Tag Archives: California

What You Should Know About California Solar Installers

  By admin | January 19, 2012 - 12:38 am | Solar Panels Wikipedia Leave a comment

What You Should Know About California Solar Installers

Article by Razcaz Lompe









So I’m retired now, and that i have decided you’re ready to go solar. Exactly what does one thing have to do with another, well, If only I’d something more noble to express but really I just want to save cash on my small utility bill, I wish to increase the value of my home, and that i have plenty of time on my small hands now to actually get it take action. Fortunately in everyday life I have learned how to maintain a position in which I’m able to be a picky about what I want and usually have it (usually). With regards to installing solar panels I had no idea things i was getting myself into, so I had to buckle down and do your homework and pray that would find a solar company that could meet all of my demands. I wanted the very best technology placed on the house, I needed so that it is produced by an in-depth pocketed reputable company in the U.S.A, and I wanted a long term warranty.

Originally from New York, I relocated to Tucson about 12 years back to flee the cold temperature. People complain, we get a yearly average 300 plus sunny days here, but no matter how hot it gets, I would take each and everyone of them over one bone chilling Ny day. Not to mention that instead I sold a shoebox sized condo coupled with ample money to buy my 24,000 square foot 4 bedroom home is located in a basic suburban neighborhood. There are a lot of old people much like me living around here, I meet each week with a group of ladies at the neighborhood club house and play cards. Janet, one of the gals, has solar panels on her behalf house. She said her electricity bill for the entire year was .80. I wasn’t certain basically believed her, but she sparked my interest, and so i chose to do some research.

I used Google to find information online about solar manufactures within the U.S., Kyocera, BP Solar, Evergreen Solar, Sunwize, and Solar World are the companies that claim to be U.S. companies, although not all are really American, and most of them don’t manufacture their parts within the U.S. they place them here. Evergreen was the only real actual American owned company. They manufacture all their parts and the entire panel in the U.S. – but after making .5 million in the second quarter of 2010, they are setting up shop in China in order to make more profits. (I wonder what money they need to make in order to keep creating green jobs in the U.S. and stop giving jobs to people who are instructed to work in miserable conditions for peanuts).

The last company I called was Solar World. I spoken with a really bright and pleasant man named Pete DeNapoli for more than Half an hour. Pete has worked with solar world for more than Two-and-a-half decades and that he provided the complete history of Solar panel technology, an update on the current state of the solar economy, and that he told me more details about his product than I could ever remember in a single sitting. I actually do remember Solar World continues to be making solar panel technology in the U.S. for 33 many they grow all their materials and manufacture the entire solar power right here in the U.S.. Solar World boast about their 25 year linear warranty, Pete claims is the greatest in the market because they guarantee that the actual power of a new module cannot deviate in the specified rated power by more than 3% throughout the first year; and afterward, the ability won’t decrease by more than 0.7 percent from the rated power per year. So at year 10, capacity is certain to attend least 90% from the nameplate instead of the industry standard guarantee of 80% (I took notes during our talk). Based on a completely independent test conducted by the German company Photo International Module Test, Evergreen, Kyocera, BP Solar, and Solar World were compared for quality inside a multi-year energy output test, and Solar World won. Although I was leaning towards Solar World I still had one concern, every company I researched claimed to achieve the best technology, and I knew that certain of these needed to be much better than the other.

I made a decision to go to my trusty source for all things true and factual, Wikipedia to discover for good who the best solar clients are. “The market leader in solar panel efficiency (measured by energy conversion ratio) isSunPower aSan Jose (California) based company. Sunpower’s cells have a conversion ratio of 24.2%, well over the market average of 12-18%.” The only other solar power panels which are more efficient aren’t yet manufactured for residential use.

I was curious; why didn’t the 3rd party websites I’d reviewed for information about competing solar companies mention SunPower? Naturally I’d to research further. Arrived at find out, SunPower is dominating the solar panel technology world simply because they have a great technology and their design is patented, which keeps the other companies from having the ability to compete with them. Their panels are up to 50% more efficient. It made sense the solar industry would be put off by promoting SunPower because SunPower comes with an upper hand on all the other companies up to now. SunPower an united states owned solar manufacturer having a 25 year warranty, deep pockets, and superior technology still had one down side; it’s more costly than Solar World.

