For your reference we’ve included a few case studies from Nova West clients that have installed Solar Systems in their homes.

Case Study #1: Offseting 115% of Clients $500 Energy Bill
Case Study #2: Client receives $375 Credit from PG&E
Case Study #3: Offseting 100% of Clients $700 Energy Bill

Case Study #1

The Challenge
Before calling Nova West Solar, the owner of this home wanted to offset his energy consumption by 115 percent. They also admitted to wanting to live a comfortable lifestyle; they live in a very hot area of California’s Central Valley and knew that they would be spending money and energy with their AC unit.

The Solution
Nova West Solar awakened the owners to more than just solar solutions. After careful observation of the home, Nova West Solar noticed that their attic insulation levels were very poor. Also, they recently had their central heating and cooling system upgraded but incorrectly installed. Nova West Solar suggested that customers install new insulation to current energy standards and to replace their old ducting with new ducting that correctly connects to the new central air system.

The Outcome
The total costs of the solar energy system were $73,500.00 including all equipment, permits, ground racks, and installation. We applied and received a $21,963.45 rebate from the California Solar Initiative program funded by PG&E. With a $2000 fed tax credit, the total out of pocket (net) expense to this customer was anticipated to be $49,536.30.

The customer’s internal rate of return was 18.2 percent. Their old bill of $552 was calculated to be 97 percent offset by the new solar system and the energy saving measures. This would create a new bill of approximately $16.00 per month. Furthermore, after financing all of the energy conservation items as well as the new solar system, their out of pocket payment was approximately $415.

In this case, the value of the home was increased by $78,605 in current dollars – more than the cost of the solar system and energy saving improvements. And to note, this system was engineered, installed and finalized by the building department in one week.

Case Study #2

The Challenge
This homeowner wanted to completely zero out his bill. The children were grown, it was just him and his wife, and despite being extremely careful about energy usage, the electric bills continued to go up. Like so many customers that want to go green, these homeowners wanted to free themselves of their ever-increasing electric bills.

The Solution
Nova West Solar analyzed their usage and designed a system to offset 100% of that. The owner stated that he wanted to take full advantage of the E-7 rate, which allows customers to “sell back” electricity to PG&E during peak hours at roughly three times the price of what they pay to “buy it back” during morning and evening hours.

The Outcome
The system was granted permission to interconnect and has been operating since May. After seven months of operation, the customer has a $375 credit. This positions him very well to get through the rainy, foggy months in the San Joaquin Valley without writing a single check to PG&E.

The owner was absolutely sold on what solar energy can do to help the environment and save people money that he came out of retirement and is currently an employee of Nova West Solar. He proudly helps educate people on ways of conserving energy while providing the very best quality and longest lasting components that Nova West Solar is known for.

Case Study #3

The Challenge
The customers wanted to offset 100 percent of their current home’s energy consumption by installing a new photo voltaic solar system. They were comfortable in their home, but were finding it more and more difficult to pay high energy bills in the summer (in excess of $700) because of their AC use.

The Solution
Upon inspection of this home, we noted that they were using two old deep freezers in their garage. One of these was used very infrequently, so the customer made the decision to donate both freezers to PG&E and purchase one new high energy efficient deep freezer. They also decided to replace an old inefficient clothes washer and dryer with new energy star rated appliances.

The total investment in these appliances was approximately $2,500.00. The total cost of the solar energy system was $60,900.00 including all equipment, permits, ground racks and installation. We applied and received a $15,777.00 rebate from the California Solar Initiative Program funded by PG&E. With a $2000 fed tax credit, their estimated total out of pocket expense to the customer was $43,123.00.

The Outcome
Their old bill of $450 was calculated to be 90 percent offset by the new solar system. This would create a new bill of approximately $45.00 per month. After financing all of the energy conservation items as well as the new solar system, their out of pocket payment was approximately $278.00. In this case, the value of the home was increased $65,270 in current dollars – more than the cost of the solar system and energy saving improvements.

Also, had the customer not addressed the old appliances, the new solar system would then need to offset 100 percent of their total investment (instead of the 90 percent), which would have been $13,000 higher after rebates and tax credits. Since they invested $2,500 in new appliances, their total savings utilizing a smaller solar system was $10,500.00.

This system was engineered, installed and finalized by the building department in five working days.