Resources and Information
Solar Articles
Net Energy Metering Proposal Jeopardizes Rooftop Solar in California
PG&E and other utilities are proposing changes to net energy metering that make rooftop solar less attractive to California homeowners. Learn what you can do to support rooftop solar.
Solar Tax Credit Extended 2 More Years
The federal solar tax credit is extended two more years. Take advantage of the higher solar tax credit this year than was anticipated.
Recent Articles
Cut Home Emissions by Half with an Affordable Heat Pump Water Heater
SunWork now installing ultra-high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to replace fossil-fuel-burning natural gas water heaters in Bay Area homes.
Net Energy Metering Proposal Jeopardizes Rooftop Solar in California
PG&E and other utilities are proposing changes to net energy metering that make rooftop solar less attractive to California homeowners. Learn what you can do to support rooftop solar.
Solar Tax Credit Extended 2 More Years
The federal solar tax credit is extended two more years. Take advantage of the higher solar tax credit this year than was anticipated.
Battery Backup
In general, an existing solar system can be upgraded to add battery backup. However, it is expensive and SunWork does not install batteries at this time.
Installing batteries for backup purposes can cost $15,000 to $30,000
Hot Water, Cooler Planet: SunWork Kicks Off Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot Program
SunWork is piloting the installation of ultra-high-efficiency electric heat pump water heaters to replace fossil-fuel-burning natural gas water heaters in Bay Area homes.
Home Electrification
Home electrification is the process of switching from fossil fuel based electricity sources to renewable and carbon-free electricity sources. Once you go solar, making the switch to “all electric” is very cost effective since you’ll be producing your own electricity.
Cut Home Emissions by Half with an Affordable Heat Pump Water Heater
SunWork now installing ultra-high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to replace fossil-fuel-burning natural gas water heaters in Bay Area homes.
A Pocket Guide to All-Electric Retrofits of Single-Family Homes
This booklet provides a “how-to” guide for homeowners who want to replace existing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives to both save money and lower their carbon footprint.
Guide to Fossil Free Homes
This guide from Menlo Spark provides information about moving to an all-electric, low-carbon, clean home by replacing your natural gas appliances with electric appliances.
Software Tools
There are several online tools available to help you determine what kind of solar system size and design might work best for a given project.
SunThink!
SunThink! is a computer application SunWork built as a resource for designing solar systems. It gives an accurate and all-embracing picture of the solar resource available for a particular project site, and it aids in determining the system size needed to meet specific solar system design goals.
PVWatts Calculator
Online calculator created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected PV systems at a specific address.
Project Sunroof
Project Sunroof is a great resource for going solar. Using Google maps, this calculator shows the best roof space for the solar system and how many square feet are available.
More Going Solar Resources
Solar Purchasing Tips and Resources
Check this list of the top 10+ tips to use when researching going solar. Also included are suggestions for how to find a solar installer near you.
EnergySage Marketplace
The EnergySage Marketplace gets you quotes online from multiple, pre-screened local installers and helps you compare offers. When homeowners go solar using this link, SunWork receives funds...
Free Going Solar Workshops
Join our free online webinar to learn how to install solar energy systems. Then volunteer on solar energy projects in your community.
Learn the basics of installing rooftop solar energy systems by volunteering with SunWork. This 3-hour online event teaches the basics of rooftop solar, solar equipment, electricity, and construction safety. This orientation is a great opportunity to learn about clean renewable energy.
Once you’ve completed this training, you are eligible to join us to install residential and nonprofit solar systems in your community. Volunteers work together with SunWork’s professional staff, attaching racking, running conduit, hanging inverters, and mounting the solar panels that make a solar system tick. Some of our volunteers leverage this experience toward a career in solar energy. Others plan to install solar on their own homes. Most volunteers enjoy supporting the expansion of clean renewable energy and helping provide solar energy for their communities. Please see our Bay Area and Central Coast web pages for the communities we serve.
Requirements:
-This orientation session will be conducted using Zoom. The session requires you to have access to a Smartphone, Tablet, or Computer with the Zoom App installed. Ideally, you will also have a camera available on your device.
-You must participate in the entire event at the time it is conducted (sorry, no time-shifting option.)
-You must be 18 or older to volunteer (or if 16 or 17, with parent or guardian permission.)
