![Be Like Ben; Capture the Power]()
by Synergy Solar | Mar 18, 2024 | Battery Storage Systems, Solar Installation
Did you know that Ben Franklin stood in the protection of his barn and collected the static electricity in a bottle? We’ve come a long way and it is mind boggling where science has taken us. I am grateful and embrace all that I have gained from science, including solar power and storage that lets us power our lives. Solar batteries work a bit better than the jug Ben used, but he was on the right track! Now is the time for you to experiment with getting solar. Here’s why:
The truth is that our electric utility has raised rates over 50% between 2021 and 2024 and has no intention of stopping. We know it’s not going to stop because of the proposals PG&E has submitted and are waiting for the CA Public Utilities Commission to review. We have very little control of our for-profit utility company, but investing in solar and storage does help protect you from these rising, no-end-in-sight rates that we are subject to. Here’s how it works…
The Reality
I’ve heard a lot of frustrated folks suggest they want to go completely off grid and disconnect from PG&E. This tends to be, unfortunately, very impractical. What you can do is install solar and a battery system which allows you to store your excess solar instead of exporting it to the grid for mere pennies. You use that power past sunset, delaying and reducing the power you import from the utility and bringing your utility bill down, down, down.
This is an investment. We get that. For many, including myself, it may mean taking out a loan to finance the solar. (Ask us about resources.) By investing in a solar & battery system now, you are reducing your reliance on the utility for electricity, reducing the load on the grid making it more resilient, reducing the moving target of PG&E rate hikes and instead, if you are like me, pay a fixed fee on the loan. Many of the systems we install today will pay for themselves in 5-7 years. Going solar puts you in control of costs and protects you from the unpredictability of rising utility rates.
Also, in case you hadn’t heard, you can get a federal tax credit of 30% of your solar and storage contract. Now of course we recommend you check with your tax preparer, but it seems you can even spread this credit out over multiple years. Another reason that it’s a great time to install solar and get a great return on your investment and increase your property value.
The Numbers
Here’s what it boils down to.
In February of 2024 the average amount spent on a kWh of power in Sonoma County is 45 cents. Over the last four years the average rate increase has been about 12%. If we are conservative and say the utility will increase rates about 4% a year then in ten years, that same kWh is going to cost you .67 cents.
Not much in itself, but keep in mind that the average homeowner in Sonoma County uses about 9,720 kWh a year, that adds up to an increase of more than $2000 a year.
At Synergy, we aim for a system design that will greatly reduce your bill over the course of the year. Even if you are like me and need to take out a loan to pay for the system, it can be an excellent financial investment. Every household scenario is different and we would want to review the details with you to make sure it is a sound investment for YOU, but the graph below shows how much you would pay per kWh if you do nothing and continue to pay the utility’s increasing rates versus if you take out a loan or go with SCEIP. It’s a picture of what it might look like based on a solar and a savings battery system with SCEIP financing at the current rate of 7.49% and assumes you take the federal tax credit. By dividing the cost of an average solar & savings battery system by the average kWh of solar produced, the graph indicates that you will very quickly be paying less per kilowatt than if you don’t invest in solar.
This chart is very generalized and each homeowner’s situation is unique (which is why you need an experienced, committed installer to show you the numbers). However, generally speaking, even with a loan, you’re going to be paying less per kWh because the loan amount is set and there’s nothing set about PG&E rates.
More Info
If you are able to participate in what we call “fuel switching” all the better. Fuel switching is about changing your gas appliances (typically heater, water heater, dryer and range) for electric ones. Synergy can design a system for you taking these future changes into consideration, then you can reduce your gas bill, which also has been going up, up, up like a kite. Evidence has begun to show that gas appliances in the home is not so good for you. (There goes science again.) If you haven’t heard of it, Sonoma Clean Power’s Advanced Energy Center in downtown Santa Rosa can show you about fuel switching options.
Along those same lines of fuel switching, if you are expecting to get an electric vehicle (more science happening) in the next five years, this too can run on the sunshine you collect, further reducing your costs. Check with Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) about the low cost Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers they have. Here at Synergy, we are particularly interested in the new EV charger coming out from Enphase Energy which we anticipate to be part of SCP’s program soon. We like this product because of its ability to integrate with your Enphase system and charge directly from your excess solar. Synergy holds an Electrical Contractor License and can install your charger and install electric panel upgrades.
Oh, and let’s not forget the convenience and safety factor that comes with having a back-up battery system in a time of unpredictable weather patterns. Not long after my family installed a solar and storage system, there was a rainstorm while I was out and my husband was home. This is an actual text exchange that happened:
ME: I just got an alert from PG&E that the power is out.
