Welcome!

This section of the UCAN Web site is dedicated to showing you how to generate solar electricity from your rooftop with photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

If you want to avoid SDG&E’s sky-high energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ll show you how to shop for a system, decide if solar power is right for you; estimate your potential savings in advance, and how to select a qualified photovoltaic (PV) installer.

Getting Started.

First, read our Personal PV Buster (four pages in PDF format): It shows you the five basic steps to a bright energy-saving future with photovoltaics.

Next, join Michael on his PV Adventure and take a few minutes to watch these brief humorus videos showing Michael’s shopping odyssey and his adventures installing the system on his rooftop.

Video #1: Michael’s PV Odyssey.

Video #2 Installation.

Video #2: Installation.

SDG&E's New SES Rate? Is it worth it?

In a word, probably not. Click here to learn more about this potential choice.

Get bids

Now that you have a rough idea of how much PV capacity you need, call some installers (here is the list) and ask for a Site Visit and a quote.

We strongly recommend that you run a free license check on the installer to make sure the company has a C46 Solar Contractor’s License, and is qualified to do the work.

If they are not properly licensed, just walk away. We also urge you to see if they have a history of complaints with the Better Business Bureau. In our experience, if a contractor has numerous complaints with the BBB, it is likely you will have problems with them, too.

When you meet with the installer, ask them to complete Page 2, of our PV Buster Worksheet.

If they are a real Solar Contractor, they will understand the terms used and should be able to complete the form quickly (Don't be intimidated, the terms are explained on Page 1, and further explained in our in-depth Solar Basics section). An important part of this process, which can significantly reduce your costs, is calculating your hefty REBATE from the State of California using the California Solar Initiative Calculator.

Be aware that many installers prefer to do commercial work, so don’t be offended if some installers don’t seem very enthusiastic.

When Michael Shames solicited bids for PV panels on his roof, he contacted five installers. (click on the company name to see their bids)

• Borrego

• Carlson
  

• Clean-Tech
  

• Home Energy
  

• Stellar

Select an Installer

Did you run the free license check ? If not, now is a good time. Assuming your vendor passes muster, the next step is to give the vendor a down payment. Under California Law, the vendor can not accept more than $1,000 down payment from you until the work is completed.

Learn More

• Michael Shames' PV Adventure

• Solar Basics

• Solar Resources & Tools

Ask each potential the installer to complete this form. It has all the information you need to make an "Apples to Apples" comparison of costs and performance between different vendors.

Download this blank comparison worksheet when you are requesting bids.

This completed form gives you the real-life quotes received by Michael

Solar credits get no help from addict-in-chiefs latest energy plan

The Senate Republicans have managed to defeat the renewal of the critical solar energy credits six times now.
President Bush's latest scheme to get Saudi Arabia to pump more oil
toward an addicted nation has been put into motion and Thomas L.
Friedman of the New York Times doesn't mince words when he tells us in his column Sunday that it is hard for him:

"to find the words to express what a
massive, fraudulent, pathetic excuse for an energy policy this is. But
it gets better. The president actually had the gall to set a deadline
for this drug deal."

That deadline is Independence day. A day that many Americans watch
parades and set fireworks off in the darken hours celebrating freedom
from oppression.

Click here to read Friedman's column.

Click here to read Monday's Washington Post's article headlined. "White House welcomes Saudi oil output pledge."

Solar credits remain in purgatory thanks to Senate

June 20, 2008 - Earlier this week the president of SEIA (The Solar Energy Industries
Association) Rhone Resch released a statement about his disappointment
"that the Senate has once again failed to reach a bipartisan consensus
that would allow this important legislation to move forward." More. He is speaking about the Energy Independence & Tax Relief Act, H.R. 6049.

Monday, a New York Times editorial had urged the Senate "to begin to redeem itself, by approving a bill to extend vital tax credits for renewable fuel sources like wind
and solar power." More.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the Senate blocked debate of the bill leaving the fate of the credits uncertain. More.

On Wednesday, Politico.com explained the whole thing to us in an article that shed some light on the hostility and partisan bickering. More.

The San Fransciso Chronicle brings the discussion home to California where the potential loss of revenue is great:

William Morin, director of government affairs for Santa
Clara-based Applied Materials said that without a steady policy of tax
incentives most manufacturing will continue to go overseas. More.

Click here to see the voting record for the Senate for H.R. 6049.

June 17, 2008 - In six months the investment tax credits,
meant to stimulate investment in solar energy, and the production tax
credit, meant to encourage investment in wind energy, are set to expire
unless congress makes them a priority and renews them.

So far the quarreling in Congress hasn't abated.

If you haven't had an opportunity to read Thomas Friedman's op-ed piece that ran in The New York Times in late April addressing this issue here is a link.

Also, and more importantly, here are links to the Senate and to the House of Representatives. Let them know where you stand on solar incentive programs.