MICHAEL ARENSON
Pacific Solar Company

Did you know you can run your electric meter backwards?

With a grid-connected solar electric system, you can get all the electric power you need directly from the sun, and exchange power with PG&E.

Silicon Valley engineer J.B. Compton has lived in his Santa Cruz Mountains summit home since 1976. "I’ve lost power continuously for 25 years and I’m tired of it," Compton said. That’s one reason why he installed a 10 kW (AC) solar electric system, with battery back-up. "Now I’ll have power all the time, 24 hours a day, even if the PG&E grid goes out," he said.

The solar electric system was installed by Pacific Solar Company of Redwood City. Pacific Solar has installed many solar electric systems throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas.

Compton and his wife Janice are delighted with the performance of their new solar electric system. "We’ve been reading the electric meter every day. Right now our solar electric system is covering our whole electric bill."

The economic advantages are another reason Compton went with solar. "I’d like to break even on my electric bill," he said. He estimates a payback for the system in 50 months, based on increased home value and lower electric bills.

The Compton’s solar cell array is mounted on the hillside in front of their modern energy-efficient home. It powers nearly all of their electrical appliances and equipment, including their water well, lights, refrigerator, clothes washer and computers. A synchronous inverter converts the DC-power from the array into AC-power compatible with utility and household uses. The battery back-up power system provides electricity to most of the house when the PG&E power is out. Electricity is stored in eight deep-cycle batteries, and can carry the home for several days if there is no utility power.

This is the largest solar electric system in our area. Compton took advantage of the economy of scale by installing the largest system he could while still qualifying for the maximum rebate from the state to pay for the solar cells.

The California Energy Commission is offering cash rebates on renewable energy electric systems, including solar. The rebate pays $3,000 per kilowatt, or up to 50 percent of the purchase price.

California’s net metering law allows a utility customer to send power back into the utility grid at full retail value.

For more information, call me at Pacific Solar Company, 831-427-9070.