Your Neighbor's Solar Panels Are Secretly Saving You Money

We are, admittedly, geeks; Popular Mechanics is cool. Therein, an article this month engages the value of solar, beyond the obvious utility savings. Thesis:

There’s a persistent myth that says houses with solar panels could raise energy costs for their neighbors. But a new analysis puts that notion to bed, showing that solar panels actually drop the cost of power, even for nearby houses.

How’s that? Scientists say solar panels lower peak demand on stressed traditional grids and have reduced the amount of infrastructure dollars that energy utilities must invest. By hooking your solar panels to the grid, you’re sneakily a hands-on investor in your local utilities.

The perpetual tug-of-war between the solar industry and utilities (and their regulators) sees and saws on the cost (or, positively, value) of residential solar systems. The Popular Mechanics piece references a study cited in the March issue of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Instead of solar panels increasing the cost of electricity for homes without solar, the reverse is true (through the financial lens of utilities): Homes with solar panels greatly subsidize local electrical grids.

The researchers broke down the “value of solar,” assessing variables (i.e., avoided costs to utilities) like plant O&M [operation & management] fixed and variable; fuel; generation capacity, reserve capacity, transmission capacity, distribution capacity, and environmental and health liability. The results:

… grid-tied utility customers are being grossly under-compensated in most of the U.S. as the value of solar eclipses the net metering rate as well as two-tiered rates.

One additional thought: A community’s energy resilience improves as its distributed generation network (grid-connected solar systems) grows. In simple terms, communities in Yolo County are less dependent on the grid given the abundance of local solar systems. When demand for electricity peaks — think of August/September last year — we have a vast array of homes producing their own power (including nearly one-in-three in Davis). Hence, we are less susceptible to brown outs, and we make PG&E’s job easier (and less expensive).

Let Yolo shine.

Solar tax credit extended; What’s next for PG&E net-metering?

This is a bit of a paste-eating (read: boring to most all but we the solar geeks) blog post, but we feel it’s valuable to share a few important updates for property owners who are considering going solar.

Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

In late December, as part of the $900B Covid-19 relief package, the 26% Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems was extended through 2022. (It was slated to drop to 22% this year.) Even through the lens of a rah-rah solar practitioner, it’s difficult to see the relationship of our industry to the pandemic … but, we’ll take it (and, it’s a benefit that accrues to homeowners who invest in solar). Good news.

PG&E Net-Energy Metering

In August 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) commenced deliberations for Net-Metering 3.0. (Background: “Net-Metering” is the accounting mechanism by which PG&E, as mandated by the CPUC, is required to compensate property owners for their solar generation. From 2005 through late 2016 [Net-Metering 1.0], property owners were compensated at the full retail rate [the same price PG&E charges for electricity] for their excess solar generation. Under the current program, Net-Metering 2.0, solar owners receive full retail compensation with two changes: a nominal “non-bypassable” charge, essentially a tax or toll, that totals ~$100/year; and, a requirement to enroll in a time-of-use rate plan.)

We were recently briefed by sages at the California Solar + Storage Association regarding the timing and key, to-be-negotiated levers of what’s next (Net-Metering 3.0). Important tenets:

- It’s anticipated the sausage-making process (CPUC deliberations) will continue through 2021, with a formulated program finalized in early 2022. Thereafter, it will take three-to-six months to initiate the program. Any prospective solar owner who has submitted Phase 1 of their PG&E Net-Metering application (by that date) will be grandfathered in to the current (Net-Metering 2.0) rules. Good news.

- Reprise: Anyone who has gone solar or goes solar prior to commencement of the new program is safe (i.e., you’re enrolled in Net-Metering 1.0 or 2.0); PG&E cannot retroactively change the rules or accounting treatment.

- It is likely solar-tied storage (batteries) will be part of the new program … again, details TBD. Could be good, could be penal.

- There are three key imperatives, or consumer protections, our industry is keenly focused on: Do not touch behind-the-meter (solar generation less consumption) electricity; no solar-specific fixed charges (ala SMUD and other utilities); and, any change/new program must be gradually implemented.

One note: There is no urgency, through our lens, to go solar. Unfortunately, several homeowners each week relay they were told (by one or more solar companies) that they had to go solar by (insert a fictitious date) for (insert an erroneous reason). Don’t buy it; take your time, do your due diligence.

As always, feel free to contact us if you’d like to learn more about the above and/or if you’d like us to help you evaluate whether solar makes sense.

The power is out. I want a battery. (Or, do I?) 2021 thoughts on solar-tied storage.

[Photo courtesy of the great Owen Yancher @davisenterprise.com]

This is a bit of a reprise from last year, wherein we shared thoughts about the pros and cons of purchasing a solar-tied battery. Then and now, our position is constant: We do not believe it makes economic sense. But, we do do it (install batteries).

Since the two-week-ago storm, we’ve fielded several dozen calls from local homeowners, all seeking the peace-of-mind of reliable electricity. Completely understood: My wife and I lost our power, in Willowbank, for about 36 hours, and my partner’s power was out for five days. No bueno.

