If solar inverters are considered the “brains” of a solar system, SMA is the Einstein of the group. Inverters in general are key in a solar systems operation, not just because an inverter converts DC electricity (Direct Current (Flows in one Direction)) to AC electricity (Alternating Current (Flows back and forth in both directions)), but because they do much more than that. Technology is demanding that solar inverters become “smarter” when they interact with the household and the grid.

SMA is the largest solar inverter companies in the world and one of the oldest. This Germany based solar inverter manufacturer makes inverters for nearly every application. That’s news enough, but the company is a leader in the industry because they are always challenging new innovation with better products. [continue reading…]

Sacramento Solar News – Not all solar panels have to be mounted on the roof. If you have the space, ground mount solar systems are a popular alternative for grid-tied and off-grid solar. To make the process easy, you can now buy standard designed and prefabricated ground mount solar that is all factory assembled in Northern California.

These prefabricated solar kits are assembled in a shop in California, then driven to the site where they will be placed. The legs of the ground mount solar array are lowered and the delivery trailer is then pulled away from the array making installation a snap. [continue reading…]

The fun part of solar design is helping customers figure out which solar system is right for their situation. To that end, we are going to start a series of basic solar information articles to help families and business owners start thinking about going solar. Once you start to understand some of the basics of solar, it becomes easier to make the switch and start putting more money in your household budget each month. [continue reading…]

“California is one jumbo solar mecca, and one big ass state” was all Cliff could say when he walked into the office from delivering a customer’s home solar kit. Northern California Highway 101 is ancient redwoods reaching to the sky, pristine Pacific Ocean shorelines and solar everywhere.

Cliff is one of our solar consultants who yesterday, just got back from delivering a sizeable home solar kit to a customer in the NW corner of California. Now it is not normal for our solar consultants to deliver solar kits themselves, but we have a policy that when a sale is assigned to a solar consultant, he or she takes ownership of the order. That means they are responsible for everything including acting as the safety net for delivering on our companies promises. The delivery driver called in sick, no one else free to make the delivery, the solar associate then becomes the go-to-guy. In this case, it was Cliff. [continue reading…]

The commercial solar incentives in California have been so popular that the funds are dwindling, and for two utilities, have run out. Solar is one of the few sectors of the American industry that has picked up speed in this desolate economy but good things have to come to an end sometime. [continue reading…]

For the last few weeks I have listened to talking heads bloviate while they relish sticking one to the Governminator about his low approval rating. The Governor is getting a bad rap in my opinion and there is little doubt that history will reflect kindly on his tenor in Sacramento. A champion for fiscal responsibility and solar and renewable energy, Arnold has been a knight on a white horse fighting an army of special interest groups. The truth is, Governor Schwarzenegger has been nothing less than a model for progress for the people of California.

What many in the public haven’t seen is that Mr. Schwarzenegger’s enthusiasm for solar and wind clean-energy development, and its prospects for driving economic growth not just in California but in the nation and the world, has connected with audiences at energy-related events. [continue reading…]

California homeowners lead the rest of the country in residential solar installation as well as the purchase of do-it-yourself solar kits. Solar systems are not just an environmental decision for homeowners, but maybe more importantly, a cost saving one. There are a few things a homeowner (If you are installing yourself) or your solar contractor should consider when designing a system for your home or cabin.

Shading possibilities, slope and orientation, longevity of the solar panel manufacture and of course costs are some of the more important considerations for solar system design. We will point out a few basic solar application principles wither you live in California or outside the golden state. [continue reading…]

Driven to move solar, wind and regional clean energy progress forward, California pass a law requiring all utility companies to purchase 20% of their power from solar or other renewable sources by 2013. By 2020 it is 33% solar and other renewable sources. Most California utility companies are scrambling to meet those deadlines, except Sacramento’s municipal utility company.

Already ahead of the curve, Sacramento is already on pace having made a commitment to solar and clean energy years ago. The flip side of being a solar hero, Sacramento will not enjoy the job growth other parts of the state are having as a result of the solar renewable energy law. In Sacramento, the local utility is already so “green” that it has met state requirements to use renewable power sources. [continue reading…]

The new Sacramento utility district budget is out and there is something in it for all you solar fans. To start with, SMUD is funding solar incentives to add 13.6 megawatts of new solar capacity in the Sacramento area. This program allows homeowners to contract direct with Sacramento solar installers for the installation of their own grid tied solar electric system. SMUD then offers the home or business owner a rebate based on expected system performance. [continue reading…]