In sunny California, fire season arrives predictably like clockwork, usually beginning in April, and ending with the first rainfall, typically in October. As we near the time of year where temperatures climb and rain becomes increasingly scarce. Our hot, dry climate provides the perfect environment for wildfires to flourish. For newcomers and seasoned residents alike, this may be overwhelming, but don’t worry, at California Solar, we're dedicated to providing you with the knowledge and resources you need. We'll help you prepare effectively and provide you with resources to ease the stress of ..read more

In the ultimate quest for clean, renewable, and sustainable energy sources, solar panels have risen as the leading contender. Solar panels play a pivotal role in harnessing the sun's abundant energy source and converting it into the electricity that we use every day. But have you ever wondered; how do solar panels work?  Let’s jump in!  First a bit of history The discovery of the photovoltaic effect, which explains how electrical currents are generated when certain materials are exposed to light, was actually discovered in 1839 by French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel. However ..read more

As winter descends upon California, the anticipation of cooler temperatures and the possibility of winter storms bring to mind the importance of being prepared for power outages. While California is often associated with sunshine and mild winters, the state is not immune to extreme weather events that can disrupt the power supply. In recent years, Californians have experienced an increase in power outages, knowing this and coupling it with the information reported in PG & E’s 2022 Electricity Reliability Report stating a “66% increase in the amount of time customers experience outages si ..read more

Author: Laura Petersen Thanks to Nevada County voters, California Solar Electric Company has been named the “Best Place to Work” and “Best Solar Company” as part of The Union’s annual reader contest, Best of Nevada County 2020.  Locally owned and operated in Grass Valley, the worker cooperative has over two decades of experience in the solar industry.  California Solar’s commitment to building a more resilient Nevada County is three-fold. The company creates pathways to meaningful, good paying and rewarding careers for the people who live in this community, thus building a more sust ..read more

In a surprise move, the COVID-19 stimulus bill that was signed into law on December 27th includes extensions for renewable energy projects, including solar! What does this mean? The ITC (investment tax credit) program has been extended by two years. Solar projects beginning in 2020, 2021 or 2022 are eligible for the 26% tax credit. If your project begins in 2023, you will still be eligible for the 22% tax credit. After that, the tax credit is reduced to 0% for residential systems and 10% on commercial systems in perpetuity. So if you had thought you’d only be receiving a 22% tax credit for you ..read more

With the wildfire season in full swing, California is becoming known for its power outages and rolling blackouts, especially as PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) becomes a new reality. Although PG&E’s preemptive blackouts are due to electrical system updates and are more likely to occur in high-risk fire areas, inconvenient power outages can also be caused by a variety of other reasons, such as earthquakes, heat waves, high winds and winter storms. Not only can outages cause communities to lose access to modern conveniences like wireless internet and air conditioning ..read more

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events can prevent wildfires but can create life-threatening situations for older adults and people with disabilities, due to lack of backup power sources for life-sustaining medical devices and assistive technology for independent living. FREED and California Solar Electric Company are now banding together to ensure Nevada County older adults and people with disabilities are prepared for planned power outages by delivering Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Lithium Power Stations and educational resources to those in need. Together, along with ..read more

California has the highest residential solar adoption rate in the country, and for good reason. California suffers from high electricity costs and has a great climate for solar. The topic of this blog should be “how much does it cost to NOT go solar?”. However, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "How much do California Solar Panels cost?" The answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple figure, as it depends on many factors. Understanding these factors can help you make an informed decision.  Great. But I still hear you asking the question “How much does solar cost for my home ..read more

Here are two little words which will make an incredible difference to the amount of money you save with solar power... Load shifting. It’s a surprisingly simple concept that, for some reason, is so under-discussed by solar energy companies. Load shifting refers to re-adjusting your energy usage so that you consume more electricity when it costs the least. So, why load shift? When you have solar but no battery, all the electricity you use when the sun goes down is actually being derived from the grid. Even if you’re being credited for the excess solar power you produce during the day, buying i ..read more

Solar Tax Credit Solar energy keeps getting more affordable. Since solar costs are falling fast unlike finite fossil fuels, it makes sense why the state of California now requires all new single family and multifamily homes under three stories to include solar energy. Despite the environmental benefits, the new mandate has influenced Californians to grow a collective interest in switching to solar. EnergySage Solar Marketplace discovered a shopper can save nearly $9,000 on the cost of going solar as a result of the current ITC. Therefore, the rise of solar has influenced others to al ..read more