Heat on solar tiles does impact the way your green technology works, but not exactly in the way the conventional wisdom might have you believe. More heat beaming down on your roof actually starts to reduce the efficiency of the solution after a certain point. What accounts for this counter-intuitive result? The energy that comes from the sun’s rays translates to power, but this energy is not necessarily equivalent to the amount of heat generated by sunlight.

So what does this quirk of physics mean for you as a homeowner or landlord?

If you look into solar solutions, scan through the manufacturer’s information for the temperature coefficient. This metric will tell you how much your energy production decreases when the panels heat up past a certain point. The opposite is also true, by the way. Cooler temperatures can allow certain solar technologies to absorb more of the sun’s rays and increase the energy output.

You can also look at the efficiency rating. This metric indicates the usable percentage of sunlight that the solar technology will absorb. This rating impacts the amount of space you will need to dedicate to a solar solution installation.

Ask your solar company for advice on the best solar technology for your location. Whether you live in a warm environment where temperatures regularly rise or you’re situated in a foggy, windy, shady spot near the Bay will impact the solutions that are appropriate for you as well as your ideal solar cell placement. For the maximum efficiency, you must match your solar solution for your geography and landscape.

Our East Bay Roofing Experts Know Solar!

Our team can help with these calculations, so you can maximize the value of a remodel or investment. Call (888) 233-7548 or fill out a contact form today!

1. CA’s daytime energy needs met?!

If all of California’s commercial and industrial facilities had solar power panels, we could instantly meet all of the Golden State’s daytime energy needs… without a single other source of energy.

2. Silicon packs a punch!

We all know that solar power is “more efficient” over the long-term than fossil fuel burning. But did you know that a single ton’s worth of silicon (processed into solar panels) can generate as much electricity as half a million tons of coal? Pretty amazing.

3. Storied legacy.

John Herschel, a British astronomer who traveled to Africa two centuries ago, cooked his food using solar power. And none other than Albert Einstein himself won a noble peace prize in 1921 for his solar power experiments.

NobelPrize.org

4. Best Solar on Earth?

Guess what country makes the best use out of solar power, objectively speaking? The US? Some place in the Sahara or Caribbean? Not quite. The answer is… Germany! That’s right:even though Germany is covered with forest — and the country gets savaged by debilitating winters – it beats all other countries when it comes to extracting good energy through solar.

5. Massive long term savings?

If you replace your electric water heater with a solar model, you could slice your water bills by perhaps 50% annually. Let’s break down those numbers. Let’s say $400 every year to heat your water. By this logic, you could save $200 a year just on water heating. Over a decade, that adds up to $2,000 of savings. Not insubstantial!

6. (Near) instant gratification.

When solar energy leaves the sun, it takes just eight minutes to travel from the surface of the sun to hit your panel. Physicists would say it takes “eight light minutes” for the energy to get to you. Curiously, it can take the same energy literally millions of years to travel from the sun’s core to the sun’s surface. So it’s a million year journey from the center of the sun to the surface of the sun… and then just an eight minute journey from the sun to your stove!

7. Easy peas-y.

Going solar is far, far, far, far easier (and far more cost-effective) than it used to be, even a few years ago.

Connect with the team here at Century Roof and Solar to discover your solar solution – not just to protect the environment but to generate real, tangible benefits for your pocketbook and your home.

Call our Diamond Certified Company today at 510-780-9489, or learn more about our premium Bay Area business at www.centuryroofandsolar.com.

“Solar power is key to San Francisco’s future…”

San Francisco, with a 72% recycling rate and a goal of zero waste to landfill by 2020, is being called one of the ‘greenest cities’ in the U.S. Jared Blumenfeld, director of the department of the environment talks about some of the projects, including an interactive map that helps users understand their carbon footprint and a solar mashup that enables citizens to price out the cost of installing solar on building rooftops.

San Francisco Solar Facts:

PV systems installed: 2,043
Total CEC-AC capacity: 9.2 MW
Estimated Energy produced: 13,437 MWh/yr
Estimated Annual savings: $2,213,611
Estimated Annual CO2 reduction: 4,036 tonnes

Would you like to save money on your energy bill and erase your carbon foot print?

Talk to the SF Bay Area’s leading PV solar system contractors Century Roof and Solar. 888-233-7548

Original post/video from: http://www.smartplanet.com

Facts from: http://sf.solarmap.org

According to The Department of Energy’s official site: www.energy.gov, consumers can receive profound tax credits just for installing renewable energy systems in their homes and businesses.