It was an extraordinary storm, and our collective response, rightfully so, was extraordinary.

Pragmatically, we continue to dissuade homeowners from investing in batteries: They’re expensive (about $13,000, pre-tax credit, for a 10 kW battery that will power a handful of low voltage circuits during an outage) and the net-metering arbitrage is insulting ($50-100/year in benefit).

But, if energy security and resiliency is important, batteries are worthy of consideration. They work, they’re proven, and they are getting better. Here’s an email we received from a Repower client (for whom we installed an LG solar and battery system, in concert with SolarEdge’s kick ass Energy Hub inverter and power optimizers):

I thought I'd write you a brief note about our system. As you all are probably aware, there have been a few outages in Yolo county the past 2-3 days and we were not spared in it. Our power went out at 4pm on 1/28 and restarted at 9pm that night. Our batteries kicked in 2 seconds after the outage started and continued until the outage was over. We were able to keep our internet access until about 7pm when ATT broadband went down, but we had cellular service. It was eerie in how dark and quiet our neighborhood was, yet our place was lit up like a cheap Las Vegas casino.

Since this was our first real outage and we were skeptical as to PGE's estimated restoration time, (in addition to standing out like a sore thumb amongst our neighbors), we turned off unnecessary lights and tried to conserve. By the time the grid was back up, we had 88% battery capacity left and everything worked as planned.

This morning I've been fielding a few inquiries from our neighbors who want to know more about our batteries! Our batteries are recharged back to 100% and things are humming along.

Thanks again for everything that you've done to make this possible.

We are very pleased with the outcome!

We cannot quantify nor arbiter the value of security. Of course, if given the choice, nary a homeowner would opt to live in the dark. But, if the trade off is investing $10-20k versus enduring a power outage (or, employing the analog: a generator), we believe it’s worthy of considering the pros and cons.

An anecdote: We’ve had several prospective Repower clients share that solar companies told them they would “throw in a battery” to their solar system purchase. Nothing is thrown in; homeowners pay for it. Don’t fall for the sales ploy.

As we opined in July 2020, solar + storage is the future: "Homeowners no longer take their electricity security for granted. They are increasingly anxious about maintaining normalcy as supply uncertainty increases.”

Storms are one thing. PG&E brownouts — when peak demand exceeds electricity supply — are another. Fortunately, residents in suburban Yolo County are fairly immune from PG&E’s shut downs: We are surrounded by a (wonderful) agricultural buffer, and more than 25% of homes in our community have solar PV systems, thus lessening our reliance on the grid. We are a resilient community, sans storms.

Then and now, we’re happy to help homeowners evaluate whether batteries (and solar, of course) make sense. We commit to maintaining our objectivity and will endeavor to be less pessimistic, opening our minds to the subjective rationale of adding storage to a solar system.

Please contact us if you’d like to learn more. Until then, our best to you and yours … we will get through this pandemic, stronger and more resilient on the other side.

PG&E's EV rate with solar: No bueno

In October 2019, PG&E disseminated a rosy communique to homeowners who were enrolled in their “EV-A” electric vehicle rate schedule. The letter trumpeted the benefits of their new (“EV-2”) rate schedule: Extended off-peak period, lower peak rates, the world’s now a better place … all thanks to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Approximately one-third of homeowners Repower has helped go solar own, or plan to acquire, an electric vehicle. And, why not? If your amortized cost to generate solar electricity is ~8 cents/kWh and you garner four miles of range per kWh, driving via sunshine (trite!) is beyond cheap, let alone ecologically awesome.

Background: In February 2019 we encapsulated and quantified the benefits of PG&E’s “EV-A” rate schedule in a blog post, specifically for homeowners who enjoyed solar and drove electric vehicles. In short, under EV-A there was a good degree of arbitrage for solar+EV owners: If you played the game, your solar system only needed to generate ~75% of the electricity you consumed to, at annual net-metering true-up, zero out your bill. This was accomplished by shifting your electrical loads — charging your car, doing laundry, running your pool pump — to off-peak periods, when electricity was valued at ~13 cents/kWh. Conversely, if your solar generation exceeded your household electricity use during peak period (2-9 p.m., Monday-Friday), you racked up credits at 45-50 cents/kWh. Simple and viable.

Today, PG&E’s electric vehicle rate schedule (EV-2) is not viable. (Side note: EV owners who enrolled in the original, EV-A, rate schedule prior to October 2019 were grandfathered in for five years, commencing the date you enrolled; such homeowners will be transitioned to EV-2 after five years.)

The net-metering calcs are stark, when contrasting three PGE time-of-use rate schedules: EV-A, EV-2 and TOU-C (PGE’s de-facto time-of-use rate schedule, whether you do or do not own an EV). The below examples are actual net-metering data from a Repower homeowner who purchased an EV (after going solar). At annual true-up, they consumed 2,157 kWh more than their solar system generated. They charged their car and did laundry at night, and programmed their pool pump to run during off-peak periods too.

