Semper Solaris Blog
To supply businesses and residential areas with sufficient electricity when energy demands reach their peak, the city of Oakland flips on another power plant fueled by fossil fuels. As with all power produced from fossil fuels, Jack London Square’s “peaker” emits greenhouse gasses and other harmful pollutants into the air and the surrounding environment. OAKLAND CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE As a large part of the Oakland Clean Energy Initiative, the city is looking to retire the old power plant and replace it with a virtual power plant. This virtual power plant would replace its jet fuel with clean energy and begin the process of making Oakland’s environment, air, and residents a little healthier. This project by East Bay Community Energy will impact the city in nearly every aspect. Financially, the solar-powered power plant will ultimately save the city money: EconomicallyIt will provide more local jobs for Oakland EnvironmentallySolar energy will help reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and improve public health by cutting polluting air toxins Even the Oakland community will benefit by reaping the financial benefits of solar energy and reducing electricity bills for low-income homes. The city of Oakland is taking a massive step toward clean energy, and as a resident of Oakland, you can too! SOLAR POWER FOR EVERYONE IN OAKLAND The benefits of going solar can’t and shouldn’t be ignored. Instead, take full advantage of them by switching to clean energy with the best solar company in Oakland: Semper Solaris. Switching to clean energy helps the community of Oakland as well. Along with the positive environmental effects of solar panels, solar batteries, such as Tesla Powerwall battery, offer a unique asset for you and Oakland. When energy demands are high, instead of turning on the fossil fuel-generated power plant, you can sell surplus energy stored in the battery back to the grid. You make a profit, and Oakland receives the energy it needs without sacrificing the environment or the health of your community. WHY STAY LOCAL? At Semper Solaris, not only are we a Tesla Powerwall certified installer, we are also locally owned and operated! This is essential when considering solar companies that you can trust for your solar products and services. The initial, upfront cost of solar is expensive and is one of the biggest deterrents for homeowners from making the switch to clean energy. This also makes choosing the right solar company important; if you’re paying for something, you want the best, and you want it done right. As a solar company in Oakland, we know all the Federal and local solar rebates and tax credits offered for Oakland residents. With Semper Solaris, solar panel installation in Oakland has never been more accessible or more affordable. Now is the time to switch, the financial incentives won’t last forever. As utility and electrical rates soar higher and higher in California, there is no better option than solar. Get the best solar panel installation in Oakland right here at your local Semper Solaris, and let us serve you with our award-winning customer service and excellent products! You won’t find another solar company in Oakland that will treat you with excellence, respect, and honesty we pride ourselves on at Semper Solaris.
Are you interested in installing solar panels to your home in San Francisco, but don’t know where to start? Are you looking for American made panels or panels that are assembled in the United States? At Semper Solaris, we have been rated as the best solar company in San Francisco. We can help you decide which solar panels are right for your family’s needs and budget. We also only provide American made materials for our projects. Many Americans are concerned with the recent tariffs instituted in January 2018 by the current administration that increased the price of some items imported from China by around 30%. How does this affect you, the consumer? Luckily, we have many great companies in the United States that we can support! We can help you decide which panel is best for your solar panel installation in San Francisco. At Semper Solaris, we want to install only the best panels available to you. Here is some basic information on solar panels and on some of the top manufacturers in the U.S. What is a solar panel made of? Solar panels can be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. What this means is that the silicone is a single crystal or it has many silicon crystals melted together to form the cell. A panel made of a single crystal is always going to cost more, but it will be more efficient, and it will look black. Polycrystalline panels look speckled, and are not as efficient, but are still a great option. What are some of the top panels available? Some of the top panels available are manufactured or assembled in the United States. The following companies rank among the highest in efficiency and also carry the longest warranties available. These companies also manufacture or assemble some or all of their panels in the United States. We are proud to be able to provide the best solar installation in San Francisco to you, and we can install these products for you! Q-Cells: Q.ANTUM DUO Z Technology with zero gap cell layout bo0sts module efficiency up to 20.9%Silfab: They run between almost 18%-20% efficient and have a 25-year warranty. All five of these companies offer the highest efficiency, competitive pricing, and best warranties available, and we are honored to offer their products to you. Semper Solaris, a U.S. solar company in San Francisco, can install some of the top-ranked solar panels available! Call us to schedule a consultation with one of our qualified installers today! Remember that a bigger national solar installer may not have the lowest price, and consumers who shop around tend to save as much as 10% on their solar installation!
