You’ve heard a lot about solar power, maybe by a referral from a friend or simply by reading the news, and now you’re interested. Although you understand the general concept about how solar works and see so many homes throughoutNorthern California with solar panels, you probably still have questions. Is it as simple as just having solar panels installed on my roof? Would it really work for my home? Could my roof even work with those solar panels? How…

Until a few years ago, most solar systems were purchased. Back then, solar systems were more expensive and there were fewer financing options like there are today, so it made it difficult for many home and business owners to afford solar. Around 2008, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) began growing in popularity. Suddenly, homeowners could install a solar system for as little as no money down. At the same time, they often started saving money…

There is a federal tax credit available with the purchase of a solar energy system for a home or business. West Coast Solar customers can take advantage of incredible opportunity, essentially reducing the cost of a solar system by a staggering 30 percent. We recommend that you consult with your tax preparer for further information. What expenses qualify for the solar tax credit? Typically, the entire project cost qualifies for the federal tax credit. These…

There is now enough solar energy capacity in the US to power 4.6 million homes, with California leading the nation. In fact, solar energy accounted for 32% of the new power generation nationally in 2014, exceeding coal and wind energy. Since 2006, the cost of solar energy has fallen more than 73% – making it a wise investment both economically and environmentally. Solar energy technology has advanced significantly in recent decades, minimizing the impacts of…

Reducing home electricity use allows a smaller solar system to generate a larger total percentage of your home energy consumption. In many cases, simple energy-efficiency initiatives can have a big impact on your summer electricity use in your Northern California home. West Coast Solar has some energy-saving strategies for summer weather! Block the Summer Sun Although home window treatments are often used for aesthetic or privacy reasons, they are also very helpful in shading direct…

Spring is here, and many Northern California residents are starting projects around their homes. For some, this may just be deep cleaning and organizing or minimizing their possessions, while others are getting busy building outdoor patios or tackling their landscaping. If you’re looking for an update that will have both immediate and long-term impact for you, your family, and your home, then it’s time to go solar. Why Should I Install a Solar PV System?…

The U.S. solar market is set to grow at a rapid 119 percent this year says GTM Research in its latest U.S. Solar Market Insight Report. “Led by the utility-scale segment, GTM Research forecasts 16 gigawatts (GW) of solar will be installed in the U.S. in 2016, more than doubling the record-breaking 7.3 GW installed in 2015. While utility-scale installations will represent 74 percent of the installations for the year, the residential and commercial markets…

At West Coast Solar, our team works together to make your community better through solar solutions for homes and businesses. Today we would like to introduce you to Brad Coats, our system designer. Brad joined us three years ago and he spends his days designing solar systems in AutoCAD before sending his designs off to our engineers for development. After reviewing photos from site surveys, he uses his understanding of solar electricity to design the…

Do you have questions about going solar? With rapid advancements in solar technology, it can be difficult to sort out fact from fiction. Today we’ll look at the top five myths about solar energy so that you can start soaking up the sun. Myth 1 – Solar power is too expensive When solar power first entered the scene a few decades ago, this was a true statement. Over time with solar technology advances, the cost…

With PG&E rates on the rise, California customers can expect higher monthly gas and electricity costs in the coming months. The first big increase in residential natural gas rates kicked in on August 1, and higher gas bills rolled out to customers throughout the month. Prior to the initial rate increase, the average monthly bill for a residential customer totaled $145.36. Once all of the proposed rate increases are approved and in effect, monthly bills…