First, annual metrics for a solar + EV homeowner under the original EV-A rate schedule:

Next, here’s the same homeowner under EV-2:

And, here are the results if the homeowner enrolled in TOU-C:

Same electricity use pattern, same solar generation profile, three different annual financial results: 

- EV-A: $211

- EV-2: $959

- TOU-C: $623

Hence, since EV-A is not available, this electric vehicle-owning homeowner should enroll in TOU-C (and, thereby, save $336/year versus EV-2). If the homeowner had been enrolled in EV-A and was then switched, automatically by PG&E, to EV-2, their annual electricity costs would have increased $748. Ouch.

PG&E can be a pain in the posterior, particularly if you endeavor to keep up with their always changing rate schedules, time-of-use periods, and rates. If you are considering solar — and own or are contemplating an EV — feel free to contact us to receive a no-cost analysis of your net-metering options.

Solar + Battery Storage: Are we there (yet)?

The future of clean energy generation, security and resiliency is the combination of solar and energy storage (batteries). Though the grid acts as a de-facto battery via net-metering – from an accounting perspective – when the grid goes down, so too do solar systems. 

Enter batteries. And, the ever-evolving question of, “Are solar-tied batteries ready for prime time?”

Today we look at solar + batteries through two lenses: Property owners and solar companies.

How homeowners view backup power

Here’s a recent conversation with a Yolo County homeowner that reflects the sentiment of many Repower current and prospective clients:

Losing power to my house makes me uneasy. As my home has become a second workspace, a new play area and the only restaurant in town always taking my reservation, a power interruption can stop my life entirely. Such a possibility raises my anxiety. And I’m not alone. Eliminating my absolute reliance on PG&E lowers my anxiety and is an increasingly large interest for a number of us (homeowners).

 While some view batteries as an insurance policy against loss, others simply want the security (and peace of mind) to live uninterrupted. Hence, homeowners can often be split into two groups: those willing to back-up a limited number of critical circuits (electrical loads) and those seeking uninterruptible power for everything they need. 

For the first group, the approach is straightforward and currently, the least expensive: identify the circuits critically needed, place those circuit breakers in a separate subpanel and power them with a battery. This approach works with any backup system and promises the battery does not drain too quickly. These batteries can support low power appliances, such as lights, the house fan, modems/routers and the fridge and freezer. The microwave may work, but it uses more power than the other items and drains the battery faster. For this first group, air conditioning is out of the question: too much power required.

The second group requires multiple batteries to reduce the likelihood of running out of energy or not providing enough power. Supplying all the energy needed may also require installing more solar panels (and/or a generator) to ensure that the battery system gets recharged fully in the depths of winter. Most homeowners find this is not a sage investment; we agree.

Many homeowners are considering generators as an alternative to batteries. On the surface, this approach makes a lot of sense. Like batteries, the generator needs to be sized for either a critical group of circuits or for the entire house. Unlike a battery solution, generators require maintenance and should be tested monthly. Also, relying on the natural gas to power the generator works well if a power outage does not impact gas supply. 

In summary: Homeowners no longer take their electricity security for granted. They are increasingly anxious about maintaining normalcy as supply uncertainty increases.

How solar companies view backup power

Where does power go when it has nowhere to go? As a solar company, we are often asked what happens to the power generated from the photovoltaic panels during a power outage. National building codes require the systems to shut down, which makes sense when the excess power has nowhere else to go. Batteries solve this problem. 

Batteries allow homeowners to use their solar system to supply power to the parts of their home they want to keep running – or to keep power flowing to the entire house. 

For solar companies, batteries (and the enabling smart controls) provide the final puzzle piece to energy resilience. We value being able to offer another solution to Yolo County property owners that allows their lives to continue uninterrupted. Batteries augment the product and service we offer as a solar company and allow us to meet the growing concerns of our community.

Adding residential batteries to the solar business offerings can be complicated, relative to simple solar installations. Over-simplifying these issues may lead to unmet expectations. Sizing a battery system requires matching a homeowner’s needs with their budget. In many cases, the appetite homeowners express for backup power does not match their budget. (Knowing that backup power is rarely used makes it easier for vendors to sell it since it’s difficult for homeowners to gauge whether their expectations are met.)

One final challenge faces the solar industry: Selecting the best battery system for the homeowner. We are in the Model T days of residential batteries, and system capabilities are changing rapidly. Early adopters often accept the bumps in the road that come with new product offers, but when pairing with dependable solar panels, the early stage battery system may fail to clear the high bar homeowners have come to expect.

Battery systems are often sold to meet two different objectives: provide backup power when the grid fails and provide power to the home or grid during the most expensive time periods during the day. Clearly, meeting one objective could result in missing the mark on the other. For example, the backup battery could feed back power at the end of the day but deplete the stored energy for that night’s unexpected power outage. 

As batteries become a more common offering from solar companies, clearly outlining tradeoffs of different solutions is key to meeting homeowners’ energy security needs.

Feel free to contact us if you’d like to learn more about our energy storage calculus and conclusions and receive a no-cost assessment tailored to your home and energy resiliency needs.

