Getting renewable energy doesn’t have to cost you the earth. Our holistic solar energy solutions allow maximum savings and energy independence for years to come.
Installing solar energy systems with us is a breeze. It will substantially reduce your utility bills, allowing you to save hundreds to thousands of dollars each year. Whether you’re looking to install a simple residential solar panel system or a large-scale commercial solar panel installation, AMECO will ensure everything is taken care of.
Our in-house design team will ascertain if your roof meets the required criteria for our best-performing solar energy systems. A dedicated project manager will guide you through everything, right from the design of your system all the way to its installation and upkeep.
Combining your system with a solar panel battery backup is a game-changer, particularly during fire season. By storing extra energy captured from the sun, you can power essential appliances even during an outage and contribute to a more sustainable future. A battery backup system is also an excellent alternative to noisy, fuel-burning generators.
For customers looking to make an even greater impact on the environment and their savings, an electric vehicle is a great solution. Convert your garage into a simple, safe, and maintenance-free charging station for electric vehicles. It's as easy as plugging and unplugging a charging cord!
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Reduced electricity bills, environmental sustainability, 24/7 renewable energy supply, and more is possible with a solar panel system. The solar energy that’s generated thanks to a photovoltaic panel (PV) system has no equivalent. Imagine how precious it is; just one hour of consuming the sun’s energy is enough to meet the energy needs worldwide for one year. Isn’t it insane? Now, imagine how useful it will turn out for your household or business? Yes, let’s not forget that you can conduct a solar panel installation for your business (commercial solar panel system) and your house (residential solar panel system).
But do you know much about solar panels? Well, it’d be great to learn a lot about PVs alongside solar energy to know what you will pay for. Let’s explore the solar world together!
Solar Panel 101
Not to overwhelm you with all the details about solar panels, let’s just acknowledge the basics and equip ourselves with the apt knowledge.
About Solar Energy
Have you ever admired the sunlight? When the sun shines, it radiates a palette of beautiful colors and makes even the worst day feel like a blessing. Turns out, it is also a source of energy. The sunlight turns into energy – solar power – through the photovoltaic effect. Put scientifically, the photovoltaic effect is the process of generating electric current and voltage in a material when exposed to light – when exposed to the sunlight in the case of solar energy. And this magical process provides the world with a renewable resource to consume. To access solar power, you need to purchase a solar panel system.
But do you know that there are many types of PVs? So, which one should you choose?
Solar Panel Types
The most common types of PVs include monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film, amorphous silicon, and biohybrid. There are a few factors that you should consider while going for a particular type of solar panel. No matter which one you choose, you should ensure how affordable it is for you, whether it suits the space you’d allocate, and what you want to get from the solar panel installation. So, let’s go one by one to figure out which suits you.
#1 Monocrystalline
These PVs are less spacious, more expensive, yet efficient enough.
#2 Polycrystalline
These ones are cheaper due to the simpler manufacturing processes; however, they require more space. You can consider these as a residential solar panel system rather than a commercial one because it is not efficient enough to be used for a business.
#3 Thin-film
These PVs are so flexible due to the materials they’re composed of that you can choose thin-film ones no matter why you go solar. A considerable advantage is that thin-film modules provide partial coverage the best – no matter the shade, snow, dirt, etc.; these ones work almost equally efficiently like during times of total exposure to the sunlight.
#4 Amorphous Silicon
The layers that these ones have increase efficiency. However, compared to other types, these are still less efficient. Plus, these require a lot more space yet can handle higher temperatures.
#5 Biohybrid
Even though this may sound exaggerated, the truth is that these PVs provide 100% efficiency. To imagine how blessed you are to have biohybrid solar panels, I’d note that traditional photovoltaic panels (PVs) provide solely 40% efficiency. Don’t rush to assume that this type is costly – thanks to being created from plant-based materials rather than metals, biohybrid solar panels are a lot less expensive.
#6 Solar Shingles
Roof solar panel is a trend nowadays. Solar shingles look modern and shinier on the roof, while still delivering the same solar energy to the consumer. If you’re the kind of person who prefers design over everything else, then you’ll love these. Of course, the price is higher for this type but definitely worth it.
