Solar power is generated from the sun, the most powerful force in our galaxy. Sunlight is collected on rooftops by Solar panels. The solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic cells joined together to form a system of collecting sunlight, transforming it into energy, and distributing the energy to a building’s electrical system. Simple right?
Benefits of Solar
Solar power is cheap, useful, and the benefits economically and environmentally are clear.
- Control over your utility costs
- Hedging against rising energy costs
- Increase in the value of your home
- Achieving Energy Independence
- Benefits to Local Economy
- Reduction of greenhouse gases
These are all ways that we know solar power benefits both the homeowner and the businessman. But how about investing in the future of scientific discovery, innovation, and invention? Investing in Solar power promotes a creative and dynamic explosion of the new and ends the old, antiquated system of generating electricity not only in homes and your community but the world at large.
Technology and Electrical Power
We take for granted the invention of the telephone, television and the washing machine which are commonplace or were until the digital age. Suddenly it seems we have smartphones, smart Tv’s and smart just about everything including smart homes. All these inventions have one thing in common that we often overlook. They all run on electricity.
With the move away from fossil fuels and even the electric grid itself, we have gone from The Flintstones to The Jetsons and beyond. Will solar power someday launch rockets into space?
Communication is as fast as the speed of light. We are becoming an interconnected world powered by electricity from continent to continent. Add to that electric cars as a viable alternative for millions of vehicles, one thing is sure; Our world will demand more, not less, electricity to power the future and that future has arrived.
Investment in Solar Power
Investing in solar now will prepare your home for the invasion of technology-driven appliances and devices and innovations we have not yet seen. And the good news is that this can all be done without harming the earth or creating greenhouse gases. The future is bright for renewable energy, and solar power is the pioneering force lighting the way.
With the price of solar dropping annually, the incentives and rebates and financial benefits of solar power are an attractive investment. But if you use your imagination, you are buying into much more than lower bills and lowering your carbon footprint, you are on the road to a sustainable world with clean air and water, with less noise and complicated machinery blasting away everywhere you go.
Solar in Woodland Hills
Going solar is easy these days. California is ahead of the pack and Woodland Hills, being a conservation-conscious city, with lots of sunshine, green space, and beautiful parks and scenery is a great place to jump aboard and join the residential solar boom that is happening on rooftops in this eco-friendly town and across the globe.
Semper Solaris is the go-to solar contractor for installing solar on your rooftop in Woodland Hills. We are experts with years of experience serving this city and the surrounding areas. We can make the installation of solar easy for you and help you with incentives, rebates, and solar loans to make installing solar an affordable option along with the many benefits you will enjoy by going solar. If it is good for the planet, it is good for you.
There is nothing like a beautiful, sunny day in Santa Monica. While there may be a lot of them, we still never grow tired of the consistent sunshine! One of the main reasons? It means we can help our customers continue to harvest the power of the sun for their benefit! With how expensive the electricity bills can be in this community, there is no doubt going solar is a serious attraction.
As the fastest-growing solar contractor in Santa Monica, Semper Solaris is ready to help you make your community greener and take maximum advantage of solar savings. While going solar may feel like a big, complicated decision, we like to take the confusion out of the equation. Our goal is to make the solar process and investment as simple as possible for our customers to understand and determine whether it’s right for their circumstances. We’ll walk you through each and every step to ensure you are comfortable with it!
Learn about our current offers or find out how you can go solar by calling our experts today!
Perks of Installing Solar Panels
Having solar panels installed on your home can be extremely beneficial. There are countless benefits you’ll reap from this investment — that includes everything from creating a more eco-friendly home to extra cash back in your pocket every month. Take a look at the wide range of solar benefits below!
Real Savings on Long Term Expenses
Looking for a way to reduce your energy bills? Having solar panels installed will greatly cut down on your monthly electricity costs. Electric company rates are predicted to have a steady increase throughout the next years, and being dependent on volatile rates and unable to dimish your electric use can be extremely damaging to your personal finances. Renewable energy allows you to break that cycle — to take charge of your energy source, to monitor your energy production, to understand how much you’re using and producing and to adjust your habits accordingly. On top of that, you’re no longer paying for that electricity: what you produce is yours, and whatever is leftover, you sell back to the electric company.
