Photovoltaic Solar Power Explained

Photovoltaic energy, in it's simplest sense, is electricity that is generated solely from sunlight. Photons zip away from the sun at 186,000 miles per second and reach the semiconductors in your photovoltaic solar panels in Manhattan Beach in about 8 seconds! The semiconductors, or solar cells, in these panels are mostly made up of crystalline silicon-hence their blue color.

These solar cells then transfer this pv solar power through a wire and into a circuit. The circuit then uses that energy to power the appliances in your home or office, in the same way one from the city power grid would.

A typical panel that utilizes solar for you home, generates anywhere from 15%-25% efficiency, depending on the lay out of the semiconductors and the amount of sunlight hitting it. This may not seem like a high percentage, but the number is pretty big when considering that our sun bestows a whopping 12.2 trillion watt-hours per square mile per year! That's A LOT of renewable energy!!

Problems the Solar Industry Faces

Let's face it. Now is a great time to be part of the booming solar and renewable energy systems industry. The world wide market is beginning to shift some of it's resources and infrastructure into the design and manufacturing of photovoltaic solar panels, and acceptance and awareness is increasing daily. Still, solar energy only accounts for about 1% of the total energy currently being produced.

Clearly, solar power companies still have many problems to face.

One such problem with solar power for commercial use is efficiency. While energy from the sun that is converted to electricity is abundant, our current silicon based panels can only convert and use around 20% of it. When you look at the construction cost of the panels, it would be much more preferable to get this percentage up to at least the 50% range. The good news is that some solar manufacturers are looking at different materials other than silicon with which to construct their panels, and preliminary tests show upwards of 41% in efficiency! That's a definite step in the right direction.

Another issue to be conquered involves storing excess solar generated electricity. Although pv solar power is still generated by panels during cloudy days and rainstorms, it is at a significantly lower output. For that reason, solar manufactures need to create more efficient storage systems for use when Sun conditions are not at their most ideal. There are many partial solutions already in place, but they fall short when faced with the amount of energy scaled up to power-grid proportions.

Lastly, as with all businesses, the biggest problem lies in attracting customers. Green energy systems have been sucked into political debates and as a result are strongly marketed against by conservative proponents of natural gas, oil and coal based corporations. Increasing awareness of environmental issues like global warming have almost become taboo to this generation's right wingers and tea partiers. As a world wide community, we need to do a better job of espousing the correct environmental viewpoint. This will result in more and more purchases of solar installations.

All About Solar Installations In Los Angeles

The wide use of electricity in the world today has made many people ignore the need to have solar systems in their homes and business premises. Nevertheless, this is highly determined by the reliability of the electricity in different areas. There are several reasons why a solar is necessary and for this reason it is important to get a good solar installations Los Angeles service provider to work for you. This article gives some guidelines on how to get a good company for these services.

To begin your search, go through your contacts and make calls to potential people who might know where you can find specialists to do the job for you. You may also compound the search by going online. Find credible companies and compare quotes. Basing on their records of accomplishments, choose the one you feel will pull up the task.

Check for certification of the company you are about to hire. Inquire the type of certification the company has and that of its employees as well. You will realize that the certified companies act in accordance with the laws of Los Angeles and are recognized by the state.

It is also important to note that, the company you opt for must have insurance coverage. This form of energy like any other poses many dangers to the users. The installation company must assure you that there is a danger insurance cover should such risks be incurred.

Upon finding a handful of firms that posses the above requirements, you can schedule appointments with each. This will give you a chance to specify the kind of equipment you want them to use and receive clarifications on things you might not understand.

Finally you should swing swiftly into action to book earlier the services of a commercial solar installation company that you have chosen . It is important since they are busy and avoiding the risk of overlapping duties on their part as well as yours is crucial.

Taking up a ‘green’ lifestyle is very popular and there are many methods to lessen ecological damage these days, especially regarding energy waste and emissions. One of the best ways of doing so is by utilizing solar panels for your house or business, and with the proper system in place you can even earn money from the extra electricity you create. Contact XeroSolar for more information on solar energy, South Bay, California area included.

American Martyrs Catholic Church Science Center Due for Solar Install!

The American Martyrs Catholic Church has been an unmistakable landmark in Manhattan Beach since it was built in the 1950's. The building has continued to grow over the years as the congregation expanded. They've adde a parish center and conference rooms, additional school classrooms, a pre-school, a Gymnasium, and a new parking structure. The latest endeavor is a state of the art Science Center that will be powered entirely by a renewable energy system.

The amazing Monsignor John Barry, who is overseeing the planning of the project, made the decision to use Manhattan Beach's own Xero Solar to provide the commercial solar installation. Xero is a local leader in solar energy, offering some of the most competitive models and pricing in the South Bay.