Of course, it’d be better to consult the solar panel company of your choice not to be misled. I’m pretty sure that the company you choose will provide you with additional information about a pool solar panel, hot water solar panel, solar panel pool heater, electric solar panel, and other extravagances present in the solar world.
The 4-Step Mechanism Behind Solar Panels
Step 1 – Absorb Sunlight
The process of sustaining solar energy starts from absorbing sunlight. Initially, PVs absorb the sunlight as direct current (DC) electricity during daylight. The method of absorbing the sun’s energy comes into play because of the silicon cell layers that solar panels have. Every photovoltaic panel (PV) has one positive and one negative silicon cell layer forming an electric field. Such a controversial mechanism inside the solar panel creates the possibility of producing the electric current.
Step 2 – DC to AC
Alternatives exist for the second step. For the first scenario, if you live or work in a building sustaining DC electricity, then just skip this part.
However, if where you live or work doesn’t sustain DC electricity and instead sustains alternative current (AC) electricity, then keep reading. The second step is all about converting DC electricity to AC electricity. This happens with the help of an inverter or so-called AC Drives. These electronic devices are responsible for converting DC electricity to AC electricity to put solar energy into functioning. By the way, an inverter can either be installed on the solar panel or come separately. Clarify it with the solar panel company of your choice to know every little thing about your purchase.
Step 3 – Energy Distribution
Seems like everything is in place: the sunlight is absorbed, DC electricity is converted to AC electricity. So, what’s missing? Now, it’s the time for the building to light up – the current runs through the electrical solar panel. Nothing special happens as after being converted to AC electricity, the solar energy gets distributed all over the space as it is in the case of electricity from the utility company.
Step 4 – Energy Surplus and Shortage
Similar to the second step of this process, step 4 comes with alternatives. Here, it’s all about solar energy surpluses and shortages. It is important to know how solar energy can be balanced to ensure that you are sustained with enough resources every day.
The first solution is net metering. Some days are sunnier than others, right? PVs absorb abundant energy during those sunnier ones and send the surplus energy to the local electric grid. On the contrary, during other days, when it is impossible to get enough energy from the sun, the solar panel system takes saved energy from the grid and sustains you with power regardless of circumstances. As a result, no energy gets lost, no money gets spent – everything stays balanced.
The second solution is the solar panel battery – an energy-storage system. If you install one alongside the PV system, you will have nothing to think about. With a PV battery, you start capturing excess energy to consume when needed. The simplest example is to capture solar energy in the daytime and consume it at night. Such a system helps save energy, money, and time. If you decide to install one, be confident that you will maximize solar energy generation and consumption by at least 60%.
The Benefits of Solar Panels
The science behind which solar panel type to choose or how solar panels work is good to comprehend. However, the best part is to know the benefits that purchasing a PV system will bring to you.
#1 Reduction of Energy Bills
There is no charge for producing electricity. If you were obligated to pay monthly fees to the utility before consuming solar energy, you have no obligation while consuming solar power. The only thing you should take care of is solar panel installation alongside an incremental cost for kWh per square meter of panel surface. That’s it!
#2 Tax Credits and Rebates
Imagine consuming a resource and getting a return on investment – a possibility if you go solar. Different types of tax credits and rebates exist, depending on your location. For instance, the federal income tax credit provides 30% of total system costs from installation and equipment. Or, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) get generated throughout the whole year, providing you the opportunity to sell the accumulated amount to utility companies and get a significant return on the initial investment. Such tax credits and rebates are many – just take your time to find ones that work in your city. You can even take your time and get a consultation with Ameco – a viable solar panel company for you.
#3 Accumulation in Savings
This benefit is a two-way thing. On the one hand, by lowering your energy bills, you have the possibility to save money. This means that you can save it with the bank, right? Great! On the other hand, installing PVs on the roof increases your house value substantially. With such a house value, you get the chance to sell the house at a much higher price than you could ever think of. This means that the resale value of your property rises, which is a long-term investment, right? Perfect!
