The United States and China are the world's leading producers of the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Generating electric power from fossil fuels produces more pollution and greenhouse gases than any other single industry.

Fortunately, photovoltaic (or Solar Electricity) production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world's fastest-growing energy technology (Earth Policy Institute - 2007).

Solar electric systems use a chemical reaction to sunlight to generate electricity. The panels that are used to create the electricity are called photovoltaic modules. The installations are commonly called PV systems. PV systems generate electricity during the day only and usually are generating their highest amount of electricity in the afternoon. PV systems do not generate electricity at night, and when it is cloudy, rainy, or if the modules are dirty the PV system will generate less energy.

As of 2008, there are nearly 40,000 PV systems installed all over California at homes and businesses. Builders are also installing them in new homes.

The majority of the systems installed in California are connected to the local utility. This is called a grid-connected system. The systems do not have any batteries and will not operate when there is a power outage. When a PV system does not generate enough electricity to power the home or business (for example, at night) the local utility provides power to the site. When the PV system generates more electricity than the site can use, the excess electricity flows back in to the grid. All of this is done automatically.

The rate schedule choice is important because all customers are eligible for a program called ‘net metering.' Net metering gives customers who generate excess electricity a retail credit against their utility's energy bill. When the customer is using energy, the utility applies these credits against the bill. The net metering credits are balanced annually.  The State of California authorized a rebate program that is called the California Solar Initiative. These rebates offset roughly 20% of the cost of the installation.

With a Vasco Solar Electric system, you can

• Dramatically reduce or even eliminate your utility bills
• Spin your electric meter back generate a credit
• Protect yourself from future rate hikes
• Increase the value of your property without paying higher taxes
• Significantly reduce the toxic emissions that harm our planet
• Reduce our dependence on foreign oil

If you are interested in an estimate for a solar electric system, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .