always operate at peak capacity, especially when there's little to no sun peeking through the clouds. In San Diego, those darker periods do occur, but they're far less frequent. Solar Saves Money Another reason to look into solar panels if you live in or near San Diego? Making this switch can save you a substantial amount of money! In December 2022, local news outlets, including NBC 7, began reporting on the higher energy rates that San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) was set to impose in San Diego County in 2023. By January of this year, the average homeowner's utility bill was expected to rise by nearly $30 per month. Stories like this one reveal it was closer to hundreds of dollars in some cases, even as SDG&E made $915 million in GAAP earnings in 2022, up from $91 million in 2021. Why Are Prices Up? In their defense, SDG&E has attempted to explain away the spike, blaming everything from cold weather to the low capacity of gas storage facilities. The most feasible explanation attributes the price to the rising cost per unit of natural gas, which is known as a therm. In January 2022, one therm cost the company only $2.36. One year later, it rose to $5.11. Natural gas is considered a fossil fuel, along with coal and oil. If you use any of these forms of energy to power your home or business, you're reliant on the going market price. Suppliers are required to pay this price to purchase the fuel on behalf of their customers. If the market price goes up, suppliers raise their own rates. In turn, your costs go up. You don't have to worry about that when you rely on solar power instead. If you can eliminate or simply reduce your reliance on the local utility grid, you'll notice the difference in your monthly utility bill. In addition, if you wind up producing more energy than your property needs, you can even send that energy back to SDG&E through a process called Net Metering, which could save you even more money. Here's a quick look at how it works. Net Metering In San Diego, grid-connected solar energy system owners who generate an excessive amount of solar energy can feed it back to the grid. For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you contribute, you get a credit on your utility bill for almost the full retail value of that kWh. The difference in payment is only a few cents, usually reserved to pay for environmental benefit programs that all SDG&E customers pay. You can use this credit to access the grid during periods when your solar panel system isn't making enough power to meet the demands of your property. It's a smart and easy way to maximize the return on your solar investment. Solar Supports the Environment Finally, another reason to go solar in San Diego is that it's simply better for the environment! When you aren't burning fossil fuels, you aren't releasing dangerous greenhouse gases into the air. This helps slow the pace of climate change, which benefits everything from wildlife habitats to our direct and indirect water supplies. One property can make a significant difference, protecting the humans and wildlife that rely on the city's ecosystem for daily sustenance. Are You Ready to Go Solar in San Diego? Now that you know a little more about why it's smart to embrace solar in San Diego, are you ready to learn how? At Semper Solaris, we're here to make the process easier than ever before. As a trusted, veteran-owned solar company, we can help you save even more on solar today. From initial design to final installation and support, we're there every step of the way. Book an appointment today and let's get started!
Does Going Solar Make Sense In San Diego? The San Diego region is blessed with an abundance of sunlight, making it an ideal location for solar power. Solar panels installed in San Diego can generate enough electricity to power a home or business, and the region's climate means that panels will typically experience little wear and tear. Reasons To Go Solar San Diego If you're considering solar power for your home or business, San Diego is a great place to do it. Solar power is generated by converting sunlight into electricity. Solar panels are made up of many solar cells, and when sunlight hits these cells, it knocks electrons loose. These loose electrons flow through the material to create an electric current. This current can then be harnessed and used to power homes and businesses. Solar power is a renewable, clean, and efficient source of energy, making it a smart choice for San Diego residents. With an average of 260 sunny days per year, San Diego has the potential to generate a significant amount of solar power. Solar panels require little maintenance and have a long lifespan, making them a cost-effective investment. Making the switch to solar power can help reduce your carbon footprint and support the move towards a more sustainable future. Solar Panel Installations San Diego Overall, solar power is a great choice for San Diego residents. With plenty of sun and little wear and tear on the panels, solar power can save you money in the long run. Plus, it's good for the environment!
