Solar

Sun Room

Going electric?
Solar could be for you!

If you're increasing your electricity load by replacing gas appliances with electric, installing an Electric Vehicle charger, etc - then solar could help you reduce costs in the long run. 

​

Have you insulated your home yet? 

​
Before exploring solar, make sure that your home has great insulation
Insulation is a two-way shield that limits the amount of energy that is lost by escaping through the attic, ceiling, vents, floor, or walls. 
A well insulated home uses less energy, allowing for a smaller (less expensive) solar system to be able to meet all of your home's energy needs. 
Click here to learn more about your options and available incentives.  
man and pannels

Can I install a battery storage system with my solar system?

Yes. A battery storage system must be paired with a renewable energy system, like a solar power system, in order to qualify for interconnection to the electric grid. The battery storage system must not send energy back to Alameda Municipal Power’s distribution grid.



Will my solar system generate all the power I need?

Renewable generation is variable because of the resources it relies on. In California, a photovoltaic system will produce the most electricity in spring through fall when sunlight hours are the longest and the sun is positioned higher in the sky. It will produce less in the winter months or when the sun is obstructed by poor weather. It will stop generating all together at night. Because of this, you need backup generation to provide power when your system is under-generating, or to absorb power when your system is over-generating. If sized correctly, your system can generate all the energy your property needs over the course of a year.



How much space will my system need?

The amount of space needed is based on the size, or generating capacity, of the solar energy system. Residential solar energy systems can vary in size from 50 square feet to 1,000 square feet. A rule of thumb is that a square foot of photovoltaic module area produces 10 watts of power in bright sunlight. For example, a 2,000 watt system would require about 200 square feet of roof area.



How big should my system be?

In order to get the maximum benefit for your installation, your system should be sized to generate approximately the same amount of energy that your property uses in a year. Compensation for excess energy you generate that you do not use in a year will not justify the cost of installing a larger system that generates more energy than you need.



How much will it cost?

The cost varies depending on many factors, including the solar energy system’s size, equipment options and labor costs. Typically, the installed costs are determined based on the size of the system’s output. The cost per watt is often used for comparing systems of different sizes.



Are homes able to run during blackout events if they have solar panels and on-site battery storage?

No, it’s not enough to have both solar panels and a battery in order to island and run independently of the grid. They need to be connected—and once they are, that’s called a “microgrid.”



Is Solar Right for You?

Can I install a battery storage system with my solar system?

Yes. A battery storage system must be paired with a renewable energy system, like a solar power system, in order to qualify for interconnection to the electric grid. The battery storage system must not send energy back to Alameda Municipal Power’s distribution grid.



Will my solar system generate all the power I need?

Renewable generation is variable because of the resources it relies on. In California, a photovoltaic system will produce the most electricity in spring through fall when sunlight hours are the longest and the sun is positioned higher in the sky. It will produce less in the winter months or when the sun is obstructed by poor weather. It will stop generating all together at night. Because of this, you need backup generation to provide power when your system is under-generating, or to absorb power when your system is over-generating. If sized correctly, your system can generate all the energy your property needs over the course of a year.



How much space will my system need?

The amount of space needed is based on the size, or generating capacity, of the solar energy system. Residential solar energy systems can vary in size from 50 square feet to 1,000 square feet. A rule of thumb is that a square foot of photovoltaic module area produces 10 watts of power in bright sunlight. For example, a 2,000 watt system would require about 200 square feet of roof area.



How big should my system be?

In order to get the maximum benefit for your installation, your system should be sized to generate approximately the same amount of energy that your property uses in a year. Compensation for excess energy you generate that you do not use in a year will not justify the cost of installing a larger system that generates more energy than you need.



How much will it cost?

The cost varies depending on many factors, including the solar energy system’s size, equipment options and labor costs. Typically, the installed costs are determined based on the size of the system’s output. The cost per watt is often used for comparing systems of different sizes.



Are homes able to run during blackout events if they have solar panels and on-site battery storage?

No, it’s not enough to have both solar panels and a battery in order to island and run independently of the grid. They need to be connected—and once they are, that’s called a “microgrid.”



Frequently Asked Questions

Visit AMP's site for more info