Resources and Information
Solar Articles
Net Energy Metering is Changing
The net energy metering program in California will likely change to a new program at the end of 2021. People considering solar systems for their homes will likely benefit by installing solar in 2021 with the current version of net energy metering (NEM 2.0)
Recent Articles
Keeping Safe in Response to COVID-19
SunWork’s top priority is the health and safety of our customers, our volunteers, and our employees. We are committed to reducing the risk of COVID-19 for our customers, our volunteers, and our employees. Our approach in the communities we serve depends on local conditions and restrictions.
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.
Solar and Electric Vehicles (PV + EV)
With a rooftop solar system generating clean energy, and an EV using clean energy, you can enjoy a superb alternative to dirty expensive electricity and dirty expensive transportation at the same time.
Community Choice Energy – Good for the Environment & for Solar Customers
Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs are rolling out throughout California, which in the Bay Area will replace PG&E as the supplier of electricity for most residence and business. PG&E is still responsible for transmission, distribution and billing,
Live in a Home Covered by an HOA? Know your Solar Rights!
The California’s Solar Rights Act was passed in 1978 and it allows Home Owner Associations (HOAs) to impose “reasonable restrictions” on solar systems, however, it prevents HOAs from disallowing solar on homes. In 2014 the act was amended to define the nature of the restrictions that an HOA can impose. Such restrictions can’t:
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.
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.
Solar and Electric Vehicles (PV + EV)
With a rooftop solar system generating clean energy, and an EV using clean energy, you can enjoy a superb alternative to dirty expensive electricity and dirty expensive transportation at the same time.
Electrification of Home Heating/Cooling
Heating and cooling your house is one of those things you don’t think much about until the temperature starts to dip in the winter months or peak in the summer months.
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.
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More Going Solar Resources
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Free Workshops
Join our free training 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 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 on sunwork.org for the communities we serve.
Requirements:
-This orientation session will be conducted online 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 webinar 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.)