Lakeside is a beautiful and tranquil place to live for those of us who want a more rural experience while being close to San Diego for work and entertainment. The weather is near perfect-we experience 260 days of sunshine, which is 30% above the national average. This means that installing solar is a great way to use clean, renewable, and infinite energy for your home. Semper Solaris would love to help you with your solar panel installation in Lakeside! Within recent years, the cost of solar has plummeted 60% while the cost of energy keeps rising. We have seen an increase of more than 13% in the last year alone! All of this just means that your solar will provide you with the freedom to continue to use your air conditioning and electronic devices without worrying about the rising cost of energy! If you are looking for the best solar panel installation in Lakeside, you have found it! We know integrity, honesty, and hard-working people matter, and we provide the best quality service in the industry. We are a military veteran-owned company. We employ many veterans as well because we know their work ethic is above par. The best solar company in Lakeside is one that offers impeccable service along with the best American Made products on the market, and that is us! How do panels work? The energy that is harnessed from the sun creates an electrical charge in the cells of the solar panels. These cells then power your home. They are generally placed on rooftops, but if you have a lot of land, you can place them on the ground as well. What if I have excess power? Excess power is a significant problem to have! SDGE offers a program called net metering. What this means is that when your panels create more energy than you can use, the power company buys it from you in the form of credits. You can use those credits on days that your panels may not keep up with your usage due to bad weather so that you do not have to pay an electrical bill. Contact a solar contractor in Fullerton today from Semper Solaris. Our knowledgeable customer care staff members will help schedule a time for a technician to come and evaluate your home. They will evaluate your existing roof structure to make sure it can support a solar panel system. We can go over which solar panels are right for your home and your usage, and we can give you an estimate on your installation. We will go over the types of American Made solar panels we use, as well as outstanding warranties these products come with. The companies we work with back their products with a 25-year warranty, which is the life of the product! We strive to make the experience as simple as possible!
With abundant sunshine and the Pacific Ocean in its back yard, San Diego has always been an eco-friendly, forward-thinking place. That’s why it leads the U.S. in solar energy installments. In fact, going solar in San Diego is a common theme for America’s Finest City and its residents. The county increased its solar capacity 60 percent in the past year to 303 megawatts. If you’re looking to live in sunny San Diego (or even if you already call it home), here are the top neighborhoods to go solar based on key factors that add to the overall quality of living. 1. Del Mar The coastal city of Del Mar (Spanish for “by the sea”), takes the number one spot for the top neighborhood in San Diego County. It’s ritzy, yet laid back beach-town vibe makes it a pleasant place to live for many residents. Just about 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, the area is home to many families and its public school system receives an A+ rating, ranking the #4 suburb with the best schools in the state of California. When it comes to fun activities, Del Mar is famously known for being home to the historic Del Mar Racetrack, where horse races take place all summer long and the town is also one of the only places where Torrey Pines, the rarest pine tree in the United States, grow. Hike, surf, bet on the ponies or just enjoy a stroll in the sunshine - Del Mar boasts breathtaking views around every turn and excellent beach-front weather, making it a go to place to install solar panels in San Diego. 2. Solana Beach The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as Solana beach, the neighboring town of Del Mar, ranks second as a top neighborhood for solar in San Diego. Solana Beach has a population of 13,000 and is known for its beach, eclectic shops, dining, nightlife, golf courses and hiking scene. It averages a comfortable 62 degrees during the winter season and 77 degrees during the summer time, with a near two-mile stretch of coastline to enjoy. Locals frequent Fletcher Cove Park, a favorite spot to catch beautiful sunsets. Commuter-friendly Solana Beach houses a major train station stop (one of only three in San Diego County) that serves both Amtrak and the Coaster and residents have easy access to San Diego’s major freeways, including the 5 and the 101 interstate highways. With its outdoor-friendly sentiment, this town upholds environmental consciousness, making it a chief contributor to a more solar San Diego. 3. Encinitas Moving further up the cost, the town of Encinitas is another top pick for places to go solar in San Diego. Encinitas was named among the 20 best surf towns in the world by National Geographic and sits along the historic coastal Highway 101. It’s home to 62,000 residents and is segmented into five different areas: Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, Olivenhain, Leucadia and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Each of these communities has its own personality offering a range between an oceanfront beach life to more rural, family-oriented suburbia. Old Encinitas sits along the coast and is known for its famous surf break, Swamis. In Olivenhain, you can find private equestrian facilities and mainly single family homes. New Encinitas boasts numerous golf courses and shopping centers, while Leucadia is a place of tree-lined streets, art galleries and eclectic stores. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is an oceanfront community and home to the San Elijo Campus of Mira Costa College. Encinitas has something for everyone, which makes it extra appealing to live and reap the benefits of solar year round! 4. Coronado Just south of downtown San Diego, across the signature Coronado bridge is an island called Coronado. The island community is a top tourist attraction because of its famous Hotel Del Coronado, where Marilyn Monroe used to frequent. But aside from being a major San Diego destination for visitors, it’s also a very family-friendly place to live. Coronado has a small-town charm to it, with shops, art galleries, restaurants and theatres for its residents to enjoy. And don’t think the beach is just any old beach. Its signature gold sand makes it extra beautiful and mesmerizing as the year round sun reflects off the golden flecks floating in the ocean. The town is also home to a U.S. Naval Base, which instills an all-American pride in Coronado locals. Those who reside here get to enjoy views across the water of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline as they bask in their private escape that is Coronado. Living in Coronado, however, comes at a price. The median home value is $1,332,500 while average rent is $2,268 per month. These higher end costs make solar power even more appealing as it saves residents money in their electricity bills, making Coronado a big proponent of solar San Diego. 5. Carlsbad Carlsbad is a large suburb in North County San Diego. Its population of 112,000 includes many families and the city is one of the most affluent in the state of California. It’s filled with seven miles of beaches, nature trails and endless family attractions, including Legoland. Carlsbad divides into four different quadrants, each with its own distinct attractions. The northwest quadrant encompasses the “Village” (downtown) and Old Carlsbad— the first part of Carlsbad to be settled. Houses here include everything from cottages and bungalows to mansions overlooking the ocean. The northeast quadrant of Carlsbad consists of mainly single-family homes while the southeast quadrant has a handful of master-planned communities along the hillsides, golf courses and parks. The southwest quadrant stretches along the Pacific Ocean, where constant sunshine makes it solar energy friendly. The top neighborhoods for solar in San Diego all have a common thread—the residents appreciate the environment they live in and take advantage of their ideal setting in the sun. With the ocean and beaches in close vicinity, there’s an extra amount of respect to keep the place they live in clean—and solar energy is a part of that. As the sun keeps shining, these communities will continue to keep San Diego #1 in solar installation. If you live in one of the communities (or anywhere in San Diego) and don’t already have solar panels on your home, we’d be happy to give you a free energy analysis so that you can see how to start taking advantage of the year-round sunshine we have in Southern California!
San Diego gets an average of 261 days of sunlight a year, so it’s not surprising so many Southern California homeowners and businesses are embracing solar installation as a way to save serious money on their electricity bills and lower their energy footprint. Making the investment in solar panels is a big decision. In this article, we’ll walk you through some important ways you can prepare for your solar panel installation at three major milestones: before your consultation, after your consultation, and before the installation. Before Your Solar Consultation Before you set up your initial consultation with a solar contractor, there are a few things you can do to make sure the first meeting goes smoothly and that the solar contractor has the information needed to make the best recommendations possible. Determine If You Have the Right Roof Unfortunately, certain roofs are just not a good match for solar panels. Roofs need to be at least 200 square feet to offer enough space for solar panels, and ideally your roof will be at least 400 square feet. At least one side of the roof should face south or southwest to have access to the most sunlight possible. Certain roofs with a very extreme pitch may also make it difficult to install solar panels. If you suspect your roof might not be ideal for solar panels, not to worry! Installing solar panels on the ground may also be an option. Figure Out Your Energy Usage A solar installation specialist will need to know how much energy your home uses on average throughout the year in order to recommend the ideal solar panel array size for your home. You can help the specialist by presenting a year’s worth of electricity bills, which will include monthly usage. Most electric companies have online customer websites. Create an account or log in to access your previous bills. Estimate Future Electric Usage If you know that your electric usage will change in the coming years, then it’s a good idea to invest in a solar array that will give you all the juice you’ll need tomorrow rather than just what you’re using today. For example, do you want to purchase an electric vehicle in the next year or so, or do you have plans to install a hot tub? These items will require a lot of electricity, so make sure you let your