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
by Synergy Solar | Apr 19, 2019 | Solar Installation, Solar News, Uncategorized
Who doesn’t love a perfect combo like Buttercup and Westley, coffee and pastry, hot and shower, solar and storage?
The hot new move in the solar world is solar battery storage. Solar storage allows you to capture that midday sun energy and stash it for use when you are most likely to need it — and when rates to draw from the grid are most expensive.
Storage also lets you take that hot shower and have hot coffee when the power has been cut to mitigate threat of fire. This is our new reality in Sonoma County and in short outages, solar storage can help you get on with life.
Solar batteries have improved in the last few years thanks to interest in alternative energy sources. Synergy is a fan of the Sonnen eco battery. This battery is a fully integrated energy storage system that includes an inverter and smart energy management software that allows you to manage your time-of-use. Not only does it have a clean look and is easily sizable to your array, but it will help you to further reduce your carbon foot print.
If you have questions, contact Synergy’s owner, Mike, directly at (707) 827-3469.
by Synergy Solar | May 13, 2016 | Solar News
A few years back, Synergy made the decision that we would focus our new sales on the Enphase Energy Inverter platform. One of the main reasons for doing so, was because we felt it was critical for our company to be able to proactively monitor our customers, not to wait for them to call us when they thought they had a problem. For the customer, it required us to schedule a time to visit them, and often the issue had been going on for quite some time before they noticed it. For Synergy, often we found either the system running fine, a breaker tripped or the inverter had been down for a few months. It often took a week to order and receive the new inverter and then another call to replace it.
This has all changed since going to the Enphase platform with performance monitoring. When a customer’s system has an inverter or panel that fails, we are notified via email at once. We can go to the Enlighten Web-site and see the performance of individual panels and the roof as a whole. When discussing a bill with a customer and/or how the system is performing, we have access to real time data. I have both a string inverter (SMA) and micro inverters on my own house. I have monitored both systems since they were installed. The biggest difference for me, is that the enphase system is designed around monitoring while with the SMA it is an option. With Enphase I am able to see each panel’s performance, not just the system as a whole like SMA. And with Enphase I can update the firmware of the inverters and monitoring to keep them current. With Enphase’s new Envoy S, with revenue grade metering, I have added my string inverter to my Enphase system. I still cannot see the individual performance of my SMA inverters, but I am able to get all my performance data in one place. Below, please see a sample of one of our customer’s performance monitoring systems.
Screenshot of performance and usage of a solar energy installation using the Enphase MyEnlighten solar monitoring system
Some of you may have noticed that the screen above not only shows the performance monitoring of this customer, but also the consumption used. About 6 months ago, Synergy helped beta test the Enphase Envoy S with consumption monitor, and we have been installing it as a standard feature every chance we get. The performance monitoring is great, and when you combine production of a solar system, with consumption, the customers usage, then you really have a fantastic view of your energy environment, customers love this! You can see daily trends, monthly totals or notice 15 minute intervals throughout the day of how power is consumed. For example, when your electric car is charging, when your electric heat pump is running or when the hot tub kicks on, you can see how this increases your energy usage. And for those who live in the country, you will see when your well pump is starting to clog, using more energy and thus avoid ruining the pump. I have one customer who turned off his older hot tub the day after going solar because he saw just how much power it was using. He has a new more efficient hot tub on order. See below: the 7 day rolling graph of consumption vs. production for the same customer as above.
Enphase Consumption monitoring using the MyEnlighten monitoring software
Consumption monitoring also serves to help us with the next phase of energy management, storage. By the end of this year, Enphase is slated to release their new AC battery (https://enphase.com/en-us/products-and-services/storage ). Storage provides us with both a tool to manage our utility costs and a way to provide energy to our homes when the grid is down. Managing our energy is becoming more important as solar continues to gain market share and as utilities like PG&E keep moving the peak windows farther into the late afternoon and evenings. Peak energy costs as much as twice the cost of off peak rates. Solar has benefitted from solar’s production during peak, as it off-set a large part of their off peak rates. As “Peak” moves, we are producing less power during peak, and more on off-peak (less credits). Intelligent storage systems will allow us to draw power from storage systems that the house is using during peak times, recharging when rates are lower (off-peak). This will allow a better way to manage our solar systems.
All grid tie systems being installed today have Islanding; they do not allow power to be exported to the utility or used by a home owner when the main power is out. The second phase of the Enphase battery release will address this issue. They are proposing that with an intelligent transfer switch, power will be transferred from the utility to the battery system. With batteries, the inverters on the roof will see power and thus continue to work during daylight hours. This will allow these systems to use BOTH the power being generated by the sun and the batteries during the day as well as the batteries during the evenings. Because of this design, battery banks can be sized smaller. And back to consumption metering, with the history provided by the Enphase system, systems can be sized more accurately (many systems being proposed today are a guess, even with load analysis – they lack actual time of day history).
