Solar Panels | Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Roofing, HVAC
Solar Power is the leading clean, renewable, and cost-effective energy on the planet. Generating solar energy is a simple process, much like photosynthesis found in nature. Solar panels produce energy by converting sunlight into electricity. And it is one of the most reliable, sustainable, and least expensive ways to generate clean energy. Three main advantages of solar panels They produce clean energy. They produce renewable energy. They are cost-effective. Semper Solaris is at the forefront of solar power technology. We are the top-rated solar contractors for all things solar. We know how much our satisfied customers save every year on electricity. Solar Power Is Renewable Energy Fossil or carbon-based fuels have been the foundation of energy consumption for well over a hundred years. It is the electricity and fuel we use to heat and cool our homes. It is the gasoline that runs our automobiles and manufactures products. We can find it in many things found in our daily lives. Fossil or carbon-based fuels come from the decayed, petrified remains of plants and animals accumulated over millions of years. Once these fuels are exhausted, they take a very long time to replenish—perhaps millions of more years. The emphasis on renewable energy addresses the diminishing reserves of these fuels. There are several renewable sources of energy in use, and they are becoming more prevalent as we move towards a sustainable energy economy throughout the world. Renewable energy comes from sources that reproduce and don’t go away. Renewable Energy Sources Solar Wind Geothermal Hydroelectric Biomass The cleanest and cheapest sources of renewable energy on the forefront today are wind and solar. Solar panels are the most efficient and easiest way to generate a lot of electricity regularly. Semper Solaris is the best solar contractor for the installation of solar panels. We know our business and are committed to bringing our best for clean, renewable solar energy for our customers. Solar Panels Produce Clean Energy Carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants cause a lot of waste in the air, ground, and water. Carbon, CO2, is a naturally occurring gas that is overproduced in the atmosphere when fossil fuel is burned for energy production, causing an excess of greenhouse gases. Clean, renewable energy does not cause pollution or produce waste. While some renewable energy sources are cleaner than others, solar power is at the top of the list. Solar panels help the environment by reducing the carbon footprint created by carbon-based fuels, thus reducing greenhouse gases. Fossil Fuel Sources Coal Crude oil Natural gas Solar Panels are Cost-Effective Solar Power is the most efficient and least expensive alternative energy for residential use. Unlike other renewable or non-renewable resources, solar is easy to put into operation and takes up no extra space to speak of—especially rooftop solar panels. And solar power is the most dependable energy source of all. You can’t run out of sunlight, especially in California. Solar panels provide access to this fantastic renewable energy from the sun. The equipment is more affordable than it ever has been. When you consider the incentives and rebates available for installing solar, the upfront cost is much lower, and the system will pay for itself in a few short years. But you will enjoy savings on energy from day one. Semper Solaris is leading the way for residential solar installations. We believe in sustainability, protecting the environment, and reducing the cost of electricity so that you keep more money in your pocket. We have seen the power of the savings our customers enjoy every day since they decided to go solar. Call Semper Solaris today and take advantage of low prices and savings.
There are several factors to consider when evaluating solar panels and equipment, including manufacturing, durability, and quality. Identifying the best solar panels is determined by how effective the panels are at converting sunlight into electricity. And aside from the manufacturing of panels, some factors can influence the effectiveness of solar panel installations. Location Climate Shading Size of roof Experience of the installer The knowledge and the experience of the installer are critical in achieving the highest efficiency and functioning of solar panels. Semper Solaris technicians know how to achieve the best performance while offering only top-rated solar panels and equipment. We will design your solar panel system for optimum performance. How Do Solar Panels Produce Electricity? Solar panels are a system of photovoltaic cells linked with metal frames and wiring and connected to your home’s electrical system. The solar cells in each panel transform sunlight into DC power, which is circulated through the panels and into a solar inverter. The inverter converts the DC power into AC Power, electricity for your home. Semper Solaris knows how solar works; we offer the highest quality products and expert installation. We have various options for panels and inverters from the most reliable solar panel manufacturers. How are solar panels rated? Solar panels are rated for power output and efficiency. Most solar panels have power ratings of 200 to 300 watts, the higher the power rating, the more efficient the panels are at converting sunlight into energy. This rating is an excellent way to compare solar panels. Other issues like power tolerance can influence energy production. Semper Solaris understands the power output of solar panels, and we offer only the top-rated solar panels from the most reliable solar manufacturers. Solar Cell Efficiency The number of cells in each pane is directly related to the amount of energy the solar panels create. The cells are made with a semiconductor material such as silicon, which is the most common material used. The efficiency of the solar cell structure is a critical consideration when rating solar panels. The efficiency rating indicates how effective a solar panel is at converting sunlight into electricity. Most solar panels have a rating of around 23%. The higher the score, the more power the panel can generate. Semper Solaris is experienced and knowledgeable in assessing a home for the right panels with ratings that will operate at maximum efficiency. Solar Panel Quality Solar panels are tested for their strength and reliability in real-world simulations. A high-quality panel will carry at least a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer both on material and power production. Durability Reliability IEC 61215 reliability standard Snow and wind load Top-rated Manufacturer’s Warranty The best solar panels are American made. They have proven to be the most reliable, efficient, and superior in design and construction. Semper Solaris offers solar panels that are both high quality and economical for budget-minded homeowners. We stand behind each and every solar panel system we install. Contact Semper Solaris today and schedule an evaluation of your home for your solar power installation.