Consider this blurb regarding federal tax credits for energy efficiency:

“consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electrical systems), small windsystems, small geo-thermal heat pumps, residential fuel cell and microturbine systems canreceive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before Dec 31, 2016.”

Also of interest:

“In addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers will also eligible forutility or state rebates, as well as state tax incentives for energy-efficient homes, vehicles andequipment.”

A tax credit is actually much more powerful than a tax deduction. A deduction chips away at the percentage of monies you might owe in taxes; whereas a tax credit slashes your taxes “dollar for dollar” basis. In other words, by deploying a solar or renewable energy solution for heating and powering your home, you will get money literally flowing into your bank account from thegovernment as a kind of “Thank you” for reducing your energy footprint.

Of course, the tax credit alone might not be enticing enough for you to break out of your current inertia and make the switch to solar or some other “green” renewable energy solution. Whenyou consider it in the context of other benefits – helping the environment, reducing your long-term energy costs, being a good example for your community, freeing yourself from the whims and arbitrary dictates of power companies, preemptively sidestepping power outages – the solar alternative appears brighter and brighter and brighter (pun intended).

How do you get started?

Talk to the professionals at Century Roofing and Solar. For over 15 years, our Bay Area roofing contractors have led the region in light-weight roof systems and PV solar systems. Our team is known for reliable, quality, clean, and timely results. We are a Diamond Certified Company and proud members of the Committee for Fire-Safe Dwellings, Master Elite, and the Better Business Bureau. Connect with us now at 510-780-9489, or explore resources to help you make your decision at www.centuryroofandsolar.com.

Since the 1970s – and perhaps well before – many pundits have proclaimed that a Golden Age of solar energy was “just around the corner.” Soon, they promised, solar would replace more polluting energy sources, such as coal and natural gas. In the decades since solar’s first “big promise,” the technology has seen its ups and downs. At this point, consumers are significantly confused. Where is solar at? Will the fabled solar energy revolution ever arrive? If so, when?

Evidence is mounting that we may indeed finally be on the verge of revolutionizing our energy grid and switching over to solar in a large scale way. Consider the following factors conspiring to bring about and accelerate the solar revolution.

1. The “green energy” revolution has gone mainstream.

Irrespective of your political persuasion or your views on alternative energy, you cannot deny how much attention the media, politicians, and our culture at large have been lavishing on “green energy solutions.” America is obsessed with green energy as never before. This collective obsession cannot help but fuel the fire of the solar revolution.

2. Powerful new consumer motivators.

Homeowners are tired of paying through the nose at the pump and on their utility bills.  Economic times are tight. Consumers want new, innovative ways to save without compromising their lifestyles. Once you install a solar array, you essentially maintain total independence from the grid power utility – and you can keep this independence up for a lifetime without investing in maintenance. Consumers are also more inclined to install solar for social reasons. Solar is not for the eclectic or overly wealthy anymore: it’s a viable, even fashionable solution.

Finally, there are serious financial motivations. For instance, a federal government tax incentive program recently provided $4,000 in tax credits for homeowners who installed solar. That’s a$4,000 deduction in money you would owe at the end of the year.

3. Radical improvements in solar technologies.

The “barrier to entry” for homeowners has never been lower. The decades of R&D, combined with the passion and urgency of solar advocates has led to the development of exciting, novel,cost effective, and well-engineered solutions. All that said, designing, developing, and executing a solar energy solution for your home can be a daunting task, unless you have a partner whom you can trust to facilitate the experience tomake sure it hews to your principles and budget.

Fortunately, you can connect with the most trusted name in roofing, Century Roof and Solar. For over 15 years, our contractors have installed premium roof systems throughout the San Francisco Bay area.  Learn more about how we can help you save money, protect the environment, and get free of the grid with a solar solution at www.noutilitybill.com, or connect with us at 888-233-7548 for a free roofing and/or solar quote.

While debates about climate change, energy independence, and alternative “green” energy rage, consumers find themselves at a difficult crossroads. What’s the best, safest, cheapest, most “green,” and least cumbersome way to power one’s house and one’s life?

New research and new technologies have re-inspired faith in one of the oldest – actually the oldest – energy source: solar.
Here are four reasons why it may behoove you to install a solar solution for your home or business immediately.

1. Good for the environment.

Solar is a totally non-polluting technology.  Not only are you not releasing carbon-dioxide, but you are also not contributing to particulate pollution.  Moreover, when you make the switch to solar, you create a kind of “social permission” for your friends, neighbors, and others in your community to do the same.  You create the change: your change sparks others to change and help the environment on a grander scale.

