Considering Solar? H ER E ’S HE LPFU L I NFORMATI ON •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Incorporating renewable sources, like solar, into the region’s power supply is one of our highest priorities. We support local solar generation and can help by giving you the information you need to know before installing solar energy. Did You Know Sunny San Diego is the perfect place for solar. Our region is a leader in installing • There are many options including solar leasing, purchasing and financing. • Location matters. Solar panels on south facing roofs will generate the most rooftop solar panels and has one of the highest rates of solar panel installation in the country. More than 25,000 SDG&E® customers currently have rooftop solar. power and west facing What we’re doing best supports the grid. Making it easy We can help by giving you the information you need to know before installing solar energy. Making the grid smarter • Even with solar, you have Our online application process makes In much the same way that the Internet to be connected to the choosing solar easy. It takes less than transformed how the world communicates, one-week to have your solar energy system new technologies are transforming the authorized to operate following the receipt nation’s electricity “highway” so it runs of the city/county inspection. more efficiently. This modernization of grid. We’ll be here for you when the sun isn’t shining, or when you need more power than your system provides. the network that delivers electricity from Solar for everyone sources to customers is called the “smart We currently have a proposal before the grid”. We are investing in technologies California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that allow us to manage the growing influx to begin two new pilot programs. Share the of renewable resources that are more Sun and the SunRate — would give you the environmentally friendly, but can be opportunity to purchase solar power, regardless stopped or started by Mother Nature. of the location of your home or whether Having your solar system connected to you own or rent. The CPUC is reviewing the our “smart grid” will give you reliable proposal and is expected to approve it next electric service all year long. SM SM year, which would allow for the program to begin sometime in late 2014 or early 2015. continued on back  ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••  Getting started in three easy steps Step 1: Take our Home Energy Survey Making your home energy efficient is one of the first steps you should consider before installing a solar energy system. Log in to My Account (sdge.com/myaccount), click on the “My Energy” tab, then click on “My Energy Survey”. Taking our survey and providing details about your home’s energy use can help you estimate how your home uses energy and where you can reduce to become more efficient. Once your home is as energy efficient as possible, you won’t need as many solar panels installed, which could help save you money. Step 2: Use the Solar Calculator to get an idea of the potential costs and savings Log in to My Account (sdge.com/myaccount), click on the My Energy Tab, then click on “Saving with Solar Energy”. Step 3: Find a solar contractor and learn about financing and warranty options Selecting a qualified contractor and knowing your financial makes it important to ask about equipment warranties and maintenance plans. Finally, we recommend that you obtain at least three bids in writing from different solar companies and ask for references from other clients. Interested in learning more about solar contractors? Consider social media resources such as Angie’s List or Yelp. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau or the California Contractors State License Board. Get some help There are many ways to save if you’re interested in solar. Visit sdge.com/environment/solar-savings to see if you can take advantage of any federal or state incentives. You can also learn more about our tailored rates for solar on our website. Here are a couple of other sources that offer great information on going solar: gosolarcalifornia.org energycenter.org options are key to a successful project. Search the web for a solar installer or equipment provider using the search term “Solar Energy Equipment and Systems Dealers.” Ask about the company’s experience as well as how much their services and products cost. It’s also important to discuss equipment warranties. A solar For more information If you’d like more information about solar visit our website at sdge.com/solar. power system is a valuable addition to your home which P.O. 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