There are over 400 companies recognized throughout the U.S, and South Texas Solar Systems continues to be one of them.
According to recent publishing in Solar Power World, “Solar Power World, the solar industry’s leading business-to-business publication, today announces the release of the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list. The Top Solar Contractors list is the most recognized annual listing of solar contractors in the United States working in the utility, commercial and residential markets.”
The article goes on to state, “The Solar Power World team is so pleased to highlight more than 400 companies on the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor of Solar Power World.
“All contractors featured on the 2020 list reported strong 2019 installation numbers and are continuing to stand tall this year.”
This year South Texas Solar Systems has kept a steady employee rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. STSS listed their employee status as 70, primary market: residential, primary service: rooftop contractor, total Kw installed since founding: 17,793, and Kw installed in 2019: 4,854.2.
Some may agree that due to the displacement of an economic downturn is the reason our cost of living may be rising.
While some homeowners are setting up shop at home with an off-grid solar system, others are settling into the new ownership of energy with residential solar panels.
Either way, solar power is helping consumers save money and benefit from it.
Did you know an off grid solar system can grant your usage to become 100 percent offset? Not only will you be off-grid, but will no longer be tied to a utility provider; unless you had a gas fee owed.
Looking at all the options to go solar is good too.
Most homeowners choose residential solar panels and have them installed on their rooftop. Some homeowners prefer a ground mount solar system, which does not get installed on the roof and can be designed as an off-grid solar system too.
No matter what type of solar system you seek, whether it be an off-grid solar system or not, it’s smart to know what your rebates are in the area and incentives. You can include those in both designs.
There is only five months left for homeowners or business owners to receive up to a 26 percent tax credit from the Federal Government this year when switching to solar power.
The amount calculates to about $5,069, which most consumers apply to their total cost of system. This incentive saves you a large amount of money and puts you one step closer to having no payments.
There is good news you still have time to apply for the tax credit and speak with your financial advisor on the process. The bad news could be that this incentive will go down after 2020, and go away after 2022.
According to a recent article on Solar Power World, the H.R.2 Act, also know as the “Moving Forward Act”, should be voted on before July 4.
“Many solar and storage provisions are included in the bill, including:
5-year extension of Sec. 48 and 25D of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) at 30% through 2025, followed by a two-year phase-down (2026 at 26% and 2027 at 22%)
Direct pay proposal at 85% for section 48 qualifying projects for the same amount of time as the PTC/ITC credits exist
Storage ITC
Proposals to incentivize investment in clean energy for low income and underserved communities
Tax credits for clean energy manufacturing
Grid modernization provisions
Funds for transmission planning with a requirement to account for renewable energy generation
Grant program for solar installation in low-income and underserved communities
Funds for renewable energy installation in community institutions, such as schools
Improvements to public lands renewable energy development programs
The above information was provided by industry advocacy group Solar Energy Industries Association,” according to Solar Power World.
The weather said “Not today” to the SpaceX launch on May 27, but the mission is rescheduling Demo-2 to launch May 30, from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Did you know SpaceX operates from four different locations? Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex and Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex both located in Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and South Texas Launch Site in Texas (approximately 22 miles was of Brownsville).
SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk, whose mission on the SpaceX website states, “You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great – and that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than in the past. And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.” Musk founded SpaceX in 2002.
So, why are we telling you about SpaceX?
On April 10, 2020, South Texas Solar Systems, a Tesla Energy affiliated sub-contractor finalized the expansion of a 149kW photovoltaic (PV) ground mount for SpaceX at the South Texas Launch Site. “The system serves as an addition to an existing 450kW PV ground mount. The output from both systems is used to power the SpaceX facility in this area,” said South Texas Solar Systems Commercial Project Manager, Daniel Hudson.
The finalized expansion of the commercial solar panels included, 422 Trina 345 Watt solar modules, 1 SMA peak 125-kilowatt inverter, and Solarflex racking.
The solar industry and Musk are aiming for the future and that means commercial solar panels can help us get there.
Once the SpaceX mission launches this month (hopefully), the thought of knowing what type of technology took place to get us there is extraordinary.
The company STSS, has been installing commercial solar panels all throughout south Texas for more than 11 years. Solar panels for businesses continues to grow in popularity, due to the federal incentives and utility rebates (if any).
How do you know you have hired good installers for solar panels? There can be a few ways to feel good about who is installing your solar panel system. Start by asking to see credentials. Next, if you are on-site as they arrive, take a look at their uniform and vehicle.
Remember, this blog is called The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Things About Solar, but let’s face it there are also good, bad, and ugly uniforms for installers for solar panels.
Consumers can feel more at ease with a uniformed worker working on top of their roofs.
Then again, you usually won’t see the installers on the installation day, but there are other ways to know if you have good installers. Check to see if the installers cleaned up any mess in the work area. Trash and equipment should always be picked up and disposed of by the solar installers. This is important to know if you have good installers for solar panels. If installers did not pick up after themselves, you should report them to their supervisor or general manager.
Another efficient way of knowing you have good installers for solar panels is by taking a look at the complete installation. A good solar installer is only as good as the way he leaves his work. A good installation will look clean, straight, and with no wires hanging out.
Good installers for solar can also be noted by references with residential or commercial. Most solar installation companies will have a reference to confirm credibility or a portfolio of completed installs to view.
There are many ways to scope out good solar installers for solar panels.
Now you know there are good installers for solar panels available.
Beware of the bad solar installers and the ugly solar installation uniforms
Panasonic Promotes Inaugural Class of Elite Installers to Newest Tier of Residential Solar Installer Program
Twenty-two installers earn enhanced perks as members of Elite tier of program
NEWARK, N.J., April 9, 2020 — Panasonic today announced the first members of the newly-created Elite tier of its Residential Solar Installer Program, a distinction awarded to only the highest-performing Panasonic installers who provide superior customer service and have established successful and longstanding partnerships with Panasonic.
Twenty-two standout installers from across the country have been promoted to Elite status, granting them access to exclusive perks. Members of the Elite Residential Installer Program are eligible to receive the best pricing in their respective territories, priority notice of homeowner leads, preferred access to new products, receipt of marketing co-op funds and exclusive rebate promotions.
Since its launch in the U.S. in 2016, the Panasonic Solar Installer Program has grown to include more than 180 Authorized and Premium
installers nationwide and most recently, 22 Elite installers. “The solar industry continues to heat up across the country, and as a result will only become more crowded,” said Mukesh Sethi, Director, Solar and Energy Storage, Panasonic Life Solutions Company of America. “We are proud to equip Elite installers with benefits and tools they need to grow their businesses in increasingly competitive markets.”
Panasonic’s Western Territory congratulates eight new Elite installers: • Alternate Energy, Inc.: Pearl City, Hawaii • Diablo Solar Services, Inc.: Martinez, California • Nova West Solar: Madera, California • RA Solar: San Francisco, California • Semper Solaris: El Cajon, California • Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort: Rancho Cordova, California • Solar Optimum: Glendale, California • Sol-Up USA: Las Vegas, Nevada
Panasonic’s Eastern Territory congratulates four new Elite installers: • NJ Solar Power: Bayville, New Jersey • NorthEast Solar Services, DBA RevoluSun: Burlington, Massachusetts • Same Sun of Vermont: Ruthland, Vermont • SUNation Solar Systems: Ronkonkoma, New York Panasonic’s Central Territory congratulates ten new Elite installers: • Arch Electric Inc.: Milwaukee, Wisconsin • Atlasta Solar Center: Grand Junction, Colorado • Blue Horizon Energy: Plymouth, Minnesota • Good Faith Energy: Richardson, Texas • HE Solar: Buda, Texas • Palmetto State Solar: Greenville, South Carolina • Solar Works Energy: Albuquerque, New Mexico • South Texas Solar Systems: San Antonio, Texas • Unicity Solar Energy, LLC: Tarpon Springs, Florida • Whole Sun Designs: Bloomington, Indiana
“The Residential Solar Installer Program has experienced incredible growth and success since launching in 2016, and we are excited about the new opportunities and support we’re able to provide installers who consistently exceed Panasonic’s high standard of excellence,” said Yessica Castillo, National Marketing Manager, Panasonic Life Solutions Company of America.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation.
One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2018, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region.
Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us and @PanasonicUSA on all social media channels.
Editorial Contacts:
Yessica Castillo Panasonic Life Solutions North America 201.253.6728 Yessica.Castillo@us.panasonic.com
Lauren Camdzic Porter Novelli for Panasonic 404.995.4543 Lauren.Camdzic@porternovelli.com