#4 Environmental Sustainability
Most importantly, when you go solar, you become environmentally sustainable. The primary benefit is that by consuming solar energy, you take the opportunity of combating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing pollution. People who always think about making the world a cleaner and greener place can consider switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and start using a solar panel for EV. These people will fight greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fossil fuel pollution on the road. And all of this without spending excess finances because you use solar energy.
From design to functionality, roofs are an integral part of your house. Not only do roofs help you live a worriless life without leakage or moss growth problems, but they also add value to the overall look of the home. However, roofing is not as simple as it may seem. If not done right, the home will be ruined regarding its overall look and safety. That is why it is essential to do your research before choosing roofing companies. Besides, it is crucial not to get misled by trending roofing types and select the one that suits your house and preferences. Today, many people think about choosing between solar roofing and traditional solar panel roofing. The choice isn’t as easy as it seems as there are many differences between the two types.
I suggest exploring roofing overall and then going over the key aspects of both types of roofing, including solar and traditional. Plus, later in the article, we will not only have an inclination towards one roofing type but will also get an understanding of which company to trust with roofing for our houses. Let’s go!
Roofs sustain your house. The roof’s peak is called a ridge, the bottom – eave, sloping edges – rakes. The valley is the inner intersection of two roof planes and the outside corner is called a hip. The frame underlies everything. Trust me, your house will suffer from the slightest weather change without all these parts.
To hinder leaks, roofs have a slope to shed water. Interesting fact: all roofs have slopes, no matter if we talk about flat roofs or the most common A-framed gabled roofs. For you to imagine, flat roofs have a slight incline that sustains the required drainage. Plus, flat roofs provide homeowners rooftop space for allocating different items and implementing different designs for the location. In the meantime, A-framed gabled roofs have the most significant slope capable of shedding snow and water, which manages to keep the house safe during hurricane winds too.
Did you know that some roof types come from ancient times? Yes, you read it right. For instance, Mansard roofs come from the Empire period, which is why they have a curved hip look. This type has been the favorite one of the Adams family. Why is that so? Because with Mansard roofs, the family had an opportunity to craft the additional living space with the preferred luxurious design on the roof.
Roofing material choices are infinite. The asphalt shingles, for instance, come either with three-tab shingles or architectural shingles. Nowadays, the solar industry flourishes, many solar panel companies take up roofing too. The best solar panel companies offer customers a mix of solar panel systems and roofing services – solar roofs with solar shingles. However, their offer doesn’t end with their specialization. Still, these companies offer traditional solar panel roofing with solar panels. Here, you also need to choose. But, unlike the situation with asphalt shingles, there is much more to consider before going for this or that type of roofing.
Solar panel companies provide roofing services encompassing the installation of solar panels on roofs separately. That’s one of the best things to consider as, in that way, you tap into the world of environmental sustainability no matter the roof type you own.
Nevertheless, solar panel companies didn’t limit themselves to providing roofing services encompassing the installation of solar panel systems on roofs separately. They decided to deliver fully-integrated solar roofing services that include an entire solar energy system in an existing roof. Instead of doing the roof installation in a traditional way with solar panels, companies conduct it with exclusively designed solar shingles.
So, should we go for traditional roofing with solar panels or take the new solar roofing with solar shingles?
To tell the truth, there is no evident visual differentiation between solar shingles and solar panels on the roof. Solar roofs that get installed with solar shingles provide the home with the look of consistency, minimalism, and sleekness. On the other side, solar panels have a plethora of options for roof design. If solar shingles don’t have a wide range of design selections, solar panel systems come with color variety, including panels with all-black frames, black with silver frames, etc. This is to tell you that if you love controlling everything, then you should definitely go for a traditional roof with solar panel systems. In this case, you will be able to choose the color of the solar panel’s frame that will sit on your roof for a while.
Well, well, there is a slight inconsistency regarding the pricing of these two roof types in the solar industry. Considering that different solar panel companies price roofing services differently, we will dig deeper into how they decide the cost rather than how much they put on the price tag. With solar roofs, pricing is multilayered. This means that solar panel installation companies take into account roofing materials alongside solar components while providing a price for solar roofing. To put it in another way, you should pay for solar energy in $/watt plus for roofing in $/square foot. Here, it is crucial to keep in mind that the price will fluctuate depending on the design you choose for solar tiles. The higher the number of solar tiles used in the roofing, the higher the price for the service.