2. Independence from the power companies!

Although modern utility companies do a fairly good job of maintaining service, you’re in many ways at their mercy.  During sweltering summer months, for instance, power might be rationed just when you need it most to keep your AC flowing.  Alternately, with a solar installation – backed up by a battery powered system, so you can have power at night and on foggy days – you get total independence from your utility company.

3. Virtually eliminate your maintenance.

Even “old school” solar power systems had long lives.  Today’s systems can last 40 yearsor longer – no need to add fuel, do maintenance to the panels, or change out parts (there are no moving parts!).

4. Big financial motivations.

In 2008, the government created a tax incentive program to provide thousands of dollars in tax credits to homeowners who install solar energy solutions. This money is not simply a deduction against what can be taxed.  It is a dollar for dollar federal tax rebate.  Also, consider the longer term cost savings. Yes, installing a solar solution can lead to upfront costs. But imagine if you never had to pay a utility bill for the next four decades? How much would you save? It’s easy to calculate this – chances are, virtually every homeowner out there could save significantly over the long term.

If you have questions about solar power solutions, connect with the most trusted name in roofing – Century Roof and Solar.  For 15 years, we’ve served the Bay area with reliable solutions.  We are a Diamond Certified company.   Find out more about our process and solutions at  www.centuryrooftile.com, www.noutilitiybill.com or call 510-780-9489 to speak with one of our professionals.

Skylights and so-called “sun tubes” are becoming increasingly popular – not just among cutting-edge architects but also among “rank and file” building designers and homeowners.  What’s changed about our collective attitude towards these features?
1. First of all, skylights and sun tubes can help you save on electricity bills.
In an “up” economy, saving a few bucks a month on your power bill might not seem like much.  But in today’s troubled economy, homeowners and small businesses are turning over every rock to look for innovative ways to save. When you get natural sunlight through a skylight or sun tube to light up your kitchen, bathroom, rec room, or other area, you don’t need to keep flipping on and off the electricity.
2. Aesthetics.
Let’s face it.  A properly installed, “feng shui” engineered skylight can work wonders for a room.  Skylights are a lot more attractive than florescent overhead lights, for instance, and human beings have a biological craving for natural sunlight.
3. Airtight installations.
New technology and innovative installation techniques have resolved problems (leaks and loss of heat/cool air) that once plagued the skylight and sun tube industry.  A qualified and reputable company, such as CenturyRoof and Solar, can install airtight and leak-proof lights easily.
4. Remote control openings.
One possible downside to some skylights is that they must be cranked open and closed by hand.  This might not seem like to big of deal but if you are elderly, have a disability, or someone who might use the feature on a regular basis– a manually operated sunlight can be somewhat frustrating to use.  Fortunately, new technologies have solved this problem – many skylights can be cranked open via remote control now, nice for convenience and nice for show feature.
5. Vitamin D.
Compelling scientific research now suggests that many Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiency – a condition that’s associated with lack of natural sunlight.  By allowing more natural light into your home, you may be able to indulge (carefully!) in the sun’s natural rays and boost your vitamin D levels.
If you would like a personalized consultation regarding your skylight and sun tube needs, talk to the Bay Area leaders in roof systems, Century Roof and Solar.  Learn more at www.centuryrooftile.com or call 888-233-7548 for a free roofing/skylight sun tube quote.

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Solar terminology Glossary

If your thinking about a solar installation in your home, here are some useful and common terms to expect to hear about.

Alternating current (ac) — Electric current in which the direction of flow is reversed at frequent intervals, usually 100 or 120 times per second (50 or 60 cycles per second or 50//60Hz)..

Altitude — The angle between the horizon (a horizontal plane) and the sun’s position in the sky, measured in degrees.

Amorphous silicon — A non-crystalline semiconductor material that has no long-range order, often used in thin film photovoltaic modules.

Ampere or amp (A) — the unit of measurement for the electric current. One amp is produced by an electric force of 1 volt acting across a resistance of 1 ohm.

Annual solar savings — the amount of energy saved by the power generated by a solar system.

Array — Any number of photovoltaic modules connected together to provide a single electrical output at a specified voltage. Arrays are often designed to produce significant amounts of electricity.

Blocking Diode — A semi-conductor device connected in series with a PV module and a storage battery to prevent a reverse current discharge of the battery to prevent a reverse current discharge of the battery through the module when there is no output, or low output from the cells. When connected in series to a power flow preventing against the risk of thermal destruction of solar cells.