Oh how I like to save $ 1! I hate to harp on my small age, but saving a dollar is one of the last joys that I have left. However, the highest technology factor would be a real feature too because my daughter will inherit home and that i want to make sure that any addition I invest in will add long-lasting value. Now’s decision time for me personally. Both Solar World and SunPower offered me almost everything which i want, so I set up a conference with their installers. I will ask them to walk me through their procedures after which I will select a company to choose, because after all the study it sometimes just comes down to looking them within the eye and going together with your gut.



About the Author

For More Information About California Solar Company Or Even solar panels fresno, Please Leave a Comment: http://www.29solar.com











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Get A Solar Contractors License In California

  By admin | October 28, 2011 - 7:58 pm | Solar Contractor Leave a comment

Get A Solar Contractors License In California

Article by Fida Hossain









Solar energy has consistently grown 33% in the past thirty years within 1979-2010. It is projected to be over 40% for this decade. With an estimated 32 GW of solar power installed globally, 7.2 GW was installed last year alone, according to John Addison, publisher of the Clean Fleet Report.

Solar energy is becoming more marketable by the day, and now represents a large portion of new construction related jobs. If you are a contractor or interested in becoming a contractor, be a part of this rapidly growing industry by getting your solar contractors license.

The basic steps below highlight how people with solar training can get a solar contractor’s license in the state of California. It is important to understand that processes slightly differ from state to state. Thus, Licenses acquired in the State of California may not be recognized in another state.

Step 1 – Go to State License Board Website

Visit the California State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov.

Step 2 – Confirm License Classification

The classification for a Solar Contractors license is Class “C”, which is for specialty contractors. According to the California State License Board, there are 41 separate “C” license classifications for contractors whose construction work or primary contracting business requires specialized skills, building trades, or crafts. The exact “C” license for solar is C-46. C-46 is the license classification that should be applied for to obtain a solar contractors license.

Step 3 – Be Qualified

Make sure you qualify. The state of California requires journeyman level experience through apprenticeship training or college education, and an actual business entity. Without prior solar training and experience you will not be considered qualified.Applicants should have at least four years of experience in solar. Nonetheless, the California State License Board may grant up to three years of credit towards the four year requirement for completed education and/or apprenticeship programs in the solar specialty. Education can include a Bachelors degree, certificate, and credited solar courses. Thus, if you don’t have any prior experience in solar, you may begin by taking solar training.

Step 4 – Thoroughly Complete Application

Complete the appropriate application form and submit it along with a nonrefundable application fee. Application forms must be fully complete! Incomplete applications will be rejected. Wait four to six weeks for your application to be processed. Once processed you will be sent an examination date. In some cases it can take much longer than four to six weeks. Completing and accurately filling out all the requested information within the application form helps reduce the processing time. The application form can be printed at the California State License Board website.

Step 5 – Wait & Prepare

Generally, it takes approximately four to six weeks before your application is processed and a notice is sent to you to appear for examination. Use the waiting period to refresh your knowledge through study tools, or even attending related review courses and additional solar training.

Step 6 – Take the Test

Once approved you should receive your examination date and location. Testing locations are distributed within eight cities. These cities are: San Diego, San Bernardino, Buena Park, Inglewood, Ventura, Oakland, Sacramento and Fresno. You will be assigned to the nearest location of your business address.

If this is your first contractor license examination, you will have to take two exams. The first exam is the general law & business examination and the second will be the trade examination. In this case your trade will be solar. The examinations will each be given two hours and thirty minutes to complete, making it a total of five hours.

Failure to show up will result in a rescheduling fee. You are granted eighteen months after the approval of your application to achieve a passing grade. Within this time period, you can take the exam as many times as necessary until you pass.

Step 7 – Wait for Score

Wait to receive your score. If you failed you are provided with a breakdown of your percentage score for each section of the examination and can reschedule to take the examination again. If you passed, you are simply told you passed in the letter. A certificate and your license number will then be sent to you.

In conclusion, experience plays a major role in qualifying for a Solar Contractors License. If you do not meet the required experience but you’re interested in getting a solar contractors License in the state of California, start with a certificate program. There are great renewable energy institutions that offer solar training certification. As mentioned earlier, education in your trade can be credited towards the four years of required experience. Don’t waste anymore time, register to a solar training certification program today!