Everything is way more straightforward with traditional solar panel roofing. Solar panel companies don’t need to conduct multilayered calculations. What they do is charge the client $/watt plus the solar panel installation cost. This means that regardless of what roof design you go for, you still pay for the solar energy that gets added to the rooftop of your house. Also, when you go for traditional solar panel roofing, you don’t sacrifice solar energy production capacity, but you cut the cost of roofing services.
Like every other service, roofing also has its limitations. In the case of solar shingles, these won’t work for flat roofs and roofs with multiple architectural features. Plus, as long as we discussed, solar shingles are exclusively designed in recent solar technology, right? Well, that’s why many buildings either don’t accept the installation of solar shingles on the roof or prolong the acceptance process. With this, the timeline for installation gets prolonged too.
Considering the name of the other roofing type – traditional solar panel roofing – you may think it has no limitation. Well, to some extent, if compared to solar shingles, the limitations for solar panels on the roof are much fewer. It’s better to say that it has only one limitation – design. Modern people tend to go after impeccable design and prefer not showing that they own solar panels on the roof. But don’t you think that solar panel systems on the roof are an indicator of a sustainable lifestyle? To put it in another way, for some, the way solar panel roofs look may be a limitation, but for others, it may be an opportunity to tell the community that environmental sustainability is important for them. Regarding the timeline, as it is widely accepted technology to install on the roof, there is an average period for installation – 3-5 months.
No matter which roofing type you go for, Ameco can provide you with the roofing experience you were looking for. The secret lies in almost 50 years of expertise in solar panel installations and roofing with solar shingles and solar panels. Everything is simple with Ameco, as what you want gets implemented in a professional manner. Plus, the process of getting roofing services from the solar panel company is automated for you to save time on the initial stage of the partnership. To get the service you need, you have to take four simple steps:
Congratulations – you are done with roofing procedures!
Of course, further guidance and assistance are always available for you, no matter your needs or concerns.
Plus, Ameco provides:
So, with Ameco, your solar experience will be worth it!
No matter which type of roofing you choose, ensure that your house fits that type. Even though your preferences for roof design are essential, roofing has its limitations. Note that if you want to install a solar roof with solar shingles, then there are quite a few limitations that may impede you. If a limitation comes your way, don’t get upset because you always have the option of traditional solar panel roofing!
Choose your roofing type wisely and ensure that the solar panel company you partner with has the experience in the solar industry to provide you seamless roofing experience.
Take your time, choose the best solar panel company, and go solar with Ameco!
Getting credits for the solar energy that you own aka net metering is one of the most pleasant aspects of going solar, right? Having access to more electricity than the solar panel system generates during the daytime brings a plethora of benefits.
One of the primary benefits is the reduction in electricity bills. When you have excess electricity generated during the daytime, there is no need to pay utility bills for consuming electricity at night. It’s already there, generated, let’s say, for free.
Another benefit regards the environment – do you realize that you contribute to preserving natural resources and protecting the environment by utilizing net metering?
Plus, net metering allows a neighborhood to be secured with electricity even when power outages or blackouts occur. The thing is that net metering provides the opportunity of powering several other homes with the excess electricity you already have. So, if something happens in the neighborhood, one solar owner can share solar energy with others. At the end of the day, sharing is caring!
Well, well, as you can see, net metering is a solar-type blessing for solar owners. But is it for the government? The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently brought up a proposal for implementing changes to net metering in the state. Beneficial for solar owners, the decision regarding accepting the proposal or rejecting it got postponed by the CPUC.
Yet, in December 2021, CPUC proposed Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0). As Tyson Siegale, the Energy Analyst at the Protect Our Communities Foundation notes in NEM 3.0 Tariff Proposals, the A-E document, the proposal shows how climate change impeded the need to implement the clean energy transition in California. For the implementation, it is crucial to take into consideration not only environmental but also societal benefits, i.e., health benefits, carbon social costs, etc. Altogether, climate change costs for California will round up to 1.1 trillion per decade. Yes, the number is enormous, and to tackle such finances, measures should be taken, which is why the transition from NEM 2.0 to NEM 3.0 has been requested.