Where does Los Angeles Rank? Solar panel installation in Los Angeles is growing exponentially, and that is in part due to large projects such as the Staples Center and LAX. Homeowners are following suit, and installing panels for home use as well, and that has to lead to Los Angeles is a leader in solar! What about California? In fact, of the top 10 cities in the United States, four of them are in California. Semper Solaris is proud to be part of the best solar installation in Los Angeles. These cities include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Riverside. Riverside, one of our neighboring cities, quadrupled its solar production in 5 years. We are proud to have been a part of the growing use of solar power in Southern California! California is an undisputed leader-we have more than 23 GW installed and about 17% of our energy is produced by solar! California is at the forefront of solar production, but the rest of our country is moving toward solar as well! In fact, the United States powers one out of 11 homes with solar energy! So call Semper Solaris today, a top solar company in Los Angeles to see if solar is right for you. We can evaluate your needs, your current power usage, and your home to see if solar is right for you! We want to help our country move toward clean, environmentally friendly 100% solar power energy! How is the rest of the world doing with solar? The United States is not the only country moving toward solar energy to power their cities and homes. Other leaders are China, Japan, Germany, Italy, and India. These countries have come up with new innovations to further solar usage. Japan uses old abandoned golf courses to house panels as well as building floating solar panel farms in the ocean surrounding their country! On several occasions, Germany has met more than 50% of their usage with solar! They are shooting for 100% by 2050! China is the largest producer as well as the buyer of solar panels. They offer great incentives for their citizens to go to solar due to their concerns about their country’s pollution and environmental impacts. While Italy may not be a vast producer as far as volume, they cover about 10% of their country’s needs, which is more than any other country! India launched the National Solar Mission to help combat climate change in 2010 and added a record 9 MW of solar with more than 9,000 more under development! If you are considering becoming part of the global movement to cleaner energy, give us a call!
We've all been there. You pull into your driveway and notice that your roof has seen better days. You know it is time to replace it, but you don't know what materials are best for your Long Beach home, or who is the best roofing company in Long Beach. There are so many companies out there to choose from, and Semper Solaris is one of the best. We are here to help you learn about your options, see what roofing materials are available, and what is best for your home and your budget! What materials are best for my Long Beach home? Most consumers today are great at researching for themselves. We would like to help offer a concise list of what materials are available to you no matter what roofing company in Long Beach you decide to use. Since Long Beach has great weather, you have many options to choose from for roof replacement for your home. Asphalt Shingles Asphalt shingles are the easiest and usually the cheapest option. They go on quickly, which means you save money on labor costs.There are many color and style options to choose from, so you can easily fit the existing exterior of your home.Asphalt shingles come in different thicknesses as well. simple three-tab shingle thicker architectural traditional wood shingle most expensive multi-arch shingle One thing to keep in mind is that asphalt shingles can transfer heat down into your home, so consider installing a lighter colored shingle. This simple choice can decrease your cooling bill by 10-15%! So if you use asphalt for your roof replacement in Long Beach, remember you can save money with a lighter color! Metal Roofing Metal roofing has become more prevalent in recent years, especially in areas of southern California that are prone to fires. They come in aluminum, copper, and alloy strips. You also have the option of various shapes and textures to add interest and curb appeal. Pros: They reflect the sun's rays, so your home can be more relaxed in the summer A metal roof can last 50-100 year; some come with a lifetime warranty They release any heat gained during the day more quickly than other materials, so your home cools down quickly at night They can cost more upfront, but you gain that money back over time with energy savings, the longevity of the metal roof, and lower maintenance costs. Can be installed over an existing roof, so this can save you money in installation Cons: The cost can be prohibitive for some consumers Consider the reflective properties of metal and look into a stone coated steel roof Can be loud in the rain Clay/Terra Cotta/Slate/Concrete For a more natural product/look, consider one of the above materials. These materials can last up to 100 years, are fireproof, windproof, they circulate air well, and can withstand earthquakes. Clay and concrete tiles can be dyed or painted to match your home's aesthetic. They are great for warm and dry climates! It is worth mentioning that these materials are heavy, so you may need to upgrade your roof support structure to support them. We can let you know when we evaluate your existing structure if you will have to. We hope this information helps when you call to schedule an appointment with Semper Solaris! Remember to mention to our expert roofing installers if you are considering solar panels in the future. We are the best solar roofing company in Long Beach, and we can assist you in preparing your new roof for solar as well! Call us today for a free evaluation and estimate!