No Waiting Period for Savings
If you are on the fence about the upfront investment, solar purchase power agreements and leasing options allow you to get more affordable green energy through solar panels right away. You can enjoy all the benefits of solar with a simple “pay-as-you-go” model to take the financial burden off your shoulders and enjoy more immediate savings. A third-party company will actually own the system, but you’ll be able to buy the more affordable solar energy, saving you money month to month.
Reasonable Payback Timeline & Cost
For those who do want to buy their own solar panel system, the option can be very affordable and reasonable. With all the incentives, rebates, and savings, the payback period is often much quicker than homeowners even realize. This means all their savings on electricity goes right back into their pockets!
Boost to Home Value
As a prospective homebuyer, seeing that a house has a solar panel system in place can be very appealing. They can step into a smart home that will offer lower electricity bills, ultimately making it a much more attractive purchase. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that homes with solar panels were able to sell not only 17% faster, but for 20% more than comparable homes without panels installed.
Numerous Incentives Available
The most attractive incentive is no doubt the Federal Solar Tax Credit, which allows you to deduct a percentage of the total cost of your solar panel system (including equipment and solar installation expenses). That automatically takes out a huge chunk of the solar panel system cost! This credit is set to expire soon, however, so make sure you take advantage of it while still available. California is also determined to expand its reputation as a “green” and energy-conscious state, offerings rebates and incentives alongside the Federal Solar Tax Credit and local rebates for Santa Monica residents.
Proven Performance & Savings
Though they are constantly exposed to the elements, solar panels are designed to be sturdy and long-lasting. Typical solar panel manufacturers stand by their products with extensive warranties, often around 20 to 25 years. These performance guarantees give homeowners peace of mind that their panels are designed to perform exceptionally well for decades to come. And that’s just guaranteed performance, as solar panels are able to last much longer!
Protects Environment & Keeps Local Community Green
Santa Monica is a beautiful area to live in. Protecting that natural beauty is important, and going solar is one of the ways you can help promote a more sustainable future. It may seem small, but every house and every neighborhood can make a big difference for Southern California in the long run. Renewable energy options like solar panels cut back on air and water pollution that traditional fossil fuels emit. Not only is renewable energy good for the environment, but it’s also great for public health, reducing air pollution and protecting precious water supplies.
Provides More Energy Independence
Electricity costs are currently volatile, with some uncertainty about future expenses to homeowners. That means going solar is more valuable than ever before. Having solar panels allows you to take control back over your electricity costs from utility companies. Even with net metering and time-of-use rates, having solar energy gives you much more peace of mind with your primary electricity use coming from your solar panels or solar credit from your panels. With the always-improving solar battery storage technology, you can further increase your energy independence and decrease reliance on the grid!
Why Wait When You Can Start Saving Right Away?
Helping the local Santa Monica community doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly. Going solar can be a great way to help support the environment and your wallet at the same time! The incentives and tax credits still available for homeowners in California make it an ideal time to invest in solar panels. If you are interested in learning more about how installing solar panels in Santa Monica can help you save, add value to your home, and benefit your community, reach out to our team. We can walk you through each and every step of the process and help you select the right panels and system size for your home needs and budget.
Semper Solaris is always just a quick call away. Get expert solar guidance today!
Living in the City of Angels isn’t always so heavenly, especially when it comes to your energy bill. Angelenos pay some of the highest rates for electricity in the country! If you are looking to cut the pipeline from your bank account to the utility company and shrink your environmental footprint in the process, then it’s time to seriously consider solar panels. That starts with a search for solar panel companies in Los Angeles. The solar panel company you choose will have a huge impact on the cost of your solar panels, how smoothly the project goes, and how well your solar panels perform.
In other words, it’s worth your time to do your homework in order to find a highly qualified, experienced, and honest solar installer. How do you do that? Let’s look into that question, and then we’ll tell you a few reasons why we think Semper Solaris should be on your solar panel shortlist!
How to Find the Best Solar Panel Company in Los Angeles
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a crystal ball that could tell you the best solar panel company in Los Angeles with the wave of the hand and a muttered incantation? Assuming you don’t have such a magic talisman in your attic, the best way to find a great solar installer is to ask around.
