Solar Energy
Why Solar energy
If you have been paying attention to the news and your neighbors, you have been noticing that solar panels are becoming a popular item. There is a lot going on in the solar world, from net metering, energy-related bills getting passed or denied, disputes or agreements between solar companies and electrical companies, tax credits, financial programs, and more. It can be a lot to wrap your head around. NRG Upgrade is here to help make the decision to go solar easy for you by providing answers to your questions.
Solar Energy Benefits
People have many different reasons for looking into solar energy options. Some people are mainly concerned with the rising costs of their electric bills. Going solar with NRG Upgrade gives them the option of investing in themselves and reducing their dependency on the utility companies to get electricity. Other people are aware of the dwindling fossil fuel resources and are actively looking for a way to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment. Some homeowners are looking to improve their home value by adding a solar system. All of these reasons and more are what encourage people to look into solar options, and NRG Upgrade in Los Angeles is happy to discuss all these things with you. Our mission is to show people all the pros of going solar with us and how it can benefit you.
Cutting Electric Bills Costs
Save Money
Incentives
Take Advantage
Renewable Energy Source
True Renewable Energy Source
Low Maintenance:
Enjoy the Sun
Predictability
Get Off The Grid
Home Value Increase
More Equity
Go Green And Start Saving Today!
How can Solar Help
Dying Resources
If you haven’t been paying attention, you may be wondering why there is all this noise on the topic. To understand that, you have to understand the resources that we use now and their limitations. Oil, coal and natural gas play a big role in our world, powering most of it. They are a reliable source of energy that we have been using like it will never disappear. The truth is not only are they becoming a scarce resource, but they are a significant cause of the pollution we have today.
Pollution
It has been a widespread realization that not only have we been hurting the environment with the excavation for these resources but also with the use of them. The creation of greenhouse gas emissions, erosion of the ground from fracking sites, pollution of water supplies, and air pollution from industrial plants to process them.
Burning
The burning of fossil fuels release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere which corresponds to smog and acid rain. Things like industrial operations, coal-fired power plants, ships and airplanes, and of course cars and trucks are major contributors to nitrogen oxide emissions. Natural gas is called ‘clean’ because it emits less carbon dioxide than burning coal does. However, natural gas isn’t so much clean as it is a cleaner option. Natural gas is still a fossil fuel, which means it eventually will be depleted as well.
Fracking
Fracking is the procedure of drilling into the earth and injecting a high-pressure water mixture into shale rocks to force open existing fissures to extract oil or gas. Fracking allows for access to otherwise difficult to reach deposits of oil and gas. The use of fracking has caused many environmental disputes. The process uses huge amounts of water being transported to the fracking sites and the chemicals mixed with the water may escape and contaminate groundwater around the site. Fracking also increases the potential for oil spills which can harm the surrounding areas. There are also concerns that the use of fracking can cause small earth tremors. The belief is that the buildup of stress from injecting fluid deep underground can produce these tremors.
Cost
It has been a widespread realization that not only have we been hurting the environment with the excavation for these resources but also with the use of them. The creation of greenhouse gas emissions, erosion of the ground from fracking sites, pollution of water supplies, and air pollution from industrial plants to process them.
Solution
More research was conducted trying to find a greener solution and a more renewable source to draw from before it was too late. Many people are unaware that the first solar collector was made in the 19th century, consisting of copper coils connected to an insulated box. This is a similar style to solar panels created today. Technology advances have grown from the early research to create a way to harness the sun’s power providing a clean energy that can be used to power many items we use on the daily. Solar energy has been used to power airplanes, cars, and houses. As research continues and solar panels are being created, NRG Upgrade opens up possibilities that will benefit us for the long haul on our environment, health, and pocketbooks.
NRG Upgrade invests in that future by providing solar solutions to the public, educating people on the benefits, and providing great customer service and dedication throughout the entire process. We work with Los Angeles area to install solar systems on homes, cutting the cost of high electric bills, and investing in ourselves to be less dependant on fossil fuel. Give our team a call to discuss how solar works. We will go over the facts, the process, what to expect, financing options, and all the benefits you will reap.
Is Solar Right For Me?
In conclusion, there are many varying benefits to going solar with NRG Upgrade in Los Angeles. You take control of your electrical bill by producing your own electricity. It can add value to your home, cut back your electrical needs from the utility companies, and actively reducing your carbon footprint in the world by using a green, clean resource. With the added bonus of being promoted with incentives, the state of California making a great push for solar energy, and having a little to no maintenance with the equipment, there is no better time to go solar than now. Give NRG Upgrade a call to schedule your consultation today and see how you and your family can benefit!
Homeowners With Solar Panles Say
Is Solar Right For You?
Our Solar Energy Services
In conclusion, there are many varying benefits to going solar with NRG Upgrade in Los Angeles. You take control of your electrical bill by producing your own electricity. It can add value to your home, cut back your electrical needs from the utility companies, and actively reducing your carbon footprint in the world by using a green, clean resource. With the added bonus of being promoted with incentives, the state of California making a great push for solar energy, and having a little to no maintenance with the equipment, there is no better time to go solar than now. Give NRG Upgrade a call to schedule your consultation today and see how you and your family can benefit!