About the Author

For more information please visit Solar training











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How To Get A Rebate for Going Solar In California

  By admin | October 20, 2011 - 11:05 am | Going Solar Leave a comment

How To Get A Rebate for Going Solar In California

Article by Rick Chapo









California is the leading produce of solar electricity in the United States. One of the reasons for this is a rebate program second to none.

How To Get A Rebate for Going Solar In California

The solar rebate system in California comes under a program known as the Emerging Renewables Program. Through this program, utility companies in California provide rebate programs for solar, fuel cell and wind power systems used on residences. In this article, we focus on the solar rebate plans. Under California law, all utility companies in the state must provide rebates to homeowners that purchase, install and use solar panel systems. Put another way, you get the rebate regardless of whether San Diego Gas and Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison or Bear Valley Electric Service is your provider. On January 1, 2006, new rebate designations took effect. For solar panel systems, the rebate is .80 per watt until June 2006. The system is limited to a 30 kilo-watt capacity or less. For solar thermal electric systems, the rebate is a whopping .20 per watt.

To get your solar rebate, you have to choose whether to get the rebate upfront or over a three-year period on your electric bill. The upfront rebate sounds good, but the program only has ten million dollars budgeted, so you better hop on it now.

Between state, federal and local governments, financial incentives in the form of tax credits, rebates, property tax discounts, net metering and so on have exploded. In some situations, it was actually possible to make a profit on the purchase of a system, particularly if you paid massive property taxes and got a major discount for going solar. The State of California has figured this out and now puts caps on financial incentives. You can take advantage of the incentives to pay for as much, if not all, of your solar system. You are no longer allowed, however, to use the incentives to pay for the system and get cash back!

To take advantage of the solar rebates, there are a few basic requirements. You must be on grid with one of the utilities mentioned above. You can’t produce more than 200 percent of the power typically used by your residence, i.e., you are not allowed to build solar power plants in your back yard. The solar panel system must have at least a five year warranty, must be new and must meet basic national solar panel standards for quality and energy production. On top of this, it is important to remember that your system must be installed with a performance meter, which will be audited from time to time.

The rebate program in California is very strong. With the 3.2 billion dollar solar program just approved, it is going to get even stronger.



About the Author

Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on solar power and renewable energy.











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Clary Solar – Residential & Commercial Solar Energy Panels Service in California

  By admin | October 14, 2011 - 1:21 pm | Commercial Solar Energy Systems Leave a comment

Clary Solar – Residential & Commercial Solar Energy Panels Service in California

Solar electricity system has its place in the world. There was a time when people know more about alternative sources of energy production. But now they are familiar with solar energy. The advantages of solar energy are enormous. The biggest advantage of using the solar energy system to reduce the amount of the monthly bill you receive in your home or office. Basically, solar panels have a competition with the oil. Oil prices rose in the world makes people struggling to buy expensive energy. Electricity from Clary solar panels has allowed many people to use less electricity, which also does not harm the environment at all.

If we consider now the scenario is that the solar system is moving slowly to the public distribution system that is used for residential solar energy and commercial solar energy use. There is evidence that conventional energy would end one day. Solar power plant is a renewable energy that is infinite, and of course the environment. Solar power system is so promising that today is clearly to replace conventional power stations and more of a presence. Solar power system is very profitable, by the nature of using hand. Installation costs seem to be high enough for you, but with clear statistics, one can see you save your money.

Solar energy reaching the Earth, for free, but there is facilities that receive and convert it into electricity. Today, this technology is directly applicable to the use of solar panels on the roofs of residential lines, or the protection of freedom of access and direct sunlight. The solar panel is composed of silicon solar cells, power semiconductors in natural conditions. When the sun reaches the solar cell increases, the silicon wafer and radiation stimulates the flow of electrons. This flow of electrons is called electric current that can be converted into alternating current, and transport to your home with the necessary efficiency of the wavelength converter.

Clary Solar California, can help reduce energy bills and give your solar energy system relieves the monthly consumption. We design, install and maintain residential solar power and commercial solar systems for homes and businesses and nonprofit organizations. Very effective, it is important to shop around before buying the solar panels. Compare prices and warranty periods of these products and make your choice. And despite the high cost does not necessarily translate into quality products, no crazy power low-cost alternative are beginning to offer.