installation specialist know about potential future electricity needs during your consultation! Choose the Right Solar Contractor The most important decision you’ll make when it comes to installing solar panels is the contractor you hire. Your contractor can make the process stress-free or leave you feeling completely frustrated. The ultimate success of the installation will depend upon the training and expertise of your solar contractor as well as their understanding of your budget and your solar needs. Don’t skimp on doing your research to make sure you find an experienced, highly regarded, and honest contractor. There are many great solar contractors in San Diego, including Semper Solaris. After Your Solar Consultation During a solar consultation, the solar specialist will assess your roof, make a recommendation on the solar panel array that is right for your needs, give you financing options, and answer your questions. Many homeowners and business owners come out of the consultation excited and ready to schedule the installation. However, there are important steps you’ll need to take first to prepare for the installation. Decide If You Want to Lease or Buy Your solar installation specialist will lay out your financial options during the consultation. The two most popular options are to buy the solar panels or to lease them. Leasing solar panels often requires little to no upfront payments, which might be the right option if you are working on a limited budget. However, you’ll be paying a fixed rate for your electricity, and the solar company can take back the panels when the leasing period is up. Buying your solar panels will require a significant upfront payment, but then you own the panels. Ideally, the array will pay for itself and more over its lifetime. You’ll need to look at your finances and your personal preference to determine what is the best option for your situation. Address Roof Problems It’d be a shame if you went through the entire process of installing solar panels only to have to replace your roof two years later! Before installing solar panels, ensure that your roof is structurally sound enough to hold the extra weight. If your roof is old, leaks, or has damaged shingles, you’ll need to repair all of these things before your solar installation. Consider that solar panels last roughly 20 to 25 years. If your roof is aging, even if it’s not falling on top of your head yet, it may be a good idea go ahead and replace it. It’ll be a big investment, but a new roof will increase the value of your home and allow you to get the most out of your solar panels. Get Permissions and Permits If you have a home owner’s association, you’d better bet that they will want to know if you are making major changes to your roof. Additionally, the city and public utility company will need to know that you intend to change the way you power your home, especially if you want to give excess electricity back to the grid. Your solar contractor should handle all these requirements, from receiving permission from your HOA to pulling an electrical permit, filing the right documents with the city utility, and getting the necessary electrical inspection completed. Before Installation You’ve decided how to pay for your solar panels, your roof is ready to go, and your installer has permits and HOA permission in hand. Now can you start? You’re almost ready. Here are the last two things to prepare for before the work gets started. Make a Decision on Metering or Battery California’s utility companies have done a good job of embracing the solar panel revolution and allowing homeowners and businesses to send excess energy back into the grid in exchange for credits. In order for this to happen, the utility company will need to install a production meter to measure the amount of electricity your new panels produce and feedback into the grid. Your installation company should take care of this process. Alternatively, you may decide that you want to keep all of the electricity your solar panels produce, thank you very much! If this is the case, then you’ll need a way to store the excess power, like Tesla Powerwall, during the day so that you can use it at night or on overcast days. Your solar contractor can recommend the right battery option and even build a utility nook to house the battery, along with the other extras that you’ll need, including electrical inverters and integration equipment. Develop a Family Plan for Installation Day Solar panel installation day is exciting… and also loud. People will be walking on your roof all day long, as well as drilling and hammering. If you have skittish pets or young children at home, you’ll need a plan to either keep them calm during this time or to remove them from the home during the installation. You’ll also need to be on call during the day in case the installers have questions or run into unforeseen challenges. It also doesn’t hurt to alert your neighbors of the coming commotion as a curtsey. With a little planning, you can make sure your installation goes quickly and smoothly for every member of your family! Hopefully this article gives you an idea of what to expect as you begin your solar panel planning. A huge component to a successful solar array installation is choosing the right contractor. We know you have the choice of many solar contractors in San Diego, and we hope you will consider allowing us to compete for your business. At Semper Solaris, we are dedicated to providing you with the best customer service, the highest quality solar panels, and the best installation possible. Please schedule a free onsite energy analysis when you are ready to get this process started.
