John Aguiar, a pool contractor in Yorba Linda, California, knows the importance of energy efficiency. After paying summer electricity bills in excess of $1,000, he knew his family needed a more efficient way of meeting its electricity needs. To save money and reduce energy consumption, Mr. Aguiar installed a SunPower® Residential Solar Electric System on his home, which produced 700 kilowatt hours (kWh) more energy in month one than the family used,virtually eliminating the family’s energy bill. The investment in the SunPower system, which was installed in February 2007, will pay for itself in less than 8 years.
“SunPower helped our family meet our electricity needs while lowering energy costs and reducing our carbon footprint. I couldn’t be happier with this investment.”John Aguiar orba Linda Homeowner
APPEARANCE AND QUALITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
After extensive online research of residential solar electricity solutions,the Aguiar family chose SunPower. Important considerations included long-term quality and ease of installation, which the family felt were worth a premium. Choosing a trustworthy supplier was essential. “We know SunPower has been in business for a long time, and we trust their solar technology and track record,” said Aguiar. “Although SunPower was not the cheapest option, we felt it was the safest and most reliable long term solar solution.”
Another key consideration was the appearance of the system on the roof.“The way this system was designed does not interfere with the aesthetic appearance of our backyard, and this was important to us,” said Aguiar. The family chose all-black SunPower panels to match the roof, and the design integrated extremely well with the existing roof line.
ENERGY COSTS DROP EVEN AS TEMPERATURES RISE
Typical temperatures in Yorba Linda are high—90-100 degrees during the summer. As a result, the Aguiar family would commonly spend more than $1,000 per month attempting to cool their home during hot summer months. Even winters were expensive–$250 per month or more. By installing the SunPower solar electric system, the family virtually eliminated its electricity bills, and the system will pay for itself in 8 years or less.