Solar battery storage like Tesla Powerwall can be useful for homeowners even without solar panels as they are paired with a typical solar energy system of your home. By using the technology of a small scale energy storing system in the storage system of the solar batteries at your home, your battery can provide backup even without solar panels as it will be charged by the power supplied by the grid. Need for installing solar battery at home The need for solar battery installed in your home depends mainly upon how your solar power can adjust your utilities. Full net metering is offered by most of the utilities, which allows you to get credit on your power consumption bills for every unit of electricity produced by your solar panels. So, if you install a solar battery, then you may not be able to save more money on your monthly electricity bill. But, a solar battery can increase the savings on the solar panels installed in your office or home in many circumstances. If you have to pay demand charges at the rate of the time to use or net metering is not offered by your utilities, then you can save a lot of money by using solar batteries. Suitability of solar batteries in the ecosystem of electricity Though the technologies used to store solar energy have not gained enough popularity, still you cannot ignore them in the present time. The demand for saving energy is increased at a faster speed because of the benefits provided by solar batteries to the homeowners. The ability of the solar batteries to store renewable energy to use later on can also be used for the entire grid of electricity if used on a large scale. The technologies of energy storage used in solar batteries can provide flexibility to the users of energy to generate electricity with the help of solar power and use it. The task of grid managers and electric utilities is a bit more complicated. They have to provide reliable and constant access to electrical power to their customers to power their businesses and homes. And for this purpose, they will have to be sure that the grid has enough ability to meet the needs of their customers. Most probably, their customers may not get any power supply at a point of time if the system has too much or too low power supply. It can be more challenging to balance the demand and supply carefully if the grid is combined with the sources of renewable energy as solar panels can produce electricity only when the sun shines. The output of the causes of renewable energy cannot be increased with the increase in demand like the traditional power plants based on natural gas or coal, as you cannot compel the sun to shine brighter to produce more energy or shine at night. In this way, the flow of electricity from the sources of renewable energy can be increased by installing more technologies to store energy like solar batteries, etc. In other words, battery storage at your home can provide your power supply even without solar panels.
When you have decided to install solar panels on the roof of your home, then you will have to consider several things before installing solar panels, including solar panel maintenance, types of solar panels, etc. Asking the right questions is essential when installing solar panels. Here's a list of what questions you need to ask to make sure you cover all your bases. Questions to consider when wanting to install solar panels Is the type and shape of your roof right for installing solar panels? This question will allow you to know the suitability of the type and shape of your roof in this regard. Usually, you can find roofs with slopes on its two sides, which meet at a point on the top. But you can also find roofs in various sizes and shapes in the US, including mono-pitched shed, curved, lean-to, mansard, flat, dormer, hip or pyramid, etc. Whatever the type of roof, the critical thing to consider is which roofing company to hire. Also, you need to provide enough space to install the solar panels and must get enough sunlight. Can your roof support solar panels? The next important thing to consider before installing solar panels is the support provided by your roof to them. It will allow you to know whether your roof needs to be replaced or repaired if it is old or damaged. So, before installing panels, it is better to fix the defects of your roof so that it can support the panels properly. It is necessary to make your roof structurally strong as it has the bear the weight of the solar panels also. How energy efficient is your home? Along with ensuring the condition of your roof, you should also focus on whether your home is energy efficient or not. You can quickly improve the energy efficiency of your home in an affordable manner before installing solar panels. If you have improperly sealed doors and windows, old HVAC system or insulation this would qualify as insufficient. It will allow you to install a smaller solar panel as your energy consumption will be reduced. What about warranties? Many companies offer different types of warranties to ensure the quality of their solar panels. You must know the cover provided by the warranty so that you should not spend any more on them if anything happens to them throughout their life. These warranties can vary by manufacturer, but they usually cover the performance of the equipment produced by them. Which direction is the slope of the face of your roof? The slope of the face of your roof should be in the direction of the sun so that it can absorb as much energy as it can from the sunlight falling on the solar panels installed on it. Your panels will not be able to produce maximum solar power if the slope of your roof is not sun-facing. It is essential to place the solar panels on a south-facing surface of the roof to get the best results. You can also install solar panels on your roof if some of its parts are west facing. Sometimes, the north or east-facing surface of the roof can also be used for installing solar panels depending on its azimuth and pitch.
Solar panels are the best sustainable source to save energy. Solar energy, being one of the largest renewable sources of energy, can be converted for electricity as well as other sources of power in the household. Solar panel installation in one’s home is undoubtedly cheap, which provides an unlimited source of energy. Still, it does require a minimum amount of care for it to function correctly for long terms. Why Care for Solar Panels? In general and simple words, solar panels are generally glasses that are systematically installed in one’s household to absorb the solar light. The more solar light this tool absorbs, the more it converts that light into forms of energy and store in it a battery. But since the solar panels are always installed in open spaces, they are prone to some external damage. These damages are not really serious but are external forces that obstruct the glass surface and stop it from absorbing the sunlight to its fullest extent. These external forces can include dust, dirt, and spots because of water in the atmosphere, rain, bird droppings, or cracks because of hail or some other objects and much more. These factors might look like issues that can be overlooked, but in reality, it obstructs the solar panels from functioning correctly, therefore, solar maintenance is an absolute necessity. Solar Panel Care Guide It might sound hard to accept, but the only time one cares for their solar panels are during the times when something damages it really bad, or the tool completely stops functioning. This increases the cost of solar panel maintenance, moreover, gives extra headaches since several appliances might work with the support of solar panels. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to care about one’s solar panels, and it should be done as regularly as possible. According to every solar contractor in the market, it is highly advisable to check one’s solar panels at least once in 6 months. This period is an ideal gap for regular solar panel care since the weather changes every 3-4 months, and a solar panel can adjust that much of change or damage. Moreover, it is not just the glasses that need care and has to be checked. Instead, the screws and hinges also need enough checks and care as they are always at a risk of getting loose or rusting due to environmental factors. Another thing to consider for solar care is to continually check the solar batteries that are connected to the panels. This battery is highly complex, and a regular checkup saves it from complete damage since it is one of the vital parts of the whole solar panel system. Other than this, regular checkup of solar batteries protects the entire house from significant risks, like that of fire, since it converts and transfers electrical energy into the household. At-home care and regular checking of the solar panels can be done by the individual itself. Still, it is usually advisable to call a solar contractor for professional support or if you are not comfortable enough to get on your roof to do the maintenance.
