Santa Barbara County is implementing an exciting new program this summer, emPowerSBC, through which homeowners and businesses will be able to finance a solar electric system with a low interest loan payable through their property taxes over a period of up to 20 years. Visit www.empowerSBC.org for more details.

Expand your business into expanding market

Due to this new development many of your customers may begin asking you about solar, providing an excellent opportunity to expand your business model into the renewable energy market. To help meet your customer’s solar needs, Del Sol Energy, Inc. is available to provide solar consultation, engineering and design services. Your company maintains control of the project and performs the installations, while Del Sol provides all your solar design and engineering needs.

Del Sol offers engineering, regulatory, and management expertise

Del Sol Energy offers the following services to electrical and general building contractors wishing to expand into solar:

• Initial customer contact to determine system requirements and specifications, e.g. utility usage, system sizing, location of system, aesthetic requirements, etc.
• Site Assessment and Feasibility
• System Design
• Quotation Preparation
• Permitting
• Rebate Reservation
• Sourcing and procurement of panels and component
• Project Management Services
• Post Installation System Monitoring

Contact Del Sol Energy for more information »

Santa Barbara County has recently developed emPowerSBC (Elective Municipal Programs to Optimize Water, Energy and Renewables) to create a voluntary, incentive-based strategy to encourage the green retrofits and renewable installations that could boost the local economy, create jobs, and improve county-wide resource efficiency.

According to the emPowerSBC website: “Solar panels are becoming the technology of choice for off grid commercial and residential applications…. If you want to green your property, but can’t afford the upfront costs, the County of Santa Barbara wants to help. EmPowerSBC provides a convenient financing option to empower residents and businesses to green their property through energy efficiency, water efficiency or renewable improvements. These improvements can save money, enhance your property, create local jobs and, of course, help the environment … a win-win for you and the community.”

Learn more at emPowerSBC and financing assistance »

True, the initial cost is more than you pay day to day, but financing is available, plus you will begin saving immediately in your electric bills. Over the long run, it is one of the best returns on investment you can make today.

Consider:

• The initial investment for a solar system is similar to that of a buying a new car. But that is where the similarity ends. With solar you never have to fill up the tank. It just keeps producing. Your car will depreciate in value every year, whereas solar does not depreciate. In fact when taking into consideration the rising cost of electricity your system will appreciate in value
• The cost of your solar system will be reduced up to 40% with the CSI rebate program and the 30% federal tax credits. Payback times are now roughly 6 or 7 years.
• You can finance your solar system using a home equity loan. Your energy savings with solar begin immediately, and will meet or exceed your monthly loan payment
• Loan payments are tax deductible.
• Your solar system will last upwards of 30 years. Once the system is paid off the rest is money in the bank. Solar is one of the best financial investments you can make today.

More Questions about Solar?

For more questions and answers, visit our Q & A page, or contact me.