Solar Solutions

With temperatures rising into the 80s and 90s, many homeowners in Los Angeles and Orange County are thinking about investing in a swimming pool. But for some, the energy expenses of operating a pool heater are so high that they do not to move forward with the investment. Fortunately, there’s a solution that will allow you to heat your pool without worrying about your monthly utility bill.

A standard pool filter pumps water through a solar collector, which heats it up and then allows it to flow back into the pool. It provides you with enough heat to make your pool comfortable to swim with little or no additional energy cost. A solar pool heater will reduce your normal energy costs significantly.

Although the typical solar pool heater will cost $3,000 to $5,000, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners will see a payback period between 1.5 and 7 years, depending upon the fuel that is being replaced, meaning that the cost of installing a solar heater will be offset by fuel savings within that timeframe. Most of AMECO’s solar pool customers see a payback period between 1.5 and 2.5 years.

Depending on your climate and temperature needs, the solar collector will take up between 50 and 100 percent of the surface area of the pool with the average pool taking up about 60 percent of the surface area. Placed on your roof, this will hardly be noticeable, and you and your family will be able to enjoy temperate waters.

If you already own a pool and have been looking for a more cost-effective way of heating it to a reasonable temperature, or if you’re in the market for adding a swimming pool to your property and want to start off on the right track, contact AMECO Solar by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com to schedule a consultation.

Solar System Type: Solar Electric (PV)

Solar System Details: 27 PV Panels with a Central “String” Inverter

Electric Bill After: $6

Reduced by 98%!

To say that Sarojni and Bruce are environmentally conscious is an understatement; the Long Beach-based couple should really be considered environmental pioneers. They were recycling many years before the city provided curb-side bins and have always maintained a composting system at their home.

As a landscape designer, Bruce uses drought-resistant plants whenever possible while his wife Sarojni created the Long Beach Green Guide, a comprehensive online directory & resource for green products and services in Long Beach.

In an effort to meet other eco-minded people, Sarojni attended the first Long Beach Green Drinks gathering in the fall of 2007. It was during one of these events that she met Todd Fanady, one of AMECO Solar’s representatives. They talked about his bio-diesel fueled car and briefly discussed the benefits of solar energy.

Shortly thereafter, he visited their home to evaluate it for solar. “Todd really educated us during the first consultation. I honestly had no idea how electricity is powered by so much coal,” Sarojni explained. The couple recognized that solar would not only benefit the earth, but would also benefit their finances.

“Since we were already accustomed to paying high electricity bills at an average of $250 a month, we decided to apply that money to a solar loan instead. The idea was that the solar system would be paid off in 6-7 years and then our energy would be completely free,” Bruce explained.

Though their roof had some challenges, the AMECO Solar installers were able to use a special technique to bypass 2-3 inches of insulation panels and mount the solar panels into the wooden support beams. Bruce shared, “We were pretty impressed, the installation went really well.”

The couple’s solar installation was completed mid-December of 2007. Now, almost 6 years later, Bruce and Sarojni are happy to use renewable energy to power their home. “Relying on fossil fuel is not the answer,” Bruce stated. By installing solar panels, they hope to encourage social change and inspire more of the community to go solar as well.

A pair of recent interviews with some of the solar industry's top professionals has shown that, as far as these chief executive officers are concerned, there is little stopping the growth of the solar energy movement. 

In a sit-down talk with Bloomberg News, SunPower head Tom Werner speculated that within the next ten years, the solar industry will begin to supplant traditional sources of power like coal, oil and natural gas. His forecast is based on current expansion projections in California and abroad, which have been encouraged primarily by educational outreach that promotes the benefits of solar. He also pointed to growing demand for quality solar panels for homes that are both more durable and energy efficient. Because of this market strength, he predicts that more Americans will opt to buy these electric systems for their residences.

According to CleanTechina, a green community news source, the CEO of a major German solar panel maker said in an interview with the German-language newspaper Deutsche Welle that solar power might even become cheaper than coal one day. While more technological development is needed to push solar efficiency to new heights, he suggested that shifting perspectives on fossil fuels and growing alarm over the dangers of coal burning could push more households and businesses to adopt solar power.

Residents of California do not need to wait for new types of solar panels to be invented in order to benefit from a solar electric system or solar pool heater, the latter of which makes home recreation even more affordable. The professional team at AMECO Solar can help you determine which solar technology is best suited for you and develop an installation plan. Call our offices today to learn how solar power can change your life for the better! 

A new study compiled by the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), a Southern California-based Latino outreach and research group, indicates that Latin Americans value clean energy overwhelmingly compared to fossil fuel sources like coal, oil and natural gas. A poll conducted by the organization and published late last month showed that the Latino community is making inroads in spreading the word about energy efficiency and renewable power.

Antonio Gonzalez, the president of the WCVI, said in a press statement that the researchers themselves were stunned by the high number of those who believe that sources such as solar energy are worth the investment, rather than relying on coal and oil that harm the environment and do not deliver the same kind of results as renewable power. Nearly 80 percent of respondents said that solar is the way to go.

"The results from this survey show a deepening of the Latino voter embrace for conservation and environment. Our survey shows over 80 percent support for solar power – this is unprecedented and profound especially since things like rooftop solar access are only just beginning to penetrate the Latino community. The bottom line is that green ideologies are being embraced by southern California Latinos," Gonzalez said.

This report is just one indication that popular opinion toward solar power is shifting in a positive direction. Residents of the Golden State are discovering just how advantageous it is to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

If you're someone who wants to learn more about solar power, reach out to AMECO Solar to hear about how photovoltaic solar panels can benefit your household. Our team of Los Angeles solar installation experts can answer any questions you may have, so call our offices today!