The Capital city of Sacramento is the hub of California’s objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. With the seven climate change pillars pointing the way, California is the leader in the development of renewable energy. The Pillars are an aggressive plan for cutting fossil fuels and achieving the goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. If the saying is true that there is nothing new under the sun, then harnessing the power of the sun is nothing new. And we have the technology to utilize it and make it a viable energy source. It is a TechnoNatural phenomenon that solar technology converts sunlight to energy, and much like the process of photosynthesis transforms that energy into electricity to power our homes. Semper Solaris is the best solar company in Sacramento for installing solar for your home. We are at the forefront of promoting technology and innovation that is changing the way the world works. Whether it is lowering your carbon footprint or pollution or any other problem solar solves, solar is the energy with the future in mind. Looking to Solar Power The goal of achieving 50 percent of energy from renewable sources is a worthy goal. The reach of solar power in Sacramento goes beyond the purposes of California. Solar power is the most cost-effective and efficient energy source for solving a variety of problems at home and in the world. The cost of producing solar power when you compare it to fossil fuels is meager. Unlike fossil fuel power plants, solar power leaves no toxic waste in the air, water, or land. Solar energy is portable and can be dispatched quickly and easily. Solar power reduces air pollution Solar as an energy source improves water quality Protecting the environment protects your health Solar energy is a key player in fighting poverty. Solar power is helping the homeless. Solar provides power in emergencies and disasters. With credentials like these, solar power holds first place as the power source for the betterment of the world. It makes sense for homeowners to switch to solar power in Sacramento as the model city for clean and renewable energy for the future. WHY SOLAR IS THE BEST ENERGY ALTERNATIVE Future technology will increase the demand for more and more electricity to run our smart homes, appliances, and equipment. Cars with EV stations will be the new normal in the not too distant future. Our smart homes are about to become more intelligent and will need more energy. Solar power is, by far, the most economical and most straightforward way to deliver more electrical power efficiently. Solar power can answer the need for more energy. Solar can help solve big problems in the world. Solar power is the energy source for the future. Solar power is cost-effective, Solar power is sustainable We at Semper Solaris believe that solar energy is the best alternative to fossil fuels. Solar can provide exponentially more electricity without a negative impact on the environment. We are on the frontlines of renewable energy technology and innovation. Call Semper Solaris today if you don’t yet have a solar panel installation in your Sacramento home. Now is the perfect time to join the future of renewable solar energy. Help solve world problems starting in your town, in your home.
In Rancho Cordova, beautification efforts are underway. This once upon a time gold rush town turned tourist attraction will be a bustling center for West Coast events and meeting spaces for both local, business and travelers alike. Nature is plentiful, and many attractions keep visitors busy. From local venues and accommodations to hiking, biking, or rafting on the American River, there is always something to do. As the city looks for ways to clean up the air and water, solar power is becoming the go-to renewable resource for lowering its carbon footprint and improving the environment. Residents of Rancho Cordova are switching to solar and wondering why they didn’t do it sooner. And solar panels on rooftops are changing the look of their town. Semper Solaris has years of experience installing solar panels in Rancho Cordova. We are pleased to bring the best that Solar has to offer to this city. Why Solar in Rancho Cordova? Renewable energy is the centerpiece of a clean and sustainable environment. It is a good step for creating a clean energy economy as well as maintaining clean natural habitats and green spaces. Solar is the most cost-effective and accessible renewable energy in Rancho Cordova. It can be mobilized quickly without adding infrastructure to support it. It sits on space that takes up no extra space. With the bonus of shrinking electric bills, Solar power installations are a welcome visitor to Rancho Cordova. Solar slashes the cost of electricity Solar does not cause waste or pollution Solar is easy to install Solar panels require little maintenance More ways to benefit from solar With technology and innovation, there will be more and more ways to use this plentiful resource. You can further the savings by expanding the utility of your solar panels for maximum benefit. Get More From Your Solar Panels in Rancho Cordova Download smart apps to monitor your solar panel output, and your usage to ascertain the most productive hours. Utilize the high energy-consuming appliances during your solar panel’s most productive hours. Use Energy Star appliances - nearly 40 percent less energy. Keep your panels clean –to prevent a reduction in energy yield. Make sure to trim trees and foliage, so they don’t shade your solar panels from the sun. Expand the Usefulness of Solar Heat your pool and spa or even a sauna without breaking the bank Add extra solar panels to expand the potential of your panels to power future innovations in smart home technology Store auxiliary power with a Semper Solaris Battery Backup system to meet nearly 90 percent of your energy needs and have power if the grid goes down. Add an EV Station if you plan to buy an electric car. (this is where a backup battery can save the day) Semper Solaris is the best solar contractor in Rancho Cordova to help the city and its residents improve the environment through solar power and its many benefits. We have a reputation for excellent customer care, and our technicians are the best in their field. Experienced and knowledgeable in all things solar, Semper Solaris is the right choice. Contact us today for a free evaluation for a solar installation.