For the project, they decided on a system that would produce a whooping 4.84 kwz of pv solar power for the Center. Xero opted for a setup involving SunPower 240 watt panels, in order to maximise Monsignor Barry's production due to the limited amount of roof space available on the new structure.

CAPSO Convention

Last week on Nov. 21st and 22nd, we here at Xero Solar attended the CAPSO Convention in Long Beach California and it was a HUGE success!

We talked about the different ways in which schools and not-for-profit organizations can make a move towards green and renewable energy and save the environment while reducing their costs.

We wanted to thank everyone that was in attendance and participated in our talks! We really appreciate it.

If you missed the talks, you can contact us for more info at:

Xero Solar
1112 Ocean Drive Suite 202
Manhattan Beach
90266
Direct: (310) 798 4828
Mobile: (310) 600 3820
www.xerosolar.com

Xero Solar Installer Passes NABCEP Lead Installer Certification

XeroSolar today announced that Ben Lochtenberg successfully passed the NABCEP Lead Installer Certification, the highest National certification for integrators and installers in America.

The NABCEP PV installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners. It is not intended to prevent qualified individuals from installing PV systems nor to replace state licensure requirements.

The NABCEP PV Installer certification has been developed in accordance with the certification field’s best practices. NABCEP is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) and has endeavored to follow the requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17024: General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems of Persons.

Xero Solar and SunPower: a match made in heaven!

Xero Solar, a Manhattan Beach based photovoltaic solar installer, has recently announced a new partnership with the solar manufacturing/distributing powerhouse SunPower.

This bodes well for any business looking for a commercial solar installation in the South Bay or Los Angeles because, unlike many manufactures in the stuggling solar market, SunPower is rapidly dropping prices and increasing it's spot in global competition.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley for more than a quarter century, SunPower is ranked number one in the nation in both commercial solar manufacturing and solar for private home usage. This leads many investors to believe that the company will be cash flow positive again in 2012 as their stocks continue to outshine the rest of the sector. (Company shares jumped around 7% in 2011)

By partnering with SunPower, Xero solar hopes to pass it's savings on to consumers throughout Southern California. In fact, in reaction to the partnership, they've already instituted an amazing loan program in which some customers will qualify to pay no down payment on their SunPower solar panels or installation. This translates to a virtually "free" solar system as often the monthly payments for solar energy in South Bay are less than the energy savings so customers can go green with absolutely no costs out of pocket!

XeroSolar Named a SunPower Authorized Dealer

XeroSolar today announced that it has been selected as a SunPower Authorized Dealer by SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and renewable energy solar systems.

Dealers selected to participate in the SunPower Dealer program have agreed to provide customers with superior levels of service and a comprehensive customer assurance program, including fast turnaround on customer inquiries, warranty and customer satisfaction tracking and participation in a post-installation site inspection program. Dealers in the program have also completed regular training in the specifications and installation of SunPower products.

Andrew Cobb, Managing Director of XeroSolar commented:

“After completing our internal due diligence of the various solar leasing products on the market, we concluded that the SunPower Residential Lease offered the best value for our clients. Together with their high efficiency panels and strong brand we believe it will be a great fit for XeroSolar and its sales force.”

XeroSolar is currently working on a number of non-profit and school projects where they hope to install SunPower solar panels in the L.A. area.

“SunPower Authorized Dealers are selected for their commitment to providing customers with outstanding service in delivering the most efficient and reliable solar technology available today,” said SunPower President Jim Pape. “We are very pleased to welcome XeroSolar as a member of our network. Together, SunPower and SunPower Dealers are raising the bar in the solar industry with unparalleled, high-quality products and services.”

The program is a first-of-its kind nationwide initiative supporting a network of PV solar power system dealers that sell, install and service SunPower products. SunPower is currently affiliated with more than 1,500 dealers worldwide.

About XeroSolar
XeroSolar utilizes a unique team concept, drawing from backgrounds in fields of renewable energy and environmentally responsible technology. We possess years of hands-on installation experience, upstream solar cell manufacturing research, and financial expertise. Over the last several years, we have visited PV manufacturing sites around the world. With C10 licensed individuals and experience in the financial markets on Wall Street, XeroSolar has the breadth of expertise and experience to enable us to offer a unique analysis of each project from every possible angle. This helps our customers find the best solutions for their energy needs.
XeroSolar attentively covers all aspects of your project from site assessment, engineering, design and installation, panel and equipment purchasing to financing and completion of all of the interconnection agreements. Our use of multiple resources incorporated into a unified system, enables XeroSolar to lower your costs and maximizes your returns

Why Solar Energy is Gaining Ground On Other Utilities

A few years ago, only a few individuals who were interested in environmental issues would be looking into solar technology. These days, however, the environment is now a political hot potato and photovoltaic solar energy is becoming a topic of interest to a large percentage of the population.