There is an urgency to maximize the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The schedule for solar ITC is:
As it can be inferred from the numbers, ITC is maximized. Moreover, as Los Angeles Times reports, “rooftop solar could save Americans $473 billion.” This is great from the government’s point of view, but do we, solar contractors and solar owners, get the best out of it? Let’s see.
The NEM 3.0 proposal would:
These changes mentioned above would address new customers and the ones that are already solar owners (both commercial solar panel owners, i.e., businesses and residential solar panel owners). As a solar customer, these changes don’t seem advantageous. So, delaying the decision regarding passing or rejecting the NEM 3.0 proposal is to the benefit of solar owners. But what is the reason behind postponing such an important milestone for the state?
Accepting the NEM 3.0 proposal could have resulted in one of the two consequences:
Assumedly, while bringing the proposal about, the government thought that it would definitely result in initiating the solar energy growth era. However, the situation turned out the other way around. No need to worry as the decision is postponed, and, fortunately, the solar market in California still functions at its best. However, such a proposal triggered the emotions of environmentalists, solar panel companies, working Californians, and these people highlighted the proposal as a plan to kill the solar market in California.
The Vice President of State and Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Sean Gallagher, had a say regarding the proposal. Mr. Gallagher highlighted a plethora of reasons why the proposed changes are absolutely absurd.
In addition to such a sequence of reasons why the proposal shouldn’t be passed, solar panel installation companies started conducting interviews to measure consumers’ willingness to pay for solar energy and solar equipment after the NEM 3.0 proposal gets a pass.
Guess what? 95% of solar owners mentioned that they would stop purchasing solar energy because of the proposal. They just called it an absurdity that should never be accepted. Don’t be surprised when 95% of respondents agree with the grid expert, Dr. Ahmad Faruqui. He made an interesting comparison between the NEM 3.0 proposal and grocery shopping. He said, “Why should someone buying carrots at the grocery store have to pay more because they also grow carrots at home?” For real, why?
Nevertheless, the biggest concern in the whole story for solar panel companies is the increase of the payback period because of the policies offered in the proposal. Imagine the payback period, which stands for the time period that it takes a customer to have a return on the initial investment, jump from an average of 4-5 years to 10 years. The increase is huge and runs the risk of establishing the highest solar tax in the history of the California solar market. Such a change will bring a catastrophe to California because, as Abigail Ross Hopper, the President, and CEO of SEIA, mentions, “The last thing we need is to go backward on our climate goals…Today, the only winners are the utilities, which will make more profits at the expense of their ratepayers…California is now on the wrong path.”
As can be inferred from the whole story above, a lot more work needs to be done on the proposal before the decision is made. Even Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned, “That draft plan that was recently released, I just had a chance to review, and I’ll say this about the plan: We still have some work to do.” And that is the right path to take. The plan needs to be revised based on the feedback that solar panel installation companies, solar experts, solar consumers, environmentalists, and sheer working Californians provided.
Even though Mr. Gallagher mentioned his disposition towards the proposal, he noted, “We look forward to continuing to work with the California Public Utilities Commission as it considers any changes to net metering.” Considering such a positive statement in this strained situation, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for writing an alternative proposal and taking it into consideration before going for the final decision.
At the end of the day, one proposal affects over a million Californians who are solar owners, as well as another huge group of people who thinks of going solar in 2022.
In December 2021, the excellent billing mechanism called net metering could have vanished because of the NEM 3.0 proposal. With the net metering billing mechanism, 1.3 million solar homes representing 50% of the US residential market would struggle with solar charges. Not to mention, solar owners that specialize in manufacturing both a residential solar panel system and a commercial solar panel system would have suffered, too. However, thanks to opposing views towards the proposal and expert feedback on it, the decision regarding the proposal got postponed for an indefinite period of time.
