This year Sonoma County residents will be paying an average of 26cents per kW. This year PGE has petitioned the CPUC for a 7.7% rate increase.

Much can be learned from taking a look at the second page of your PGE bill, the one with all the line items including Transmission and Distribution. There are line items that can add up to about half of your electricity bill. The transmission and distribution of your electricity is what makes it so expensive. When you have solar panels there is no transmission of distribution because you’re using the power you generate on your roof.

Most houses qualify for solar panels. Some do not. In some cases there is too much shade or the roof is north facing or is not angled correctly.

The homeowner must also have reasonable credit if they are getting a Power Purchase Agreement or a Lease.

Also the roof must be in good shape and have the structural integrity to support the extra weight; this is becoming less of an issue as the panels have gotten so much lighted in recent years.

Step 1:

Consultation.  With our current situation I do all presentations over the phone or over zoom (all you need is a web browser).  We’ll talk about the option that would best suit your situation, e.g. do you plan to get an electric car; are you planning to move house in the next 5 or 10 years etc.

Step 2: Design

With some initial information gathered during consultation our engineers set to work using satellite imagery of your home and roof to design a custom solar system that meets your electricity needs;  We work together to determine the best positioning of the panels.

Step 3: Site survey

After agreeing to a design we will perform a site survey; this is where we have one of our solar professionals come to you home to inspect the roof and the outside electrical services;

Step 3: Permitting

We take care of all the permitting with the city and the county; Depending on the city/county you might have to sign a document or two.  As this part is out of our hands this process can take a number of weeks. Not all Planning Department are as fast as Petaluma’s.

Step 4: Installation

Once permitted the installation can move forward. This part can be done without our installers even entering your home – it’s all on the roof; In fact you don’t even have to be home for the entire install.  The installation will be completed within 4 to 8 hours. Some time after installation, the city/county will send an inspector to verify and approve the installation.

Step 5:

Once approved by the city it’s now time to wait for PGE to process the paperwork and issue a PTO document (Permission to Turn On). This can take a number of weeks; again this is out of our control.

You will be notified when you may turn on your solar. It’s about as as simple as flipping a switch. And then you are on SOLAR!!! Congratulations You’ve done the right thing for the planet and your pocketbook!