Horizon Energy Systems uses only the highest quality, efficient and technically advanced equipment available to ensure the most aesthetic, efficient and reliable system available.
A solar electric system in a sunny California location can have excellent financial returns for average and above energy users due to generous government rebates and incentives. Today's photovoltaic (PV) systems use efficient inverters and proven crystalline silicon solar modules that provide high quality electricity. There are many compelling reasons to install a grid tied PV system! The financial benefits are hard to ignore. We will provide you with a free financial analysis that objectively shows the return on investment realized from not paying a monthly electric bill. PV is becoming increasingly popular in California due to environmental awareness, high electric prices in PG&E territory, rapidly rising fossil fuel costs, supportive government policies (rebates, tax credits and efficient, cost effective permitting process) and plenty of sunshine.
SunPower solar electric modules are the most efficient modules that you can buy today. SunPower solar module efficiency is currently greater than 18% (note: cell efficiency is over 22%). Module efficiency considers frames and dead areas between the solar cells. Typically other crystalline products have module efficiencies of between 11 and 14%.
Additionally, SunPower offers an appealing black on black appearance (black cells with a black backing sheet) that is popular for solar arrays facing the street. SunPower is headquartered in Silicon Valley and a local success story. Their equipment is sold through an exclusive dealer network of authorized dealers and premier dealers. Horizon Energy Systems is one of only a handful of SunPower Premier dealers in Silicon Valley.
Horizon Energy Systems is an authorized Sharp dealer and has installed dozens and dozens of Sharp Solar Electric Systems. Sharp Electronics has a 40 year history of manufacturing PV modules and has some of the highest quality solar products on the market and until recently Sharp was the largest solar module manufacturer in the world. Sharp solar module frames are heavy duty with tight tolerances for gaps and DC series string voltages are impressively consistent and are within a fraction of a volt (and for all practical purposes identical). At Sharp each solar module is tested to determine its rating. Sharp PV modules consistently produce more energy per rated capacity.
Horizon Energy Systems recently became a SunTech authorized dealer. These high quality modules are also cost effective and a good option when roof space is not limited.
Horizon Energy systems installs inverters from these inverter technology leaders: SunPower, Fronious, SMA, Enphase Energy and Xantrex.
Inverters change direct current (DC) electricity from a photovoltaic array into alternating current (AC). Inverters should be mounted in a cool (preferably shady) location for maximum efficiency and longevity. Under cool conditions inverters last longer since they don't overheat as easily.
There are 2 types of grid-tied inverters for residential applications.
1) PV inverters are usually mounted on a wall near a main or electrical subpanel. Grid tied solar inverters are connected to many solar modules wired in series and parallel. The inverter output is connected to the electrical system with a circuit breaker.
2) Microinverters are a new technology where each solar module has a dedicated solar inverter mounted locally under the solar module. There are several significant advantages to microinverters. The mean time between failure is hundreds of years (an order of magnitude better than central inverters). Shading impacts are significantly minimized since each solar module has its own maximum power point tracking inverter to optimize output (i.e. shade on one module does not effect the other modules). This is not the case for central inverters where any shade effects many solar modules connected in series. Microinverters from Enphase Energy have a robust monitoring system that works with the house AC wiring. Since each module is independently optimized, solar module mismatch is eliminated (up to 2% of solar electric system output is unrealized with central inverters due to differing electrical characteristics between solar modules). A slight disadvantage of microinverters is that they typically cost several hundred dollars more for the average residential system, but over time this initial price differential can be recooped several times over through increased energy production. If there are shading issues microinverters are normally recommended.
Solar Electric Mounting Systems
We use the highest quality UniRac engineered mounting systems for both roof and ground mounted arrays. These are anodized aluminum with stainless steel hardware and engineered to handle any wind conditions in the Silicon Valley area. The vast majority of residential PV installations have solar panels mounted flush to the roof for aesthetic and cost effectiveness reasons. Ground mounted arrays are popular in cases where a large solar array is desired and land area is available. In some situations it makes sense to rack modules up off the roof for shading or orientation reasons. Our highly trained installers are fully versed in mounting techniques that prevent roof leaks.
Solar pool heating systems use the sun's heat energy to extend the swimming season a few months before and after summer. These systems are typically connected to the existing pool pump. At Horizon Energy Systems we prefer to install long-lasting metal solar panels (manufactured locally) that are optimized to capture the sun's energy and transfer it into your pool to provide a comfortable water temperature for most of the year. These solar collectors can also be used to cool down the pool by running the pump at night. Solar pool heating systems have very quick payback periods (typically less than 4 years), compared to heating with fossil fuels.
Solar pool heating systems work by moving a high volume of water through the panels and raising the water temperature slightly with each pass. Metal and plastic panels are available. Plastic panels are less expensive but do not last as long as metal panels. Metal panels can last a very long time and can be repainted every 15 years for aesthetics. Plastic panels need to be replaced after about 15 - 20 years.
We use locally manufactured solar pool heating panels made by Gull Industries.
In the San Jose area of California a solar hot water system will generate about 70% to 80% of the annual domestic hot water needs of a typical family. By living in harmony with natural solar cycles, it is possible to use solar hot water to provide all of a household's hot water needs from May through October. Throughout the day, the sun's energy will heat a tank of water to higher temperatures than is necessary. In the morning the water is not as hot as it is in the afternoon. So if you want to live entirely on solar hot water in the summer period, it may be necessary to use the bulk of your hot water between 11 AM and 11 PM. We can install multiple bypass valves to draw hot water directly from the solar tank during the sunny season, thus bypassing the backup water heater. Any hot water used during mid day will be replenished by the afternoon sun for free within a couple of hours. During the winter months, preheated solar hot water supplements your natural gas or electric hot water tank, reducing water heating costs.
The economic payback of solar hot water is excellent for those currently using electricity to heat water. Installing a maintenance free ProgressivTube, passive solar hot water system, for average and above hot water users, saves money when compared to natural gas heated water. Operational costs for solar energy systems designed to be maintenance-free are virtually non-existent. Such is the case for the ProgressivTube integrated collector storage technology.
There are many different types of solar water heating systems. Some have ground tanks to store lots of hot water, others store water on the roof which frees up ground space (but may create weight loading issues for the roof). Some solar water heating systems use electricity with pumps, controllers, sensors, wires, freeze valves, heat transfer fluid and heat exchangers. Whereas others are passive and typically have none of these features. We recommend an integrated collector storage (ICS) solar hot water panel since it is maintenance free and long-lasting and does not break down since they have a passive design that does not require energy or moving parts to operate. In the Silicon Valley area ICS passive solar hot collectors work very well over the long term. With ICS solar collectors the hottest water is passed through to the home (cold and hot water do not mix, as is the case for a solar hot water system that has a separate solar tank to store the solar hot water).
A 30% Federal income tax credit for solar hot water systems is available in the USA between tax years 2009 and 2016.
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