YoloShines: Spread your wings with the Yolo Basin Foundation

Okay, quick show of hands: How many of you have toured, strolled, ran, dog-walked or bird-watched at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area? In addition to you, your children and/or grandchildren?

The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is a regional treasure. And, Yolo Basin Foundation (YBF) enriches our community by providing educational experiences for all ages to enjoy the wetlands and wildlife of this local resource. RepowerYolo is proud to support the Foundation through our YoloShines program. In 2020, we intend to amplify our support of YBF.

In the continued wake of CV-19, the outdoor educational and enrichment services YBF delivers are more important than ever. Our children and grandchildren need it, and so too do us old folks!

We recently sat down – virtually – with YBF’s team to learn more. Herein, hopefully you will gleam our passion for YBF and join us in supporting their critical work.

1)    What is Yolo Basin Foundation and why do you exist?

Yolo Basin Foundation (YBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand the public’s appreciation and stewardship of the wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin through education and innovative partnerships. People drive across the I-80 “causeway” connecting Davis to Sacramento, but do they understand that this area provides not only flood control, but animal and plant habitats and wildlife-friendly agriculture? YBF helps people experience and connect with the environment around them, including the wetlands that are right next door. 

2)    Who do you serve?

YBF provides environmental education programs to youth and the public about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area’s resources and its importance locally and statewide. We reach over 10,000 people annually through dozens of programs we offer year-round. Our reach extends over 5 counties, but most served are from Yolo and Sacramento counties.

3)    Please share more about your programs.

We have amazing programs and take pride in the diversity of opportunities available. There is something for everyone. Our school field trips and classroom programs enhance science and social science curriculum. We provide wetland tours, bat education and awareness programs, our annual California Duck Days family festival, wetland-themed summer camps, nature workshops and hikes, and our speaker series that highlights environmental issues, current research topics in conservation, and topics associated with the natural history of Northern California. Go to yolobasin.org to learn about the programs we offer. There are dozens! Because of the current situation, many of our programs are on hold so we are offering numerous virtual opportunities. We look forward to providing in-person experiences as soon as we are able. Currently, the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is open daily, sunrise to sunset for people to enjoy on their own.

4)    Can you share a story about a meaningful impact YBF generated?

Yolo Basin Foundation (YBF) was founded in 1990 as a community based-organization to assist in the establishment of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, a 25-mile expanse that lies beneath I-80 between Davis and Sacramento. It was a successful venture and work continues today. We have formed collaborative partnerships with local farmers and private wetland managers, conservation organizations, elected officials and the government including wildlife, flood control, and water quality agencies. The Wildlife Area is home to over 200 species of birds, more than 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, wildlife friendly agriculture, and miles of walking trails where people can explore on their own or through guided tours provided by YBF. We are proud of what we have and continue to accomplish.

5)    How can our community get involved?

Want to get involved? There are so many ways! 

Become a volunteer! YBF would not be what it is today without its over 200 volunteers. Are you a local birder? Become a wetland tour docent. Like kids? Become a docent for our Discover the Flyway outdoor education program. Like working outdoors? Participate in one of our Demonstration Wetland clean-up days. Like working indoors? We have plenty of office work and special projects to keep you busy. Contact Sabreena Britt (sbritt@yolobasin.org), YBF’s volunteer coordinator, to learn how you can become a volunteer.

Attend Programs and Events! Do you enjoy learning new things? Our Explorer Series programs are small group one-day events, from raptor and astronomy educational programs, to natural history excursions and fine art classes. Each summer we hold our Bat Talk and Walk programs where participants learn about and observe the flyout of over 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats. Our California Duck Days family-friendly festival occurs every February, and there is so much more. Check out yolobasin.org to learn more about our programs.

6)    How can we, the community, help?

As with other nonprofit organizations, financial support, volunteers and a motivated staff are what keeps YBF alive. Every time a person pays for an event or program, the money is used to sustain the organization. Becoming a member, making Yolo Basin Foundation the recipient of your AmazonSmile purchases or using your Scrip card at Nugget Markets (designated to support to YBF) are a few simple ways to support us. Of course, we can always use monetary contributions. To learn more about how you can support YBF, please go to yolobasin.org/supportybf.

And don’t forget to spread the word! We’d love to have all local residents experience what Yolo Basin Foundation has to offer.

7)    Over the next three years YBF will…

Over the next three years our plans for the future are simple. We will continue the programs we have now and provide additional and enhanced opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience and appreciate the wetlands and wildlife of our region. Through these experiences, we hope our participants will be able to make knowledgeable decisions that can positively affect our environment. We’d like everyone to truly see how one’s personal decisions impact the natural world around us.

One of our goals is to continue to provide school bus stipends to any school that needs financial support so that lack of transportation is not the deciding factor for participating in the Discover the Flywayoutdoor education school program. We’d like the California Duck Days festival admission fee to remain minimal so all families and individuals can attend. We plan to expand our programs to groups such as the Girl and Boy Scouts. The more funding we receive, the more we can do! Our list of wishes is endless!

