Why Should I Go Solar in the Spring?

4.3 kW system in Flagstaff Arizona featuring QCell and Enphase inverters.

#1: Beat the Summer Rush! Some homeowners put their solar pursuits on hold during the winter months because thinking about solar energy during the coldest, wettest, and cloudiest time of year isn’t the easiest thing. As a result, they don’t start thinking about solar again until longer days return. Every year we see a solar … Read more

Worried About Power Outages? How Solar + Battery Storage Can Help!

11.8 kW solar system in Flagstaff, Arizona

Utility and power outages are becoming more and more frequent. Losing power can be unnerving, whether in the middle of a winter storm or in the middle of a heat wave. Solar and battery storage can offer you security and uninterrupted power. When an outage happens, your home can seamlessly connect to a solar battery … Read more

How does solar (and battery storage!) work for you? Your options and typical solar energy use cases explained.

24 hours of energy production with solar plus storage

There are a few main schemes for how homeowners produce and consume energy. Solar plus energy storage is the ultimate way to control your power and solar without storage is also a great solution. See how these compare to the traditional method of powering your home with the grid in order to further understand how … Read more

How Much Value Does Solar Add to the Home?

10.4 kW system installed in Flagstaff featuring QCell 400 W modules.

Rooftop Solar makes a lot of sense for homeowners financially and not only as a standalone investment. It also adds great value to the home according to several independent estimates. This is because a buyer of a house with solar will be instantly offsetting their electricity bills, and more and more, homeowners are wanting to … Read more

The Zieglers’ Sustainable Solar Home

Rooftop Solar sign in front of Ziegler solar install.

 

The Zieglers of Flagstaff, AZ were excited to design a new home in 2016, and they knew they wanted to make it as sustainable as possible. The project included plans to go solar among other upgrades for the home, and they needed a company that would work to create the right system for them. With a lot of work, they achieved their goals and their home was awarded the Silver Award from the Coconino County Sustainable Building Program (CCSBP).

Read on to find out more about how Zieglers and Rooftop Solar designed the right solar solution for their unique home, and learn how the other features of their home work together to maximize environmental performance.

The Zieglers’ main motivation for going solar was to do their part to combat climate change and save money in the long run. They met with a Rooftop Solar specialist and discussed their options for manufacturers of equipment. The system they settled on is just 4.13 kilowatts in size and is comprised of 14 Canadian Solar brand panels and 14 Enphase microinverters. The Enphase microinverters allow them to maximize their efficiency as they convert usable household energy from each individual panel, preventing interruptions. Canadian solar panels are the right fit for this system, and now reliably generate energy for their home.

The system offsets all of the Zieglers’ summer electrical needs and about half of their winter needs. They pay less than $50 in the winter and pay only service fees for the rest of the year! Solar is a very important component but isn’t the only type of energy efficiency being harnessed by the Zieglers to combat climate change. The Silver Award from the CCSBP designates a higher level of environmental building performance, and the home is also SmartSiding FSI certified and CARB II compliant.

The home features spray foam insulation, reflective insulation installed under all of the floor coverings, a recycled crushed asphalt driveway, other material reuse, a hot water recirculation system, a 95% efficient gas furnace for heating, and laminate floors and cabinet finishes. The Zieglers reported that they were pleased with how easily the solar system was installed. Not only are they saving money, but they’re also doing their part to combat climate change!

Over the course of a year, the system offsets the carbon-dioxide equivalent of 7,603 miles driven by an average car or 3,389 pounds of coal burned. Over the course of the warrantied 30 years of the system, it will offset the carbon equivalent of what would be sequestered by 1519 trees.

Rooftop Solar did its part to provide options and considered how unique the Zieglers project was. It is always best to go with a local company that will take the time to provide a custom system, because every solar system is unique, and the value of your investment depends on it. Reach out today to meet with a specialist and learn more about how Rooftop Solar can provide the right system for you!

Federal Solar Tax Credit Extended for 10 Years

solar array in Sedona, AZ

Great news for solar homeowners! The federal solar tax credit has been extended for 10 years as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law last week. This is huge news as the solar tax credit is a massive part of the solar investment, and it has never been extended for this long. … Read more

Why You Should Pick a Local Solar Company

4.3 kW system in Flagstaff Arizona featuring QCell and Enphase inverters.

When choosing a solar installer, homeowners have several factors to consider. Price is one of the largest factors and must be considered with regard to how your solar investment works. Local companies frequently offer better investments that cost less over the life of the system because of several key factors. Important factors to consider when … Read more

Update to California’s Proposed Solar Buyback Decrease

Rooftop Solar system on roof

Update to an article originally published on June 23, 2021: Net Metering in San Diego is Under Attack SDG&E, PG&E, and SCE have submitted their proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission. It is important to note that their proposal is just one added to the case for consideration, but it is very important nonetheless. … Read more

Cleaning Solar Panels

Rooftop solar panels on roof in Flagstaff, Arizona

Solar panel cleaning is one of the first topics to come to mind when any current or future solar owners consider the upkeep and maintenance of the system. It is an important consideration since the efficiency and also payoff of the system depends on the panels’ surfaces ability to absorb photons. Thankfully, the required cleaning … Read more

Net Metering in San Diego is Under Attack

Rooftop solar panels on roof with palm trees and gold course in background.

NEM or Net Energy Metering is the system by which utility companies are required to pay people back for their solar. It has served as one of the most effective policies to help further the renewable energy market since 1995. It has long ensured homeowners are properly compensated for their contributions to the grid and … Read more

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