British Thermal Unit (Btu) — The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 60 degrees F to 61 degrees F at one atmosphere pressure. Roughly equivalent to the amount of energy released by burning one stick match.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) A term for the design and integration of PV into the building envelope, typically replacing conventional building materials. This integration may be in vertical facades, replacing view glass, spandrel glass, or other façade material; into semitransparent skylight systems; into roofing systems, replacing traditional materials; into shading “eyebrows” over windows’ or other building envelope systems.

Bypass diode — A diode connected across one or more solar cells in a photovoltaic module such that the diode will conduct if the cell(s) become reverse biased. Alternatively, a diode connected anti-parallel across a part of the solar cells of a PV module. It protects these solar cells of a PV module. It protects these solar cells from thermal destruction in case of total or partial shading of individual solar cells while other cells are exposed to full light.

Cell — The basic unit of a photovoltaic module. This word is also commonly used to describe the basic unit of batteries (ie. A 6-volt battery has 3 2-volt cells).

Cell efficiency — The percentage of electrical energy that a solar cell produces compared to the total amount of energy that is converted from the sun falling on the cell under standard testing conditions.

Circuit — A system of conductors that convey electricity.

Circuit breaker — A safety device that shuts off power when it senses too much current.

Compact Fluorescent Lights — Lights that use a lot less energy than regular light bulbs. We can use compact fluorescent lights for reading lights and ceiling lights.

Conductor — A material that is used to convey electricity, i.e. wires.

Conversion efficiency — see cell efficiency.

Crystalline Silicon — A type of PV cell made from a single crystal or polycrystalline slice of silicon.

Current — The flow of electric charge in a conductor between two points having a difference in potential (voltage.)

Direct current (dc) — Electrical current that flows only in one direction. The kind of electricity is generated by a solar system and is converted into ac power by the inverter. It is the most common form of electricity used in everyday disposable batteries.

Direct insolation — Full sunlight falling directly upon a collector. Opposite of diffuse insolation.

Disconnect — Switch gear used to connect or disconnect components of a PV system for safety or service.

Efficiency — The ratio of output energy to input energy. Expressed as a percent.

Electric circuit — Path followed by electrons from a power source (generator or battery) through an external line (including devices that use the electricity) and returning through another line to the source.
Electric Current — A flow of electrons; electricity.

Energy — The ability to do work. Stored energy becomes working energy when we use it.

Energy audit — A survey that shows how much energy you use in your house, apartment, or business. It can indicate your most intensive energy consuming appliances and even identify heating and cooling leaks that will help you find ways to use less energy.

Energy P ay Back Time — The time required for any energy producing system or device to produce as much energy as was required in its manufacture.

Gigawatt (GW) — One billion watts. One million kilowatts. One thousand megawatts.

Grid — A distribution network, including towers, poles, and wires that a utility uses to deliver electricity.

Grid-connected PV system — a solar system that is tied in to the utility’s network. When generating more power than necessary, the system supplies the surplus to the grid. At night, the system draws power from the gird.

Hybrid System — A PV system that includes other sources of electricity generation, such as wind or fossil fuel generators.

Inverters — Devices that convert DC electricity into AC electricity (single or multiphase), either for stand-alone systems (not connected to the grid) or for utility-interactive systems.

Incident Light — Light that shines onto the surface of a solar cell or module.

Insolation— Sunlight, direct or diffuse; from “incident solar radiation.’ Usually expressed in watts per square meter. Not to be confused with ‘insulation.’

Insulation — Materials that reduce the rate or slow down the movement of heat.Interconnect — A conductor within a module or other means of connection which provides an electrical interconnection between the solar cells.

Irradiance — the amount of solar energy that strikes a surface during a specific time period. Measured in kilowatts.

Junction box — An electrical box designed to be a sage enclosure in which to make proper electrical connections. On PV modules this is where PV strings are electrically connected.

Kilowatt (kW) — A unit of electrical power, one thousand watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh) — One thousand watt hours. The kWh is a unit of energy. 1 kWh=3600 kJ.

Life-cycle cost — An estimate of the cost of owning and operating a system for the period of its useful life; usually expressed in terms of the present value of all lifetime costs.

Load — Anything that is connected to an electrical circuit and draws power from that circuit.

Megawatt (MW) — One million watts; 1,000 kilowatts.

Module — see photovoltaic module.

Monocrystalline solar cell — a type of solar cell made from a thin slice of a single large crystal silica.

Multicrystalline — Material that is solidifies at such as rate that many small crystals (crystallites) form. The atoms within a single crystallite are symmetrically arranged, whereas crystallites are jumbled together. These numerous grain boundaries reduce the device efficiency. A material composed of variously oriented small individual crystals. (Sometimes referred to as polycrystalline or semi-crystalline).