Elk Grove is a quiet, friendly suburban town in Sacramento County. With young professionals and their families living in this highly rated town, Elk Grove is considered one of the best places to live in California. Elk Grove is committed to the environment and renewable energy. They protect endangered species and habitats and is the home of the Stone Lakes wildlife refuge. This attention to preserving the environment and conservation makes it a healthy and safe place to raise a family. More and more Sacramento County homeowners are switching to solar power as the alternative energy of choice. Semper Solaris is the best Solar Company in Elk Grove. We are standing by to help Elk Grove homeowners take advantage of our many financing options and financial incentives available to offset the cost of installing solar. Solar Power to the Rescue in Elk Grove Those of us who are environmentally conscious, and want to live in a clean environment, have traditionally been stuck with having to compromise. Our electricity runs off fossil fuels; our air conditioning uses toxic chemicals; our cars run on petroleum. There has, until now, been little choice in how we get our electricity or drive our vehicles and a host of other ways we are on the receiving end of toxicity of modern inventions. Solar power technology has been around for decades, before now, it was not widely available to homeowners. It was expensive and cumbersome and not easy to use. When the laws changed that allowed for solar systems to be tied to the grid, net metering it opened the door for the growth of rooftop solar. Solar and Net Metering Solar panel installations in Elk Grove, like in the rest of California, have the advantage of using net metering, which connects to your solar panels and works in tandem with the utility grid. This process allows us to reduce our carbon footprint while still using electricity from the grid when we need it. But we can nevertheless reduce our carbon footprint by using less power from the grid, which relies on fossil fuel. How does net metering help me use Solar Power in Elk Grove? Net metering is a means to connect your solar panels to the electric grid. Your panels produce power while the sun shines, and this power is used for electricity in your home. Unused power goes to the grid, and you get that amount credited back to you, so you don’t lose excess energy. You can use that power to run the electricity at night. So you save money, but you are charged the higher rates during peak hours. So basically, you get discounted after hours because of the credits you have accrued. Power on the Roof in Elk Grove As homeowners are installing solar panels in Elk Grove and all over Sacramento County, it is creating a blueprint for the future of renewable energy. Solar power is more efficient when there is lots of sunshine. And on the roof is where that sun shines day after day. California is moving away from fossil fuels, and with solar power, roof by roof, it will have an effect on the environment for the air, the water, and the earth. Semper Solaris is the best solar company in Elk Grove for your energy needs. We are committed to the environment, and we stand ready to help you with financing and financial incentives so you can make the switch to renewable energy. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your property for going solar in Elk Grove.
Our Semper Cares Initiative was a huge success! On July 3rd, we completed two goodwill projects and unveiled them to the public. Welcomed guests and the local press assembled to join the families and crew to celebrate these veterans and watch as the final solar panels were installed. The two unveiling celebrations radiated honor, pride, and patriotism for this country and for those who fought to defend it. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovQs-BQMjkM[/embed] In partnership with Habitat for Humanity San Diego, we helped two veterans celebrate their Independence Day by unveiling a new roof and solar power system. Veteran Carl Schaffrina’s roof was in serious need of replacement. Water leaks were proving physically and mentally demanding for the family. Semper Solaris teamed up with the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project to provide a complete new roof installation expected to last for more than 25 years. Former Marine sniper Povas Miknaitis, was given the opportunity to declare his independence from electric companies. Semper Solaris, in cooperation with SolarWorld, and SolarEdge, installed a complete solar panel system to his home in San Diego. This new system will help reduce electricity costs and improve his home's value. Lowering Mr. Miknaitis' electricity bills and helping him become more energy independent is especially valuable, since most veterans are on fixed incomes - one fewer bill means greater financial freedom. The Miknaitis project was coordinated with San Diego’s Warrior Foundation Freedom Station where Miknaitis was a beneficiary and is now a volunteer working with other wounded veterans. We are proud of the men and women of our Semper Solaris team, our partners, and the veterans of this great nation. Stay tuned for future Semper Cares initiatives as we continue to help veterans in any way we can. At Semper Solaris, we take pride in our veterans, our veteran origins, and our veteran employees and their stories. As always, thank you for your service.
Summer is upon us, and as the California heat grills your city, the steady hum of your air conditioner may sound a lot like money climbing out of your wallet and running away. California has some of the highest energy costs in the country, so now might be the time to consider investing in solar panels. As soon as you start your solar energy journey, you’ll notice something. There are hundreds of different solar panel models to choose from, and they all look the same! So, what’s the difference between the best-rated solar panels for home use and the rest of the pack? More importantly, how can top-rated solar panels help you save more money on your energy bills? When you begin comparing these panels with the hundreds of others on the market, you’ll notice something that isn’t all that surprising. The top-rated solar panels tend to also be the priciest. Isn’t investing in solar panels supposed to save you money? How can you do that by purchasing some of the more expensive panels on the market? The price tag of a solar panel is only a starting point in understanding the true value you’re getting. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” The best solar panels can offer big savings through greater efficiency, longer warranties, a lower temperature coefficient, and general overall quality. Let’s take a look at how each of these factors can help you ultimately save more money over time. Why Greater Efficiency Matters Let’s say that you hire two different companies to mow your lawn. Company A charges $50 per hour, while Company B charges $40 per hour. Company B sounds like the better deal, right? Sure, until you get your bill. It turns out that Company A was able to mow your entire lawn in an hour, while Company B slacked off and took an hour and a half to complete the job. Company A’s bill is $50, while Company B charges you $60 for the same work. While Company A seemed more expensive to begin with, they were actually the cheaper option, because they were much more efficient than Company B. They could produce greater results in less time. Efficiency is also an important concept in the world of solar panels. Every panel has an efficiency rating, which refers to the amount of sunlight it can convert into energy. The industry average is roughly 15% to 17% efficiency. Top-rated solar panels rise high above the pack, usually offering at least 20% efficiency. Our providers, for example, offer a top efficiency rate of over 21%. The difference between 14% efficiency and 21% efficiency might not seem like a lot, but consider that the solar panel with 21% efficiency will generate 50% more energy under the same conditions as its less efficient counterpart. This difference adds up. More efficient panels will generate more energy over time, helping to cut or eliminate your electric bill. Why Warranty Matters Warranties often get overlooked in the initial excitement of buying a new product. This is mostly because the cost savings warranties offer is hidden… right up until the point something goes wrong. Most solar panel brands offer a 10- or even 15-year warranty on the performance of their panels. Once again, the top manufacturers are noteworthy outliers. Warranties won’t save you money right away, but they sure will come in handy 15 years down the