Solar 101

Welcome to the wonderful world of solar energy!

The sun’s energy may be used in three fundamental ways in our homes. Two of the three use the sun’s thermal, or heat, energy. Passive solar energy captures the sun’s heat using the building itself, through intelligent design. South-facing glass traps the sun’s heat energy; thermal mass stores the heat and releases it slowly over time. Active solar heat uses solar collectors to heat liquid (and occasionally air). The heat is used to preheat domestic hot water, or used with a boiler to heat living space, most commonly in-floor radiant heat.

The third way is solar electricity, called photovoltaics or PV for short. Unlike solar heat, PV turns sunlight directly into electricity. The two processes are different and often confused. Passive solar is the realm of the architect and builder. Active solar heat is generally the realm of the licensed mechanical contractor, as it involved pipes, pumps, and valves. PV is the realm of the licensed electrical contractor, as it involves wires, switches and circuit breakers.

We are licensed electrical contractors who turn sunlight into electric power in all its applications. Our specialty is electricity from renewable energy. This is all we do; we’re not a division of a larger company. We don’t generally offer conventional electrical services such as residential or commercial wiring. We do not do solar heat, but work with companies that do. By focusing on this one specialty we can be the best at what we do.