When the solar panel companies, environmentalists, working Californians, and, most importantly, the Vice President of SEIA highlight such a sequence of reasons why the proposal is absurd, there is a need to rethink it and understand whether the financial benefit is worth the loss; the loss of customer trust in the solar industry, the loss of economic growth from solar renewable energy, and, eventually, the loss of the robust solar market of California.
Although the proposal also offers a $600 million fund directed towards helping moderate to low-income customers access the solar market, do we want:
And a lot more?
Definitely not! So, let’s celebrate the delay of the proposal and fight for the right decision.
Ameco Solar, as the best solar panel company and a solar owner, ascertains that the solar market of California should prosper, and the opposite should never happen!
Will my roof support my solar panels?
Is it worth it to install solar on my roof if it will need to be replaced or should I consider alternative installation areas?
How can I both upgrade my roof and install solar at the same time?
How much will a solar + roofing installation set me back
Do tax credits and rebates apply if I get a solar + roofing bundle deal?
Who even offers solar + roofing bundles? Is that a thing?
Any reputable solar company will tell you that the first thing you should do when looking into solar for your home is evaluate your roof. Our team of experts have been bundling solar + roofing for over 45 years and want to help your home improvement upgrades as seamlessly as possible.
Evaluating your home includes a number of factors. Your solar company should help you analyze your current and projected energy usage, natural obstacles as well as roof type and health. In order to facilitate this, you should probably know how your roof works!
Knowing all the parts of a roof can help you save money, diagnose heating and cooling issues and protect your home from water damage
There are many components that make up a roof, and these will vary depending on the style, age, region and materials of your home. You can learn about a few of the most common components that make up a roof below:
Rafters: Think of the rafters like the skeletal system of your roof. Rafters give your roof its shape and serve as an integral part of any roofing upgrade.
Trusses: Some roofs use trusses instead of rafters. Because trusses require fewer materials, they are often more affordable than rafters but just as strong, which is why many newer American homes use them.
Covering: When most people think of their roof, they think of the covering. Your roof’s covering is the part that’s most visual from the outside. It’s also primarily responsible for protecting your home from weather damage.
Today, roof coverings consist of a variety of materials, including:
Fascia: Roof fascia is a series of wooden boards that give structure to the side of your house.
Without fascia, your gutters and downspouts would virtually have no support and would just hang off the side of your home.
Gutters: Gutter systems guide rainwater off your roof and direct it away from your home. They prevent water from pooling on your roof and channel water away from the area right next to your home, so rainwater doesn’t seep into your home’s foundation. Gutters are one of the most important factors to preventing water damage.
You will also hear about components such as flashing, ridge, drip edge, fascia, chimneys, downspouts, soffits, skylights, etc.
If any of the parts that make up your roof have damage or if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you will need to replace it before going solar.
If you do decide to install solar but opt out of a solar + roofing bundle, you will need to keep in mind that your solar panels will likely outlive your roof. What does that mean? It means that, without doubt, your roof will need to be replaced while you still have functional solar panels on them. This also means that you will need to remove your solar panels before replacing your roof. As a result, your roof replacement will likely cost a lot more, considering the additional labor, time and expertise required. It may also result in you having to contract two different companies: one to remove and replace your solar panels, and one to redo your roof. You also have to consider the increase in electricity bills that you will see when your solar panels are off your roof and offline.
Considering all of these factors, we cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid having to replace your roof after installing solar on your home.
While bundling your solar + roofing projects may seem to increase your upfront cost, by choosing the right installer, you can find great deals to drive down prices.
If you think you may need to replace your roof before installing solar, then find a company that will bundle your solar + roofing projects for the best deals! This will allow you peace of mind knowing that your new roof can support your state-of-the-art panels and help cut down on the inevitable costs of having to install solar and replace your roof!
Solar + roofing really is a match made in heaven. If you have going solar on your list of priorities, you may have your roof and roof life top-of-mind as well. And it makes sense! Solar panels should power your home for 20 to 25 years, depending on the materials used and maintenance provided throughout their lifespan. That means decades of savings for you and your family!As a result, it is only natural that you think of your roof and roof life when considering making the switch to solar. Commonly, homeowners will ask themselves a ton of questions relating to their roof: