SPG Solar, Inc. (SPG)

1) Why Should I Invest in a Solar PV System Now?

Eliminate your net electric bill, use current incentives SPG’s high-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) systems combined with state rebates, federal tax credits, depreciation and California’s Net Energy Metering program, create very favorable financial incentives for installing a solar system now.
Declare energy independence Invest in a solar PV system and generate your own electricity from sunlight — a clean, silent, renewable energy source with no emissions.
Enjoy long-term solar life expectancy With PV panels’ 25-year warranty and 40+ year lifespan, your solar system will last for years to come, sheltering you from rising electricity rates.
Add value to any property Solar systems are exempt from property taxes, but the value of a solar system is added to the appraised value of a property. It’s one of the few home improvements that can be justified in terms of return on invested dollar.

2) How Does a Solar PV System Work?

PV solar systems consist of modular panels made of silicon, which react directly to sunlight by generating electric current. An inverter changes the DC (direct current) generated by the panels into AC (alternating current), supplying power for lights and electrical appliances.

3) What Size System Do I Need?

SPG tailors PV systems to the unique energy needs of each customer. A detailed site and energy needs analysis is necessary to determine appropriate system size. SPG provides these services at no cost.

4) Do I Need a Battery Backup?

No. SPG’s solar PV systems connect to the local utility grid. No batteries are necessary. On sunny days, the solar system sends surplus energy to the grid for credit on your utility bill. The utility provides the power at night and on rainy days, and you tap into the credit your solar system earned on sunny days.

5) How Much Does a PV System Cost?

System cost depends on size, materials and labor. Most SPG systems pay for themselves within 5 to 10 years. To roughly estimate your investment, take your annual electric bill and multiply it 5-10 times (representing years). That will provide you with a rough estimate of your investment in solar based on payback periods.

Keep in mind that each PV system is sized to the unique annual energy needs of each customer. Systems aren’t sized for square footage, but designed to replace the total amount of electricity you use annually. Site specific elements, differing electric rate schedules, and financial incentives that you may or may not qualify for all affect your total system investment. Please contact an SPG Energy Consultant for a free energy use and site analysis, and a detailed explanation of system costs.

6) Are There Rebates or Financial Incentives?

The Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems is 30% of the system’s net cost (capped at $2,000 for residential systems)
The Internal Revenue Code has a 5-Year Accelerated Depreciation Schedule for commercial solar systems
The California Energy Commission/Public Utilities Commission rebate for solar systems is $2.80 per watt ($2,800/kW)
Solar systems are exempt from California property taxes, but the value of a solar system adds to the appraised value of a property

7) Is Financing Available?

Yes. Please discuss financing options with one of SPG’s Energy Consultants.

8) How Much Will I Save on My Electric Bill?

Optimally, your SPG solar system will be designed to eliminate your electric bill. However, restrictions on space, budget or sunlight exposure may affect the size of the system that can be installed.

9) Does My House Have to Face South?

No. South-facing systems are ideal, but southeast or south-southwest can be used with minimal loss of production.

10) Is a PV System Modular—Can I Add to it if I Add on to My Home?

Yes. Additional modules can be added to your system up
to the load limit of your inverter, and inverters can be added to expand the system.

11) How Do I Sell Electricity Back to the Utility Company?

Solar PV systems are tied to the utility grid through inverters. Inverters track kilowatt-hour (kWh) production every day. When a solar system produces more electricity than is used, the inverter sends the surplus energy to the grid, the electric meter spins backwards and the utility credits the owner for the surplus energy at the same retail rate that it charges for electricity during that period. If you’re on an optional Time-of-Use net energy metering schedule, the utility credits your account during peak rate periods at several times off-peak rates. This helps to reduce the size of your solar installation, and can zero out your electric bill over the course of each year.

12) What Does a Solar PV System Look Like?

SPG designs and mounts PV panels to minimize visual impact and maximize aesthetic appeal. Flat roof-mounted systems are most common, but sometimes systems are installed on open ground away from a building. SPG clients approve system design before installation. See our Project Portfolio.

13) What Kind of Permits Do I Need?
SPG builds turnkey systems. We obtain all necessary building and electrical permits for each system.

14) Does a Solar PV System Have to Meet Local Building Code?

Yes. Your PV system must be inspected and meet local building and national electrical codes. Fortunately, SPG is a licensed and bonded California General B, Electrical C-10, and Solar C-46 contractor, with more solar installation experience than any other company.

15) What is the Process?

First, SPG inspects your site, building or home. We evaluate a year’s worth of electric bills to create a profile of annual energy needs. Next we design a system tailored for your site, and present the design in a proposal. After you approve the design, sign the contract and make a deposit, SPG orders the materials for your system and starts the required paperwork for local building permits and state rebates.

16) How Long Does It Take to Install?

Installation time depends on the size of the system. Average residential systems rarely take more than one week to complete.

17) How Do I Maintain My Solar PV System?

Solar PV systems are designed and installed to be low-maintenance and repair-free. They are solid state technology and have no moving parts. Panels benefit from being hosed off twice a year, especially after long periods without rain.

18) How Do I know if My System is Working?

Your system is working if the green inverter light is on. SPG also asks you to send consecutive electric bills every six months, so that we can analyze usage and actual system production. Our dedicated Customer Care specialists are available to address any concerns long after system installation.

19) What Do I Do if Something Breaks?

Call SPG’s Customer Care Department. SPG warranties each system it installs for five years, and will perform any replacements or repairs within that time.

20) What if My Roof Needs Repair After the Solar Panels are Installed?

A roof inspection (and any necessary repair) is recommended prior to a PV installation. If roof replacement is needed after installation, SPG can temporarily disconnect, remove, and then reinstall the solar panels for an hourly fee.

21) Can I Install a Solar PV System Myself?

Possibly...if you have electrical systems experience, a contractor’s license, love to carry heavy loads around rooftops and have a high tolerance for the government permit process. You will also get a 15% lower state rebate. As with any specialized job, there are good reasons to have expert solar installation, and SPG does the job quickly and economically.

22) How Much Experience Does SPG Solar Have?

SPG has more solar installation experience than any other company. We have installed solar on over 500 homes and businesses in California, and have built some of the largest solar installations in the state. All of SPG’s electricians, installers and technicians are trained specialists. SPG’s key designers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). And Dan Thompson, SPG’s founder, President and CEO, has over 25 years’ experience in the industry.

23) Can SPG Get Solar Panels?

Yes. SPG maintains strong relationships with major panel manufacturers and suppliers, and will be able to get panels to build projects within appropriate construction timelines.