Bay Area Contractor | Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Roofing, HVAC
When you live in Tracy, you know that the California sunshine is something to capitalize on. With Northern California pushing for more renewable energy sources, now is the time to consider solar installation. Take Advantage of Solar Savings Today How can you benefit from the push to go green and reduce the carbon footprint of the area? Of course, you are probably happy to help the environment and do your part in cutting back on emissions, but saving money along the way is also important. You need to be able to afford to go solar and get those savings down the road after all. Here are some of the ways you can take advantage of solar savings: Net metering - Through net metering, homeowners can get a credit back for any surplus amount of energy their solar panels create, which can then be applied to times when their panels aren’t producing enough to save them even more on electric bills. Local rebates and incentives - Every area, including Tracy, offers unique rebates and often incentive programs available for local residents to take advantage of. These programs and savings can vary. California Solar Initiative - This initiative allows low-income homeowners to get back cash after installing a solar panel system, with some amounts reaching as much as $10,000 for homeowners. Of course, this depends on the location, size of the system and home, and income of the household. How the Bay Area Leads the Way in Clean Energy The Bay Area is known for being a leader in the clean, renewable energy movement, with San Francisco offering homeowners extensive programs and other rebates to encourage the development of more solar energy. SF is aiming large, striving to completely reduce their carbon footprint to net-zero in just over 30 years. These drastic measures speak to the urgency that the Bay Area officials are treating greenhouse gas emissions and the need to reduce them. For this reason, homeowners in San Francisco, Hayward, Tracy, and surrounding Bay Area cities are not only nudged, but incentivized to join the clean energy movement with accessible options like solar panel installation.Don’t wait any longer to join the movement and start saving -- both the planet and your wallet! For a Tracy solar contractor you can trust, look to Semper Solaris.
With movements like CleanPowerSF and other programs and incentives developed by the city of San Francisco, there is no doubt that it is one of the leaders in the renewable energy movement for the Bay Area and beyond. The city fully supports the idea that renewable energy resources like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power are essential to the sustainability of our future as a country and a planet. In fact, Mayor London Breed is so passionate about shrinking the city’s impact that she has made a very aggressive goal to completely eliminate San Francisco’s carbon footprint by 2050. How will the city reduce their dependence on natural gas and other pollutants? By requiring any new buildings in 2030 and beyond to be net-zero carbon emitters and other dramatic tactics, encouraging more efficient electrical appliances, promoting shared or cleaner transportation (like electric cars and bicycles), and providing incentives for residential and commercial renewable energy systems. By embracing renewable energy solutions like solar panels and more, San Francisco has already successfully reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to the levels in 1990. That stands alongside a major growth in population as well. Going Solar Can Help the Planet & Your Wallet Sometimes it feels like going green or reducing your carbon footprint requires significant sacrifice. While it's true that it is a change of lifestyle, reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort or even suffer financial loss because of it. That’s the beauty of going solar. So how much can you save with solar panels in San Francisco? It depends. First, you could be looking at significant savings on the cost of installation simply by taking advantage of local rebates, tax credits, and incentive programs. Some of the options available to SF residents include: The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to deduct 26% of the system installation costs from your federal taxes.City of San Francisco - Solar Energy Incentive Program (GoSolarSF) offers residential homeowners who install solar panels rebates ranging from $300 to $650 per KW, with different incentive levels based on system size, location, and other factors.The Single-family Affordable Solar Housing incentive allows qualifying low-income homeowners to get cash incentives when installing solar systems (managed by GRID Alternatives). The Upfront Cost vs. the Long Term Savings Though there will be some upfront investment on your part with solar installation on your home, the long term benefits are definitely worth it -- including financial savings, grid independence, and a spike in the value of your property. What could be better than cutting back on greenhouse gases while saving money? It may sound too good to be true, but we promise it isn’t.That’s why countless customers in the area have already trusted Semper Solaris to install solar panel systems on their homes. If you are interested in talking to a solar contractor in San Francisco about reducing your carbon footprint with solar panels, Semper Solaris is always ready to provide insight. Get started by filling out a simple learning more about our services in San Francisco!