Let it rain, let it shine: Repower solar production increases 17% in Q1 2020

To state the obvious, November, December, January and February are the worst-performing solar months. For example, a typical solar system in Yolo County (at 38 degrees latitude) generates ~3X more electricity during summer months versus winter months. Simply: More hours of daylight, fewer cloudy/overcast days, and a higher azimuth of the sun fuel increased electricity generation.

Solar panels throughout Yolo County shined over the first three months of 2020, basking in an extraordinary (and, for our aquifer, unfortunate) amount of sun. We had zero (!) days of rain in February; by comparison, it rained 25 days in February 2019. Hence, spanning more than 350 Repower solar systems, our average homeowner generated 49% more electricity in February 2020, relative to what we forecast when we commissioned their solar system.

Over the first three months of 2020, Repower systems generated 17% more electricity than predicted (for an average year, normalizing weather data over the past 30 years). We attribute this to (primarily) the irregular weather and (secondarily) to the engineering efficacy of our designers, electricians and installers. Regardless, 17% is 17%, resulting in an average surplus/credit/bonus of $91 for Repower homeowners in the first quarter.

Solar is predictable and dependable. It works, as it should. Let it shine.

What if?

My 71-year-old mom discovered Facebook a few years ago. All (viral) hell broke loose as she, lovingly, would share “did you see this?” video and meme and story after story. She’s my mom; I can’t complain. Next was Instagram (@julie.mcbride.31), primarily a medium to share her wonderful, Sara Post inspired art. She’s sheltering well and ramping her creative juices.

This week, she shared a post painting a positive outlook on the CV-19 situation, specifically for children. I suppose this has orbited the internet a few times, but nevertheless would like to share, particularly through the lens of a father of two sheltered sons. Here goes:

Our schools have been out for about 3 weeks and if we go back May 1, we would be out for over seven weeks. If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss 2+ months of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education...

But what if...

What if instead of falling “behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this?   Hear me out. 

What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.

What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet. 

What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?

What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?

What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less? 

What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home. 

What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?

What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?

What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?

What if they are AHEAD?

Take care, be well. We will get through this, hopefully stronger, kinder and wiser on the other side.

Inventopia takes the lead: Call for 3D printers for COVID-19 response

Tim Keller is a regional treasure, our Peter Pan leading the march for Davis-based inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs, the collective crazies who make stuff (and make stuff happen). I have the pleasure of serving on the board of Inventopia, Tim’s non-profit incubator/maker space housed on 5th Street in Davis.

Tim is not sleeping much, a typical UC Davis Aggie who’s restlessly working to help the world. I caught him this morning — social-distanced phone chat — at Inventopia, mid-stream in doing his part to help stem the COVID-19 crisis and just prior to his community call to build a 3D printer farm. Here’s a recap of our caffeine-fueled convo:

What’s up?

I’m focused on helping however we can. Just like in entrepreneurship, you figure out where the market is and where you can add value. A lot of people are printing face shields for doctors. Personal protective equipment, especially filtering masks, are in short supply. Big manufacturers are ramping up supply, but its still probably going to be enough. There are designs out there for 3D printable masks - but they are not good enough - those  masks do not seal to the face, and no one has figured out a good filter media that isn’t going to canibalize the stock of material that’s used in N95 masks. 

So, your solution?

I am making a 3D printable face mask that anyone can make (with a 3D printer), with a filter than anyone can source, and that is effective. With that, we’re widening the pipe. We will both make it — I’m 90% done with the design for the mask — and open-source the design to other makers. Just last night I nailed how to get it to fit to the face — using a mix silicone and corn starch — a I modified the mask design so the putty can lock in to the mask. On the filter side, we are still figuring out what the most commonly available materials are. I’m using a method documented in Nature magazine, if the filter fibers are encrusted with salt, the salt absorbs the droplets and then recrystallizes mechanically tearing the virus apart.

So, you’re going to make protective masks and also enable others to do so. Awesome. What’s your timing?

We may be a week out on the filter. On the mask, I’m announcing today we are going to start collecting 3D printers from the community to make a print farm. We need to ensure printed parts are not contaminated (i.e., in individual, potentially contaminated locations), So the print farm will be centralized and run by two people. The masks and filters are two pieces, which thread together.

The design — the Inventopia mask — will be open-sourced, available to anyone. I have a sub-segment of eight people who are working on it with me online. I started printing them — made two last night — and will issue a call to the community to loan 3D printers and provide any materials they have.

How many can you make?

Our production ramp primarily depends on how many 3D printers we can find. 

What about other products?

There are many people who are making ventilators. Our machinery shop can make metal parts for ventilators. Inventopia will be there to make it. I have been urging the people on those design tracks not to view making ventilators solely via 3D printing. You can’t do it with 3D printing only. You need machine shops, like what we have at Inventopia, to construct the metal parts for ventilators, so we intend to help in that respect as well.

Why are you doing this?

It’s a time where I see a need, I can help, that’s what I do. I don’t know if in-house (at Inventopia) manufacturing can make a world of difference. But, if we save one life, it’s worth it. Seriously, how many times in your normal daily life do you have potential to save a life? I have always been someone who wants to be part of the solution. Inventopia: That’s why I’m doing it, to help people, because conditions suck for entrepreneurs and makers. I’m trying to help and the urgency of now is NOW.