If you know friends and family members who have gotten solar panels, ask them who they used and if they would recommend that company. You’ll probably get some good recommendations, as well as a few horror stories that will cross some names off your list.
Next up, do some more homework. Friends and family members represent only a singular experience. You want to make sure any solar panel company you use has delighted the majority of their customers. Check out reliable review sites to hear from multiple customers. We recommend:
- SolarReviews.com
- Angie’s List
- Better Business Bureau
Keep in mind that customers tend to leave reviews when they are either extremely satisfied or extremely disappointed, so specific reviews may not be representative of the company’s true character. Focus on how the company is described by the majority of reviewers, instead of fixating on one or two highly negative reviews.
By this time, you should have a few top contenders. Contact these companies and request a solar consultation. Each company will send a representative out to your home to learn about your household’s energy usage, your goals, and your budget. They’ll take a look at your roof and make a personalized recommendation. That should include a price quote and timeline for the solar project.
You’ll definitely want to compare the pricing of each company, but don’t overlook other factors, including the honesty and integrity of the company and their representative, as well as the company’s mission. You aren’t just getting solar panels on your roof; you’re also using your dollars to support a business!
We believe that Semper Solaris is the best solar panel company in Los Angeles, and we’d like you to consider us when you begin your solar search. Here are just a few reasons why we stand out from the competition.
We Are a Veteran-Owned Company Committed to Integrity and Excellence
When we think of the one thing that most set us apart from other Los Angeles solar panel companies, we could have chosen our great pricing, the high quality of our work, or our outstanding customer service. While all those features are accurate, they don’t represent the heart and soul of our company.
What truly makes us unique is that as a proud, veteran-owned and operated company, we have instilled the very best military ideals into the fabric of our operating system. Co-owner Kelly Shawhan was a Captain in the U.S. Marines before leaving the service to begin building Semper Solaris. Though he no longer wears the uniform, the motto of Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful – has never left him. It’s so central to his identity that it became part of our name – Semper Solaris!
Under Kelly’s watchful eye, Semper Solaris has always embodied the military principles of discipline, duty, respect, honesty, service, and accountability. We believe our commitment to these principles makes a difference in everything that we do, from the way we treat our customers with respect and integrity, to our honesty in providing recommendations, and our commitment to doing the job right every time.
Learn more about both our co-owners.
We Hire Veterans
As a veteran-owned company, we know that it can often be difficult to transition from the military into the civilian world. Many young veterans have served multiple deployments overseas and have never worked outside the military.
We make a special effort to hire these young men and women, because we know that they make some of the most dedicated and committed employees on the planet. In return, we can offer high-paying and steady work in an exciting and growing field.
We Are Part of the Local Community
We want to support every community that we serve, which is why we’ve opened locations throughout California, including in Los Angeles. This allows us to hire local employees and keep your money in your community, where it supports great jobs. Staying local also allows us to develop a deep well of knowledge about a particular community. This comes in handy when we need to pull permits, work with the local utility company to hook up a new system, and pass local inspections.
It also means that we are knowledgeable about local renewable energy incentives and can help our clients save money on their systems. This includes the LADWP rebate, which is still available to most Los Angeles residents.
We Provide Competitive Pricing
We are committed to offering highly competitive pricing for our solar installation services. In fact, you will find that we offer some of the lowest pricing in the entire state of California, without sacrificing quality installation or great customer service.
We Offer Excellent Installation
You’ve probably heard the horror stories of other solar installation companies or a hired “Jack of all trades” damaging a friend’s roof, breaking solar panels during installation, or installing them so poorly that the system isn’t nearly as efficient as it could be.
Expertise matters. Installing racking onto your roof needs to be done by a highly trained professional to protect the integrity of your roof. The placement of your solar panels also matters, as it can dramatically affect the efficiency of the panels and therefore how big your monthly energy bill is. Trust the experts at Semper Solaris. We are a fully licensed and certified solar panel installer and also specialize in roofing. We will respect your property and your investment and make sure your solar panel system is installed with the utmost skill to generate as much power as possible for your home.
We Support American-Designed Products
Many of our employees fought to protect this country, and we continue to support America and its values in our business. That’s why we make a special effort to buy and recommend American-made and American-designed products for our customers. Help us help protect American jobs and businesses.