California Solar – A califorina solar system will dramatically lower or even eliminate your electric bill. In fact, a solar system typically pays for itself in energy savings after 5-9 years. Buy high quality california solar system at clarysolar.com


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Financial Climate Still Sunny For Solar in California

  By admin | October 10, 2011 - 3:04 am | Solar At Leave a comment

Financial Climate Still Sunny For Solar in California

Article by Tina Metcalf









The worldwide economic recession has put a damper on solar panel production and sales, most notably in China and parts of Europe. But in California, where local, regional and state tax incentives continue to drive solar power sales, many solar panel manufacturers and installers are finding the financial climate positively sunny.

Up to now, solar system costs – which can range from ,000 to ,000 for a fully solar-powered home, and take 15 years to recoup – have kept California solar at a measly one percent of generation.

Optimism over solar’s future prompted a flood of U.S. startups and venture capital funding in 2006 and 2007. Then came the economic downturn, with a few of those solar startups going bottom’s up. The remainder – the courageous or merely foolhardy – see the downturn as an incentive to drive down solar costs and capture at least a part of that other 99 percent of electricity generation. And even though many solar panel manufacturing companies have seen almost half their value surrendered to the current recession, a few hardy souls, including those who manufacture on the periphery of solar energy, see instead continuing interest.

A prime example would be Blue Sky Energy, Inc., which makes charge controllers that regulate the flow of electricity from solar panels into batteries, where it is stored overnight for use in traffic signals, parking lots and other lighting venues not connected to electrical grids. In spite of worldwide economic woes, Blue Sky’s annual revenue continues to grow by 10 to 15 percent a year, according to co-owner Melanie Cullen.

California manufacturers and installers are also seeing a burst of activity as tax credits, which took effect the first of the year, encourage “greenies” to install solar. For the average homeowner, says Kelly Barber, marketing manager for Natural Energy USA Inc. in Escondido (mentioned on Cooler Planet’s provider page), state rebates will cover ,800 worth of costs, while the 30 percent federal tax credit can reduce the cost to about ,000 (compared to the former ,000 before the government dropped the cap of ,000 per system).

The main factor that will drive down solar panel costs appears to be the worldwide glut of panels, which are time-consuming to manufacture and require expensive and somewhat rare raw materials.

This over-abundance, mainly in Europe, will help drive down U.S. solar panel costs. And the brief hiatus in manufacturing may also allow solar panel companies the time they need to investigate cheaper and more effective solar panel materials. In any case, expect 2009 to see a renewal in solar electric



About the Author

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet’s solar energy resource page contains articles and tools such as our solar calculator to help with your solar project.











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A Guide to Finding Solar Companies in California

  By admin | October 1, 2011 - 12:48 pm | Solar Company Leave a comment

A Guide to Finding Solar Companies in California

Article by Kriss Bergethon









The first place you may think of looking for California solar installers is in the phone book. By looking online at FindSolar.com, SolarPowerDircetory.com or SEIA.org (the Solar Energy Industry Association) you will find an abundance of links to good companies in that state.

Once you find a satisfactory site you can see which California solar contractors are able to install PV systems in your area. When choosing your company take into consideration their track record – never work with any companies who have not been in business for more than several years. Experience is paramount; so make sure that the companies are familiar and practiced at installing the type of system you are purchasing. Also make sure that there is at least one Master Electrician that works for the company. It is also important to ask what certifications the company and its employees have – the most important certifications include NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and CALSEIA (the California Solar Energy Industry Association). You can rest assured that the California solar companies who hold these certifications are experienced and ethical organizations.

Insurance is extremely important, and California solar installers carry at least ,000,000 in liability insurance in case something should go wrong with the system, or if one of the workers is injured while working on your property. Never work with any California contractors who tell you that you don’t need a permit. This is important because the permit protects you and your system, and usually doesn’t cost you anything since many building departments are waiving permit fees for renewable energy systems.

Once you have found a couple of solar power companies that meet the aforementioned requirements make an appointment with each one. This is your opportunity to specify what equipment you want used, and how you want the work done. Of course, if you are going to specify the equipment you want used, you will need to be sure that you know what you are doing. Otherwise you would be better off to simply specify how much of your power consumption you want the system to provide. Either way, make sure that you know what you want so that you are prepared to discuss these things with the California contractors who are providing your estimates.

