Solar Energy Blog
Get the latest information on the state of Solar PowerIf Not Here, Where? The Fight Over Rooftop Solar in California & NEM 3.0
The solar industry and anyone concerned about a renewable and resilient energy future has been on pins and needles for almost a year as the Public Utilities Commission has considered changes to Net Energy Metering rules, commonly known as NEM 3.0, that would decimate...
Brief History of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
In honor of President's Day Weekend, we offer a brief history of the federal solar tax credit: The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) was originally established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 under the Bush Administration but was scheduled to sunset at the end of 2007. The...
Santa Cruz Chamber News | The Clash Between the California Solar Industry and Big Utilities
The Clash Between the California Solar Industry and Big Utilities By Casey Beyer, CEO Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce For more than two decades, California solar energy companies, installers and customers have benefited from an incentive program known as Net Metering....
Letter to the Editor | Build Back Better Act will Build Local Economy
In a momentous step forward for climate and our economy, the Build Back Better Act just passed the U.S. House. Now we need Congress to make it law. These investments will create and expand good jobs, like mine, strengthen our economy, and improve U.S. competitiveness...
Allterra Urges Bold Action On Climate Change
Go Big On Climate Action Congress is debating the biggest and most important climate and clean energy legislation our country has ever known. Predictably, the US Chamber of Commerce, the American Petroleum Institute and other Washington D.C. lobby groups are dusting...
Public Safety Power Shutoffs & Squirrels | The New Normal?
Thousands of customers in the Santa Cruz Mountains have been left without power for extended periods this summer with no relief in sight. PG&E recently installed safety triggers in an effort to reduce the risk of wild fires. Whenever anything (including...
Why is California Threatening to End Rooftop Solar?
A steady chorus of California politicians, high priced consultants and labor activists have been singing a similar tune in Sacramento lately. It goes something like this; “Net Energy Metering, or NEM, is a $3 billion subsidy for rich people with solar paid for by...
Santa Cruz Sentinel Op Ed | Solar Fight About Utility Profits
Originally Appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel 5/19/21. Click here to subscribe to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Op Ed By Dave Rosenfeld Editor’s note: The Sentinel recently published a Guest Commentary critical of rooftop solar credits. The following Commentary provides...
Solar Under Threat On Central Coast | An Open Letter to 3CE
Dear Central Coast Community Energy, California is a solar leader. We are asking you to make it easier, not harder, for more people in 3CE territory to go solar, to meet 3CE’s bold commitments to clean energy and to maximize the public benefits of our area’s...
$6,600 Federal Tax Credit When You Go Solar
Americans are waking up in 2021 realizing that 2020 wasn't a bad dream and that they still have to pay taxes on the income they earned. While most of us would prefer that 2020 be omitted from the official record, taxes and all, you can count on Uncle Sam to come...
Top 10 Reasons to Choose Allterra for Your Solar Project
Considering a home improvement project that requires a professional? For many homeowners, the most stressful and painstaking part of the project is finding a licensed and reliable contractor. Solar is no different and while there are a multitude of reasons to hire...
Cleaning Your Solar Panels
Cleaning Your Solar System Congratulations on going solar! Whether your installation occurred last week or many years ago, it is important to know how to keep the panels clean to maximize production and cost savings. While rain is helpful in keeping the system...
Allterra’s COVID-19 Safety Plan
Solar has been deemed essential by the state of California and we are excited to get back to work. We've spent the last six weeks preparing our staff, office and vehicles to safely resume operations and wanted to share what we're doing. Watch the video below to...
Ross Clark, Earth Matters | Solar in a time of coronavirus
[Originally published April 4th, 2020 at Santa Cruz Sentinel] My daughter has hosted a set of family discussions about what our family can do to slow climate change. Her dilemma is that we already have rooftop solar and an electric vehicle so options seemed limited....
5 Common Misconceptions About Solar Energy
The residential and commercial use of renewable energy, particularly solar, is slowly but steadily rising. California alone reported 127,000 residential photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2017, and given the state’s new regulations mandating solar panels on newly built...
Electric Vehicles (EV) & Solar Have Never Made More Sense
Did you know? A typical person will drive their Electric Vehicle (EV) 10,000 miles in a year. To fully charge an EV each day would require six panels and the solar investment would pay for itself in about 4 years. Converting the sun's energy directly into driving...
Video | Adapting to Climate Change on California’s Central Coast
Can you imagine the Central Coast devoid of beaches or redwood forests? Allterra Solar is committed to climate action and adaptation. To learn more about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money, visit allterrasolar.com Below is a new video from...
Solar Supports Community Radio at KSQD 90.7fm
Santa Cruz, CA - Allterra Solar and KSQD 90.7fm are teaming up to offer residents in the radio station's broadcast area a win-win-win. Solar Supports Community Radio – KSQD 90.7fm Promotion Details: $500 will be donated to KSQD for each volunteer, board...