We Offer Roof Replacement and Solar Battery Storage
It isn’t uncommon to discover that your older or damaged roof needs to be replaced before you can install solar panels. Replacing a roof can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you have to search for and hire a roofing contractor!
At Semper Solaris, we also employ expert roofers and offer full roof replacement services. In this way, we make it easy and convenient to replace your roof and get solar panels together as part of a single project. We can also save you money by offering a big discount on solar plus roofing projects!
If you plan on using your solar panels to live off the grid, you will need a solar panel battery to store excess energy during the day and provide power during the night. At Semper Solaris, we also offer solar panel battery solutions, which includes installation.
Veterans and First Responders Get Special Discounts
We want to thank the brave men and women who protect our country, as well as our cities and towns. It is important for us to recognize their sacrifice and the risks they take every day. That is why we offer discounts to military veterans, as well as police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.
We also provide referral bonuses to past clients who tell their friends and family about us. We just want to say thanks for keeping us in mind and sending new customers our way.
Take a look at all our current discounts.
We Help You Afford Solar Panel Installation
Getting solar panels for your Los Angeles home is a big project, and it comes with a price tag. Not every homeowner can afford to pay for solar panels out-of-pocket. Fortunately, we are committed to helping you afford solar panels.
We offer a variety of financing and leasing options, including no-money-down financing. That means you can get solar panels on your roof and see your energy bills drop, all without paying a dime upfront.
Need One More Reason to Choose Semper Solaris as Your Los Angeles Solar Panel Company?
We could go on and on about why we think we are the best solar panel company in Los Angeles, but if you need one more reason to give us a call, listen to what our past customers have to say. Customer reviews truly are the best indicators of how a company operates.
We are proud to be a top ten solar company at Solar Reviews and to hold an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau. Check out all our great reviews at Angie’s List and hear testimonials from past clients in Los Angeles.
Are you convinced? Then we would appreciate the chance to compete for your business. Contact us today to schedule a no-pressure, no-cost solar consultation.
As the first half of 2018 is over, the city of Los Angeles proved to be the best in yet another category. According to a report from Environment America Research & Policy Center, Los Angeles took the title of ‘Best City for Solar’, passing up neighbors in San Diego for the number 1 spot. “In a city full of stars, it’s the biggest of them all –the sun– that is powering our homes, schools, stores, and studios with clean, renewable energy,” said Michelle Kinman, a Clean Energy Advocate with Environment California Research & Policy Center. This was made possible by unveiling one of the largest rooftop solar projects in the city of Los Angeles. The new solar project is gaining interest because of the 2.2-megawatt array of solar panels being placed on the roof of the Los Angeles Convention Center. This installation was the largest solar panel system on any public convention center on the entire West Coast. The city of L.A. alone has a whopping 350 megawatts of installed solar panels, which provides approximately 82,500 homes with energy savings and a decreased carbon footprint.
Want to know the best part?
This was all made possible by the efforts of many people in Los Angeles, but mostly the utility. They allowed a streamlined process for permitting of solar installations in locations all around Los Angeles. This led to the creation of many solar programs, which provide incentives to those investing in solar energy. “The impressive growth of local solar is also a reflection of the improvements we’ve made to streamline all aspects of the solar programs, making it easier for customers to go solar,” explained General Manager of LADWP, David H. Wright. These incentives are a huge factor for those debating the investment in solar energy. Programs have helped provide over $314 million in incentives for the businesses and residents of Los Angeles.
Coming in Close Second
As Los Angeles took the top spot, cities like San Diego, Phoenix, San Jose, and Honolulu fall close behind because of their commitment to reducing their cities overall carbon footprint. San Diego actually held the first place spot until this Convention Center Project was concluded. Southern California has no short of sunlight, allowing for Los Angeles and San Diego to dominate the United States in solar energy production. As the twenty-first century kicks off, we will see a huge increase in solar energy installations. Especially with the implementation of the Paris Climate Accord, cities around the world will begin investing in these solar “farms.” These farms will allow for a huge reduction in the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. As Los Angeles leads the way, other cities in the states hope to follow suit because of the great possibilities that Solar Power brings.