How can our community help?

If you have a 3D printer in your home or at your office, and it can run without being attached to a computer, please consider lending it to Inventopia for the next couple of months. We are also interested in donations of printer filament. (Tim’s email: tkeller [at] inventopia [dot] org)

Davis Community Meals + Housing: COVID-19 Services and How You Can Help

Repower has had the pleasure of supporting (i.e., donating a minimum of $500 to) more than 70 local nonprofit organizations  over the past few years. All nonprofits are worthy, but there is one – today – that is providing on-the-ground assistance to our most vulnerable COVID-19 community members.

Please join us in supporting Davis Community Meals & Housing during this compelling time of need. Here’s a summary of their contemporary services and how our community can lend a hand:

Providing food, housing and services to many of the most vulnerable in our community has been our mission since 1991. It continues to be our mission today.

We are continuing our meals program at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45 pm and our lunch on Saturday at 11:30 am. In compliance with state and local guidelines, we have suspended our sit down eating service and are now preparing and handing out bagged sandwiches and other food items for take away.

All of our housing programs are continuing. Our weekday resource center is still operating from 8 am to 12 noon Monday to Friday. Staff availability during the afternoon is limited at this time.

We have had no reported cases of Covid-19 by any of our volunteers, guests and staff. We are being extremely vigilant of following all CDC guidelines and guidance from multiple sources on best practices to combat the spread of this disease to all. We request that all volunteers who are deemed to be in a vulnerable class of individuals or for any other reason to stop volunteering at this time. Your health and safety is very important to us!!

We want to thank all for your continuing support and donations. With your help we can continue to provide to the individuals and families in our community.

DONATIONS

As many of you have witnessed, shortages of certain products and food items have created empty shelves and shortages of many of life’s basic necessities. Below is a list of our highest needs:

• Toilet Paper

• Paper towels

• Hand Sanitizer

• Sanitizing Wipes (Clorox Wipes)

• Fresh fruit (bananas, oranges, apples)

• Chips

• Sandwich meat and cheese (packaged)

• Cookies

• Non-perishable food items

For your safety, we will be accepting these donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm at St. Martins Church, 640 Hawthorn Lane, Davis, CA in the back of the church hall. For our guests and our safety, we will not be accepting home prepared sandwiches, food or any opened food items. For any other donations, please contact Bill at billpride@dcmah.org or Harmony at harmony@dcmah.org. Monetary donations can be mailed to DCMH at PO Box 72463, Davis, CA 95617 or on-line at www.daviscommunitymeals.org. Please contact Bill for any other questions.

Thank you. Be well, take care … we will persevere.

Readers’ Choice 2020: RepowerYolo — Best Solar Company

We are extremely grateful to be named the 2020 Best Solar Company in Yolo County, as selected by Davis Enterprise readers. Our appreciation is buoyed by a singular emotion: We love what we do, and we take great pride in helping members of our community go solar. The trust our community places in Repower fuels our ambition to work harder and amplify our impact. Thank you!

From The Enterprise’s Best of Yolo issue:

“Wow,” said Chris Soderquist, who owns RepowerYolo along with John Walter. “We are beyond honored to be selected as the No. 1 solar company in our community. Our commitment to help property owners go solar — with the highest quality equipment, workmanship and service — is galvanized by the trust Repower homeowners place in our work.”

Since its inception in 2014, Soderquist says Repower has helped more local homeowners go solar than any other (local or national) solar company. In 2019, its business doubled — they helped more than twice as many homeowners go solar. “Since we do not advertise, market or employ salespeople,” Soderquist said, “we are thankful for the trust homeowners place in Repower. In total, we have helped more than 350 property owners in our community go solar.”

Repower’s mission is to simplify the process, improve the quality and reduce the cost of going solar for Yolo County property owners. It have a triple bottom line: When property owners go solar, they reduce PG&E costs, shrink their carbon footprint and support the community (through the YoloShines program, which donates $500 to the property owner’s favorite local nonprofit).

What makes them special? “We are hyper-focused solar geeks,” Soderquist said, “simpletons who do one thing: Solar PV systems for Yolo County property owners.”

Past accolades include the city of Davis’ 2018 Environmental Recognition Award and NextDoor’s No. 1 rated solar company in Yolo County. YoloShines has made more than $125,000 donations to local nonprofits.

Investing in solar or stocks: A look at long-term returns

Solar is a long-term investment that generates predictable financial and environmental returns. I know, no duh! And, of course, solar does not make sense for everyone. It’s an option — vis-a-vis purchasing electricity from PG&E — much like making an investment in the stock market is an option.

This week we have fielded a surprising (given all that’s going on with COVID-19) number of calls from homeowners in our community. What surprising, too, was their rationale: The financial markets are cratering, there’s great uncertainty, perhaps now is the time to evaluate investing in solar for my home. 