road when you notice that the performance of your panels is diminishing. With warranty in hand, you can ask the manufacturer to address the problem or even replace your entire system. Without the warranty, you’ll either have to pay out of pocket for repairs or watch your energy bills creep up as the performance of your panels continues to sink. Why the Temperature Coefficient Matters A solar panel’s efficiency rating assumes ideal conditions, but step outside your house on a simmering day in July, and you’ll quickly recognize that even in California “ideal conditions” can be wishful thinking. Counterintuitively, solar panels don’t perform as efficiently in hot weather. As soon as the temperature climbs over 77 degrees Fahrenheit, performance begins to drop. This can happen more often than you would imagine, as roofs tend to absorb heat (like hot sidewalks), making conditions hotter than the surrounding area. Every solar panel model also reports something called a “temperature coefficient.” This number refers to the fall in efficiency for every temperature degree above 77 degrees. For example, if a solar panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.5, its efficiency rating will drop half a percent for every degree above 77. If it’s 85 degrees out, the panel’s efficiency will drop 4%. That’s a pretty big drop, especially for solar panels with average or below-average efficiency ratings. California residents who live in hotter parts of the state need to keep the temperature coefficient in mind. A lower temperature coefficient, especially if it’s paired with a higher-than-average efficiency rating, will mean that your solar panels can still produce adequate energy even on the hottest days. This can help you save big, because hot days usually require lots of air conditioning to keep you cool. General Overall Quality Most of us have purchased cheap knockoffs of our favorite brands and technology. Initially, you feel smart for having saved so much money for “basically” the same thing. Then, one week later when the seams start to unravel, the handle breaks off, or the thing shatters the first time you drop it, you recognize the truth. Quality matters. Paying more upfront usually means greater savings and better performance in the long run. The same is true when it comes to the best-rated solar panels for home use. You’ll pay a premium upfront, but the combination of greater efficiency, longer warranty, and lower temperature coefficient will add up to greater savings over time. You may have noticed that the same companies keep coming up at the top of each major quality we’ve highlighted in this article. That’s because the best panels tend to be the best in every measurement, including the things that can’t be measured like overall quality. Not sure how to find the best solar panels for your California home? Check solar panel reviews from real people over at SolarReiviews.com. We also encourage you to ask your solar installation specialist about their recommended panels. At Semper Solaris, we work with a wide range of solar panels and are happy to discuss the pros and cons of each brand. We can also help you decide on the best panels for your budget, energy needs, and the unique weather and temperature patterns in your area. It all starts with a free energy analysis to determine if solar panels are right for you. Schedule your no-pressure assessment today.
Have you made the decision to go solar? Now is the perfect time to take advantage of all the beautiful California sunshine that lands on your roof each day by investing in solar panels for your home. As you begin researching which solar panels to buy, you might be surprised to discover dozens of solar panel brands currently on the market. So how can you find out which top rated solar panels are the best fit for your energy needs, your roof and especially your budget? It’s simple: when you sit down with an expert during your solar consultation, ask these five important questions: What Are the Price of the Panels? For most homeowners, price is one of the most important factors in their solar panel purchase decision. If you plan on paying out of pocket, then solar panels represent a steep investment. Although cheaper solar panel options do exist, at some point you begin to sacrifice performance, efficiency, and design in exchange for a little bit of savings upfront. In our opinion, this trade-off isn’t worth it! How Efficient are the Panels? Before you buy a new car, most people want to know about engine type, if it has four-wheel drive, and if it will parallel park for you so you never ding the curb again. We all want to know the specs of the things we buy. Solar panels are no different. One of the most important specs to look for, in this case, is efficiency. Efficiency refers to how much sunlight (also called solar irradiation) the panels convert into electricity. These days, new advances in monocrystalline and polycrystalline have dramatically boosted the efficiency of solar panels. Unsurprisingly, the cheapest panels on the market will give you the lowest efficiency rate, around 10%. (Fun fact: The first commercial solar panel only offered a paltry 2% efficiency rate!). With mid-range solar panels, you can expect 14 – 15% efficiency. Top rated solar panels can reach past 20% efficiency in ideal conditions. Why is efficiency important? More efficient solar panels need less surface area to create the same amount of energy as a less efficient panel. The most efficient solar panels can be smaller, which can be useful if you have a small roof or if there is a limited area of your roof that receives ideal sunlight. If you have a larger roof, you may want to consider purchasing less-efficient panels. They’ll be bigger, but you could save a little money! What Is the Warranty? Almost all solar panel manufacturers offer some form warranty that guarantees that their solar panels will continue to perform at a certain level for a specific stretch of time. It’s important to recognize, though, that warranty is not the same thing as lifespan. The top warranties are typically 25 years, but many researchers believe solar panels can last much longer without losing too much efficiency. Still, warranties matter. If they start to malfunction, that warranty can protect you from expensive repairs or from a loss of efficiency that could increase your monthly energy bills. What Is the Temperature Coefficient? We’re digging a little into the weeds here, but knowing the temperature coefficient of your solar panel options will help you make the best choice possible. It will also impress your solar panel installation company! Simply put, the temperature coefficient will tell you how your solar panels will perform outside of ideal conditions. Solar panels work best at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in San Diego, Riverside, and Los Angeles, temperatures can blaze high above that in the summer, which will lower how much electricity your solar panels will produce. A solar panel’s temperature coefficient will tell you exactly how hot temperatures will affect efficiency. For every degree above 77 degrees, the efficiency of the solar panels will decrease by the temperature coefficient. What Is the Reputation of the Brand? Ultimately, the success of your solar investment will come down to how well your solar panels perform, and that will depend significantly on the quality of their construction. The top rated solar panels offer the highest efficiency, the best warranties, and the lowest coefficients, because they are designed by innovative companies that care about creating a quality product. You will pay more for these panels in the short term, but they will no doubt pay you back and then some over the long term! Important Tools and Resources Picking the right solar panels for your home isn’t always an easy choice. Before you make your decision, do your homework. Start by speaking with a solar installation representative. Here at Semper Solaris, we live and breathe solar panels. We go to the solar industry shows, keep up on the latest technology, and talk to clients every day about different solar panel options. Our reputation depends on how well the solar panels we install perform for our customers, so we make it our job to know everything about the industry. We can help you understand your options, guide you on how to compare different solar panels, and make recommendations based on your budget and goals. If you’ve got questions about solar panels, we’ve got answers — contact us today for a free energy audit! We’ve worked with lots of different solar panels, and we would be glad to help you find the best solar panels for your home.