Whenever you finally decide which company to work with, it is time to get the work done. Really good California solar installers will be in high demand, so you may have to wait a few months. You want to make sure that this job is done properly, choose the right company and it will last for thirty years or more.

For more information on California Solar companies, check out our website.



About the Author

Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar expert from Colorado. Visit his site at Solar Power Panels, Kits, & Systems.











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California Solar Installers in Provide Green Energy Solutions

  By admin | September 26, 2011 - 4:18 pm | Solar Installation Leave a comment

California Solar Installers in Provide Green Energy Solutions

States are offering hefty tax incentives and rebates for homeowners who install green energy solutions like solar panels. California solar installers have become the bridge and they are providing education to consumers on how to get the most out of these incentives. In addition, California solar installers have gained access to tools that are used to evaluate power production in many locations. When solar energy is mentioned, many people think of the rewiring procedures and need to have battery storage. However, with improvements in technology, it is now possible to enjoy renewable solar energy easily. Some solar panels have built-in batteries that allow them to store energy and hence no need to have battery storage.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels being offered by California solar installers are very efficient and the designs are more attractive compared to previous, older, legacy models. The panel’s power supply is better since they are connected directly to the utilities, and the grids are used to store power – this process is referred to as net metering. The benefit is that, during the hot part of the day, homeowners sell the power back to the Utility Company. When the day is cold, homeowners draw back energy from grid. The homeowners are paid depending on how much power their panel has generated at the end of each month.

The PV panels from California solar installers are able to convert electricity from light with the use of different configurations. The measure of panel quality depends on its energy conversion ratio and the higher the percentage the better and efficient the solar panel. However, before purchasing a solar panel it is important to review the rating of panels to determine the efficiency of the complete solar component instead of part review. It is important to evaluate life cycle of panels to determine their friendliness to the environment.

Solar companies ensure people and the environment benefit from its activities by reducing the consumption of less eco-friendly energy while still offering the same benefits. California solar installers offer various programs and they include energy efficient application rebate program and California PV incentives. Others include California property tax incentives, single-family affordable solar housing program, CES new solar homes partnership and solar water heating rebate program. In addition, many solar installation companies also offer emerging renewable programs, sales tax exemption for alternative energy manufacturing equipment and self-generation incentive program.

California solar installers run California solar initiative, which is part of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s program for 1 million solar installations. The program aims to achieve three thousand megawatts of solar electricity by the year 2016. Solar installers work on solar panels installed in homes, businesses, farms, schools, government organizations, and non- profit organizations. Anyone can benefit from the rebates offered by California solar installers as the cost of PV solar panels have fallen due to improved efficiencies in the industry. You can also benefit from tax exclusion when you purchase certain panels and install them in the period between 1 Jan 1999 and Dec 31, 2016.

Steven Pughlesi is the author of this article on California Solar Installers. Find more information on California Solar Companies here.


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Clary Solar ? Solar Panel System in San Diego, California, USA

  By admin | September 22, 2011 - 3:11 pm | Solar Commercial Leave a comment

Clary Solar ? Solar Panel System in San Diego, California, USA

Clary solar installation is proud to residential and commercial facilities in California to advertise. solar power systems solar Clary used to facilitate the operation and maintenance.

Installation is easy, stress-free, requiring only a visit from a technician at the beginning of the installation and each is designed for efficient use of sunlight to maximize clean solar energy.

California Solar Panel paid off in general, within 5 to 9 years. In a donation of $ 2.800 per kilowatt of installed capacity in California residential solar saving $ 4,500, the purchase of the investment of his life in the solar energy with $ 68 in the first year (subject to a mortgage of 30 years) pay. Moreover, the government credit of 30% of federal taxes to facilitate the purchase of solar power generation.

The solar panels in California offer the possibility of creating a better future for their children so that their future is assured.

Solar Energy System

California solar power is a source of environment, and if you like California residential solar panels are installed on your site can help your green world. What fun would that be know that you are serious about reducing carbon emissions and large savings per month!

California power panels are an economic alternative. These solar energy systems are very reliable. Since the system contains no moving parts or complex machinery, there is no legal protection. The solar system is maintained for a long time for maintenance or lack of light.

