Solar Installation for East Bay Homes
Custom-Designed Solar Systems that Reduce Dependence on PG&E and Protect You from Rising Costs
When getting a solar system installed in Contra Costa, four things will determine the quality performance of your system.
- Custom Solar System Design
- Premium Panels and Inverters
- Solar + Battery Ready System
- Quality of Installation Team
The company you choose to do business with makes all the difference!
Our Solar Installation Services
We specialize in complete solar system installation including solar panels, inverters, batteries, main electric panel upgrades and for complete electrification projects we install smart electric panels and HVAC systems.
Why are Homeowners Installing Solar + Battery Systems?
PG&E Electricity Rates Continue to Rise
East Bay Home Owners have experienced some of the highest utility rates in the United States. In most of the Contra Costa County area, the summers have been exceptionally hot the last few years. This has created extreme electric cost in the summer months due to running the AC.
With PG&E charging the absolute highest rates in the summer with peak charges happening from 4-9PM, some customers are having a hard time affording their PG&E bills.
Net Metering Rules have Changed Under NEM 3.0
Homeowners need to work with a solar designer who understands how to design a solar system with batteries that maximizes the payments you’ll receive from exporting energy to the grid. You also want to make sure you have enough battery power storage capacity so you will use the least amount of power from the grid as possible.
VPP (Virtual Power Plants) participation must also be planned for. You will boost your credits by exporting power to the grid when PG&E needs power most and is paying high premiums for power. This should be considered when designing your solar system.
Homeowners are Seeking Long-Term Energy Cost Stability
One of the main problems with having PG&E as your utility company is you have no control of the rising cost. Plus, it is so unpredictable.
Often over the last ten years PG&E said prices would stabilize, but instead we’ve seen 10% and some years of over 20% increases in a single year. This is especially hard for people on a fixed income and makes it difficult for retirees when they are no longer receiving annual increased wages.
So making the switch to solar makes a lot of sense for homeowners who want to stabilize their utility costs. Solar cost is predictable and there is an end in site. When you own your solar system, you eliminate paying PG&E for electricity!
Solar Systems can Significantly Reduce Grid Dependence
Why continue wasting money paying PG&E outrageous prices? The sun comes up everyday and you can capture it’s power daily and stop depending on PG&E. Often becoming energy independent is one of local homeowners’ favorite benefits of switching to solar.
Solar Systems Designed Correctly Will Provide Decades of Predictable Energy Costs
Find out how much you will save switching to solar. Energy independence is a great feeling!!!
Multiple Solar Software Design Tools are Used to Evaluate Your Annual Energy Usage and Available Solar Energy
Annual Energy Usage Evaluated by Month
Solar Design Shade Assessment
LiDAR used to evaluate roof, trees and shading. A tree across the street can effect your production.
Check the suns path both in winter & summer months to see how it effects power production
Daily solar power production vs usage is calculated
Power Calculations from Solar, Battery and PG&E Grid Use Plus Exports to the Grid to Earn Credits
In January, fewer sunlight hours means you will need to pull power from the grid at night.
In the spring you’ll produce enough power to export power to the grid and earn credits
June has a lot of sunlight hours and you will create enough power to export to the grid for credits
In September, you charge batteries to export to the grid in the evening & earn substantial credits
Annual assessment of solar power
Steps of Making the Switch to Solar
Evaluate Power Usage
Future Electric Needs
Future Electric Needs
Calculate Potential Savings
First step of designing a solar system is to determine how much electrical energy you use on an annual basis. We’ll get the history usage from your electric utility company and find out how much annual kWh of power you use.
By using this information we will be able to accurately design a solar system with batteries that meets your annual electric needs. Become independent from your utility company and stop the continuous rate increases. Take control back and start saving money.
Future Electric Needs
Future Electric Needs
Future Electric Needs
Protect Your Savings
If you are going to add items like an electric vehicle, room addition, hot tub or other major electric appliances, figure out the annual kWh of power these additional items will need. Then design a solar system to create enough power for both your current and future electric power consumption.
This protects your future savings as your annual electric needs grow and gives you the confidence that all your electric power will be provided by your solar system.
Solar Consultation
Future Electric Needs
Schedule Solar Installation
Virtual Consultation or Site Walk
Schedule an appointment with a professional Solar Energy Advisor. During this solar consultation, your energy advisor will plan out the best design for your solar array based on your roof line and the directional orientation of your home. South and west facing sides create the optimal amount of solar power.
During this step we will determine if your home qualifies for solar. Not all homes qualify for solar, as the right amount of roof space and high sun exposure are both needed for solar to make financial sense.
Schedule Solar Installation
Schedule Solar Installation
Schedule Solar Installation
Professional Solar System Installers
Once you choose the solar system that is right for you, our Got Watts installation department will finalize the design for your solar array, inverters, power storage and electrical upgrades needed for your solar installation.
We will get all the necessary permits and work with local municipalities to pass inspections. We will also work with your local utility company to plan the switch over to solar power. After the installation is complete and your solar system is powered on, we will show you how to monitor your system with your solar mobile app.
Financial Incentives
Schedule Solar Installation
Choose Investment Option
Find Out What Is Available in Your Area
Find out about the current financial incentives that are available in your area. Each state and city is different.
When you partner with a commercial renewable energy company, there are Federal Tax Incentives which will help pay for between 20-40% of the total cost for your solar system installation. Some states, cities and local utility companies offer additional incentives and rebates for switching to solar.
Choose Investment Option
Schedule Solar Installation
Choose Investment Option
Choose Your Best Investment Option
Most homeowners choose the monthly financing option with Zero Down and monthly solar payments that are around or less than their current PG&E monthly bill for electricity.
The solar investment payment is fixed, so it does not go up like your utility company monthly cost that is continually rising.
You can also pay cash or look into a lease option, but for 60% of homeowners, the ownership model with financing is the best choice for getting the most savings and investment value with solar.
The Solar Installation Process
Simple Five Step Process
After you place your order for a solar system here are the steps of installation:
- Site Survey: Technician comes to your home to do a complete survey and make sure the roof is in good condition, electrical and any upgrades needed will be able to be completed. It will also be determined if there are any additional costs beyond the original proposal amount.
- Confirm Plans: You will approve the final design plans and any upgrade costs to your solar project before we submit to permitting.
- Permitting: Final plans are submitted to the city to get approved permits for the project.
- Installation: Typically takes 1 to 2 days for our installation crew to complete your solar + battery installation.
- PTO: Pass city inspection and get “Permission to Operate” from PG&E so you will begin to get credits for the excess power you export to the grid.
The entire timeline is typically between 6-10 weeks total.
Start the Process
Everything stats with the planning. Let’s schedule a time to meet to go over you energy usage and solar system design