Solar Services By NRG Upgrade
NRG Upgrade is proud to offer the Los Angeles communities with a renewable energy source that helps reduce your utility electric bill, help raise the value of your home, and lead the world into a greener, cleaner environment by lessening your carbon footprint. By going with NRG Upgrade and installing a solar system, we are leading the community, state, and the world into a brighter future for ourselves and generations beyond.
Our Process:
The NRG Upgrade process is made to be simple and guide you through the ins and outs of the solar world. Our professional and friendly team members will be there to answer any questions you may have and give you all the information you will need to make a decision that will benefit your home and family.
Step 1
Give NRG Upgrade a call! We will schedule you for a free consultation.
Step 2
A consultant will do an in house presentation to go over the details, options available to you, what to expect, and how we can save you money. After you have decided which options are best for you and your home, you’ll sign the agreement and the ball starts rolling. On a cash deal, the customer will pay 10% of balance upon signing.
Step 3
The day after signing the agreement, NRG Upgrade will send a crew for a site inspection. They will take final measurements and determine if there are any shading issues to address. That is also when they will determine where the panels will be placed, optimisers, inverters, and how to connect to the electrical panel.
Step 4
In roughly two days, the engineer will finish with the plans for the homeowner to review and sign. If there is an HOA, the homeowner will also have to get the HOA to sign off on the plans.
Step 5
After the plans have been reviewed and signed, NRG Upgrade will send the plans to the city to get the proper permits. Depending on the city, this could take a few weeks. The biggest hold-up in getting the project done tends to be with obtaining the permits and the final inspection. NRG Upgrade also submits an application to the utility company for them to review and determine net metering eligibility.
Step 6
Once the permits are received from the city, the materials for the installation are delivered to your home. On a cash deal, 60% of balance is paid upon delivery of the materials/installation. Actual installation only takes 1-2 days, depending on the number of panels and type of roof. Once the installation is completed, the customer sends as-built documents pertaining to their system and the electrical permits for their utility company to review. If everything is in place, an interconnection agreement is executed with the customer.
Step 7
A final inspection must be done to have the work approved, which usually take about a week to order and have completed. On a cash deal, upon final inspection 20% of balance is paid. At this time if an agreement with the utility company was executed, the utility company will install a net meter and will issue PTO (permission to operate). You are now officially part of the solar community and it is time to celebrate!
Step 8
If it is included in the system you purchased, NRG Upgrade will set up the remote monitoring (WiFi internet is required for this) and NRG Upgrade will do a performance test. On a cash deal, the final 10% of balance will be collected at this point.
Things To Consider Before Getting Solar Panels
With all major projects, there can be hiccups in the flow. In solar projects, this can be the time it takes for the HOA to sign off on the project or the city to get the permits back to NRG Update. Here at NRG Update, we go to bat for our customers to make the process as flawless and smooth as possible. We will also keep the lines of communication open so you always know where you are in the process.
When the site inspection is done the the NRG Upgrade team, they may discover that your roof does not have the integrity needed to withstand the load of solar panels. A re-roofing may be required before we can move forward. NRG Upgrade offers a re-roofing service and provides the customer with the ability to bundle the solar project with the roofing project. NRG Upgrade only installs Owens Corning Cool Roof, which is considered top in the market with a 50 year warranty and helps keep the interior of the house cool.
Another potential hiccup that may stop the process all together are limited space for panels or shading issues. If there is not enough space or enough sunlight to make a solar system make sense for you, we may have to stop the project. While this is certainly disappointing, NRG Upgrade offers other energy efficient services to help you save money on your electric bill. We are happy to explore other options with you to reduce energy needs in the home.
FAQ
When connecting the solar system wiring from the AC switches to the main electric panel, the panel has to sustain a large enough load to carry the additional electrical load of the panels and must have the physical capability to include more breakers. The existing panel may need to be reconfigured or upgraded to accommodate these requirements.
The length of the process will depend on a few variables. How big the project is, how long it takes to get the permits, if there is an HOA, and how long it takes to have the inspection done. Typically, the installation itself only days 1-3 days depending on the number of panels and type of roof. The longest part is usually waiting on the city permits. However, normal length from signing the agreement to PTO (permission to operate) can be 2-8 weeks.
While having a solar system that offsets all of your electrical needs would be nice, the system does not need to provide all of the electricity you need to be of great value. It may be that your roof cannot sustain a larger sized system due to space or shading. A small system that displaces a quarter to a half of your electrical demands will help reduce your electric bill. NRG Update is happy to discuss a system that supplies 100% of your energy needs if space allows, but making your home more energy efficient generally is the most cost-effective approach to home solar power.
Solar systems are made to be durable, with little to no maintenance required. Rain will keep the panels clean, or NRG Update can provide a cleaning service for you.
Because there are no moving parts in the solar panels, they can last anywhere to 20-30 years. Inverters may need replacing every 10-15 years. Batteries may need replacing every 5-10 years.
NRG Update offers a 25 year warranty on our solar panels, providing the best equipment in the solar industry. To top it off, our systems have the lowest depreciation rate of 0.5-.7% a year. Inverters also come with a 25 year warranty depending on the product, and our workmanship is also a 25 year warranty.