Net metering — A practice used in conjunction with a solar electric system where your electric meter tracks your net power usage, spinning forward when you use electricity from the utility, and spinning backward when your system is generating more electricity than you need.

Orientation — Placement according to the compass directions, north, south, east, west.

Panel — A term used to describe a solar module.

Passive solar building — A building that utilizes non-mechanical, non electrical methods for heating, cooling and/ or lighting.

Peak load; peak demand — The maximum load, or usage, of electrical power occurring in a given period of time, typically a day.

Peak Sun Hours — The equivalent number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1000 w/m²(full sun).

Photovoltaic (PV) — This is the conversion of visible light into electricity. Photo means “light”, voltaic means “electric.”

Photovoltaic array — An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting. In smaller systems, an array can consist of a single module.

Photovoltaic cell — The smallest semiconductor element within a PV module to perform the immediate conversion of light into electrical energy (DC voltage and current).

Photovoltaic module — The smallest environmentally protected, essentially planar assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnections terminals, [and protective devices such as diodes] intended to generate DV power under un-concentrated sunlight. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate).

Photovoltaic system — A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and balance of system components.

PV — An abbreviation for photovoltaic.

Semiconductor — Any material that has a limited capacity for conducting an electric current. Certain semiconductors, including silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium dislenide, and cadmium telluride, are uniquely suited to the photovoltaic conversion process.

Silicon (Si) — A chemical element, atomic number 14, semi-metallic in nature, dark gray, an excellent semiconductor material. A common constituent of sand and quartz (as the oxide). Crystallizes in face-centered cubic lattice-like a diamond. The most common semiconductor material used in making photovoltaic devices.

Sine Wave Inverter — An inverter that produces utility-quality, sine wave power forms.Single-crystal silicon – Silicon material with a single crystal structure. A common material for the construction of solar PV cells.

Solar cell — See photovoltaic cell.

Solar energy — Energy from the sun. For example, the heat that vuilds up in your car when the windows are closed is solar energy.

Solar-grade silicon — Intermediate-grade silicon used in the manufacture of solar cells. Less expensive than electronic-grade silicon.

Solar module — See photovoltaic module.

Solar Noon — That moment of the day that divides the daylight hours for that day exactly in half. To determine solar noon, calculate the length of the day from the time of sunset and sunrise and divide by two. The moment the sun is highest in the sky.

Solar power — Electricity generated from sunlight.

Square Wave Inverter — The inverter consists of a DC source, four switches are power semiconductors that can carry a large current and withstand a high voltage rating. The switches are turned on and off at a correct sequence, at a certain frequency. The square wave inverter is the simplest and the least expensive to purchase, but it produces the lowest quality of power.

Stand alone — A solar system that operates without connection to a grid or another supply of electric battery bank stores unused daylight production for nighttime power. Commonly used in remote regions as mountains, ocean platforms or communication towers.

Stand off mounting — The installation of mounting brackets to a roof for the purpose of securing a solar array to a roof top. These brackets are usually waterproofed with a common roof plumbing flashing.

Standard Test Conditions (STC) — Conditions under which a module is typically tested in a laboratory: (1) Irradiance intensity of 1000 W/square meter (0.645 watts per square inch), AM1.5 solar reference spectrum, and (3) a cell (module) temperature of 25 °C, plus or minus 2 °C (77 °F, plus or minus 3.6 °F).

Surge — The momentary start-up condition of a motor requiring a large amount of electrical current.

Thin Film — A layer of semiconductor material , such as copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, or amorphous silicon, a few microns or less in thickness, used to make photovoltaic cells.

Tilt Angle — Angle of inclination of collector as measured in degrees from the horizontal. For maximum performance solar collectors/modules should be set at a perpendicular to the sun.

Two-Axis Tracking — A system capable of rotating independently about two axes and following the sun’s orientation and height in the sky (e.g., vertical and horizontal.)

Voltage (or electric potential) — The electric force that causes electric current to flow (analogous to pressure which can cause a water current to flow in a pipe) measured in volts (V).

Wafer — A thin sheet of semiconductor material made by mechanically sawing it from a single-crystal or multi-crystal ingot or casting.

Watt (W) — The unit of electric power, which is the rate of energy production, or the amount of energy consumed per time. One ampere of current flowing at a potential of one volt produces one watt of power.

Watt-hour (Wh) — A unit of energy equal to one wall of power being used for one hour.

Waveform — The shape of the curve graphically representing the change in the AC signal voltage and current amplitude, with respect to time.

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