Researching solar panels from the best solar company in Lemon Grove can lead to serious questions. One question you may not think about is: what kind of maintenance and upkeep will your new solar panels require? At Semper Solaris, we won’t keep you in the dark! Here is a checklist to help you care for your solar panels. This list will help your panels perform at their peak capacity year ‘round. At any time you find that your panels need maintenance beyond cleaning, call Semper Solaris. Taking care of your panels requires little time, but the benefits are worth it! Importance of Cleaning Solar Panels Solar panels are very durable, and solar panel installation in Lemon Grove is a smart investment. They pay for themselves very quickly, so you want to take good care of that investment. Typically panels can exceed their average lifespan of 25 years and with a little TLC yours could last up to 40 years. </p I had my panels installed with the best solar installation in Lemon Grove -- Semper Solaris! What do I need to do to take care of them? How does dirt build-up affect my panels? Well, dirty panels can reduce your panel efficiency by 25%. That is quite a loss, and that’s the energy you could be powering your home with! Cleaning your panels is easy. It only needs to be done once or twice a year, depending on your local environments, such as close proximity to freeways or dusty areas like fields. If you have an exceptionally windy day, take a peek at them and make sure they are clear from debris. In especially dirty areas, some homeowners find they need to clean their panels every three to four months. Keep that in mind if you notice a drop in your panels’ productivity. How do I clean them? If your panels are on your roof, consider calling a professional to clean them. As your solar company in Lemon Grove, we can come to provide a cleaning service, and maintenance check on your panels-just give us a call! If your panels are easily accessible and safe for you to access, you can clean them yourself. Here are some tips for safely cleaning your panels: Clean them in the morning or the evening or even on an overcast day. If it is too hot, the water and cleanser will dry too quickly, leaving streaks and residue, which will decrease their ability to create power. Make sure you use a biodegradable and solar panel safe cleanser so that you don’t damage your panels or your plants! Use a soft sponge or brush and scrub gently in small, circular motions. Do not use abrasives or harsh cleansers! If you have hard water, do a final rinse with soft water to prevent calcium build-up. Use a soft towel or a squeegee to dry the panels to avoid streaks! You can also have us install a monitoring system to keep track of the energy produced from your panels. If you notice a drop in production, it may be time to clean your panels! At Semper Solaris, we know your investment in solar is important to you. We want you to be happy with your panels and taking care of them is the best way to ensure the longevity of your solar system!