Summer is making its way to California, and unless you are fortunate enough to live on the cooler coastline, temperatures are going to start to sizzle. How does all this heat affect the solar panels on your home? Many homeowners assume solar panels do well in heat. After all, sunlight and heat go hand-in-hand. The more sunlight, the energy solar panels produce, right? The truth is that excessive heat can actually make solar panels less efficient. What does that mean if you happen to live in Sacramento where summer temps top 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) or Fresno, which is no stranger to triple-digit highs? Let’s take a look at how heat affects solar panels for your house and how you can use this knowledge to get the best solar panel system for your piece of California paradise. Heat and Solar Panels To understand why high temperatures zap solar panel efficiency like a form of solar panel Kryptonite, we first have to discuss how solar panels work. In a nutshell, solar panels take advantage of all the light energy the sun sends down to earth in the form of photons. These little photons knock electrons out of the atoms that make up a solar panel cell. These dislodged electrons then zip around a circuit within the solar panel. It is this movement that produces an electric current. One factor that plays a role in how much power each little zipping electron creates is its original state before it gets knocked out of its electron. On a cool day, electrons exist in a nice, relaxed resting state. When the photon kicks them out of the atom, they become more energized. This difference, from low energy to high energy, produces a high current. On a hot day, the situation is different. The heat within the panels already puts the electrons into an excited state. That means they won’t pick up much energy when they are dislodged by the photons. So even though a solar panel can get the same amount of sunlight on a cool day and a hot day, the panels will produce more energy on the cool day. Depending on your brand of solar panel and the actual temperature on your roof, high heat can steal away as much as 10% of your solar system’s efficiency. How Hot Is Too Hot? How much heat can the solar panels on your home really handle? That depends on the solar panel brand you choose and something called its temperature coefficient. When you’re shopping for solar panels, you’ll notice that each different brand has an efficiency rating, with an average efficiency of 15%. A solar panel’s efficiency rate refers to how much sunlight it can convert into usable energy. Each solar panel brand will also have a temperature coefficient, which explains how well the panels perform in high temperatures. Generally, solar panels don’t begin to lose efficiency until their temperature rises to 77 degrees. At that point, for every degree increase in temperature above 77 degrees, a solar panel loses efficiency by the rate of its temperature coefficient. You can start to see how hot summer days can diminish the performance of your solar panels. This can be problematic at a time when you’ll probably want to keep that air conditioning going strong. Fortunately, good solar installers can offer different solutions to help your solar system manage hot days. How to Beat the Heat If you live in a part of California that endures long, hot summers, is there a way to beat the heat to ensure that solar panels for your house are still a good investment? Choose the Right Solar Panels The first way to manage the heat is to choose solar panels with a low temperature coefficient. Most monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels offer a temperature coefficient between -0.35 and -0.5. You may have heard of a different kind of solar panel called a thin-film panel (TF). One of the biggest benefits these panels offer is that they can handle heat much better than their PV counterparts. Most TF panels offer a temperature coefficient of between -0.2 and -0.25. There’s a catch, though. TF panels have a much lower efficiency rate than PV panels, usually between 11-13% efficiency. Unless you live in some of the hottest areas of California, TF panels generally don’t match PV efficiency in the long run even with their lower temperature coefficients. Choose the Right Solar System Size When you work with Semper Solaris, we’ll calculate your average monthly energy usage in order to determine the ideal size for your solar system; we also know to check average summer temperatures and to keep the temperature coefficient in mind when making our recommendations. This is just one more reason why you should strongly consider working with a local solar panel installation company. A local company will already be familiar with the weather patterns of your area and will understand how the summer months will affect the efficiency of your solar system. If you endure long and hot summer months, your installation specialist may recommend a slightly larger solar system to make up for the efficiency loss during days with high temperatures. High Quality Installation While there really is no way to prevent diminished solar panel efficiency during the hottest days of the summer, your solar installation company can install your panels in a way to keep them as cool as possible to limit efficiency loss. For example, it’s common for installers to house panels in a thermally conductive substrate, which helps vent away heat. During hot days, many types of California roofing, including Spanish tiles and asphalt shingles, will absorb heat, just like a concrete sidewalk, which can make temperatures on your roof even higher than the ambient temperature. To address this, your installer will likely mount your panels a few inches above the roof. This allows for airflow between the panels and the roof and can help prevent a hot roof from heating up your solar panels. Choose the Right Solar Installer Even if your part of the state gets some serious heat in the summer, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on solar panels for your home. Instead, work with an experienced and local solar installer who can recommend the ideal solar system for your geographic area. Even if your solar panels aren’t as efficient during the summer, just remember that California’s weather is typically gorgeous (i.e. not sweltering) for a majority of the year, which means that your solar system can make up for diminished summer returns during the rest of the year. This is especially true because California offers net metering, which allows you to take energy from the grid when you need more power than your panels can produce and to put excess energy back into the grid when your panels generate too much in exchange for an energy credit. A well-designed solar panel system will average out during the year, reducing or even eliminating your energy bills altogether! Interested in solar panels but want to know how the summer temps in your area will affect your system? Contact us to schedule a free energy analysis. We would be happy to send a solar specialist to your home from one of our locations throughout California.