Add to that the fact that solar energy economics have changed drastically, and that it's now feasible for the majority of citizens across the country to get solar for their homes, and it's easy to see why this green technology is taking off in popularity!

Many U.S. states are introducing renewable and alternative energy programs to comply with federal regulations and legislature like this is greatly contributing to our sustainable environment- which also adds to it's benefits.

Businesses are also taking note of the fact that, if they get a commercial solar installation, they will not only will you be doing your “bit” to help the environment, they will also be saving their business's bottom line.

Look out consumers, here comes increased electric prices

In an already struggling economy, it seems that it's about to get worse for american consumers.

All over the country electric utility companies are trying to pass legislature that will increase the monthly bills of millions of their customers. The companies site "aging infrastructures" and "tougher environmental regulations" as the main reasons for the price hike, but we believe this may be only half true.

In truth, the majority of electric power grids across the country are in fine shape - for our current power needs. With the increase of home electronics and power guzzling gadgets Americans are constantly straining the infrastructures that have been in place since the early part of last century. These power grids, are obviously not renewable, like PV solar energy, and therefore have a finite amount of energy to be drawn from.

Another key issue here is cost of implementing environmental regulations for these filthy energy sources. The majority of our electrical power in the United States derives from coal, one of the dirtiest (not to mention non-renewable) fossil fuels on the planet. As citizens become more and more aware of their wasteful energy use and the negative impact it's having on our global environment, they are making a conscious effort to vote in politicians that vote for "green legislature". This legislature challenges the anti-environmental practices that the utility companies have in place and forces them to spend money on fixing these issues. But where do you think this money really comes from? Of course, your pocket.

In this day and age, with gas and electricity prices continuing to skyrocket, the best thing you can do for your wallet is to invest in solar for your home. It's clean, pays for itself, and it's renewable. Don't let the dirty utility companies continue to price gouge.

You can read more proof here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/05/americans-face-double-digit-hikes-in-electricity-bills-to-fund-upgrades.html

Trying to forecast California Utility annual increases and understanding the numbers!

As an integrator, XeroSolar has always taken a very conservative approach to forecasting utility increases for our commercial solar installation clients.

There are various data points on the Internet that say historically, California has seen around a 6% annual increase. Southern California Edison says the true number is 3% per year, on average. On the other hand, we have seen some installers using figures as high as 11%. That's a pretty broad range, but what exactly is the "true" number?

Clearly, if California saw 11% annual increase for 25 years, businesses would close their doors. (Although some would argue they already are). Even 6%, which is the average of all sources polled, is not sustainable as a forecast even for the biggest companies.

Having said that, a very interesting article caught my eye while reading the UK's Daily Telegraph (10/18/11). It stated that bills for electricity rose an average of 18.3% this year for the UK alone! Remember their annual inflation is 5.2%. That's a pretty staggering increase during an already struggling world economy.

What does all of this mean for California and the future of solar installations in Los Angeles compared to other utility options? It's clearly not good for traditional energy utility services. There model is perhaps, broken beyond repair. Obviously you cannot rule out one-off steep increases- that is, our utilities need to increase their rates to cover infrastructure repair and other costs. However, if you need to put 6-10% increase into your spread sheet to make the numbers work, maybe you are trying to fit a round peg into a square hole...

One thing is for certain though, while the price points of other energy sources continue to climb, solar energy in the South Bay only gets cheaper. Undoubtably, this trend will continue as solar panel manufacturers improve on the efficiency of their products.

While green energy systems are a relative newcomer in the utility field, they continue to grow as other energy providers, who have had decades longer to work out their business models, continue to struggle.

UK energy prices face sharp Increases!

UK Energy bosses warned today that regardless of Government intervention, energy prices face sharp increases for the entire world economy; meaning there's no better time than now for solar installations in Los Angeles.

California, like the U.K, seem to stuck between competing forces. High unemployment and a strong interest to increase clean energy usage. Competing forces... WHY?

While David Cameron will do everything possible to keep energy prices low, according to Mr Bentley, the “inconvenient truth” is that energy prices will continue to rise.

“In my opinion unit prices will only go one way unless someone discovers huge amounts of gas and imports it into the UK. The international price for gas, I am afraid, is going up,” he told the BBC.

Mr Huhne (Energy Secretary) also predicted that prices will rise.

“If you are asking me to predict what is going to happen to world fossil fuel prices then the Government’s prediction – and the prediction of virtually everybody else – is that indeed that in the medium run those prices are going to go up,” he said.