While we like to think to harness the power of the sun to benefit mankind is a new technology, this is not true! If you are interested in some fun facts and myths surrounding solar energy from the best solar company in La Mesa, read on! You may be surprised by what you learn! The San Diego area is one of the world leaders in solar home use, so you can be proud to have solar panels powering your home! We love to help our customers become free from the grid and with solar panel installation in La Mesa, you can eliminate your electric bill completely! Read on to learn some interesting stuff about solar! Fun Facts about Solar Energy 1. There is enough solar power available to go 8,000 times total the world's power usage! We just can't harness it all. Even the best solar installation in La Mesa can't harness it all-YET! (but we are working on it!) 2. The Greeks and Romans first harnessed the power of the sun! They used passive solar designs to provide heat and light in their homes! 3. In the 1960s solar power was used as a power source onboard spacecraft! Vanguard 1 was the first satellite powered by solar cells, and it is still in orbit-it has traveled more than 6 billion miles! 4. More energy hits the earth in one hour than we can use in one year. 5. Solar power is the environmentally friendly-in fact it produces no water or air pollution and emits no greenhouse gases. 6. There is no noise pollution for your neighbors to hear when you use your solar panels. So if you don't have solar yet, look up a reputable solar company in La Mesa, like Semper Solaris, to come out and give you an estimate! 7. When panels are installed on existing structures, the environmental impact is minimal. 8. Once installed, there is no maintenance required, except cleaning your panels a couple of times a year. 9. The Mojave Desert here in California houses the largest solar power plant in the world. It is about 1,000 acres! 10. Solar energy has been used for more than 2700 years and is only getting better and more efficient! Myths about Solar Energy 1. Solar is Free Well, that is not entirely true. You can finance panels for zero down and the government rebates to help subsidize your panels. 2. Solar is for the wealthy only Nope! While that may have been the case about 20 years ago, solar is very affordable for most Americans. We will evaluate your needs and help you find a system to fit your budget! 3. My panels won't work on cloudy or rainy days Guess what?? Your panels will still produce energy even during inclement weather! They can also be more efficient during those chilly, sunny winter days! 4. I read that solar panels can damage my roof Again, not true! Any qualified solar panel installer knows how to make sure your roof can support solar panels. They also see the area where the panels are mounted to your ceiling is sealed to prevent leaks. Call us, the best solar roofing company in La Mesa for a free quote. 5. I don't own my home/I live in a condo or apartment, so I can't have solar. There are many community solar programs that exist. Please do not hesitate to research or ask us if your community offers programs for you so you can benefit from solar energy too! We hope this little bit of knowledge helped you feel better about solar energy and its future potential!
Have you been considering solar for your home, but you don’t know if it will be a good option for you? Are you wondering if your home receives the “right” kind of sun to produce enough solar power? Wait! There’s the right kind of sun? New technology has made it more affordable for most Americans to install solar. If you are looking for some reliable information from the best solar company in Chino, we can help! We all know that Chino has some of the best weather in the Nation! With an average of 285 sunny days, we certainly get enough sunlight. But with a little research, you may have seen the term “Peak Sun Hours.” What is that? “Peak Sun” is the sun that hits your home that will actually have enough strength to produce enough power from your solar panels to run your home. In technical terms, a peak sun hour is what equals 1,000 watts per square meter or about 10.5 feet of peak sun in an hour. Sure, solar panels will almost always produce some power, even on cloudy days. But during rainy or overcast days, your panels only run at 25-40%. Luckily in Chino, we do not experience many of those days, so you can expect a pretty good return from your panels! How does panel placement affect my Peak Sun Hours? Solar panel installation in Chino is critical to make sure your panels get as much peak sun as possible. You want to make sure your panels are facing South, so they receive as much sun as possible, and they should be free from shade from nearby buildings or trees. One of our solar professionals will discuss the best placement with you. What are Chino’s peak sun hours? Luckily, Chino has an excellent peak sun hours. Cities located in the Southwest and closer to the equator receive more peak sun than other parts of the world. Additionally, homes that have a good south-facing roof received better peak hours than homes that do not. You only need about 4 hours a day of peak sun to produce solar power. The average high for us in the Chino area is well over 6 hours a day, while the lowest it typically dips is just under 6 hours (5.87)! That means that your home should be in a position to use solar panels to provide environmentally friendly solar power almost year-round! At Semper Solaris, the best solar installation in Chino, we will make sure your panels receive as much of that peak sun as possible. Our expert team of designers will find the perfect spot way before we install any panels on your home. That way we know that you will get as much energy from your panels as possible. If you are looking for the best solar roofing company in Chino, give us a call! We will evaluate your current roof, the position of your home, and we will provide you with an honest appraisal for your specific needs.
PREPARING FOR SOLAR STEP BY STEP If you are considering installing solar power in your home, but are not ready to take the plunge just yet, there are steps you can take that will move you in the right direction. Taking small steps towards a renewable, sustainable lifestyle in your home will benefit you right away. It can be very motivating even before installing solar panels and other modalities for enhancing a clean and green way of life. Semper Solaris is the best solar company in Irvine, and we can help you make that move to solar power. 1. How Much Electricity Do You Use? The first and most crucial step is to become aware of the amount of electricity you are using. This can be an eye-opener when you realize all the ways you waste energy. Appliances, even small ones left plugged in all the time can be a drain and hidden cost. You can get an energy audit to help you identify how to achieve more energy efficiency. Or you can use a device designed to measure the Kilowatt-hours for each device plugged in to find out the average cost on each device and appliance in your home. You will begin to see which tools and machines draw the most power and change them for more efficient means or keep them turned off when not in use. 2. Are You Leaking Electricity? According to Berkley labs, "Many household appliances draw power in their 'standby' mode,"… "These include common household appliances such as televisions, cable boxes, VCRs, answering machines, alarms, smoke detectors, cordless phones, fax machines, video games, even rechargeable electric toothbrushes. Energy specialists call this "leaking electricity" because the devices are using energy without performing their principal function." Switch to less power-hungry devices if you can. Use a smart plug for standby devices and turn off the ones that don't. Switch to batteries and other power sources for some devices using rechargeable batteries if you can 3. What about Those large appliances? Larger appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and HVAC, use up the lion's share of energy. If they are older and not energy efficient, they consume an excessive amount of power. You will reduce your consumption considerably by replacing your appliances with Energy Star certified appliances. You may even be eligible for rebates and incentives for energy efficiency upgrades to offset the cost. Replacing your appliances will end up saving you a ton and is a significant step in moving your home to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability. 4. Retrofitting your home Net-Zero homes are built from the ground up for energy efficiency. A net-zero home uses solar power exclusively as a power source. "A net-zero home produces as much energy as it uses" over a year, hence, net-zero energy usage. The only option for homeowners who want to achieve maximum energy efficiency is retrofitting their home. Add more insulation and Weatherize your home. Most homes are inadequately sealed and leak a significant amount of cooled or heated air. Replace lighting with LED bulbs. They use 75 percent less power. Use motion sensor lights in rarely used hallways and areas Use Dusk to Dawn sensor lights for your front porch or anywhere you want lights to go on at night and stay on. Install a Smart Thermostat to minimize HVAC usage when you don't need it. If you want to get the maximum benefit from retrofitting your home for energy efficiency, here are 12 Cost-Effective Steps to Zero Energy Retrofits. All the steps above are a good start towards a sustainable, green home. You will be prepared to get the most out of your solar panel installation in Irvine. 5. Taking the Final Step Solar Power is the most efficient and cost-effective renewable energy in the world. Solar panels will save you money whether you buy or lease them. You will further reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint. We can help you prepare for the move to rooftop solar, including the financing of your solar power. Semper Solaris offers the best solar panel installation in Irvine. We are on the frontier of solar energy. Call us today and let's plan for your rooftop solar.