As solar energy becomes a more popular renewable energy source, switching becomes more and more attractive to homeowners. There are numerous factors to weigh, especially the cost of investing in solar panels compared to the rising cost of electricity. Any type of change can be somewhat intimidating at first. You may be wondering if switching to solar power would be too much of a hassle or if the panels will even last long enough to make the switch worth it. If you need a little motivation to push you over to the solar side, Semper Solaris is here to help.
Top Motivations for Going Solar
Promotes a Healthier Environment
The earth is full of precious resources that people have been harvesting and using for countless years. However, other resources — such as certain fossil fuels — have been causing serious damage to the environment. The health of our environment should far outweigh the benefits of fossil fuels – which is why solar energy has gained significant popularity in the last few decades. The more homes and businesses that switch to solar, the less our world is reliant on more harmful fossil fuels. Instead of being dependent on fossil fuels, a switch to primarily solar can significantly cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.
Not only that, but studies have found that if solar energy was adopted on a wider scale, various respiratory problems could be lessened as well. For example, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that an increase in solar energy usage vs. fossil fuels would cut back on harmful emissions that can sometimes result in bronchitis, respiratory issues, and even cardiovascular problems.
Solar Helps Boost the Economy
There is no denying that the market for solar is booming. In fact, the International Renewable Energy Agency reported that solar employment has grown 17 times faster than the rest of the country’s economy. More than 250,000 people were employed in the solar industry in 2017, with numbers expected to continue to grow.
Gives You Back Control of Your Utility Bills
Having to stress over the rise and fall of electricity costs can be stressful. You have to monitor and track your use, be conservative with your usage at times that may be convenient, and ultimately, don’t have any control over the prices you are charged. The good news? Switching to solar energy gives you back control. With a solar panel system, you are able to convert the sun’s rays into usable energy for all your household needs. Another positive? In most areas, any excess electricity created will go to the grid and be credited back to you, which means during the evening or on cloudy days, you still have your electricity needs covered.
These are just a few of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar, so if you’d like to learn more about going solar, our solar panel experts can provide insight.
Your neighbors have solar panels on their roofs. So does your favorite café and even that new brewery down the street. You might be thinking that it’s time to jump on the solar panel train, but one look at the price tag may stop you in your tracks.
But what should consumers know before installing solar panels in Los Angeles? In this post, we’ll break down the cost of solar panels in the City of Angels, explain why they may be more expensive than the national average, and show you why it’s not about how much you pay for solar panels, but how much you save. Finally, we’ll give you some great tips for comparing the cost of solar panels so you can get the best deal possible.
Breaking Down the Price of Solar Panels in Los Angeles
California is the solar capital of the United States, producing more solar energy than the next nine ranked states combined, so why is solar installation more expensive here?
The full price for your solar system can be broken down into three categories:
- Solar panels and equipment
- Installation
- Business overhead
Let’s start with the first category. Solar panels and equipment costs are generally consistent across states. The cost of your panels may vary depending on the solar panel brand you choose (more on this later), but if you were to choose a Panasonic solar panel, the price would be about the same whether you lived in California or North Carolina.
That leaves us with the other two categories: installation and business overhead. Installing your solar panels and running a solar installation business require a great team of people. And of course, those employees need to be paid fair wages for all their hard work. California, and Los Angeles in particular, has some of the highest wages in the country. The current hourly wage in Los Angeles is between $12.00 and $13.25 an hour, depending on how many people a company employs. That rate will continue to climb in the coming years, until it hits $15.00 an hour in between 2020 and 2021. Compare that to a state like North Carolina (the state that produces the second-highest amount of solar energy in the country), which offers a minimum wage of just $7.25 an hour.
Labor costs are responsible for a big difference in the price of installation and overall business operation between Los Angeles and other major cities across the country. While this means you’ll have to pay a little more for your system, we think the extra costs are worth it. At Semper Solaris, we believe a fair wage attracts quality workers, which translates into great solar installation results for you.
Additionally, we encourage you to hire a local solar installation company so your dollars stay in your community and go to your neighbors, rather than to a national company!
Now that you understand why solar panels in Los Angeles may be a little more expensive than average, we’re going to show you why investing in solar panels is still worth the price!
It’s Not How Much You Pay, but How Much You Save!
