Fred Zimmerman
4 kW AC Solar Photovoltaic System & Solar Thermal System
Fred Zimmerman began his family's solar pursuit in July 2008. Their installation process is a terrific story that illustrates how Solar Santa Monica helps homeowners incorporate solar into everyday life, and why solar energy investment pencils out for most people
today instead of tomorrow!!
Article, Interview and Photos by Erin Hamant
To you, what were the challenges and benefits of going solar? Do you have any advice for other residents?
“I am a Health Economist at UCLA and I did the numbers myself. It does pan out economically and makes sense over the long term, for sure. For our system, we get a 10% annual return. My wife too was nervous about the money, she wanted to be careful.
“The challenges to solar are to justify this large upfront cost. People generally think of the payback period which is only one side of the equation. There is the supply versus demand and the net present value. It will take over 10 years to payback the upfront cost and technology is getting better, but the price for electricity is getting more expensive. The net present value looks at the payback period versus how much money you are saving. Big mistake to wait – it’s a gamble that I wasn’t willing to take.
“The benefit is doing a little bit to help fight global warming. We can say we’ve done our part in this domain.”
Fred’s advice to others, “Act now! Don’t wait for the technology. We’re all at the point now where it is economically viable. Get in now before the cost skyrockets.”
How long did the process take from deposit to final installation?
The Zimmerman family decided to completely solarize their home as a part of a move from Seattle. The process did not take too long to complete, “We started in July 2008. We decided to reroof at the same time to make sure the joints were solid and the roof was leak proof. The process was non-invasive and painless. The crew was on the roof with my wife at home. Completion was [intentionally] delayed to take advantage of the federal tax credit that began in 2009. Everything was complete by February 2009.”
Actual time took about six months to install the solar photovoltaic system and three months to install the solar thermal system. Overall, Fred describes, “It’s not a gigantic display. Solar covers about half of my roof. You can’t see it from the yard.”
Fred shared the total cost of his PV system: the gross price was $36,000, with a $9,000 state rebate carried by the solar contractor and roughly $10,800 reimbursed as a federal tax credit.
How much were your electric and gas bills before and what are they today?
Fred says his home savings “are delightful!”
Based on the Zimmerman’s past electric usage history, average monthly bills ran about $200/month. To offset the electric bill they had California Solar Electric install a 4 kW AC photovoltaic system, and today their bills are a mere $1.88/month. There are a total of twenty SunPower 230 panels.
As for the gas bill, it is harder for them to calculate the exact savings since they use gas to heat their home and to cook. The Zimmerman’s estimate the solar thermal system supplies most of their domestic hot water. All Valley Solar installed a Cascade Closed Loop Drain Back System using two 4x8 SunEarth EC32 panels and an 80 gal. water storage tank.
Did you purchase monitoring software and maintenance as a part of your total cost?
Fred purchased monitoring software to accompany his PV system and he chose to clean the panels himself. “I clean every three months with a hose. It’s pretty easy.”
Solar Santa Monica recommends receiving at least three solar bids. How did you select your contractor?
Fred went through the Solar Santa Monica program and had a free residential Solar Site Check. He decided to go with California Solar Electric and All Valley Solar, both Preferred Solar Contractors of the program, as his solar installers.
“I thought the solar service was great. It’s nice to have third-party, non-commercial interest from the City.”
Did everything go as expected? Any surprises?
“There were some inspection mishaps that annoyed me but they also settled quickly.”
The solar thermal system is on the right and the solar PV system is on the left.
Featured below the solar thermal system on the left is a water storage tank.
|
