Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Net subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references before hiring!

Installing solar and new roof at the same time

We are interested in installing photovoltaic roof panels but also need to replace our roof. We'd appreciate any advice on whether this is a good time to install solar panels (rather than waiting for technological advances!) and also on consultants/contractors (should we do roof first, then panels, or can it be integrated into one job?) Berkeley resident

Doing along with a roof. The optimal installation is to coordinate the roofing job with the panel installation, so that the panel supports are integrated with the roof. First the roofers put down the sheathing, then the solar company installs the panel supports and flashing, and finally the roofers return to do the shingling. Thus the two companies need to coordinate their work schedules, which in my experience they are happy to do.

I got multiple bids for both parts of my project, and selected Nicholas Roofing and Vista Solar. I was very please with both companies. Contact me for further information or for advice on comparing solar bids. optimoms

City of Berkeley Solar Resource

Hello,

My name is Christina C. and I am with an environmental non-profit based in Berkeley, Rising Sun Energy Center. We run a summer program called California Youth Energy Services. It's a free service which provides homeowners and renters all around the bay area with a free energy efficiency audit and free energy saving equipments (such as CFLs, clotheslines, and efficient flow showerheads, etc.)

We can do all of this for free because we also hire and train local youth for the summer to become energy specialists and perform this audits. We are funded as a workforce development program for youth.

I am writing because we were hoping to get the support of the Berkeley Parents Network. Hopefully some of you have heard of us or have taken advantage of our services before. If not, we encourage you to come by our office on 2033 Center Street to check out our operation and sign up for a summer appointment!

We also have a new program that we are launching called Smart Solar, which is funded by the city of Berkeley to be an unbiased informational resource for residents who are interested in adopting solar for their homes. I could send you some information on this program as well if you think community members are interested.

Christina C. http://www.risingsunenergy.org/

Any regrets installing photovoltaic (solar) panels?

Any regrets with installing photovoltaic (solar) panels? How expensive is the maintenance? trying to be green

Can you recommend a solar power installer?

Hello, We'd like to install a solar electric system. Its really hard to distinguish one system from the next when doing an internet search, so I was wondering if anyone highly recommends the company they used? Thanks a bunch!! Elaine

I live in Berkeley and am interested in having solar power panels installed for my house and am looking for people who have already done this and had a good experience with the company they chose. I understand that Berkeley is in the process of approving a loan (lien on the house) to home owners who can repay over 20 years and might want to go that route. Any info is appreciated. Thank you! Heidi

Solar Lights Life Expectancy

Solar Lights Maintenance: I have a motion-detector solar light on my house to light my driveway and several along my walkway which have ''burned out.'' I've searched the directions that come with them to see if there are bulbs or re-chargeable batteries that need periodic replacement but can't find any info. Anyone know if they just have to be tossed and replaced or is there something that can be done? Thanks. In The Dark in Berkeley

Thinking of going solar (PV) any suggestions?

We live in the Montclair hills and are thinking of having photovoltaic solar panels put on our roof (a large part faces south and it's unobstructed). We've done some web surfing, but haven't found a lot of information from local solar contractors. Does anyone have experience with this or recommendations or places to look on the web? Thanks. L

www.builditgreen.org
www.greenresourcecenter.org/AskAnExpert.php

The most remarkable part - our system reduces carbon dioxide emissions equal to permanently REMOVING 11.1 CARS from our congested highways. It would require 17.16 ACRES OF NEW TROPICAL RAINFOREST to reduce an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. This project, over its design life, will offset the emission of more than 63 TONS OF DANGEROUS POLLUTANTS, such as NOx, SO2, and CO2.

The cost of putting it together was $29k, of which $7k was reimbursed by the state of Cal directly to the solar company, so we only had to write a check for $22k. Those taxpayers NOT in alternative min tax (''AMT'') could also get a $2k federal tax credit if installed this or next year, others won't get it b/c the credit can only reduce regular tax and not the AMT.

We talked to 6 different companies, got quotes from 3 companies we liked to work with, chose the lower (by $3k) quote of the 3 given to us, and the other two companies were willing to match it, so this seems to be the price.

The quote is calculated based on the number and kind of panels & other equipment with labor cost as a % of materials. Neighborhood doesn't matter.

It took 3 days to install, about 45-60 days b/w signing contract and being completely done (permits etc - all taken care of by solar co.).

At the current electricity rates our payback is 10 years, for most people it is shorter than that (we are big energy savers), plus it will be shorter since electric rates keep going up every year.

Alameda county does not increase your tax base by the value of solar system, for real estate tax purposes.

We had a great experience with our provider - SPG Solar, a large company with lots of experience and great customer service. Our contact was Ted Walsh, ted.walsh@spgsolar.com.

Cheers, Maria

Solar electricity system - is it worth it?

We're considering installing a solar electricity system on our roof and are curious about others' experience and advice. The threshold question is, ''is it financially worth it?'' That is, does it have a reasonable rate of pay back. We'd like to do it for environmental reasons, but don't want to get taken to the cleaners in the process. For those who have installed systems, do you have any recommendations of the best companies to use? We've started inquiring with Real Goods and Berkeley Solar Electric Systems, but I'm sure there are others, and it's quite difficult to choose. While we're on the subject, we're not really thinking much about solar hot water heating, but if people have had really good experience (or bad) with that, we would be curious as well. Thanks! Jamie

Typically, my 30 panels generate about 11KW/day on clear summer days; 7KW/day on clear spring/fall days; 3KW/day on clear winter days. Divide these numbers by ten for cloudy days. If my house were better situated, these numbers might be 20 or 30 percent higher.