To wit, here’s a comparison of the returns generated via a hypothetical $20,000 investment in the stock market and in solar for your home.

First, if you invested $20,000 in an S&P 500 index fund in January 1995, over 25 years (by December 31, 2019) you would have generated an 8.015% annualized return. Not bad. And, of course, this does not account for the past three weeks of volatility; the S&P (as of March 20) is down 29% since the beginning of February 2020.

Regardless, let’s stick with the 8% annualized return metric for the stock market.

Next, if you invested $20,000 in a solar system for your home, here’s a summary of your 25-year returns:

- Total investment: $20,000

- Less, 26% federal tax credit: $5,200

- Net investment: $14,800

This solar system (standard size for a home in Yolo County) would generate the following returns:

- Year-one PG&E savings: $2,153

- 25-year PG&E savings: $86,394 (assumes 4.5% annual PG&E rate inflation)

Simplified: In the first year, solar will generate a 14.5% annual return. Over its 25-year warrantied life, solar will generate an annualized return of 23%, buoyed by annual PG&E rate increases.

And, homeowners do not pay taxes on their solar investment returns … utility savings are not taxable. But, we do pay capital gains on our stock market investments.

Net-net, if you invest in solar today and if PG&E’s rates increase 4.5%/year, you will generate a 23% annualized return over the next 25 years that is immune to the volatility of the stock market and the macro economy.

Perfunctory caveat: Consult your investment and/or tax advisor for investment advice. Or, of course, feel free to contact us if you would like to evaluate solar.

Most important: Be well, stay well, take care of our community. We will get through this.

Another trip around the sun

On New Year’s Eve, we encapsulated the past year in a 15-thread Twitter communique. Here’s a summary:

‘tis the end of the year and thus time to recollect our 2019 trip around the sun. We are extremely grateful to our collective community for its support in a record-setting Repower year. A few highlights to share …

• In 2019 we helped 125+ Yolo County homeowners go solar. In aggregate, our 2019 solar clients will save $8.1 million in utility costs and retire 19,101 metric tons of CO2 (over the next 25 years), the equivalent of taking 4,055 cars off the road or planning 315,841 trees. Very cool.

• Solar is now. Primary motivations to go solar are uncertainty about (and mistrust in) PG&E, a desire to reduce and hedge utility costs, and strong ideals about confronting climate change (e.g., “Doing my part.”). A smart, sustainable investment.

• Rewarding projects we orchestrated this year included the Marriott Residence Inn Davis, Davis ACE Hardware, Davis Community Church, Hyatt Place Vacaville, Millennium Child Development Center Dixon, Yolo Food Bank, Lincoln40, Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Davis, and myriad advisory projects for First Northern Bank.

• Kudos to our comrades Valley Clean Energy for fighting the good fight. In particular, thank you to VCE for amending their solar net-metering program, per our recommendations, to make it viable for Yolo County solar owners. The future is bright for VCE.

• Many thanks to THE GREAT Chris Granger and our fellow board members and volunteers at the Cool Davis Foundation, the little engine that CAN make a difference in reducing our community’s carbon footprint. Cool Davis rocks.

• Great appreciation to fellow Davis Community Meals and Housing board members and Paul’s Place capital campaign colleagues for their inspiring + tireless work to help less fortunate members of our community. Paul’s Place is happening.

• To fellow volunteers and capital campaign members who propelled Yolo Food Bank’s beyond successful ($7 million) capital campaign to build and open a new distribution center … wow! You did it. And, thanks too for entrusting Repower to solarize the new facility.

• This is great fun: When homeowners go solar, we donate $500 to their favorite Yolo County nonprofit organization. We call this YoloShines. On behalf of Repower homeowners, we supported 37 organizations this year; over the past week alone, we donated $40,500 to local causes. 2019 YoloShines beneficiaries: Citizens Who Care, City of Davis Housing Trust Fund, CommuniCare Health Centers, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cool Davis Foundation, Cub Scout Pack 111, Davis Chapter of Project Linus, Davis Community Meals & Housing, Davis Little League, Davis Media Access, Davis Schools Foundation, Empower Yolo, Esperanza Rising Foundation, Family Hope Network, UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program, NorCal Trykers, Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter, iHouse Davis, Norcal GSP Rescue, Patwin School PTA, Purebreds Plus Cat Rescue, Rivendell Nursery School, Robert E Willett Elementary School, Rotts of Friends, STEAC, Suicide Prevention Yolo County, Paul’s Place, Sutter Davis Hospital Foundation, Davis Phoenix Coalition, University Covenant Church, Yolo Food Bank, Yolo CASA, Yolo SPCA, Yolo Crisis Nursery, Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network and Yolo Land Trust. What a year, with great thanks to Repower homeowners for their support of our community.

We remain humbled, thrive on the opportunity to earn trust, to enrich full and meaningful lives. Solar simpletons, yes, but beyond helping neighbors save money and reduce their carbon footprints, our commitment to strengthen our community is galvanized by the day. Happy 2020.