It is our opinion that California will see sharp increases in electric prices as base prices in commodities are on the rise, utility companies need cash for infrastructure up-grades and least of all SB 32. With this in mind, we can't think of any negatives for utilizing solar for your home. The ROI alone is an enormous factor to consider.

As coal and oil costs skyrocket, solar energy in the South Bay is the cheapest its been in years.

Look to hedge against increase and lock in today's prices...

Don't worry, solar power in Los Angeles is here to stay

There has been some negative press about the solar industry in the past few weeks as the Solyndra story lingers. Some have claimed that the solar space is a small and unstable industry.

Here are some facts:

Solar in America is, in fact, getting stronger. More than 100,000 Americans work in the solar industry, making, selling, and installing panels in order to utilize solar power for commercial use. This is actually double the number since 2009.

These people work at more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority being small businesses, and are located in every state in the union.

In the last year, solar grew by 69 percent, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy. Since the start of 2010, the price of photovoltaic solar panels in Manhattan Beach alone, dropped by 30 percent!

The U.S. was a net exporter of solar products in 2010 by $2 billion, even to China, and solar power in the U.S. now exceeds 3,100 megawatts, enough to power more than 630,000 American homes.

No rational person can look at these facts and dispute that commercial solar installation will be on a decline any time soon.

What we have to do, as consumers and solar distributers alike, is learn from the mistakes that Solyndra made in order to keep this industry thriving.

This is exactly what companies like Xero Solar in Los Angeles are striving to do.

LA DWP: What a great solar rebate program?

Judging by the speed at which the $20mn autumn 2011 commercial rebate was gobbled up, tells us just how successful the program was/is. Right?

Well, I suppose that depends on which side of the transaction you are on. It’s not just the pv solar power customer and installer involved. There is the leasing company, DWP, politicians and of course let’s not forget all the LA DWP rate payers. (Where do you think the rebate money ultimately comes from?)

Is handing out $100 bills for free and having a line of “customers” stretching around the block a successful business model? NO.

So, why then does it seem that no one is looking more closely at the level of the LA DWP rebate? I’m saying this even though we are a commercial solar installation integrator. I have seen commercial leasing deals offering to “kick back” half the rebate to the host customer! DUH WINNING!!!!!!

Surely the purpose of the program should be to maximize amount of photovoltaic solar panels for Manhattan Beach and surrounding cities, not how quickly they can spend the rebate? Solar does not have to “pencil out” for every roof top. Out of all the commercial deals we looked at, everyone would have work with half the rebate level.

Our mission at XeroSolar is to build a long term SUSTAINABLE business model which will cover California’s urban carbon foot print. So, my question is, “Is being honest going to be bad for business, or just good business practice?”

The Fate of Solar Power

Over the past few weeks I have been repeatedly asked about the fate of our Solar industry in light of the announced bankruptcy of the solar company - Solyndra. For those who haven’t heard – Solyndra was a promising start up in N. Cal that received a $535 million loan guarantee from the US Federal government through the Dept. of Energy. The assumption that this recent news could possibly reflect the instability of the Solar industry is misleading. The reality is that whatever reasons the company and government provide may actually be an attempt to shift focus from another possible root cause. One possible root cause is that Solyndra’s business model was flawed and the technological challenges insurmountable. Perhaps both the company and the DOE were aware of this and had high hopes that a big cash infusion and positive PR would be enough for the company and technology to somehow come up with a miraculous breakthrough. The real story has less to do with the solar industry than it does with the inability of our government to make wise, well informed decisions for its stakeholders. The solar industry is doing very well and especially in the US where it grew by 82% in 2010 and is on track to repeat that growth again this year.

XeroSolar is pleased to announce that we have been selected to provide a renewable energy solar system for the new Science Center Building at American Marty’s School in Manhattan Beach, CA. The new system will be integrated into the building’s roof and will provide all of the electrical needs required for the new addition and generate excess power that will help to offset some of the electrical loads for the existing school buildings. XeroSolar will design, engineer, procure, install and commission the system in time for the new building’s opening scheduled for early 2012.

About XeroSolar

Based in Southern California, XeroSolar is a leader in renewable energy solutions. As a unique solar PV system company, we deal with projects of all sizes, from residential to commercial. Our expertise in system design and financial analysis enables us to offer individualized solutions that meet our clients’ energy and financial requirements.

Producing your own renewable energy is an environmentally and fiscally rewarding alternative and at XeroSolar, we can provide you with an opportunity to take full advantage of solar PV system technology. Because XeroSolar approaches each project with an initial focus on quantifiable financial benefits, we give each client a personalized installation experience, ensuring that every project yields the highest energy output possible.