Pleasanton is a great place to call home! From the 1,200 acres of parks that surround the area to the historic downtown area that is inhabited by unique shops, beautiful restaurants and endless forms of entertainment. Pleasanton is known for being the top 50 places to live in the nation according to Money Magazine. This comes as no surprise to the residents of Pleasanton who have been keeping their town a secret to the outside world. Being a short 25-mile drive from San Francisco, Pleasanton is a great place to start that family you’ve always dreamt of. The short commute allows residents to escape the craziness of the Bay Area and Silicon Valley but still live close enough to the fun. One of the most significant growing investments for homeowners in the area comes as no surprise! Solar power installations are growing at a rapid rate because of many reasons. There is no wonder that solar is the number one renewable energy source available right now. Solar power seems like new technology to some, but solar has been around for quite some time now. It just was not widely available to all like it is now! Many people know that solar harnesses the power of the sun to provide energy to the home or business utilizing the solar energy system. But most people don’t understand all of the components that do solar work as it does. Solar Terms & Parts Solar Panels: Solar panels are made up of many solar cells that are linked together. They are usually mounted in a frame called a group. Solar panels generate power via the sun’s rays. Inverter: The panels produce energy in a DC current, which then needs to be converted to AC current to power your home. Inverters are what allows the current to be converted from DC to AC. Solar Array: A solar array is a large group of solar panels that are wired together. Solar farms often have substantial solar arrays to gather the most possible sunlight. Mounting Hardware: This is the structure that allows you to mount panels to your roof. Without the hardware and racking equipment, solar panels would not be as efficient and allow you to minimize impact from your roof. Photovoltaic or PV: Photovoltaic technology converts the sun’s rays to electricity in a naturally occurring process that occurs in semiconductors. Net Metering: When you produce more energy than you need, you can sell excess energy back to the electricity grid. Utility companies will pay you for your excess energy! These are just some of the terms that are often thrown around when you first jump into the solar power world. Often times, people are intimidated when it comes to switching to solar. Solar is growing at a rate faster than it has ever before. The United States, China, and Europe lead the way in solar installations worldwide. China and the United States have increased their use of solar by over 50% in the last two years. Leading the way in growth by a long shot. In the United States, California leads the way with creating the solar infrastructure for the future. With Southern California leading the way as the solar hotbed of the nation, the bay area comes in close behind. This is because California has one of the best climates in the world for Solar powered energy production! The weather in the great city of Pleasanton is almost unheard of, receiving nearly 264 days of average sunlight per year, allowing the residents of this great city to utilize the best renewable energy source there is! Solar Power! All of this sunlight that we receive year-round will allow residents to break free from the greedy energy companies that impose rate hikes to make more money off their users. Our solutions offer answers to all of your problems, including rate hikes. We offer the ability to pair your new solar energy system with solar battery storage. These storages allow you to store excess energy gained during the day for use at a later time. For example, in case of emergencies, you can save excess energy to be utilized during a power outage. These storages will change your life, knowing that you have a backup power supply that can be used during emergencies. Choosing the Right Solar Company When it comes to choosing the right solar company, there are a few factors you should consider. The most important being how much experience the company has, as well as the location of the company. It is a good tip to choose a locally owned and operated company, they will much better understand the laws and regulations that will need to be followed. Whether you want to invest for monetary reasons like saving money on your monthly power bill or increasing the value of your home, solar is the answer for you. Or if you want to invest in solar because of the ability to break free from using fossil fuels to power your home, solar is also the answer for you! Solar provides so many solutions for all sorts of users around the world. When it is your time to look into your options, Semper Solaris is confident that we will provide you with a quality efficient system that won’t empty your pockets. Semper Solaris is a solar and roofing company that truly cares about the community it serves. We care about the future of our home, which is why we are committed to helping our community with fantastic solar solutions that will last years to come. From solar panels themselves to solar battery storage, we have all the answers to make your new solar energy installation work at its peak capacity.