Why solar, why now? Homeowners speak out

At times it feels like we are solar psychologists. To effectively help property owners evaluate solar, we ask a lot of questions and — importantly — try out best to listen … two ears, one mouth. 

Our initial consultation with property owners generally begins with a two questions: Why solar? Why now? The sentiment of property owners falls into two camps: Pragmatic/economic, and/or idealistic/environmental.

Over the past month, we have had several dozen conversations with property owners. Here’s a sampling of contemporary reactions to the two Why? questions, shared in no particular order (with a heavy dose of PG&E sentiments):

- I’ve been putting it off; now seems like the right time to go solar.

- I am installing a new roof. Installing solar at the same time seems sensible. (This is common … we are currently orchestrating more than 10 re-roof + solar installations.)

- I looked at solar a while back and it didn’t pencil. Now that the cost of panels has dropped and PG&E’s rates have gone up, I want to learn if it’s feasible.

- PG&E’s rates are going to continue to go up, particularly with their bankruptcy and accrued liabilities for the fires.

- I want to do my part and reduce my carbon footprint.

- I am sick of PG&E and do not trust them.

- I just got an electric vehicle (or, plan to do so soon); now seems like the right time.

- The tax credit is going down at the end of the year (from 30% to 26%) … I do not want to lose out.

- I believe solar is the right way to go from an ecological perspective … we need to produce more clean energy/solar power.

- I just bought my house and it doesn’t have solar.

- I want to improve the value of my home.

- I am installing an electric heat pump, plan to go all-electric powered by solar.

- I believe solar is the right thing to do over the long run, economically and environmentally.

- My bills are really high; I’m tired of paying PG&E.

- PG&E’s problems are only getting worse. With solar, I can lock in my cost of electricity.

- I just retired and will use more electricity in the future.

- Solar is socially responsible, but I’m not sure if it’s financially reasonable.

- I have done everything I can to improve the energy efficiency of my home. Now, it’s time to consider solar.

Our opinions:

- Solar does not make sense for everyone.

- If you intend to own your home for more than five years, solar is worthy of consideration.

- There is no urgency to go solar; do not buy the, “you’ve gotta go solar by this date for this reason.”

- PG&E’s rates will continue to inflate; by what amount and when, nobody knows.

- Solar is the simplest and most effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and mitigate against future PG&E rate increases.

We are happy to engage in a conversation and help you contemplate solar. Feel free to stop by our workspace or contact us today to schedule your no-cost evaluation.

How PG&E’s “EV” rate schedule benefits solar homeowners

We have had the fortune of helping more than 50 electric vehicle owners go solar. As shared in prior posts, fueling your car with solar electricity is the least expensive form of (automotive) transport: Your amortized cost to generate solar electricity is ~8 cents per kWh, and you yield about four miles per kWh of electricity. Trite but true: Driving on sunshine makes sense.

Better yet, when you enjoy an electric vehicle you can employ PG&E’s “EV” rate schedule. This time-of-use rate program incents EV drivers to charge their car (and shift other electricity demand) to “off-peak” hours, namely 11 pm to 7 am, Monday through Friday, and all weekend/holiday hours, sans 3-7 pm.

Here are PG&E’s “EV” rates per kWh:

• Peak (2-9 pm, M-F): $0.33 (winter); $0.48 (summer)

• Part Peak (7am-2pm; 9-11pm M-F): $0.20 (winter); $0.26 (summer)

• Off Peak (11pm-7am M-F; weekends/holidays all hours except 3-7pm): $0.13

When your solar panels make more energy than your home uses, you are credited by PG&E via their net-metering program. Hence, the greater the delta (solar generation less household consumption) during “peak” periods, your monetary credits are amplified.

Generally, Repower homeowners who enroll in PG&E’s EV rate schedule only generate ~80% of the electricity they use to cover 100% of their electricity costs. This is simply due to the time-of-use rate schedule and the advantage of buying electricity at a low rate and getting credited at nearly 4x. Very cool.

With apologies for the bevy of metrics, let’s review an example. Below is the electricity use for a fairly standard Davis homeowner who charges their electric vehicle 12,000 miles per year at home.

Pre-solar electricity use and costs (on PG&E’s “E-1” program):

We then sized and modeled a solar system to eliminate the homeowner’s electricity bill: A 4.8 kW, 15-panel system installed at 270-degree azimuth (due west), no shading. The solar panels are projected to generate 6,493 kWh in year one, thus covering 70% of the homeowner’s electricity use.

If the homeowner did not own an electric vehicle, they would (upon going solar) enroll in PG&E’s “TOU-A” rate schedule. Like the EV rate, TOU-A values electricity based on demand (“peak” period is 3-8 pm), but there’s little difference between peak and off-peak periods.

Solar economics under the default E-TOU (A) rate schedule:

The homeowner’s year-end, true-up cost would be $645 — the solar system is too small. This is not bad, but …

… under the EV rate schedule, the homeowner generates significant time-of-generation credits/leverage. Their year-end bill would be $108.

Simple but lucrative: The homeowner will save an additional $500 per year through the EV rate schedule. Contact us today with questions and/or if you’d like a free solar assessment.