SIZING A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM
The average home in California will utilize a 3,000 Watt (DC) solar electric system, which will produce approximately 4,400 kWhrs a year. It requires 250 sq ft of available rooftop or open ground space with a good unobstructed exposure to the South. Other exposures between East and West work well too, but are not as effective as south. An effective way to cut down on energy usage, and in turn the size of the system needed, is to install compact fluorescent lights and replace old appliances in your home or business with modern energy efficient appliances.

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION REBATES
These funds are collected by the state through utility ratepayers bills. The California Energy Commission (CEC) rebate is based on the size of the system you install. The larger the solar system you install, the larger the rebate amount. The current rebate level for a typical 3,120 Watt DC system is $7,000. In order to make purchasing a solar system easier, Independent Energy Systems will apply for the CEC rebate for you and discount the rebate amount from your system cost. This way you will not have to pay out the additional $7,000 at the time of purchase and then wait three months for your money to be returned to you. After the installation of your solar system we will arrange the building inspection, complete the paperwork, and submit the rebate claim. The CEC will then pay the rebate directly to Independent Energy Systems. Learn more about incentives.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No two solar electric systems are exactly the same, and the cost will vary depending on the existing installation conditions. However, a typical 3,120 watt DC system will cost around $26,000 before the rebate. Because Independent Energy Systems will carry the $7000 rebate your initial cash outlay drops to approximately $19,000. In addition, the Federal Government offers a $2000 income tax credit on the net installed costs of solar energy systems, bringing the overall cost down to approximately $17,000.

HOW MUCH WILL IT SAVE ME IN UTILITY COSTS?
Every Kilowatt hour (Kwhr) generated by your system is a Kilowatt hour that you do not have to buy from the utility. Based on typical offset rates of $.195 per kWhr, a typical 3,000 Watt solar electric system, producing 4,400 kWhr/year will generate annual cost savings of $860. When analyzing your investment it is important to remember that this savings is tax-free money and also that utility rates have historically risen an average of 6% annually over the last 30 years. Talk to us about a detailed financial analysis for your situation.