Robert Estrella wasn’t too bothered by the above-normal temperatures a few weeks ago.
And he wasn’t deterred from cranking up his air conditioning despite the latest rate increase from Southern California Edison – the second this year from Orange County’s dominant power supplier.
As far as Estrella is concerned, the more sun, the better. After several years of searching for the right contractor, renovating his outdated roof and waiting for a permit from the county, Estrella got a solar power system installed a few weeks ago.
“Hopefully the savings will give us some extra money for the movies,” said Estrella, 43, who is expecting an immediate respite from electricity bills.
Estrella joins about 4,500 residential solar users in the 11 counties served by Southern California Edison, up from 150 in 2000. Solar homeowners still only account for 0.1 percent of Edison’s customers. Statewide, the number of solar roofs in California has risen to 19,200 from 450 since 2001.
Higher electricity rates are starting to heighten demand for solar systems, which run an average of $16,000. And home buyers are starting to place more value on homes equipped to tap into the sun’s energy, appraisers say.
“People are looking at their energy bills and saying, ‘Wow, solar power will help me even if I’m not a green thinker,’ ” said Estrella.
Estrella thinks that the upgrade will help him save on power costs and that it also has increased his home’s resale value.
Typically, solar systems generate enough savings to pay for themselves in five to six years, after taking into account an average state rebate of $5,200 and a federal tax credit of up to $2,000.
Electricity providers allow solar customers to “store” excess energy on the grid. Their electricity meters run backward when they have a surplus, allowing them to draw back the same amount of power at no charge when their solar panels don’t provide enough juice.
Learn how much solar power can save you with a free, no obligation solar estimate from NexGen Construction.
