Im not from california: but here are some links to people and places that can help you.

http://www.energyupgradeca.org/en/see-whats-new-and-fun/campaigns/its-easy#home-upgrade

http://myenergy.energyupgradeca.org/myplan/rebates

Where I live there's Solarize Albany. See if there's something similar in your area.

http://www.solarizealbany.org

We are a volunteer and not-for-profit team of your neighbors assisting in the transition to sustainable energy through education, outreach and the bulk-purchasing benefits of vetted technologies and vendors. We are working cooperatively with Solarize Schenectady, HCE and Troy groups through the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.

Just to ask on here since solar is the questions. Can solar panel and fan type on same system charge your batteries?

That would be great.

My clients home right now is total solar with panel and propane back up. I have noticed more wind then clear skies to charge.

Ken

@Depo, agree on the home owner and seller is on the hook, there is a contract. The best way if possible is outright buying. 250 a month for 20 years will help others that can't buy out right. Is your husbands buddy hooked to the main grid also? If had to pay a payment I would hook to the main grid to pull back investment.

Ken

@depo thanks i appreciate you looking out for me!

and thank you everyone else for all the feedback! some of this can be confusing

i reached out to a couple local retailers and some of them mentioned some newer type of financing that seemed pretty appealing called California first or something to that effect. They said it falls under "pace" financing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACE_financing

anyone had any experience with it because it sounds fairly appealing?

Do some more googling. Then make some phone calls. I'm sure there are non-profits in your area who help consumers navigate the energy efficiency marketplace. The one in my area provides information on state and federal tax incentives and maintains a list of approved vendors. I hired a recommended guy to do a comprehensive energy audit in my house. He created a report for every possible improvement I could make (insulation, windows, appliances, solar, etc.), the approximate costs, estimated energy savings, available tax credits and a pay-back period for each. Based on that information I made my decisions about where to invest my money.

Take your time. There are good people out there and there are people who won't be around in 10 years when you need service on your solar panels. If you can't find a non-profit, try the local utility company and state websites. In my experience, finding the information requires a bit of digging, but it's time well spent. Good luck.

Here is the link to the HOUZZ Renewable Energy Forum. This might be more helpful.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/energy

@Xander

While not solar panels specifically, if you are looking to do any/all energy efficient upgrades to your home (dual pane windows, insulation, heating & air), you can qualify for PACE financing through companies like HERO or CaliforniaFirst.

We've been doing windows and doors for 20 years now and work very closely with these two companies to help people qualify for upfront financing on upgrades to their homes.

If you are at all interested in any of those types upgrades, please don't hesitate to reach out to me and we can give you more information about the possible options you could take. No pressure whatsoever. Being certified vendors in this area, we can help you get all the information you need to make the correct decision for your home.

https://www.heroprogram.com/ahome

https://californiafirst.org/

- Jack

We leased the panels...$101.00 per month for 20 years. Last month's bill (very little sun here on the coast, was (minus) $157.00. That is one gift, let me tell you. An average electric bill here for an average sized home is at least $300.00+ a month...goes way, way up in the summer if you run A/C or have a pool.

It was recommended we not buy because of our age....we would not live long enough to reap the rewards. Sounded reasonable...kind of like 30 year warranties : > )

However, when you lease the company puts a lien on your property, and should you need to refinance, you will have to get that lean subordinated. Not difficult to do, but keep that in mind.

Someone in an earlier thread mentioned CaliforniaFIRST. HERO is the other popular PACE ( Property Assessed Clean Energy) Program here in the SF Bay Area. We work with both, in fact we worked very hard assisting HERO get approved attending countless city council meetings. It's a very good program for homeowners. Think of it as bringing the concept of going green to the masses, not CEO's and celebrities.

We can, or more specifically I can help you.

Also, buy, don't lease. Take advantage of the tax credits available as well. Just like buying a car, leasing is driving something you cannot afford to own. Much of it is ego driven.

888-957-7800

jcooper@custom-exteriors.com

Custom...? I don't understand ego having anything to do with solar panels? Nor, leasing a car having anything to do with ego. I lease my car but it sure doesn't have anything to do with my ego. LOL. No sex appeal in a Toyota Venza. : > ) I lease because:

• Lower repair costs (With a three-year lease, the factory warranty covers most repairs.)
• You can more easily drive a new car every two or three years.
• No trade-in hassles at the end of the lease.

Leasing anything depends on circumstances. Sometimes it is the better way to go...and it was, for us...particularly bullet #2.

A solar lease/PPA is your best option when you…

• Are primarily interested in using electricity
  generated from renewable resources, rather than maximizing the financial
  benefits of installing a solar panel system;
• Want to avoid the responsibility of maintenance or repairs for a solar panel system;
• Are ineligible for federal or state investment tax credits resulting from your investment in a solar panel system; and/or
• Do not want to wait until the following year to receive the financial benefits of tax credits.

Judy G, doing the math on your lease, you are paying the same amount after 20 years that we paid to purchase ours. Plus we got the 30% tax credit and a 1K rebate from the state. It will pay for itself in less than 8 years. We are in our 60s. I just did not want a lien on our house. I am glad it is working out for you! It sounds like you still pay or get a credit from your utility company. The system my DH's buddy leases includes the utility payment, so he does not reap the same rewards that you do.