Solar Energy Blog
Get the latest information on the state of Solar PowerIf Solar Is Thriving, Why Mess With It?
In the coming weeks, the Public Utilities Commission will decide on the future of net energy metering, which has been the catalyst for California’s massive solar boom. With the large utilities lobbying hard to gut net metering, it’s unclear whether the Golden State...
11 Reasons to Go Solar Before July 15th, 2016
It's time to get off the fence. If you have even the slightest inclination toward going solar at any point in the future, you need to read this article. The solar industry is changing fast. It’s important that you move quickly to take advantage of incentives...
Incentives are Expiring—The Time for Solar is Now!
In the last decade, solar equipment has become extremely affordable. Over the last 18-24 months, however, solar prices have stabilized due to refined manufacturing processes and demand catching supply. At the same time, state and federal governments have created...
Financing Your Solar Purchase
In previous posts I covered the basics of PG&E billing and how aspects of your home such as roof material, size, and sun exposure impact solar installations. This article will focus on the way homeowners across California are paying for their solar systems. First,...
Solar and Your Home
How Solar Works Sunlight hits a solar cell, electrons start to move, and an electrical current is created. Solar is simple relative to traditional sources of energy. In traditional sources of electricity or thermoelectric power plants, an intense heat or force is...
PG&E and Your Home
PG&E is our local utility. It provides natural gas and electricity for businesses and residents throughout the Central Coast. Since solar PV impacts electricity bills, I will be focusing in on electricity and how you buy it from PG&E. Electricity PG&E...
Spring Industry Mixer – Adapting To Water Shortages
Abundant inexpensive water has been taken for granted for centuries but as California's drought persists, businesses, residents and government are grappling with the possibility of significant water curtailments for the fourth straight year. Is this the new normal?...
Santa Cruz sends Allterra Solar, Assembly, and Santa Cruz Green Builders to DC for Business Summit
Small business owners from The Glass Jar, Allterra Solar and Santa Cruz Green Builders will be among 100 leading small employers attending this year’s Small Business Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. from May 11-13, 2015. The Summit, hosted by small business...
2014 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...
Allterra Solar Voted Best Solar Company For Fifth Year in a Row
The results are in and the winners have been announced. The award for Best Solar Company in Santa Cruz - 2015 goes to...*drum roll sound effect*...Allterra Solar! The Santa Cruz based solar and environmental consulting company has won the award for five consecutive...
Allterra Solar Recognized as Small Business Climate Leader by CoolCalifornia
On February 12th, 2015, CoolCalifornia recognized Allterra Solar as a Small Business Climate Leader. Aaron Powers, an Allterra Solar employee, was present at the California Environmental Protection Agency building in Sacramento to receive the award and certificates....
Allterra Solar Hosts Santa Cruz Industry Happy Hour
Join us February 18th for a Local Industry Happy Hour at Allterra Solar. Enjoy delicious food and drink…
Study Shows Significant Home Value Increases from Solar PV
As solar energy gains momentum and people become more aware of its benefits an interesting real estate trend has emerged; purchasing solar PV increases your homes value. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the Department of Energy have found homes with solar PV in...
2ND ANNUAL HARDWOOD CELEBRITY CLASSIC
Watch local celebrities take the court in support of Grind Out Hunger! Participants are business leaders, athletes, musicians and public officials.
Solar 30% Tax Credit Set to Expire – Now is the Time to Purchase Solar Equipment!
It's the new year and that means tax season. As April 15th approaches, you begin to collect your W-2's and other tax documents. You wonder to yourself, "How much will my tax refund be? Did I remember to save all those receipts? " Forget the receipts. Just imagine...
Central Coast Solar Companies Putting People to Work – Allterra Solar Jobs Update 2015
Back in 2009 Allterra Solar was a small division of a groundwater consulting company. We had 8 employees and groundwater investigation and remediation projects were our primary service. We are starting 2015 with 33 employees. Solar is now our primary service with...
Discretion Brewing Harnesses the Sun
Soquel, CA - Discretion Brewing in Soquel, CA has begun harvesting the energy in sunlight becoming the first solar-powered brewery in Santa Cruz County. Discretion’s 30 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system was designed, engineered and installed by Allterra Solar. The...
Fight Global Warming – Drink More Beer!
Discretion Brewing (Discretion) has retained Allterra Solar to become the first solar powered brewery in Santa Cruz County! Discretion will purchase a solar electric system to offset the electricity consumed in the brewery process. That’s right, climate change and...