Solar panels are an investment, and like all good investments they pay off over time. One could argue that switching to clean, renewable energy and burning less fossil fuels is its own reward. We agree, but saving money is nice, too! One of the biggest benefits for solar panels is that they can help you cut down or completely eliminate your monthly energy bill. No matter where you live, these savings will add up, but in Los Angeles, your savings are supercharged.
That’s because bustling Los Angeles, with its population of nearly four million people, has some of the highest energy costs in the country. Additionally, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers the Solar Incentive Program (SIP), which currently gives LA homeowners an incentive of $0.25 per watt of energy their panels produce.
Comparing the Cost of Solar Panels
Saving up to $62,463 over 20 years is definitely great, but how do you know if you’re getting a good deal in the present? Here are four important factors to compare when you begin seeking solar panel quotes.
Solar Panel System Size
When comparing the cost of solar panels, step one is to make sure you compare apples to apples. In the solar world, that means determining the size of the system you want and then making sure each price quote uses the same size.
When you reach out to a solar installation company, they should send a trained representative to perform an energy analysis on your home. This analysis will help you determine how much energy you use on average each month and what size solar panel system you need to cover all of your energy needs.
Comparing Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how well a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity. The top solar panels on the market, like Panasonic and LG, offer efficiency rates of over 20%. That’s an impressive number, but choosing premium solar panels also means paying a premium price tag. The benefit of getting highly efficient solar panels is that they are smaller, which is ideal if you don’t have a lot of space on your roof. However, if you have enough roof space, you can likely save money by investing in slightly less efficient solar panels. They’ll be bigger, but they’ll give you just as much juice as their smaller, more-efficient counterparts.
Comparing Warranty
Every solar panel comes with a warranty from its manufacturer that guarantees the equipment and the performance of the panels. Don’t overlook this warranty! It can save you money in the long run if problems occur down the road. The average solar panel offers at least a 10-year warranty. Ideally, you want to have a 15- or even 20-year warranty. The best solar panels, like Panasonic, offer a 25-year warranty on performance. Unsurprisingly, the best warranties tend to come with the highest priced panels.
Comparing Temperature Coefficient
Despite the fact that solar panels rely on the sun, they don’t do so well in hot temperatures. Whenever temps soar over 77 degrees Fahrenheit, a solar panel’s efficiency will begin to drop. The hotter it gets, the less efficiently your solar panels work. The rate of efficiency loss is called the “temperature coefficient.” The higher the temperature coefficient, the less energy your panels will produce on those hot, LA summer days.
Solar panels with low temperature coefficients tend to be more expensive, but since they will ultimately produce more energy for you on hot days, they could be worth the extra cost!
How to Choose the Right Solar Panels
Choosing the right solar panels in Los Angeles may feel confusing or difficult. But it doesn’t have to be! The real key is to choose the right solar installation company. A good solar company will help you figure out your energy needs and then make a recommendation on the right system size and solar panel brand to meet your budget and expectations.
If the price tag feels high, just remember that Angelenos get the biggest payback on solar in the entire country! Also, paying out of pocket isn’t your only option. At Semper Solaris, we are happy to discuss our zero down payment plans and leasing options. Contact our local Los Angeles office today for a free energy analysis of your home!
Good timing is an underappreciated skill that can yield big rewards. Find that perfect seasonal sweet spot, and you can beat the crowds at your favorite vacation destination and save big on hotels and tours. Get to the party right on time, and you can avoid the uncomfortable small talk with the hosts before the other guests arrive.
Good timing is everything, so what’s the best time for your solar panel installation in Los Angeles? Is there an ideal time to get solar panels in the lifecycle of your roof? How about the best time to reap as many tax rebates as possible? Or is there an “off-season” for solar that leads to special treatment and big deals? We want to help you and your solar panels in Los Angeles make the perfect entrance. Here’s everything you need to know about when to get your solar panels.
The Newer the Roof, the Better
Speaking of time, your roof has a finite amount of it. The lifespan of a roof can extend between 20 and 50 years depending on its composition. The majority of roofs in Los Angeles are made of asphalt shingles. While this type of roof is cost-effective, it only offers about 20 years of life. Most forms of tile, another common Southern California roof choice, give you a much longer life of 50 years.