Our PG&E ''time-of-use'' meter runs backwards whenever the sun makes more power than we use. Last year, our total electric bill was $150, or about $12 per month. Quite a savings - we used to pay $35 to $75 per month. (some of this savings, however, is simple conservation - using compact florescent lamps, throwing away electric heaters, doing our wash in the evening, etc)

There are downsides of solar electric. First, solar panels are ugly. (One reason why my panels aren't efficient is that I didn't install them facing the street) Second, they require maintenance. (Every few months, you wash off the dust, leaves, and bird poop. This means a trip up the roof. And don't ask me about the raccoon nest under my solar panels!) Third - shadows from trees will drastically reduce solar output - even an overhead cable's shadow can have negative effects. A fourth problem is the roof itself - cutting holes through the shingles. If not done properly - and intellegently flashed - these will spring leaks in a year or two. And all the walking & work on your roof shortens the life of the shingles. Shingles aren't made for foot traffic, alas. Which is another problem: when you need to replace your shingles, those fragile solar panels make it a tougher job.

Summary - I've enjoyed installing & maintaining my solar rooftop panels. They will payback their cost in seven to twenty years. But it's a hobby, not a one-time investment. Cliff

We had Joel Lusk (Lusk Construction) install pv solar panels on our new roof and are very happy with his workmanship. It didn't take long once the panels arrived and we're generating lots of electricity (which feeds back into the grid) on lovely sunny days like today! His number is 510 981 9721
John

Radiant system with solar panels?

Hi, we're doing a major remodel and thinking about putting in hydronic radiant heat under our existing hardwood floors (there's a crawlspace under the house). In our dreams, this would be powered by solar panels on the roof (along with the rest of our hot water needs). There wasn't anything too recent in the archives, so just wondering if anybody has done hydronics and or solar panels lately and has suggestions/recommendations/advice. Thanks! Overwhelmed Mama

I do hear that going completely solar would be your dream setup; there are many possibilities to incorporate solar hot water at different budget levels. I am currently doing a major remodel at my inlaw's house and I will be installing a hydronic radiant system using a high (92%) efficiency boiler and passive solar strategies. The budget prevents us from incorporating solar panels into the radiant system but I will be installing solar panels for the domestic hot water needs, with a Takagi tankless water heater as a backup. Using solar panels for domestic hot water gives the most "bang for the buck", and in all likelihood would not require modifications to the roof framing. Feel free to contact me if you wanted to get more info: 510-228-7410 Jeff ecobuilding AT gmail.com

The common wisdom is that underfloor radiant heat is a pleasant and effective way of heating rooms. Since much of the heat transfer occurs by direct irradiation rather than through contact with warm air, it can keep people warm with a lower fuel consumption. The heating is less "bursty" than with forced air, it's quieter, and potentially more efficient since it uses water at low temperature and the boiler may take advantage of this.

It's highly doubtful that adding solar panels to such a system would be cost effective. To be useful the panels would need to collect heat at relatively low outside temperature, which makes them expensive (glazed metal). Also consider that placing the panels on the roof will make your roof maintenance more expensive. If anybody convinces you that a solar system will save you money, double check their figures and try not to delude yourself into it.

A solar system to help heat your domestic hot water may be a better bet since you would use it also in the warm seasons. But I don't think those are cost effective either. Anon.

Rebates for installing solar panels?

We just bought a fixer-upper in berkeley and when we replace the roof we are thinking about adding some type of solar panels, ( any advise on those is greatly appriciated too...) I have heard talk at different times about california and or Berkeley having some money set aside for residents to convert to some renewable energy sourse. Is this true? does anyone know anything about this....is it PG&E? Any leads are great! - crisbiss

Berkeley considered low cost loans, but I don't know if the program was finalized.

It is much easier and cheaper to put in these systems while doing a major refurbishing of your house. You must have an unblocked South facing roof.

Solar hot water heaters are cost-effective. However, solar electric systems are dubious economic propositions. You can put one in for feel-good reasons, but don't expect to get your money back anytime soon. There are other ways to spend your money first, like an ultra-efficient furnace, which are far more cost effective and environmentally sound before putting in a solar electric system.

- Karen and Joel

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/energy/Incentives.html

The link to Residential ''Renewable Energy Buydown Program'' (a statewide incentive) will probably be the most useful.

- renewable energy fan

Considering solar panels for energy production

Hi, We are considering getting solar (photovoltaic) panels put in on our roof for home energy production. We have an estimate from Solar Depot in San Rafael who provide the equipment and Sun First in Muir Beach who install the equipment. Has anyone had these panels installed? Any experience with Solar Depot or Sun First? Any problems with solar (not thermal) panels? Any positive comments? If we do have solar panels put in, it will be a large expense and we would like to be pretty sure we want them before we make a decision, so any input would be helpful. Thank you, Richa

This is a big, expensive project. You have to file a long report to get a permit from the City of Berkeley. You have to file another load of paperwork to get the rebate from the state. There are only about 10 solar powered homes in Berkeley.

We are thinking of putting solar power for electricity (photovoltaic) in our house. I'd like to hear from others their experience installing/using solar power, especially with the companies that install the systems, getting the State rebates and working with PG&E.