Solar Energy Blog
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Allterra Supports CALPIRG
Allterra has joined California Student Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) at UC Santa Cruz in their venture to launch the campaign to secure commitments from American colleges and universities to make the transition towards 100 percent renewable energy on...
How To: Read Your Smart Meter
David Stearns, Allterra Solar's Marketing Director, explains how to interpret your Smart Meter.
![[Video] How to Turn On Your Solar PV System](https://www.allterrasolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12_10-17-14-400x250.png)
[Video] How to Turn On Your Solar PV System
James Allen, CEO of Allterra Solar, explains how to turn on your solar PV System.
Join Us May 8th for the Warriors Watch Party
The Golden State Warriors roll into the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs where they will face-off against the Utah Jazz. Game 4 will occur on Monday May 8th at 6pm and Allterra Solar is excited to host a watch party on our HD 10'x10' projection screen....
Making the Switch to Silicon Valley Clean Energy
What is Silicon Valley Power? Twelve communities in Santa Clara County have formed a new community-owned agency to provide electricity to consumers. This new public entity is called Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and it works in partnership with PG&E who will...
Building Resilience: Allterra Solar & Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing for low-income families, providing the families with a 30-year, 0% interest mortgage. Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County is committed to placing solar on every home they build, so they partnered with Allterra to...
Sungevity Enters Chapter 11
Sungevity, a residential solar company based out of Oakland, declared bankruptcy after making $850 million over nine years of business. The Northern Pacific Group, a private equity firm based in Wayzata, Minn. stepped up to buy the remaining assets, including equity...
![[Video] Commercial Solar Install – Carmel By The Sea](https://www.allterrasolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-03-24_12-15-56-400x250.png)
[Video] Commercial Solar Install – Carmel By The Sea
Allterra Solar completed a 100KW commercial installation in Carmel, CA. Allterra specializes in residential and commercial projects under 250KW which is ideal for most office buildings, small businesses, and grocery stores. Allterra...
Zero Net Energy Cities, Coming to a Town Near You
In the city of Lancaster, California, Mayor Rex Parris is issuing a “Zero Net Energy Home Ordinance” for all new homes built in Lancaster after January 1st, 2017. If this ordinance were to pass, it could make Lancaster the first city to become a Zero Net City (ZNC). A...
PG&E Raised Rates… Again
San Francisco, CA - PG&E raised its electricity rates for the second time in as many months when the utility's latest increase went into effect March 1st, 2017. While PG&E suggests it is trying to "simplify" its convoluted rate system to make it easier for customers...
Solar Employment Jumped 25% in 2016
Drive down almost any neighborhood and you'll see solar on one of the roofs. Since the creation of the Solar Investment Tax Credit in 2006, solar has grown at a compound annual rate of over 60% every year. Low-cost equipment, competition, and government incentives...
2016 Economic Impact Report
It is easy to forget the importance of hiring locally owned and operated companies. As many people gravitate to big box retailers like Home Depot or national service companies like Comcast, we tend to forget small businesses in the United States are fundamental to our...
The Trump Effect on Solar in California
As Trump takes aim at the EPA, climate change, and renewable energy, California is poised to fight back. It's no secret that Donald Trump and his cabinet picks are not the biggest fans of renewable energy and factual information related to climate change....
California Supports Solar (NEM 2.0 update)
CA Has Got Solar’s Back As the leading solar market in the United States, California continues to ensure that homeowners get a good deal and save by going solar. First a quick reminder of federal incentives for solar, the 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the...
9 Reasons to Go Solar In 2017
1. The 30% tax credit The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the Federal Government’s way to encourage the adoption of solar across the United States by “refunding” 30% of the total solar project cost as a tax credit. It was extended in 2016 for a few more years. 2....
Read This Before You Choose a Roofer to Install Solar
Would you hire a gardener if you wanted to build a house? If you needed plumbing, would you call an interior decorator? These questions may sound inane, but it’s not much different than hiring a roofer to put solar on your home. Roofers across the U.S. are looking to...
Manufacturing to Entrepreneurship: The Story of Westside Santa Cruz’s Business District
A little rain couldn’t stop the Santa Cruz community from coming together. On October 27th Allterra held a ribbon-cutting event at their office to celebrate the opening of their new warehouse at 116 McPherson Street. The evening came together with Hawaiian music from...
The Era of the Electric Vehicle is Upon Us
The 2017 Chevy Bolt: An exceptional EV at an affordable cost. Tim Stevens, Editor in Chief of CNET Roadshow, took the new 2017 Chevy Bolt on a long test-drive to find how the car would hold up on a real road trip. Stevens’ journey began in Monterey, California and...