HUSBAND: Yeah, just for a second there was a blip.
ME: (Checks solar app) Looks like we’re running off battery. The grid is out!
Five minutes later….
HUSBAND: Ok Gramma is all set under her electric blanket and the slow cooker is still humming along. Dinner will be ready when you get home.
In a nutshell: Solar is still a great investment.
Before I could even finish this article and get it published, PG&E raised their rates two more times. There is much to know about solar and we at Synergy are committed to answering your questions. Even if you’re not a math-head, we can help you learn about the return on your investment in solar and storage. PG&E has made it more complicated recently to calculate the numbers which will drive a lot of solar installers out of California, but we have been doing this a long time and are willing to figure it out. Solar IS still a great investment and we have the expertise to help you with that investment. Be like Ben; capture the power.
by Synergy Solar | Feb 1, 2024 | Battery Storage Systems, Community Support, Solar Installation, Uncategorized
In keeping with Synergy’s goals of sustainability and community support, we want to remind you about our School Program. We started the program in 2011 and want to get it jump started again. Synergy is committed to contributing to the local community and making a positive impact on education and the environment. We hope to be able to contribute to ten schools this year under our School Program.
The program is pretty simple. We will make donation to a Sonoma County school, either public or private, for every system installation purchased by a Sonoma County school community member. Our goal is to encourage the use of clean energy and support local education. Please let us know by contract signing.
Here’s how the Synergy Solar School Program works:
- $500 for Solar with Savings Battery: School community members opting for a solar system with a savings battery will not only enjoy the benefits of sustainable energy but will also contribute $500 towards their designated school.
- $500 for Battery Only Addition to an Existing Solar System: School community members who already have a solar system in place and wish to enhance their system by adding energy storage capabilities, Synergy Solar will donate $500 to the chosen school for every battery added.
- $1000 for New Solar System with Backup Battery: School community members opting for a new solar system with a backup battery not only ensure energy independence but also secure a $1000 donation for their local school.
We aim to create synergy not just between solar energy and your home, but also between environmental consciousness and educational empowerment. The School Program not only benefits the schools financially but also serves as an educational opportunity for students to witness firsthand the positive impact of renewable energy. We hope this program will encourage the adoption of solar energy solutions and strengthen the ties between the company and our community where we live, work, play and learn.
“As Sonoma County community members, business owners and parents who have children that have attended school in Sonoma County, I feel it is important to support the next generation. By supporting Sonoma County schools we are investing in the future for our community.” –Mike Pane, CEO of Synergy Solar.
As Synergy Solar continues its dedication to the community, the School Program stands as a testament to the company’s belief that sustainable practices and community support go hand in hand. The program is already in motion, with Synergy Solar excited to continue to contribute positive changes to local communities and the environment alike. Contact us today if you would like to help us reach our goal of contributing to ten schools this year. 707-823-8003
![Be Like Ben; Capture the Power]()
by Synergy Solar | Jan 10, 2024 | Battery Storage Systems, Solar Installation
Considering solar or battery storage? There’s a lot to know. Also there is a lot of information to gather. Here at Synergy we are going to ask you a lot of questions, and sometimes you might think we are being nosy, but the more we know about your electrical consumption habits, the better job we can do at designing a system that will serve you best. Sure, we could cookie-cutter it over the phone and guess your roofline off the internet and use averages to suggest a system, but this is not our way.
Yup, I’m a lefty.
Here at Synergy it all starts with a series of questions about what your goals are, the physical setting of your property and, especially for back-up batteries, what kinds of consumption (or loads) you have that might be significant. (A well pump is a common one. When a well kicks in it can draw LOTS of power to get going, just like that first pedal to get a bicycle going.)
We are also going to ask you to download some data from PG&E. There are data files of not just how much power you use, but when you use it. Using power midday is different than using power at sundown when the solar is not producing. This also might vary in different seasons. In the most common cases, a battery system to store your excess production for use after sundown is the most important part of your system to reduce your bill and improve the return on your investment. Gathering your PG&E data helps the design process.
We are also going to need to know things like who the actual property owner is and who is listed on the PG&E bill to make sure we get the right names on the right documents and things move along smoothly. During the installation process we will be applying to the county (or city) for permission to safely install, and to the utility for permission to operate your solar system. These steps often feel like irritating hoops to jump through, but they are designed to maintain the safety of the community.
Each application requires consumer protection documents showing that the property owner is clear on the costs (thanks to some nefarious folks out there) and agrees to the installation, how the install will affect the power grid, and that the system is electrically installed safely (no fires, please). One example of safety requirements are fire regulations to leave room for fire fighters to move around on a rooftop. On rare occasions, PG&E will require other safety changes before the installation is approved. In my case, it was necessary to install a new power pole to properly support lines (no fires please).