If you’re ready to buy solar panels for your home, there are a few questions you should ask. While you are indeed making the smart decision to go solar, you still need to do your due diligence in order to make this transition to renewable energy a successful one. From questions that can help reinforce your choice to switch to solar and understanding exactly what solar energy can be used for, to finalizing the details of costs, installation and which solar panels you should buy—there’s a lot to know about installing a solar power system. Here are five crucial questions you should be asking before installing a home solar power system - with answers to match - so you can go solar with full confidence. 1. Why go solar? There’s a long list of benefits to going solar that should make you feel comfortable in changing your home energy source. For starters, using solar energy reduces your carbon footprint. Unlike fossil fuels and gas, solar is considered a clean source of energy, meaning it doesn’t pollute the air with harmful emissions. So, while you’re doing good for the environment, what’s in it for you? The bottom line is, going solar will save you money in the long run. Based on the average household electricity usage, solar energy has been shown to save $10k - $30k over a course of 20 years, when compared to what’d you pay for a traditional electric bill. Furthermore, you will never have to deal with unpredictable electricity bills again. Once you have a system installed, the cost of solar energy is fixed and free, since you are essentially getting power from a free energy source (the sun, that is). 2. What can solar energy be used for? Solar panels for home energy can be utilized in a multitude of ways. The primary use most people think of is using the energy collected from your panels to power everything in your house, from the electricity to the heating and cooling. Here’s how it works: The solar panels installed on your roof capture particles of sunlight (aka, photons). These photons are then converted into electrons of direct current electricity. This current then flows through a solar power system that converts it to alternating current power, which is the type of electricity that comes from the wall outlet that connects to your TV, computer, lamps and kitchen appliances. On top of solar panels providing your home with electricity, you can also opt to heat your water through a solar collector that heats water directly or via a “working fluid” that is used to heat water. 3. How much are solar panels going to cost? It’s easy to ask the question, how much do solar panels cost? But when it comes to solar systems, they are not one-size fits all, and an easy answer isn’t always easy to find with a quick Google search. That’s because there are many factors that come into play when determining how much solar panels will cost to install. The size of your home and the amount of electricity needed to power it are the major factors in determining many of the initial costs. To give you a rough idea, this 2018 year, homeowners will pay between $2.71 to $3.57 per watt to install solar, with the average U.S. system calling for 5000 watts. What it boils down to is around $9,485 to $12,495 (after tax credits) for a total system. Don’t be alarmed by these numbers because we’ve seen solar systems pay for themselves relatively quickly. If you’re looking at it from a big-picture perspective, the tax credits you get for going solar and the overall amount of utility savings make the actual value of the panels great. They will pay for themselves and even help you save money over time. For an exact idea of how much solar panels will cost for your home, we’ll give you a free energy analysis that can determine exactly how much energy your home needs and how many panels should be installed. 4. What are the best solar panels for my home? When it comes to installing solar panels on your home, you want to make sure they are the most efficient on the market. The top-rated solar panels, according to SolarReviews, is Enphase Energy. These ratings are based on homeowner reviews, but keep in mind that you should also consider your specific energy-saving goals and how much you're willing to invest upfront. Getting the most trusted name in solar panels is key to ensuring satisfaction in your switch to home solar energy and that’s exactly what our team at Semper Solaris looks for in solar panel manufacturers. 5. Who are the best solar providers near me? While using the best panels the solar industry has to offer is a must, choosing the right solar energy system provider to install them is just as important. You want to look for a company that has had proven experience and expertise in the solar roofing field. Word-of-mouth can be one of the best ways to find out who does solar in your area. You can also opt to do a quick internet search. From the list of providers that pop up, be sure to do your research. We recommend looking for testimonials from homeowners that have used that company’s services. You also want to make sure that you receive personal attention from the solar company you choose to hire. Open communication between contractor and customer builds trust. Knowing that your solar needs are the top priority for the company you are working with will help to keep your mind at ease while you are installing your new system. If you reside in California, Semper Solaris provides solar power services up and down the state, installing only the best solar panels for homes. Making the decision to go solar is a big one that can lead to endless benefits in home energy usage. Understanding what exactly solar energy can power in your home along with the kind of financial investment it will take, can inform your decision on what solar panels to buy and have installed on your home roof.
