Solar Resources

Solar Energy in Visalia

Energy from the sun is abundant on earth and it is becoming increasingly affordable to harness this clean and renewable energy source in order to generate electricity and heat water for use in our homes and buildings.  Through innovative new financing options, homeowners and businesses can now go solar for $0 down and start saving money from day 1.  In addition to lowering electricity bills, going solar offers economic development, environmental and health benefits to the community.  This webpage provides essential resources for residential and commercial property owners that are considering an investment in solar. 

Solar Action Alliance - Are a group of environmentalist who want to spread the word about the most clean, reliable, and abundant source of renewable energy: the sun.  Click on Solar Action Alliance to visit their webpage and learn more. 

Let's Go Solar - Is not here to sell you solar.  They're  here to help you see if solar is a smart choice for you. With the right tools and information, you’ll feel confident about your energy decisions. Let’s Go Solar is a new resource that provides simple, actionable information to help homeowners easily determine if renewable energy is a sound financial choice. Click on Let’s Go Solar to learn more.

SOLAR FOR RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES

Below are a few selected resources available to residential and commercial property owners that are considering an investment in solar energy.  Access a more extensive resource library, searchable by topic and keyword, at www.solarroadmap.com/resources/.

Informing Your Decision

·         Consumer Guide: “Get Your Power From the Sun” offers a high-level overview of key considerations for home and business owners that are interested in going solar. www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf

Evaluating Your Solar Potential

·         IMBY: This tool estimates the amount of electricity you can produce with a solar photovoltaic (PV) array at your home or business using an interactive map-based interface.  Available at http://maps.nrel.gov/imby.

·         PV Value: This tool is intended to help determine the value of a new or existing solar PV system installed on residential and commercial properties.  Available at http://energy.sandia.gov/?page_id=8047.

Financing a Solar Energy System

·         Financing Guide: “Homeowners Guide to Financing a Grid-Connected Solar Electric System” is an essential resource that provides an overview of the different options available for financing a solar energy system.  Available at www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/48969.pdf.

·         Current Incentives:

o   30% Federal Tax Credit.  30% of qualified expenditures for solar energy system may be claimed as a residential or business tax credit. www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?state=us

o   California Solar Initiative (CSI).  The CSI offers cash rebates for installing solar power systems installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations for customers at one of California's three investor-owned utilities. GoSolarCalifornia

·         Local Financing Options:

o   Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) Energy Efficiency Loan.  Members of the EECU can take out an energy efficiency loan between $100 and $4,000 to install solar systems and increase energy efficiency.  www.myeecu.org/home/loans-credit-cards/personal/energyloan

o   PowerSaver Loans. The PowerSaver Loan Program offers eligible homeowners competitive interest rate loans for up to 20 years for renewable energy projects.  https://energyupgradeca.org/news/finance_your_upgrade_with_powersaver-332

o   HERO is now available to you as an affordable way to make energy efficient, water efficient, and renewable energy upgrades to your home. HERO offers low-fixed interest rates and flexible payment terms of up to 20 years, with repayments made through your property taxes. You can use HERO to finance energy efficient projects that can increase your property value, lower your monthly utility bills, make you more comfortable in your home and contribute to making your community more energy independent. https://www.heroprogram.com/visalia 

·         Additional Incentives & Financing Information:

o   The San Joaquin Valley SSTI Regional webpage on the Solar Roadmap website has a comprehensive list of financing program information in the valley. Solarroadmap-san-joaquin-valley-region

o   Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) provides up-to-date information on the multitude of clean energy incentives across the country.  www.dsireusa.org

Additional Resources

·         New Construction: “A Homebuilder’s Guide to Going Solar” offers insightful considerations for solar in new home construction.  Available at www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/44792.pdf

·         PV Value Tool: This professional tool is intended to help determine the value of a new or existing solar PV system installed on residential and commercial properties. This tool is especially useful for real estate appraisers, mortgage underwriters, credit analysts, real property assessors, insurance claims adjusters and PV industry sales staff.  Available at http://energy.sandia.gov/?page_id=8047

·         Open PV: This collaborative effort has delivered a comprehensive database of solar PV installation data in the United States to provide an evolving, up-to-date snapshot of the US solar power market.  Available at https://openpv.nrel.gov/about.

Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative

• Visalia is participating in the Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative (SSTI) – an initiative funded by the US Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge program.  The initiative aims to make solar power more affordable for communities across the country by improving approval processes and local solar market conditions.   Find more resources at www.solarroadmap.com.

GoSolar  - GoingSolar.com has a wonderful library of online resources for homeowners who wish to learn more about solar power.