Once Synergy has completed the installation, the county (or city) will check our work and approve the permit. (I have to throw out that our team is stellar and regularly sail through these inspections with no issues. They do an awesome job.) With the approved or “finaled” permit, we can then complete the application to the utility for the permission to operate or “PTO”.
When we get the PTO, we commission the system and turn it on. Finally, we let you know that you can view the system in action on the Enlighten app and assist you to set that up if needed. Yup, it’s a lot of steps and requires lots of information and documentation beyond the physical installation, but we carefully follow the process from beginning to end and will provide you with copies of all the essential papers.
We want to make our information gathering process as easy as possible, and suitable to your needs. In return we strive to openly provide you with information and answer all your questions!
by Mike Pane | Sep 5, 2023 | Battery Storage Systems, Solar Installation, Solar News, Uncategorized
Leading the Move to Energy Storage
Synergy leads the industry in solar battery systems and has installed them for over a decade. We stay ahead by adopting new battery technology as it develops. Batteries provide so much value that we stopped installing solar without storage in 2019. We still make rare exceptions, but storage has become the standard for most projects. This shift reflects rising utility rates, new tariffs, and the growing need for energy resilience. Synergy’s experience helps homeowners choose systems that fit their goals and protect their investment.
Utility Tariffs
Utilities use tariffs to determine how they credit exported solar power. The first tariff was NEM1 and the second was NEM2. New customers now use the Net Billing Tariff, called NBT. Homeowners who lose their original NEM status also move to NBT. These changing tariffs strongly affect solar savings. Batteries help reduce the impact of lower export rates under newer tariff structures. Understanding these rules helps homeowners make better decisions about storage.
Two Fundamental Designs
Battery systems follow two main designs and each design supports different goals. A backup battery powers selected loads when the grid fails. A savings battery stores excess solar and lowers your bill. Savings batteries discharge during expensive peak periods and at night. Under NEM1 and NEM2, savings were modest. Under NBT, savings batteries have become essential. They increase bill offset and shorten payback. A backup system under NBT needs a larger battery to handle outages and self-consumption. You can add backup ability later without changing your NEM or NBT status.
Understanding Battery Sizing
Battery sizing uses two ratings: kW and kWh. kW measures how much power a battery can deliver at once. kWh measures how long the battery can deliver that power. These ratings guide proper design choices. If you want more detail, we created a separate blog that explains these units that you can read here. Reviewing those basics can help you better understand the designs below.
Backup Battery Design
A backup battery system powers key loads during a grid outage. This design usually needs more equipment and a larger battery. It uses a transfer switch to isolate your home from the grid during outages. This protects utility workers and meets code requirements. We move essential circuits into a backup loads panel during installation. These circuits often include refrigeration, lighting, and internet. Most backup systems also support daily self-consumption. A backup reserve protects stored energy for outages. If you set a 70% reserve, the system cycles only 30% each day to save money and will always have 70% available for outages.
Meter Collars for Whole-Home Backup
New meter-collar products now support whole-home backup at a lower cost. They reduce extra equipment and installation labor. They also power more loads during outages. Some systems require more monitoring because more loads can run at once. Several manufacturers now offer smart controls. These controls automatically turn off large loads when the grid fails. This protects the battery and extends runtime during long outages.
Savings (Grid-Tied) Battery Design
A savings battery focuses on bill reduction instead of outage protection. It stores extra solar produced during the day and discharges during peak pricing. It also can run at night when solar is not available. Savings batteries do not require a transfer switch or a backup loads panel. Some systems, like Enphase, remove the transfer switch (system controller or meter collar) which reduces labor and material cost. Savings systems do not hold energy for outages. They often discharge down to 5% and use more capacity each day. This lets homeowners choose a smaller and more affordable battery.
by Synergy Solar | Apr 28, 2021 | Battery Storage Systems, Solar Installation
Can I use my electric vehicle battery to power my home?
Often, I am asked “Why can’t I use my electric car to run my refrigerator or get hot water when the utility grid is down,” or “Why do I need an energy storage system (ESS) when I have a big battery in my electric car?” This is often called “Vehicle to Grid” or VTG. In this blog I will discuss the policies, practical applications, and costs of VTG as a replacement to a dedicated ESS and their possible roll in augmenting ESS. While these technologies are coming, I do not know of any jurisdictions in Sonoma County that are currently approving this technology.