Solar panels can last an estimated 25 to 40 years and possibly even longer! (The most current crystalline silicon models of solar panels are still so new, that we aren’t quite sure how long they can really last.) Therefore, if your roof only has about five years left in it, it doesn’t really make sense to install solar panels when you’ll need to take the whole system down again in a few years. Instead, the best time to invest in solar panels in Los Angeles is when your roof is new or has a decade or more of life left.
(Is your roof getting close to retirement? Don’t fret! Now might be the perfect time to invest in replacing your roof so that you can get solar panels in the future. A new roof adds value to your home and can make it more energy efficient! At Semper Solaris, we also offer roof repairs and replacements.)
Time Your Tax Relief
Currently, homeowners in Los Angeles can deduct 30% of the cost of their solar panels on their taxes. This Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the biggest renewable energy financial incentive currently available. It saved the average homeowner $5,000 on their solar panel system in 2017. In order to get the tax credit, you just need to install solar panels within the calendar year.
The ITC offers serious savings, but it won’t be around forever. The tax credit was originally enacted in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act and set to expire at the end of 2007. The federal government extended the ITC, but the clock is running out. Currently, the 30% tax credit is only available until 2019. Afterwards, the tax credit shrinks each year, until phasing out completely for residential homeowners after 2021. Homeowners should not expect the tax credits to be extended again. As the solar market continues to mature and as the government looks for more ways to trim the budget, all signs point to the ITC finally phasing out for good.
That means the time to save on solar is right now!
Special Tax Hint: Looking to take advantage of the ITC and deduct 30% of your solar panel purchase this year? Keep in mind that it can take anywhere from three to six months from start to finish to get your solar system up and running. Don’t expect to call a solar installer on December 1st and have your solar panels up by December 31th.
The Season for Solar
Is there an ideal season to go solar? Angelenos may assume that spring or summer is the best time to put up solar panels. After all, the long summer days mean more sunshine, which translates to more energy production for the year.
The truth might surprise you. Winter in Los Angeles is actually the best season for solar. Here’s why:
The Slow Season
During the winter months, homeowners are often caught up in the holidays and don’t have the extra time, attention, or funds for on solar panels. So use this to your advantage! Solar installation companies usually have fewer jobs on the books during this time of year, which means that they can give you more personalized attention and service. It can also mean a shorter turnaround time on your solar panel installation in Los Angeles, and sometimes special offers and discounts.
Easier Installation
Your solar installation team will also appreciate your choice to wait until winter for your solar panels. Los Angeles heats up in the summer, with temperatures reaching around 85 degrees toward the end of August. As you can imagine, working all day on a hot roof that absorbs that heat can be pretty uncomfortable for installation teams. On the other hand, winters in Los Angeles are notably mild, which is why we all love living here. Aside from the occasional rain shower, our installation team loves working in the cooler temperatures.
Solar Panels Still Work
Some homeowners worry that installing solar panels in winter will mean less energy generation. The sun still shines in winter, so your solar panels will work beautifully when they come online. Winter does offer fewer hours of sunlight than summer, so the total amount of energy your panels generate may be less than it would be on the longest day of the year, but the difference is less than you imagine.
That’s because of something called the temperature coefficient. Without getting too deep into the weeds, the temperature coefficient describes how well solar panels perform under less-than-ideal circumstances. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that solar panels actually operate better in cooler temperatures. Once the temperature gets hotter than 77 degrees, the efficiency of the solar panels begins to drop. So, even though winter offers fewer hours of sunlight than summer, the cooler temperatures mean that your panels will operate at peak efficiency during light hours.
There Really Is No Bad Time to Install Solar Panels in Los Angeles
While you may still be wondering about the best time for your solar panel installation, the truth is that the best time to get solar panels is… whatever time is right for you!
That may sound a little squishy, but what we mean is that you shouldn’t try to rush your solar panels to get a special tax incentive or hit the solar panel off-season if you aren’t ready. Instead, make sure you have the time, focus, and funds to dedicate to your solar installation so you don’t run into problems or stress yourself out in the process.
At Semper Solaris, we will be here when you are ready. We can help you repair or replace your roof to prepare for a solar panel installation in Los Angeles and then perform the installation. We might be a little biased, but we think it’s always a perfect time to invest in renewable solar energy. Contact us to schedule a free energy analysis for your Los Angeles home.