9/15/2009California Moves To 33% Renewable Energy By 2020

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., has joined members of Independent Energy Producers (IEP), a trade association representing developers and operators of independent energy facilities and independent power marketers, at the signing of an executive order establishing the most aggressive renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in the U.S. The standard will require that 33% of California's energy be derived from renewable sources by 2020.

For more information, check out the latest at Solar Industry magazine online: http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.3967

7/1/2009Governor Schwarzenegger Praises Success of California Solar Initiative

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its Annual Program Assessment of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) showing the continued success of the state's program to encourage residents to install solar panels on their homes and businesses:

"The results of today's report demonstrate what I pictured for this program five years ago. My vision of powering California homes and businesses with the sun is creating green jobs, lowering energy costs for thousands of Californians and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the federal government turns its attention to the dangers of global warming and the economic benefits of green technology, the California Solar Initiative is proving to be a great model for the nation to follow."

The report shows that the annual rate for new installed capacity in California nearly doubled in 2008 over 2007, and installations to date in 2009 indicate that at least the same amount of installations will likely occur this year. The CSI program has now installed 13 percent of the total program goal, and has another eight percent of pending installation. Furthermore, demand for the program has grown rapidly with over 22,000 solar applications which, including both pending and installed systems, will account for an estimated 373 MW of new solar capacity.

2/24/2009Federal Government Stimulus Package Gives Boost to Solar Customers

If you are considering a photovoltaic system for your home or business, it just got even more affordable. Along with the new 2009 tax incentives and rebates that make your system almost 50% paid for, the February 2009 stimulus package from the federal government makes it even better. For more information, go to:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

12/5/20082009 Is The Year for Solar: New Federal Tax Incentives

The economic "bailout" package had important legislation to make solar electricity even more affordable for homes and businesses. The combined tax credits and rebates can pay for over half of a system cost. Federal tax credits are expanding from a cap of $2,000 on residential systems to 30% of a system cost. Commercial tax credits have been extended along with residential credits for several years. Valley Solar designs each system individually to give you the fastest return on your investment, and your energy bills will be dramatically lowered.

For more information about the federal tax credits, go to: http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm and when you are ready for a system, contact Valley Solar for a free estimate or for answers to any questions you may have.

11/24/2008Need a Testimonial Before Making Your Decision?

If you are debating about whether or not to get solar electricity for your home or business, or if you are deciding between installers, take a look at the "Our Customers" section of the website. Our customers say it better than we do -- and are happy to tell their stories. Thanks to our customers, and thanks to all of you for considering a cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly solution installed by Valley Solar to reduce your utility bills.

Read what they have to say at the "Our Customers" tab at the top of this page.

9/29/2008Do-It-Yourselfers Can Install with Valley Solar's Guidance

Some do-it-yourselfers would rather create their own photovoltaic system, and Valley Solar has worked with many customers to do this successfully.

Valley Solar's design and installation team has helped to install solar electric systems for many customers who wish to do part of it themselves. Providing assistance in any step of the way, from helping design the right system to helping get the best cost for solar panels, Valley Solar works with homeowners to help them install their own systems.

One recent customer, Jeff Parkhurst, said, "Looking back, I could not have completed this task without Valley Solar's help. There was a lot more complexity in the wiring and the mounting structure than I was aware. The final building went very quickly and I am now the proud owner of a safe, functional PV solar system and lower PG&E bills. I would strongly recommend Valley Solar to anyone considering a PV system for their home."

9/25/2008Affordable Housing Gets Solar Electricity

Valley Solar was selected to design and install a system at the Colonia San Martin affordable housing project in Sacramento.

The system will generate 20,500 kW of power each year, and is expected to offset the electricity costs that are usually paid for by Mercy Housing.

7/28/2008Valley Solar Begins Installation at Tracy DMV

The Department of Motor Vehicles in Tracy will be getting a new way to power its equipment and offices: solar electricity. The developer selected Valley Solar to do the design and installation of the system. Work has begun on the system which will be online soon.

The system is expected to generate approximately 19,000 kW of power each year, and is using BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) Unisolar panels. The project is slated to achieve LEED Gold certification.

5/12/2008Valley Solar Installs at 9 on F

Valley Solar has installed solar electrcity at the only LEED-certified housing project in Sacramento, 9onF. The installation was part of the larger project, which has received widespread attention for its pioneering vision.

More about the solar electric system installed by Valley Solar:

THE SOLAR PANELS
The ability to transform the sun into maximum power starts with good solar panels. The panels at 9 on F are Sanyo HIP 195 watt, made with HIT (Heterojunction with Intrisic Thin layer) solar cells. These single crytalline silicon hybrids are surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. What does that mean? Sanyo panels are among the most efficient panels in the industry that outperform normal silicon-based panels in Sacramento?s often-blistering heat.

THE INVERTER
The inverter is the heart of a solar electric system, taking the maximum available power from the solar panels and converting it as efficiently as possible to power a home or building. The inverters chosen for 9 on F are Oregon-manufactured PV Powered 2500 watt inverters, a top product for California, since this inverter can handle higher temperatures than others. Within this inverter?s alumminum case are the smallest part counts in the California market, an important aspect given the fact that it still gets top scores for efficiency.

THE INSTALLATION
One of the key elements of a solar electric system is the quality of its design and installation. A quality solar installation means never worrying about whether power is being generated. It means decades of power from the sun. Valley Solar?s installation at 9 on F is consistent with the work it does for every customer: custom-designed, created to give the most efficient power, installed to last. The 1.56 kilowatt system at 9 on F, over the next twenty-five years, is equivalent to planting nearly one acre of trees and offsetting more than 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.