To begin this discussion, it may be beneficial to first discuss how an ESS system works. When the utility grid is functioning
normally, my storage system charges from solar in the mornings when PG&E costs are low, and discharges in the early evening when PG&E rates are high. (We call this peak shaving.) This is one of the primary ways an ESS lowers home energy costs. An ESS can also provide homes with backup power when the utility goes down or is shut down for fire prevention. When my ESS senses no grid power, the automated transfer switch disconnects from PG&E and the ESS provides power to my home. When the utility power is restored, the transfer switch automatically reconnects to the grid and we return to normal operations. This ability to minimize the impact of the ever-increasing grid outages that we experience in northern California is the primary reason most of our customers add storage to their solar.
So now that we understand how a traditional ESS system works, let’s look at how it would differ with a VTG setup. The biggest problem is the battery’s dual use of both driving an EV (electric vehicle) and using it as the home battery back-up system. The battery cannot be in two places at the same time. Let’s look at a few examples:
- Recently during the Glass Fire, the residents of Oakmont were ordered to evacuate their homes. For the battery in their EV to operate as the ESS, these homeowners would need to leave their EV behind. This requires that they did not need this vehicle to evacuate and are willing to leave it in harm’s way so the vehicle’s battery could provide backup to the home.
- In the Kincade Fire, homeowners were not allowed back into the evacuation area for an extended period. If you were in your EV and not able to return to your home, there would be no back-up power to your home (leaving spoiled food in refrigerators and freezers).
- Let’s assume you drove your car to San Francisco and back, leaving just a minimum remaining charge in the vehicle. If the power goes out that evening, you will have very little battery for your home use, and then be stuck with a drained car battery.
So, one very big difference is reliability – with a VTG there is no guarantee the vehicle will be present, have available charge or be rechargeable from solar, all significant draw backs.
And the biggest benefit often brought up in VTG applications versus installing a separate backup battery is the cost savings – let’s take a look at that.
are several components of an ESS installation that would also be required in a VTG application. You would still need to install the following components which can make up well over half the ESS system cost:
- A transfer switch which disconnects the system from the utility in an outage and protects the grid, home electronics and utility lineman.
- An inverter to convert the DC power of the car to the AC power of the home.
- The electrical integration with either a connection to the entire home, or a protected load panel (PLP).
- Possible replacement of the existing car charger to a bi-direction charger since most chargers only allow power to flow one way – from the grid to the EV.
- The labor, permits, inspections and design costs.
- Online monitoring or automation of this system so it could work even if you were not at home, but the EV was.
Other considerations include the following:
- For a homeowner to receive the Residential Federal Solar Tax Credit on the VTG or ESS system, it must be charged from a solar system. Since most EVs are charge from the grid, they would not fall under the Residential Federal Solar Tax Credit.
- One of the benefits of ESS is the ability to charge from solar when utility rates are low and then to allow a homeowner to discharge from the ESS system when utility rates are high. VTG systems would not easily be able to do this since they would be driven during the day, and most likely charged from the grid at night.
- Would the EVs warranty be voided when it is used in a VTG application?
- Also, many jurisdictions have more stringent rules for home storage systems, and in some cases will not allow them to be installed in garages, which could preclude the use of VTG in these communities.
It is my belief that using VTG to replace a ESS system is not viable today, but as the technology changes, I do see a place for VTG integrating to ESS for residential use. The integration could provide multiple benefits.
- When the utility is down, the ESS system could control or limit charging to the EV so power from the ESS could first be used to run the home, and extra solar power (once battery are fully charged) could be used to charge the EV’s battery.
- Adding the EV battery to the ESS would allow for a greater resiliency (more KWH of battery available) for low light days from rain, fog or heavy smoke.
- Having portable energy storage – the ability to drive the car to another community, charge it and return home with more storage during long outages.
Summary:
some stand-alone VTG system do exist today which allow customers to plug in a refrigerator or charge a phone, they are very customized and include running extension cords to appliances. Most jurisdictions have not approved these applications which does raise safety concerns. While VTG is an emerging technology, currently it is years, maybe decades out before it is a viable alternative to or component of home ESS. It is my belief that VTG will have limited application but will become a critical add-on option to home energy storage systems.
by Synergy Solar | Apr 19, 2019 | Solar News, Solar Installation, Uncategorized
It’s a great time to remind your friends and neighbors that the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit will start dropping off at the end of 2019. If a new solar installation is not completed in 2019, the full 30% tax credit will not apply. This is not a deduction that might lower a tax bracket. It is a credit toward taxes due.
NOW is the time to get a Synergy bid and get on our calendar for completion in 2019. Most contractors are swamped right now because of many homes being rebuilt from the fires. Synergy is also very busy, so if you want to get on our 2019 calendar for that Federal Solar Tax Credit before it goes away, the sooner you get in touch with us, the better. Contact Jeff, co-owner of Synergy at (707) 827-3469