Enphase AC Battery – Home Energy Storage System
Why the Enphase storage system over the others that are out there? The thing I like best, is pairing of a micro-inverter with the battery, all inside the case. Thus the output of the battery is AC, not DC like most batteries. You can not beat the integration of the Enphase batteries when coupled with the Enphase inverters controlling the solar on the roof, and even if you do not have Enphase on the roof – it will still work well with other inverter manufactures, or hybrid environments like mine. Enphase has always been a leader in creating a truly integrated, intelligent platform that is easy to add to as future products enter the market. Storage is no different and an easy add-on without the cost. Okay, these issues are a little more technical, but still important. Efficiency: since Enphase AC batteries do not need lower efficient off-grid inverters, their conversion loss from AC to DC can be half of their main competitors. Weight: one of the most popular systems being marketed today has a battery that weights 220 pounds (This will put a little downward presage on any wall, what if you need 4, almost 1/2 a ton), compared to a much more manageable 55 pounds for the AC battery. While most batteries use lithium Ion technology – it is not the same. Many systems use COBALT, which combusts when it comes in contact with air (has been the culprit of many recently documented fires). Enphase uses Lithium Iron, which is not prone to catch fire, unlike Cobalt based batteries.
So why am I such a fan of Enphase? It is their vision to move beyond solar into home energy management. Enphase has the “Apple” philosophy of keeping it simple so the average person can use and understand it. Finally, the products they develop are mostly backwards compatible therefore protecting a customers investment.
What does the future of solar hold? My guess is integration to electric vehicle batteries, Micro Grids, home automation management and intelligent integration of appliances. What might this look like? On a cold winter Thursday in a neighborhood in the not to distant future, the power goes out, the home automation system knows which appliances it does not need in a back-up power situation. So the hot tub, electric oven, and pool pump are turned off. The battery charges during the day and keeps Joes house heated (heat pump) and refrigerator cool. Joe returns to his home in his electric car from his job in the city, with only a 20% charge available and he needs to get to work in the morning. Not a problem, he does not need to choose between heating his house or powering his car,he goes to his neighborhood micro grid and borrows the energy need from the folks’ EV’s down the street that use them primarily on the weekend or the neighborhood shared storage bank (he will feed it back when others need it most). Thus the community becomes more independent, closer knit and helps each other when they need it.
I am excited for these new technologies as they come on-line, and know that my partners will continue to develop the technologies need to keep my customer’s systems connected to what the future holds.
by Synergy Solar | Feb 10, 2015 | Solar News, Utility Companies
Choice has now come to most of Sonoma County when it comes to who will provide your power. There are three primary types of providers, and we now have one of each in Sonoma County.
The City of Healdsburg is a Municipal Utility District, or (MUD). A MUD provides electrical services to those in their area (in this case the City of Healdsburg). They have their own crews that work on the power lines, maintain the infrastructure, install the meters, handle the billing, and are responsible for providing energy contracts and policy for their customers.
Pacific Gas and Electric – PG&E is an Independently Owned Utility (IOU), which means it is owned by investors (shareholders). PG&E handles all of the transmission and distribution for our county, outside of the City of Healdsburg. This means they maintain the electric grid (poles, power lines, meters etc) and bill customers. They also provide generation services and policy to customers who have opted out of Sonoma Clean Power (about 15% of the county). The services include the actual power from power plants (gas and nuclear), hydro, solar, as well as our own Geysers. PG&E also covers policies for these customers, from energy efficiency to the low-income support of the CARES program.
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is our newest addition, a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). SCP has the ability to select goals, pricing and policy for their customers. In this case it is about 80% of Sonoma County energy users. PG&E is still responsible for the infrastructure and billing (transmission and distribution), crediting their previous generation amount and adding in a generation charge for SCP.
What benefits does a CCA like SCP offer?
SCP can:
1) Create competitive pricing. At the time of this release, SCP power was 5-10% less expensive then PG&E’s generation costs, and they only raise rates annually.
2) Create policies to reduce green house emissions (their energy portfolio is made up of 50% more renewable energy then PG&E),
3) Discourage use of some types of energy production. SCP has no nuclear power in its portfolio.
4) Encourage/promote other types of power like solar by providing bonus generation credits for homeowners with no expiration of credits (as with PG&E).
5) Create products, like EverGreen, a product a customer can feel good about. With EverGreen, customers are paying a little more to get 100% geyser power (100% renewable).
6) Create local jobs – They have the ability to create local jobs through building local renewable energy projects (solar or wind).
So as you can probably guess, full disclosure, I am a huge fan of CCA and SCP. I sat on the task force that helped create the initial direction of SCP. I have been impressed with their responsiveness to the local community, even in the first year of start-up. They are creating a model for other cities and counties to follow. So the good news is that in most parts of the Sonoma County, you now have a choice. Take the time to learn about your options and find the utility company that best fits your needs. – Jeff Mathias – Owner
by Synergy Solar | Nov 9, 2014 | Solar News, Utility Companies
I am asked daily, “Should I opt out of Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) or stay with PG&E”. First a little background.
I have been working with PG&E, interconnecting solar systems, for the past 10 years. While I have not always agreed with many of their policies, they are one of the “cleanest” utilities. They primarily burn natural gas, not coal.
Recently PG&E has really made an effort to discourage solar by sponsoring legislation designed to make solar less attractive, minimize what they compensate solar customers for over-production, and to bar new entry/competition like SCP. I sat on the initial organizing task force for SCP, and was excited to have an option for myself and my customers.
What is Sonoma Clean Power? A law passed 10 years ago allows communities to provide their own power choices, called a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). SCP is a local CCA, a new Sonoma County organization designed to provided cleaner power at a lower cost, while providing local renewable energy and local jobs. SCP can design programs specific to Sonoma County, not needing to design them for their entire territory, like PG&E.
SCP differs from communities like the City of Healdsburg, which has their own power company. SCP is responsible for the energy generation, while PG&E still bills the customer and provides infrastructure support of the distribution facilities and transmission lines to the customer’s meter (see below).
So let me tell you some of the reasons why I am going with Sonoma Clean Power. Their rates are 4-5% less than PG&E’s. SCP change their rates annually, while PG&E has already raised rates 3 times this year. SCP power mix is cleaner and greener with a +30% renewable mix to PG&E’s low 20%. And if that is not enough, I support their direction. They are committed to continually increasing green energy with a goal of 100%. They are also committed to installing and using local renewable energy sources, and to the creation of local jobs.
For solar customers, SCP offers a $0.01 payment over retail rates for over-production, and energy credits do not expire at true-up periods like with PG&E. SCP will write you a check if your over-production exceeds $100. They are creating programs that encourage local renewable energy systems, like solar, while PG&E is trying to make these processes more difficult.
To summarize, SCP offers lower cost, greener energy, local jobs, local control, and a commitment to local renewable energy. Why would you go anywhere else?
by Synergy Solar | Nov 9, 2014 | Solar News, Utility Companies
Yesterday I attended an update session on Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), specifically on Net Energy Metering (NEM) for solar clients. The session was very informative and the information presented is a “must know” for solar customers making the move.
First, I am a huge supporter of SCP, sitting on the task force through its development phase. SCP fits well with my desires for our County. For renewable energy use, they have roughly a 10% increase over PG&E. SCP does not use nuclear power, they create local jobs, they lower residential costs, and are green friendly. In addition, since their rates are 4-5% less than those of PG&E, SCP offers a $0.01 bonus for over-generation. And even better, unlike PG&E, at the end of your sum-up period, any unused credits are carried forward to the next year. A real bonus!
The SCP program is an OPT-OUT program which means you will be automatically enrolled in SCP unless you OPT-OUT to PG&E. Currently this applies to the entire County of Sonoma with the exception of the cities of Healdsburg, Petaluma and Rohnert Park. The current plan is to move 166,000 users from PG&E Customers to SCP in December 2014.
So here is what you need to know. If you are like me, and build large credits during the summer to use during the winter (I am at about $400 in October), you may lose your credits in December. Why? Because when you move to SCP (remember this will happen unless you OPT-OUT), PG&E will sum-up in December, not on your usual true up date, and the credits are lost. If your true-up period with PG&E is in June – December, your credit loss may be minimal, and I would suggest you just move to SCP. If like me, your true up is in May, you do have an option to avoid the loss of these credits.
I ran the following idea by the SCP representatives and they said it was a sound strategy. What you can do is OPT-OUT of SCP before you are converter to them. Thus you will stay with PG&E and be able to use up your credits. And because you did not leave SCP (usually a 12 month waiting period before you can move back), you can OPT back in at any time, i.e. once your credits are used up. So I chose to OPT-OUT last night, and will be joining SCP in May when my usual true-up bill comes from PG&E. This will maximize usage of my credits. This is a personal choice, and knowledge is power, or savings in this case.
Please do not hesitate to email me with and questions, or those of your friends who are on solar. Get the word out and remember to like Synergy on facebook to get future updates on SCP.
Thanks,
Jeff
CFO and Co-Owner of Synergy Solar & Electrical Systems, Inc.
jeff@synsolar.com
