When planning your garden, it’s important to carefully consider what it is you want to reap. Want pumpkins in the fall? Well, you’re going to need pumpkin seeds.
The same goes for solar. These days, solar offers options. Here are some options to consider. First, do you want a solar system to power all of your home’s needs? Or, are you interested in a modest-size system that will leave you with a bill you’re more comfortable paying?
Solar has many functions. For example, perhaps your primary interest right now is installing solar water pumping.
Second, where might your solar system best be installed? Does a roof-mounted system work for your property? Or, do you have roofing, shading or access issues that make a ground-mounted system more practical?
Finally, consider the benefit of an on-grid solar system. Unless your property is already off-grid, the most practical and cost-effective option for going solar is to install a grid-tied system.
Being tied to the grid makes it possible for you to reap the benefits of net metering. With net metering, PG&E will purchase from you the extra solar power your system produces on sunny days. In return, you can rely on the grid to fuel your energy needs at night, without having to rely on backup batteries. The end result is that your once a year “True Up Bill” can be as low as $0, or in some cases you may even get a check back in the mail from PG&E.
Mendocino Solar Service offers complementary on-site solar evaluations. Upon request, we will calculate your property’s solar energy producing potential, provide guidance on the optimal location to install your new system, and guide you through the paperwok and permitting process.
Seed #3: Plan for success: consider how modern solar options will meet your goals and energy needs.