With continued research and development, solar technology has evolved over time. First, solar energy only for the supply of the boiler is used. But now you can use to feed the whole house or office. Originally covered the costs were enormous, but over time the cost of production of such systems is declining.

Clary Solar Commercial Solar Panel System

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Clary has worked in the solar field over 55 years and a record of more than 25,000 customers, including business customers, educational institutions and government agencies. They provide business customers with solar panels and store solar energy trading floor at the time and trouble.

Commercial solar power systems will help the organization to reduce their electricity costs and also give them an option to supply more common.

solar energy systems are environmentally friendly and complete work on the power of the sun, reflected later in the panels and a voltage that is used on the site has changed.

Clary Solar offers a variety of information needed to build commercial solar cells. All issues are addressed through the website or call the representative for your satisfaction. Solar panels give maximum results with a savings, government incentives, energy independence and the environment. These panels can be installed in a short period of time if you do not have to worry about the hassles of installation.

Residential solar power system

Its residential solar panels for a great savings by reducing the electricity bill. On sunny days may also consider the sale of electricity to the grid. Its solar cells produce more energy than they spend their days ago, run counter and obtain credit.

The excess energy is returned to the local power company, and will be happier to see the excess energy now. When the sun shines in your city, plus the residential solar energy production.

When we burn fossil fuels, help to profile our planet from the carbon to air pollution, increases near the end of the harmful effects of combustion is global warming.

solar energy resources are very respectful of the environment, and whether residential solar panels installed on your site, help build the soil as a green and a better place to live.

Go Green with Solar Energy Services Clary

These modules are individually can maximize the amount of electricity by investing in areas that generate the greatest amount of sunlight per day.

Another great advantage of this feature provides solar energy systems in California is that they add value to your home or business and are exempt from property taxes.

Clary player wins solar energy in the U.S. California in solar power generation. As you advance in the market share of solar energy Clary customers seeking a solution to their problems, energy. Be wise and correct choice.

If you would like to know more about Solar Energy Panel Services & solutions in San Diego, California, Visit  www.ClarySolar.com or Feel Free to contact at: 888.662.4743

Hello – This is Jahangir Zulfiqar Saghani, I am new at Articlesbase.com but love to write, so i found this platform to be the strongest path to make aware people about latest Gadgets, technologies & electronic items! Be in Touch….


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Get A Solar Contractors License In California

  By admin | September 17, 2011 - 8:08 pm | Solar City Reviews Leave a comment

Get A Solar Contractors License In California

Solar energy has consistently grown 33% in the past thirty years within 1979-2010.  It is projected to be over 40% for this decade.  With an estimated 32 GW of solar power installed globally, 7.2 GW was installed last year alone, according to John Addison, publisher of the Clean Fleet Report.

Solar energy is becoming more marketable by the day, and now represents a large portion of new construction related jobs.  If you are a contractor or interested in becoming a contractor, be a part of this rapidly growing industry by getting your solar contractors license.

The basic steps below highlight how people with solar training can get a solar contractor’s license in the state of California.  It is important to understand that processes slightly differ from state to state.  Thus, Licenses acquired in the State of California may not be recognized in another state.

Step 1 – Go to State License Board Website

Visit the California State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov.

Step 2 – Confirm License Classification

The classification for a Solar Contractors license is Class “C”, which is for specialty contractors.  According to the California State License Board, there are 41 separate “C” license classifications for contractors whose construction work or primary contracting business requires specialized skills, building trades, or crafts.  The exact “C” license for solar is C-46.  C-46 is the license classification that should be applied for to obtain a solar contractors license.

Step 3 – Be Qualified

Make sure you qualify.  The state of California requires journeyman level experience through apprenticeship training or college education, and an actual business entity.  Without prior solar training and experience you will not be considered qualified.

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Applicants should have at least four years of experience in solar.  Nonetheless, the California State License Board may grant up to three years of credit towards the four year requirement for completed education and/or apprenticeship programs in the solar specialty.  Education can include a Bachelors degree, certificate, and credited solar courses.  Thus, if you don’t have any prior experience in solar, you may begin by taking solar training.

