DIGS is the premiere luxury real estate lifestyle magazine serving the most affluent neighborhoods in the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles, California.
Issue link: https://www.southbaydiggs.com/i/98349
WHY SOLAR? 1) While the technology has been around for decades, why is it that people are just now starting to consider Solar for their homes and commercial spaces? Yes, Solar technology has been around a long time, but we are just now in the 21st century truly recognizing the rising price of grid energy. As energy prices, especially in Southern California, have skyrocketed, so has the demand for Solar, which provides not only a less expensive, but more efficient and renewable alternative. Simply put, it's like being able to turn back the clock and lock in your energy at the price it was, say 10 years ago, at no cost. If you have some room for a capital investment, it's like buying your gas for a $1.00/gallon for the next 30 years. You own your home, your own your car, why wouldn't you want to own your energy? 2) For the most part it's fair to say that Photovoltaic Solar has always been cost prohibitive. But in recent years, much has been publicized about Solar Leases and Power Purchase Agreements. Are they all pretty much the same? What should homeowners consider when researching these? Yes, Solar has become more accessible through Lease Options and PPA agreements, and homeowners should note the price of modules has decreased dramatically. A lease or PPA can have you saving money immediately, with no cost out of pocket. These are usually 20-25 year agreements, and are all-inclusive of maintenance, monitoring software and part replacement. Alternately, a Cash Purchase or Prepaid lease provide a return-on-investment ranging from 15-30%. I personally recommend financing a purchase at 0 down with a fixed payment…. It's almost always a no-brainer, pending the customer's home is a good fit for Solar. Often times, the most prohibitive factor in going solar is the home itself. But if your home is a good fit, you could save hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of a solar system. 3) There are thousand's of installers in California. How do you choose a contractor, finance company, and product with so much information being thrown around? It's wild market out there, but most installers make the process extremely turn-key. For instance, a good solar installer will handle everything, from the paperwork to the final inspection. www.GoSolarcalifornia.ca.gov lists the avg. price per watt of a Solar system at $6.89/watt ( $34k for a 5kw system). However, my company Summerwind Solar installs for dramatically less then that, so I'd advise people to do their research and get competitive quotes from a variety of installers, and work with the people that have the most knowledge. A good Solar consultant will piece together your options with you, not tell you what you need. 4) What's the most important thing you could say to Homeowners and Business owners in regards to the future of Solar? Well, the available 30% federal tax credit will expire in 2016, and it's doubtful they'll renew it, so I'd advise people to take advantage of the fact that for the next few years people can get SOLAR for NO COST UPFRONT, whether they're leasing or buying the system. Once the incentives are gone it's only going to get much more expensive. There's a few things I know for certain in this life. One of them, is that the sun comes up every day. Why not use it!? CALL JUSTIN TODAY FOR A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION 866.514.4797 FOR MORE INFORMATION SCAN QR CODE Summerwind Solar Cal 4025 E. Guasti Rd 414 Ontario CA. 91761