Congress passed a law that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on July 29, 1958. NASA was created to be a civilian agency with the job of coordinating America's activities in space. Since this time, NASA has been in charge of many different expeditions into space. Some of these expeditions involved human astronauts, while others were performed with computers and machines. Thanks to NASA's work, satellites have been sent into space that help us to explore the solar system, forecast the weather, and communicate in faster ways. The Cold War and the Space Race During the 1950s, the United States and the Soviet Union were military rivals. At the same time, the two countries engaged in a competition that has become known as the space race. Each country tried to outdo the other in many ways, and when it came to science, space exploration was the focus. On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, which was the first satellite to be sent into space. This satellite weighed a little more than 183 pounds, and it went around the Earth in a space trip that took 98 minutes. The United States was surprised by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik I, and the world was excited about this event. Less than a month later, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik II, this time sending a dog into space. The Soviets knew that they had no way of returning the dog to Earth, and their plan was to keep it comfortable with food and water until it ran out of oxygen after about 10 days. But temperatures inside the aircraft were higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dog only survived for about two days. NASA launched the first American satellite on Jan. 31, 1958, called Explorer I. Explorer I's main job in space was to measure the radiation present in Earth's orbit. Explorer I orbited around the Earth one time every 114.8 minutes, making more than 12 orbits a day. After it finished its work, it returned to Earth's atmosphere on March 31, 1970, burning up as it fell. Memorable Achievements Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. Pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module, called the Eagle, and Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon. Aldrin and Armstrong spent about a day exploring the moon. In 1975, scientists began working on a special telescope that would be able to get a clear view of space, unobstructed by the water and gases that surround Earth. This telescope is named after Edwin Hubble, an astronomer. After 15 years, scientists finally launched the telescope. Through the Hubble Space Telescope, people can see parts of the universe that are billions of light years away. Pioneer 10 was a spacecraft that left Earth in 1972, bound for Jupiter. Pioneer 10 made it to Jupiter, recording data about the planet, and then it kept going. It left the solar system in 1983 and traveled into interstellar space. Designing and inhabiting the International Space Station has also been an extraordinary accomplishment, not only for the United States but also for Russia and other countries. Astronauts have spent hundreds of days aboard the International Space Station, studying space and how humans respond to extended periods without gravity. Space Shuttles Initially, the spacecrafts designed by NASA were built to be used just one time, since scientists had not yet figured out how to get them back down to Earth without destroying them. Designing reusable spacecrafts was an important achievement. The goal was to make some kind of heat shield that would protect the vessels from the high temperatures that come with re-entering the atmosphere. Then, there was also the problem of getting the spacecraft back down to Earth and landing it in one piece. In 1981, the space shuttle Columbia flew a successful mission as the first reusable spacecraft. Satellites Using satellites that NASA has put into orbit around the Earth, scientists can get real-time images that help predict the weather. Satellites have also revolutionized the way people communicate around the world. An intricate web of telephone circuits has enabled people to communicate easily and relatively inexpensively. Satellites also make it possible for TV and radio channels to broadcast worldwide. Newer types of satellites enable cell phone service. A Brief History of NASA This Day in History: NASA Created Learn About the History of NASA Space Exploration Timeline Top NASA Photos of All Time Early Space History NASA's Apollo Technology Has Changed History History of the NASA Skylab, America's First Space Station