Step 4 – Thoroughly Complete Application

Complete the appropriate application form and submit it along with a nonrefundable application fee.  Application forms must be fully complete!  Incomplete applications will be rejected.  Wait four to six weeks for your application to be processed.  Once processed you will be sent an examination date.  In some cases it can take much longer than four to six weeks.  Completing and accurately filling out all the requested information within the application form helps reduce the processing time.  The application form can be printed at the California State License Board website.

Step 5 – Wait & Prepare

Generally, it takes approximately four to six weeks before your application is processed and a notice is sent to you to appear for examination.  Use the waiting period to refresh your knowledge through study tools, or even attending related review courses and additional solar training.

Step 6 – Take the Test

Once approved you should receive your examination date and location.  Testing locations are distributed within eight cities.  These cities are: San Diego, San Bernardino, Buena Park, Inglewood, Ventura, Oakland, Sacramento and Fresno.  You will be assigned to the nearest location of your business address.

If this is your first contractor license examination, you will have to take two exams.  The first exam is the general law & business examination and the second will be the trade examination. In this case your trade will be solar.  The examinations will each be given two hours and thirty minutes to complete, making it a total of five hours.

Failure to show up will result in a rescheduling fee.   You are granted eighteen months after the approval of your application to achieve a passing grade.  Within this time period, you can take the exam as many times as necessary until you pass.

Step 7 – Wait for Score

Wait to receive your score.  If you failed you are provided with a breakdown of your percentage score for each section of the examination and can reschedule to take the examination again.  If you passed, you are simply told you passed in the letter.  A certificate and your license number will then be sent to you.

In conclusion, experience plays a major role in qualifying for a Solar Contractors License.  If you do not meet the required experience but you’re interested in getting a solar contractors License in the state of California, start with a certificate program.  There are great renewable energy institutions that offer solar training certification.  As mentioned earlier, education in your trade can be credited towards the four years of required experience.  Don’t waste anymore time, register to a solar training certification program today!

For more information please visit Solar training


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Northern California Solar Company

  By admin | September 14, 2011 - 9:23 am | Solar Company Leave a comment

Northern California Solar Company

Northern California Solar Company

Is it better to lease or purchase a residential solar system?

Let’s look at this question from 3 different viewpoints.

How does lease versus purchase affect…

*The federal tax credits and rebates I receive?

*The savings I receive on my electric bill?

*The value of my home?

Tax Credits & Rebates: When you purchase the system, you receive the benefits of the California State rebate and Federal Tax Credits. When you lease the system, the leasing company gets those benefits. So, obviously, purchasing the solar system is more advantageous for you than leasing when it comes to rebates and tax credits.

Electric Bill: If you purchase your solar system, you can save up to 100% of your electric bill. Your monthly savings will increase with time and the cost of electricity produced by your solar system will be fixed for the life of the system.

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When you lease, you will have some savings each month, but those savings will be minimal. The reason is that over the life of the lease, the amount saved each month will never increase because of the binding nature of the language used in most leases. That language often specifies an increase in the monthly payments of the lease, from 3% to 10% annually.

Home Value: When you purchase a solar system, your home increases in value. The Appraisal Institute on Residential Properties, in a study funded by HUD and the EPA, specifies that your home’s value will increase .73 for every dollar you receive in annual electrical savings. The amount of increased value is often more than the purchase price of the system. Additionally, in California, Prop 73 prohibits any tax on the increase in the appraised value of your home.

When you lease a solar system, there is a chance that a solar lease could actually hurt the value of the home. Here’s why: When you go to sell your home, the lease must transfer with the sale of the home or you must buy out the lease. Buying out a lease can be costly. However, transferring the lease obligates the future homeowner to the terms of the lease, which may not be attractive to the buyer because of the uncertainty of the fair market value purchase option contained in most leases.

In summarizing Lease vs. Purchase, when it comes to a residential solar system, experts favor purchasing the system over leasing.

With a commercial system, Lease vs. Purchase is analyzed differently because different accounting rules apply. The primary difference is the ability of a commercial enterprise to use accelerated depreciation. In some instances, depending upon the objective of the enterprise, leasing will turn out to provide a more favorable financial result.

Paul Hanson is an expert on Northern California Solar Companies, and regularly contributes articles and ebooks designed to educate first time solar system buyers. His latest ebook, Solar Super Tips is available at

http://www.solarsupertips.com or watch the video at http://www.sonomasolarcompany.com


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