Straight-Talk Solar Cast

In this week's podcast we discuss the current heat wave, the impact on the grid in #California, and why solar power can help alleviate the strain and stress on the grid.  We also discuss the further strain with even warmer weather and electric vehicles coming very soon. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customer...

In this week's podcast we discuss the requirement of adding solar power to new Accessory Dwelling Units and how to work with the solar requirement. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You can check out the websit...

In this week's podcast we discuss the Home Integration System for the Ford F150 Lightning EV truck, and the impact this 'vehicle to grid' backup will have on the solar, utility and battery industries.  Certainly a game changer in California to be sure! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their En...

In this week's podcast we review a recent case where a client was worn down to sign a contract that seems pretty outrageous.  The client was able to cancel within the 3 day waiting period and do some research, and will get a much better system without overpaying. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “O...

In this week's podcast we discuss the recent turnaround by Congressman Joe Manchin where it looks like an agreement has been reached to allow the federal tax credit to be increased to 30% back to January 1st, 2022 and for the next 10 years.  Great progress and more to go! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their custom...

In this week's podcast, we discuss the failure to pass the climate change bill and the potentially harmful impacts to the solar power industry and current clients. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You can chec...

In this week's podcast we discuss the requirement of PG&E to have the customer's main electric service panel at least 36 inches away from the natural gas riser and meter. This mainly affects older homes, but it is still a major issue when we are trying to get a system approved through the PG&E system.  We also discuss the costs of battery storage, and how these costs are climbing. Abo...

In this week's podcast we discuss the current backup battery options, what is upcoming in battery storage, and the upcoming decrease in the Federal Investment Tax Credit. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You c...

In this week's podcast we discuss the latest rising trends in financing, and financing for solar projects in particular.  With rising inflation and interest rates, solar finance companies are increasing their loan fees to artificially reduce interest rates.  We discuss strategies to help work through these issues to help keep solar projects affordable and advantageous. About Jamie Duran...

In this week's podcast we discuss the growing trend of a type of customer that is probably not unique to the solar industry but is still a growing part of probably every business.  Customer Service Vampires try to not only take advantage of just about every kindness offered by a business, but they also are never satisfied with even the most reasonable outcomes. About Jamie Duran & Solar H...

In this podcast, we discuss the latest plan from the California Contractor State Licensing Board's plan to limit the battery size that any licensed solar installer can combine with battery storage at 80-kilowatt hours.  Not only does this plan not make any sense or have any justification for the change, but it will also further increase the energy gap between PG & E's ability to supply po...

In this week's podcast we discuss the latest big news in the solar industry - the suspension of solar panel tariffs for the next 2 years.  We discuss the implications of the tariff rollback and what we can expect to see over the next few months. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” b...

In this week's podcast we discuss the solar rally in San Francisco, the efforts and groups that participated and the intended outcomes for the rally. California Solar & Storage Association ( CALSSA ) About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their hom...

Solar + NEM Updates - In this week's podcast we discuss the new proposal from the #CPUC on Net Energy Metering, and the changes they are proposing from the last round.  One of the biggest is making NEM 3.0 retroactive to all solar customers...Wow!  More info on how to stand up for solar power is at this link: https://calssa.org/net-metering About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought...

In this week's podcast we discuss the recent solar panel shortage the industry is facing and the factors that contribute to the shortage, and the plan to survive the shortage in both the short and long terms. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for thei...

In this week's podcast we discuss the new pilot program between PG & E and General Motors to allow electric vehicles to perform as backup power to the grid in the event of an outage.  This program has the potential to be a game-changer in the battery storage market and is necessary to bridge the coming energy gap between California's supply and demand for electricity. About Jamie Duran &a...

In this week's podcast we discuss the electricity dilemma that is evolving in California where demand from electric vehicles and hot summers will far exceed demand by 2030, and the retirement of nuclear power facilities will create an energy gap that must be addressed, and soon! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their cust...

In this week's podcast we discuss PG&E's retirement of the E6 rate code in favor of the new 4pm - 9pm peak times. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You can check out the website for the top solar energy equ...

This week we discuss the initiatives in California that some state assembly members are trying to pass that will make solar more expensive and difficult to install.  We also discuss the recent PG & E price increase and strategies for solar customers to support the # CALSSA to represent the interests of the solar industry. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Har...

In this week's podcast we discuss the massive opportunity for nonprofits to tap their biggest supports to essentially gift them solar power and have most of the project supported through tax incentives.  This is not tax advice and we encourage anyone considering this to check with their tax professional! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern Cal...

In this week's podcast we discuss the CA state plan that will allow homeowners that have been wronged by solar companies to help recover funds if the original solar company is no longer around.  We discuss the reasons this fund is necessary and how this issue can be corrected in the future. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who...

In this week's podcast we discuss how the solar industry has attracted financing partners that will add 10, 20, 30+% onto the solar project in exchange for lower than reasonable unsecured loan interest rates.  Still better than solar leases, these loans are getting more and more popular with clients who may not have selected those loans had they realized the very high 'points' on the loan the...

In this week's podcast we discuss the impact of the high cost of gasoline is having on the solar industry and how $7 per gallon is driving many Californians towards electric vehicles.  Also, the high cost of natural gas is driving the same Californians towards electric heat pumps. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite the...

In this week's podcast we discuss a potential 'benevolent' financing opportunity for nonprofits that may want to consider before going solar.  In general, a high net worth supporter of a nonprofit can purchase the solar for the nonprofit, assume the tax benefits and then gift the solar to the nonprofit in 7 years.  We strongly urge any nonprofit or other person considering this financing...

In this week's podcast we discuss the new solar project in Merced that plans to cover a canal with solar panels. We discuss the potential of floating solar arrays for lakes, reservoirs and the #CaliforniaAqueduct. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for...