HOW TO GUIDE 2013

Visit www.APGSOLAR.com for more information

209-358-1468

FREEESTIMATES

Steve GaleSenior Sales

Executive(209) 658-0776

Lloyd PareiraSales

Executive(209) 604-1204

Jason CulverSales

Executive(209) 201-6545

2339 N. Buhach Rd.AtwaterLicense #859901

0013764

0

Local Solar SolutionLocal Solar Solution

YOUR

ELE

CTRI

C BI

LL B

EFOR

E SO

LAR

$0Solar leaSeS

available

$195A MONTH

STarT saving from day one.

$15A MONTH

AFTER SOLAR

How to

ImportantPoints...

choose YoUR soLAR soLUTIoNs

Put the sun’s power to work in your home

In an increasingly environmentally con-scious world, finding new ways to go solar are getting easier and more accessible by the day. From your home to your small business to the high-rise downtown, there are solar solutions for every occasion.

Solar energy is a good option for many families and businesses because it is a renewable and nonpolluting source of energy and heat. With solar power, there are no greenhouse gases and little harmful effect on the ecosystem. If becoming an environmentalist wasn’t one of your new year’s resolutions, don’t stop reading now; solar energy offers a wide array of benefits to the planet and to your pocket book. The energy from the sun is free and unregu-lated, requires little maintenance and can last a lifetime, making it a lot cheaper than traditional energy sources.

As demands for energy and resources increase, solar energy solutions are getting more and more affordable upfront, too. What was once a luxury is now common-place. Plus, when you calculate your cost savings over time, using solar power is a no brainer. But before you hop in your car and rush to your nearby solar solutions headquarters, there are a couple of things you should know about your home’s en-ergy system and the basics of efficiency.

Unfortunately, most homes, whether old or new, are not built with efficiency in mind. That means more energy expended and larger bills for you. Paying for and installing a solar electric system in a home that isn’t energy efficient would be a large, impractical expense if it had to meet such high energy demands.

Some simple ways to ensure your home is up to standards is to add insulation and seal the outer walls and windows. Replace all the light bulbs in your home with the most energy efficient ones on the market (they last longer too!) and always remem-ber to turn off lights when they’re not being used. You can even install motion sensor switches that automatically turn off lights when there’s no one in the room. If you can afford it, upgrade to Energy Star

rated appliances, hot water heaters, elec-tronics and heating and cooling systems.

Ways solar power is usedThere are different ways to harness the

sun’s rays and make them work for you. Passive solar design takes advantage of a building’s site, climate and materials to minimize energy use without mechani-cal systems. This means doing things like installing glazed windows, building over-hangs and orienting your home to the sun. If you’re remodeling or building a new home, consult with a home energy special-ist to find the most cost effective ways to design an energy efficient space.

Solar thermal is the use of the sun’s radiation to heat water and dramatically reduce your water heating bills. These heating systems use relatively simple technology – usually a storage tank and a water collector. Active systems have forced circulating pumps and controls, while passive systems do not. You may require a back up water heating system for cloudy days and increased demand.

Solar electric, sometimes called pho-tovoltaic, involve utilizing the photons in sunlight to generate electricity through solar panels. Solar panels are generally located on the roof of a home, but can be installed other places on a property with a high concentration of sunlight.

There are a couple of different types of solar systems and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your home or business. The grid-tied system is the

most common and most affordable of residential solar systems. This system al-lows you to use your own solar generated electricity, but at times when your system isn’t producing electricity, such as at night, electricity is generated from the utility company’s network of power stations. Not only will you benefit from the network, but the excess energy produced by your solar system can also be fed back into the grid through a process called net meter-ing. This feature is available in most areas and measures what you take and what you give back.

Another kind of solar system is a stand-alone photovoltaic power system, or an off-grid system. These operate independently of the utility grid and are generally meant to supply all the energy in the home. This is a much more expensive option to install, but are perfect for homes in remote areas without utility service.

Where to startIn the beginning, you’ll want a re-

spected solar company in your area to conduct a site visit to your home. Most companies will provide free assessments and cost estimates so you can compare different companies and your different solar options. Look for a team with at least one renewable energy professional who is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. A good solar professional can help you figure out exactly what you need, if and how your home is compatible with their solar elec-tric systems and whether these systems will meet all your energy needs.

The team should be able to walk you through the process of sizing, determining the amount of electricity your system will generate and help you determine whether you want a grid-tied or off-grid system. Remember, these systems can seem pricey at first, but the long-term benefits far out-weigh the initial costs. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency Web site for incentives in your area.

• An Evolving Science. solar energy solutions and mechanics are improving every year, so if you looked into this a while ago, it might pay to check out what’s new in the business.

• Beat the Night. If you think you’ll be stuck without electrici-ty at night, you’re wrong! There are several ways to store solar energy for later use.

• No Water Needed. creating energy is historically a water intensive process, with elec-tricity production in the U.s. accounting for more than 40 percent of all daily freshwater withdrawals. solar systems do not require any water to gener-ate electricity.

• Multiple Options. If the shape or direction of your home makes traditional solar panel mounting impossible, you can install a solar array on the ground or a pole.

There are a couple of different types of solar

systems and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your

home or business.

HOW TO GUIDE 2013