Solar rooftop installations are a booming business, and with the tax incentives and rebates available, Glendale residents are climbing aboard and going solar. Everyone, young and old understands that having solar power saves money. But Solar rooftop panels for lower bills are only one aspect of the potential of residential solar power. Benefits of Solar There are ways that solar power can enhance your life beyond saving money. You can use your solar installation in resourceful ways from emergency backup solar batteries to heating your water or your pool. There is freedom in the versatility that solar power offers to make life better without paying through the nose. Whether for clean air, saving money, or being part of a sustainable future, Semper Solaris is the best solar power company in Glendale. We believe in the power to choose the very best for you and your family. And solar power is the best energy alternative in the world. It is cost-effective and efficient, does not pollute the air or water, and causes no waste. Clearly, it is the best choice for residential energy needs. Freedom To Choose Solar After decades of the powers that be having a monopoly on how we light our homes and power our appliances and automobiles, it looks like change is in the wind. The domination by power companies is yielding to a different way of delivering energy resources, one built on the betterment of not only the pocketbook but choosing how to live. Solar power offers substantial savings on our power bills. Solar power provides a clean alternative to fossil fuels. But solar power also provides the opportunity to determine the form of energy generation that is part of our lifestyle and philosophy; what we believe in. And Solar also pays you back in a big way. Competition From Solar Power Solar power brings competition to the table. Utility companies offer “our way or the highway” with no choice on how much to pay for electricity and punishing households for what they deem to be over-usage. It is a trap. They make their money keeping the grid going with an outdated system that is inefficient, expensive, and brutal. Utility companies are in a fight to win by trying to up the game for solar power companies and consumers. They are reducing the benefits of solar and undoing the gains of less energy usage by homeowners. It is a game that ultimately, they will not win. Information is at the fingertips of anyone with a smartphone or computer. Fight Back with Solar Power Semper Solaris is at the forefront of winning that competition with solar panel installation in Glendale. Electricity should not have to be a burden to households that spend such a massive chunk of their income just keeping the lights on. It is no longer necessary for that model to continue. The sunshine is free and a cost-effective alternative that delivers power right to your door. The cost of continuing the traditional ways of delivering electricity is too high in terms of health risks and quality of life. You will protect your health and your pocketbook by investing in solar power for yourself and future generations. We know our business and are on the cutting edge of renewable energy. Solar Power is the best hope for clean air and water and the reduction of greenhouse gases as well as plenty of power at a lower cost. Solar is good for everyone and demand for electricity in the future will increase, not diminish. We provide the very best solar installation in Glendale. Call Semper Solaris today and make a choice to switch to solar power. You will be glad you did.
GAME-CHANGING SOLAR PANEL TECHNOLOGY Solar power is the number one energy alternative to fossil fuels. It is cost-effective, efficient, and it is here to stay. As solar becomes more efficient, innovation and groundbreaking technologies will lead the way to more usability of the power of the sun in appliances and devices and yet unknown applications. At Semper Solaris, we are always looking for future technologies in solar power that will change our industry and move the line forward in powering the future. We are the best solar company in El Cajon to get you started on your solar power journey. Solar Panel Technology If you are considering switching to solar power, you may be interested in some of the new technologies emerging that make panels better overall. From the materials used to methods of light conversion, solar panels are at the forefront of new technology as innovators discover ways to make solar panels more efficient and productive. The design and aesthetics are also considered as homeowners are interested in the curb appeal of panels and integrating solar into the design and aesthetics of their home. Many new offerings will allow a customized look for solar panel installation in El Cajon. New Designs Improve Performance and Aesthetics According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, "Not all of the sunlight that reaches a PV cell is converted into electricity. Most of it is lost. Multiple factors in solar cell design play roles in limiting a cell's ability to convert the sunlight it receives. Designing with these factors in mind is how higher efficiencies can be achieved." Solar panels produce electricity at a rate of around 15 to 20 percent. Scientists and engineers have been working to improve the efficiency and the amount of sunlight converted from solar cells. Some new technologies have emerged that are game-changers for the solar industry. Bifacial Solar Panels absorb light from both sides of the panel. One is facing the sun and one collecting light from reflected surfaces. This design improves the efficiency of the panels, allowing more power to be obtained than traditional panels. Maxim Integrated Technology will change the way solar panels work. The technology increases energy production and more even delivery as well as flexibility in design and placement. Clear Solar Panels Change the face of the solar industry with a solar film on windows that generate power through the absorbing of Ultraviolet light. This will increase the efficiency of solar energy while keeping the aesthetics of a building intact. Solar Roof Tiles or shingles are a bit more expensive than traditional panels but can be seamlessly incorporated into the roof and design of the home. Solar Skin Design "new technology brings designs for a custom look to match your roof to your solar panel system with smart grids that are smaller than traditional panels. A few companies are pioneering this" Solar Tracking for homes that cannot support rooftop solar, ground-mounted systems on poles now have the option of solar tracking mounts that self-adjust to the sun. Semper Solaris offers the best solar panel installation in El Cajon with affordable and flexible plans using the very best equipment available. We can help you design a system that is best for your home, whether rooftop or ground-mounted systems or any other available option. We are excited about the advancements in solar panel technology that allow more and more homeowners to realize the dream of solar power in a way that fits their lifestyle and budget.