Known for being the oldest wine region in California, Livermore is a beautiful city that holds home to thousands of people. From the wine country to the unique western heritage, Livermore’s unique culture is what makes Livermore home! We take pride in our ability to keep care of our beautiful community, from our Las Positas Golf Course to our endless amounts of parks surrounding the city, Livermore is a true beauty. New opportunities to improve this community we call home pop up daily but one of the most influential is that of solar energy! Solar provides new jobs and enhanced infrastructure. Green, renewable, widely available and robust, solar energy is a perfect way to keep Livermore beautiful and achieve a net-zero waste community. Solar Panel Installation in Livermore are skyrocketing, why wait any longer? Solar power allows the city to break free from a nasty reliance on fossil fuels as well as preserve the environment that we all love. When planning for implementing a sustainable green community, it is crucial that we remember that we keep our outdoor areas clean and free from pollutants. The key to a healthy, happy community is to upkeep our standards for clean water, breathable air, and renewable energy sources. Living by these standards will bring more prosperity to our communities. Solar energy is the answer to becoming sustainable. Why is solar so great? Solar power causes no pollution, like the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are known to emit greenhouse gases which pollute the air we breathe and make the temperature of our atmosphere rise. Solar power provides new job opportunities to the Livermore community. More solar installations create an increase in the demand for workers who can provide solar panel energy systems. Solar power allows the community to break free from the utility companies and invest the money in areas where it’s genuinely needed. Solar power can help lower-income residents with lower-cost power solutions and solar financing option in Livermore Solar power provides solutions for those who may not usually have power. This is because the sun is free for all! Solar power allows for energy independence. Solar power opens the door for other innovations in the future. People are more willing to adopt new technology when they have prior positive experiences. Everyone loves solar and its endless possibilities! It is essential to have the city at the forefront of the solar revolution. Showing its citizens, how keeping the town beautiful should be done! Investing in renewable energy is one of the keys to keeping the city green and allowing for infrastructure in the renewable energy industry to skyrocket. We are taking a step in the right direction when solar energy is becoming favored over traditional energy sources that use fossil fuels. Using solar energy can have a positive, indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have a more significant impact on the environment. Finding the right solar contractor in Livermore can be difficult but rewarding when the job is complete. Reasons for switching to a Solar in Livermore Net cost is around $0 after the payback period ends. On average, after eight years, you will have paid off your upfront costs of getting your solar energy system installed. Hedge against the rising utility costs. If you invest in solar, you can offset the increasing costs of paying for power through the energy companies. Sometimes even have $0 power bills! Renewable energy source. Solar power is the number one renewable energy source, both by the rate of installation and efficiency. Solar is growing at a rapid pace because of all the great reasons to use it! NASA estimates that the sun will shine for another 6.5 billion years, don’t be afraid to jump in, we have plenty of room. Environmentally friendly. Solar energy is one of the best energy sources for those who are trying to ecologically conscious. Solar allows users to significantly reduce their annual carbon footprint. Some buildings being built currently are actually zero-waste buildings because of the ability to utilize their solar power efficiently. These buildings often include large windows that allow a lot of sunlight to get in, allowing for less use of lights. Widely Available. Solar power is available pretty much anywhere in the world. Even though some areas have not adopted residential solar yet, the ability to utilize the technology is widely spread. Some small towns in hard to reach districts use solar to break free from their oil dependence. No noise and little to no maintenance. Solar is such a great investment because it is usually a one time cost, and upkeep is little to none. You might need to clean your panels of dirt and debris once in a while. At Semper Solaris, we only partner with the best possible solar panel providers in the area to give you the best solar installation in Livermore. They provide the best quality materials with the very best backed warranties. We will layout the options that best fit your home and needs, then you’re given the freedom to pick and choose based on your cost and requirements. These are just a few reasons why solar is leading the renewable energy revolution. Our experts at Semper Solaris have all the answers you may have regarding solar power. From solar permitting to solar panel companies, we understand all the ins and outs. When it comes to solar installation in Livermore, it is best to stay local. Local companies have countless numbers of installations under their belt in the Livermore area and will make sure you leave confident in your decision to make the switch to solar.
Anytime you make an improvement to your house, take into consideration their impact on the value of your home. The most common way of making your home better is to upgrade your kitchen, renovate your bathroom, or build an extra room, but there is another way to modernize your home and increase the value of your property – install a solar energy system by hiring a solar company in Vacaville. Whether you intend to light up your home, water your lawn, or gas your car, you have to make use of energy. The energy you make use of will determine your bills at the end of the month. Just like most people, if you’ve wondered ways to lower your utility bills, one way to do that is to make use of solar updates. This will help you solve more than one challenge – lowering electricity costs and reducing the carbon footprint. Most solar changes are easy and don’t require difficult changes. Some ways you can modernize your home with solar in Vacaville include: Make use of exterior solar lights People spend a lot of time outside during summer. At some times, parties can extend into the evening hours. If you want to continue partying without having to bother about energy bills, utilize solar lighting. You can make your porch, deck, patio, and walkway brighter and create a nice ambiance. It is easy to have solar lights installed, and you can change it if you’re not convinced of the designs. Have a combination of static lights with color-changing lights to create a unique setting. There are different forms of solar lights, and they can be used in a variety of settings. Consider using a solar attic fan During high temperatures, the temperature of your attic can rise to over 160 degrees or more. The heat can result in the temperature of your home rising, thereby increasing the energy used in cooling systems such as fans and air conditioners. The high temperature from the attic can make your air conditioner work extra hard, leading to a similar interior temperature with the outdoor temperature. Construct a solar room This can be done at a low cost. It doesn’t require electrical wiring or plumbing. Before selecting a design, get a proper location for the room. The location will depend on the kind of environment you intend to create. It is best to build one on a southern front. Have a photovoltaic system In addition to the above small home improvements, have solar panels installed. They have been used in many homes for several years, making use of photovoltaic cells to capture the energy of the sun. The cells don’t need constant sunlight to function and can generate electricity even on cloudy days. They convert sun energy into electrical energy that can be used to operate home appliances. Making use of solar panels will not only save you money, but they can also be a source of income. For many years, the government has offered financial incentives for the installation of wind turbines, solar panels, wood stoves, and more. Solar panel installation in Vacaville is great for residents there. This power source contributes to a sustainable, healthier environment. The best solar installation in Vacaville is Semper Solaris. They have maintained their standards over time, providing quality services to residents in Vacaville.
