Resources
With over 34 years of experience, Sun Light & Power has long standing relationships with solar equipment suppliers and are often asked to evaluate new technologies.
Sun Light & Power Resources
In addition to being a full service solar integrator, Sun Light & Power provides information and consulting services to organizations looking to make the move to solar power.
We also work closely with many Solar organizations and consult with Government agencies on Solar Energy Policy issues. Our founder, Gary Gerber, is in his fourth term as president of CAL SEIA (California Solar Energy Industries Association).
Our decades of experience give us the expertise to evaluate new solar equipment as it is introduced so we offer our customers the best technology available.
Architect Resources
Sun Light & Power partners with architects, general contractors and developers for both new construction and retrofit solar power projects. We can work with you on multiple levels:
• consulting on all aspects of the solar power project including structural, electrical and mechanical
• feasibility study for early stage projects
• complete system design and installation
Sun Light & Power provides a discount to members of ADPSR and the SBA.
Informational Sessions for Architects, General Contractors and Developers
In a one hour format we’ll address the latest in solar power systems design, with real examples of mounting options, site evaluations, and equipment selection criteria.
We'll provide an overview of the latest in available Federal, state and municipal incentives, and will discuss return on investment (ROI) and new system cost examples.
You'll learn about the full process - from design - including integrating PV with a building's exisitng electrical system, to permitting and inspections, through installation and beyond.
Call us at 510.845.2997 to schedule an information session.
Equipment manufacturers
• SunPower modules and inverters, "The Planet's Most Powerful Solar"
• Heliodyne, Solar thermal collector vendor
• Suntech, PV system modules and components
• Mitsubishi, PV system modules and components
• Sharp, PV system modules and components
• SMA-America Inc. Inverters, SunnyBoy Inverters for PV systems
• Kaco Inverters and Remote Monitoring Systems for PV data logging
• ProSolar™ Racking Systems for holding modules in place
• UniRack™, Racking System for holding modules in place
• UniSolar Amorphous Modules for standing seam metal roofs
• Tigo Energy for maximizing energy output per module
Solar Associations and Organizations
• American Solar Energy Society, a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy.
• California Solar Energy Industries Association provides consumer information regarding solar energy.
• Northern American Board of Energy Practitioners develops credentialing and certification of installers.
• The Northern California Solar Energy Association offers information on its annual Solar Homes Tour plus state and national policies.
• Solar Energy Industries Association promotes solar energy on the national and global level.
Solar Photovoltaics/Electricity Organizations
• The American Solar Energy Society site highlights a national tour of solar homes.
• The Arizona Solar Center has good basic information and links.
• The California Energy Commission, a wide range of information including rebates and incentives.
• California Solar Center, a clearinghouse for solar information.
• The City of Berkeley's Energy Office has a good deal of information on net metering and a slew of related links.
• Crest.org, Solar FAQ & good information on energy saving appliances.
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
• Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida. This is a great site for general information on how electric and hot water systems work.
• Home Power Magazine, alternative energy and your home.
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's performance calculator for grid-connected PV systems.
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's publication, Get Your Power from the Sun.
• San Diego Regional Energy Office's case studies and local information.
• Solar Electric Light Fund, a non-profit that promotes energy self-sufficiency in developing countries. The site has great links to information on solar education in the U.S. (in their Links/Resources section).
• Solar Energy International, a non-profit educational organization based in Colorado that provides online courses in PV and Solar Home Design ($500). They also have a great Links page.
• U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). Contains information on the Million Solar Roofs program and has a good Solar Thermal section. See how a solar cell works.
Incentive Program Information
CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) Solar Water Heating incentives page:
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/swh.htm
CCSE (California Center for Sustainable Energy) incentives page:
http://energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/solar-water-heating-pilot-program
CCSE SHW incentive FAQ page:
http://energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/solar-water-heating-pilot-program/swh-faqs
Solar Water Heating Organizations
• Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission
• Florida Solar Energy Center's solar thermal home page
• U.S. Department of Energy provides a good explanation of solar hot water systems