When it comes to roofs, there are a wide range of options to select from. You’ve got everything from TPO for many commercial buildings to classic shingle for residential homes. Materials can range from metal to wood to cement to plastic to clay. What makes one material more preferred over the other? It can vary greatly based on the use of building, geographical location, weather, budget, and style. So what are some of the most common types of roofs that can be found in the Bay Area? We break down the region’s most popular roofing options. Keep reading to find out more! What Type of Roof Do You Have? Wondering if your roofing material makes it in the top four most common roofing materials? Check the list below to learn more about your home’s roofing material or other options available to you. Here are some of the Bay Area’s top roofing materials: Slate: The pristine, elegant beauty of slate has been proven reliable for homeowners time and time again. Weather-resistant, slate roofs boast a lifespan ranging from 80 to 100 years. The natural appearance of slate lends itself to many different patterns and styles, making it a diverse roofing material. Slate tiles are also fire-resistant and rather easy to keep looking good for years to come. Clay / Terracotta: As a very common option found throughout California, clay (or terracotta) tiles exude Mediterranean or Spanish style. Due to the durability of clay, it is a very popular selection -- it can withstand fires, rot, and even insect pestering. Another feature that makes clay tiles so common is the range of colors and styles available. You can customize these details to best suit the style of your home, making them very versatile. Wood Shakes: Though they are a little more susceptible to fire damage and rot than other roofing materials, wood shakes provide great insulation and air circulation for homes. This style of roofing can come in numerous colors, wood types, and patterns, making it ideal for customization. Wood shake roof designs can look anywhere from rustic chic to old world romantic. Composite Shingles: As one of the most affordable roofing materials, composite shingles can be used for a range of different home types. Homeowners often have a broad selection of colors and styles of shingles, even recycled shingle options. Other options include fiberglass and asphalt. Ready to Upgrade Your Roofing? Schedule Replacement! Whether you have a slate roof or clay shingles, if your roof is in serious need of replacement, leave it to the pros at Semper Solaris. Why consider a roof replacement? Not only can an upgraded roof better protect your home and personal property, but it can also add to the value of your house. A sturdy roof means peace of mind and boosted curb appeal. If you’ve considered going solar, having a stable, strong, and reliable roof is all the more important to complete your home improvement project. Interested in learning more about our roof replacement in the Bay Area? We are here to help. Contact us today to get informed.
While typically found on commercial roofs, some more modern or minimalist home designs may also feature flat roofs. Flat roofs are very popular in the Bay Area, primarily due to the influence of famed architect Joseph Eichler, who promoted affordable midcentury-modern designs in San Francisco and surrounding areas. With that stylized look comes a little more maintenance and upkeep than your average roof. One of the biggest challenges is determining if your roof just needs some repair work or is due for a major replacement. This becomes even tricky to determine when you have a flat roof. The good news? We’ve outlined a few of the most common problems that indicate its time to have your roof inspected or worked on. What to Keep an Eye Out For Water Puddles or Pools A typical roof has a slant to it to prevent water from building up anywhere. Flat roofs don’t have this advantage. With exposure to the elements, your roof can begin to develop some dips or uneven spots. Since that rain or snow really has no natural runoff point, these areas could begin to collect water. While your roofing materials are likely designed to withstand rain and snowfall, it is still good to inspect for pools a day or so after rain and ensure these spots are drained quickly to avoid deterioration at all. To avoid these spots, some additional repairs may be required. Buckling Membrane A flat roof will typically have an asphalt membrane that is laid across the roof space. While initially flat, the natural movement and shifts of your home will cause some wear and tear to that membrane. If there is an excessive amount of shifting, there could be buckles in the membrane. This is a serious structural issue that requires immediate inspection. Most likely, a buckling membrane indicates is time for a roof replacement. Roof Cracking or Bubbling Often referred to as “alligatoring,” a flat roof that begins to crack and bubble (resembling an alligator’s skin) is a telltale sign that a roof replacement is on the horizon. Why does this occur? Roofs that are flat don’t have the natural give that slanted roofs have. Over time, the build-up of pressure can cause the asphalt on your roof to lose some of its elasticity, eventually deteriorating so badly that a replacement is the only option. Leaks or Water Stains This is an easy problem to spot -- and one of the most common to plague flat roofs. Moisture spots or leaks can not only be threats to the structural health and integrity of your roof, but also the interior of your home. Thankfully, these types of issues are generally pretty straightforward and easier to resolve without replacement. However, due to the flat shape, moisture doesn’t run off as naturally, so it is important to handle leaks as soon as you notice them try to prevent mold and fungus developments. Flashing Issues Your roof is exposed to the elements 24/7. That means it will endure natural wear and tear over the years. Flashing issues can develop when your flat roof begins to expand and contract due to this exposure and temperature swings. The flashing may start to peel away, exposing corners of the roof to the elements. This means the threat of leaks, mold build up due to unchecked moisture, and other complications. Have Roofing Problems? Semper Solaris is proud to offer reliable roof replacement in the Bay Area. If you are concerned about some problems you notice with your flat roof, don’t hesitate to contact our skilled roofing professionals today.
Having solar panels installed on your home may sound like a good idea, but will it really save you money in the long run? The upfront investment for an average solar energy system in the Bay Area is around $18,000. That home size typically sees a monthly electric bill of about $150. So how do the savings pan out? True, $18,000 is no small chunk of change; however, that price tag doesn’t take the whole picture into consideration. To really understand how much you could save with solar, you have to look at several factors, from NEM 2.0 to federal tax credits. Let’s take a closer look at the long-term investment and payback of a solar panel system below. Incentives & Rebates Available to Bay Area Homeowners One of the biggest draws of a solar panel system is that you get to see your utility bill cut down. Net metering allows you to take advantage of any additional energy you produce that isn’t used up by your household. You’ll be given credits from your electric company to cover any electricity demands you have outside of your solar production (i.e. at night or cloudier days). Another reason going solar is more affordable than you think? The rebates and incentives. The Solar Investment Tax Credit -- which is a 26% tax credit for solar systems -- is a serious perk. Live in San Francisco? Great news -- you could receive another major rebate. GoSolarSF is an initiative that encourages homeowners to install solar panels, offering $300 per kilowatt for average homeowners and an extra $2,000 per kilowatt for any residences who are considered low-income. Additional rebates are available for various factors of the project With these rebates and the federal tax credit, those upfront costs could be majorly rolled back. Don’t Forget the Added Home Value In addition to rebates and cash savings, you also have to consider the perk of increased home value. Down the road, if you want to sell your home, you could be looking at a serious boost in how many potential buyers are willing to put down for your home. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy did a study that showed homes with solar panel energy systems can increase in value by around $4 per watt. The average system size in the U.S. is 5 kilowatts, which could mean up to $20,000 in added home value that buyers are ready and willing to pay. That’s a value increase in addition to the energy savings you’ve already taken advantage of over the years! Find Out How Much You Could Save Today The amount of money you could save by having a solar panel system install can vary based on a number of factors. For example, the average savings from the lifespan of a home’s 5.7-kilowatt system in the Bay Area lands you around an estimated $72,000. This number can fluctuate based on the size of the solar panel system you install, how much energy your household uses, and even unforeseen changes like spikes in inflation on utility power rates from PG&E. The point is, the savings are real. Exactly how much will you save? Semper Solaris can help you get a better idea when you reach out to our team about your solar options.
PG&E RATES RISE TO AN ALL TIME HIGH! If PG&E is your electric company, your rates are increasing! PG&E serves huge sections of California, including most of Northern California and Central California, as well as coastal cities like San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. If you live in any of these areas, you may be experiencing some of the highest rates in PG&E’s history! Starting March 2017, PG&E is adding a high usage surcharge. Do you have family members living at home during the day? Do you run your TV for most of the day or night? Or do you use an electric vehicle? All of these could put you at risk for the high usage fee! This means that those who have especially large families or many appliances, or those who just forget to turn off the lights, may be paying especially high rates. For families who may run the heater in the cold months, or who live in hotter environments and have to run the air conditioner most days, this could mean huge increases in the cost of electricity. Not only that, but PG&E is totally changing the tier system. Did your energy use ever get into Tier 3 or Tier 4? These tiers will no longer exist! Now, it’s just Tier 1, Tier 2, and the high usage fee. If you use more energy than average, you could be at risk for this extremely high rate. Right now, Tier 3 energy usage is 40 cents per kilowatt-hour, one of the highest in the country. The high usage fee is likely to be even higher than this. Tier 2 is at 24 cents per kilowatt-hour, but these will likely increase once Tier 2 and Tier 3 are combined. PG&E has also added minimum charges and fees! Electricity rates are only going up, which means there’s never a better time to go solar than now. Going solar means that you can start saving today. Solar customers can dramatically reduce or even completely eliminate their electricity bill. Why keep paying rates that only go up and up, when you can install solar panels and start saving? Some customers even receive payments from the electric company for all of their electric company! Don’t just sit back and take the ever-increasing prices—start taking ownership of your rates. Don't put it off - Go Solar and Roofing American Style with Semper Solaris, your local and veteran-owned SunPower Elite Dealer We pride ourselves on our military roots and values, and our team is known for their personal responsibility, reliable word, and faithfulness. We hire as many veterans as we can, and offer special discounts for military personnel, first responders, and their families. We also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for our customer service. Semper is also the only solar and roofing contractor still offering you the equivalent of the California state rebate, up to $3,000. Go solar with Semper. Zero down and no payments until 2018 on approved credit. Why keep paying outrageous electricity bills? Go solar now to get the best rates!
