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A USER’S GUIDE TO SOLAR ENERGY

THE SEMPER SOLARIS DIFFERENCE

Kelly Shawhan, co-owner

We are proud to be an American, veteranowned company, and a top solar, battery storage, roofing, heating and air conditioning provider.

A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST

The inspiration behind the company name is the Marine Corp motto “Semper Fidelis,” meaning always faithful.

We are always faithful to our country, our employees, our customers, and our nation’s veterans. That means you can put your faith in us to get the job done and give you the best experience possible.

Semper has over a decade of experience and an A rating with the BBB. We earned that rating by never sacrificing our values. Values we share with the united states military. Values of integrity, loyalty, honor, and responsibility. From our Co-founder and Co-owner Kelly Shawhan to our installation crews on the ground; those values run deep.

co-owner

John Almond,

BENEFITS OF HOME SOLAR ENERGY

Free yourself from ever-increasing electricity bills. If paying $120 or more per month for your electricity bill makes you cringe, you’re not alone. But we’ve got good news: switching to solar energy will almost certainly stabilize your energy costs and save you money.

Your system will pay for itself in 5-7 years, and then you’ll enjoy close to free electricity for the life of your system — typically 25+ years. Most of our customers will save 25-75% over the life of their solar system, which can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

Low monthly payments and little to no money down options make it easier than ever to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy, like eliminating your electric costs .

USE AS MUCH ELECTRICITY AS YOU LIKE, GUILT-FREE

What if you didn’t have to sweat the cost of running a third load of laundry, heating the pool, plugging in your electric car or setting the thermostat to 68 in the summer? Solar power lets you use energy the way you want without

fretting a high electric bill at the end of the month. You can expect a steady monthly expense no matter how much energy you use or how much rates increase.

SOLAR POWER IMPROVES YOUR HOME’S VALUE

In addition to saving you money on your electric bill, solar panels also improve home value. According to a multi-state study conducted by Lawrence Berkeley Labs, solar systems increase home value more than almost any other home improvement investment.

NO MORE ENERGY BLACKOUTS

A switch to solar decreases your dependence on your utility provider because solar panels allow you to

generate your own electricity with the power of the sun.

When you add a battery backup to your solar system, you gain even more independence as you’re not only generating your own power, you’re also storing it to use when you need it. With a solar + battery combo system, you’re no longer grid-tied so your house stays powered even through a blackout.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

One of the solar energy advantages is that generating power for your home with solar panels doesn’t pollute the atmosphere with harmful greenhouse gas emissions like traditional power.

Choosing to harvest the sun’s power as a renewable energy source helps eliminate the burning of fossil fuels that

is leading us toward global warming, and reduces your carbon footprint on the environment. It’s a proactive way you can leave a green legacy for future generations.

LOW MAINTENANCE

There’s little maintenance associated with solar energy. Once your equipment is installed by a professional, not much upkeep is needed to maintain the system.

Every couple of years or so we recommend giving the system a health check so it continues to generate optimal power. Baker can take care of this for you.

FEDERAL TAX CREDIT

The Solar Investment Tax Credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal income tax for anyone who purchases solar panels for their home or business. The current credit is 30% of the system cost, which equates to a decent tax break for most people.

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WHAT IS A TAX CREDIT?

A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe. For example, claiming a $1,000 federal tax credit reduces your federal income taxes due by $1,000. The federal tax credit is sometimes referred to as an Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, though is different from the ITC offered to businesses that own solar systems.

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT?

The federal residential solar energy credit is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar PV system paid for by the taxpayer. (Other types of renewable energy are also eligible for similar credits but are beyond the scope of this guidance.)

The installation of the system must be complete during the tax year.

Solar PV systems installed in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for a 26% tax credit. In August 2022, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, raising it to 30% for the installation of which was between 2022-2032. (Systems installed on or before December 31, 2019 were also eligible for a 30% tax credit.) It will decrease to 26% for systems installed in 2033 and to 22% for

systems installed in 2034. The tax credit expires starting in 2035 unless Congress renews it.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM THE FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT?

You’ll likely be eligible for the tax credit if you meet these four main criteria: • You have sufficient tax liability.

• Your solar or energy storage project must be installed and made operational within the year that you claim the tax credit.

• You own the solar or energy storage project (a financed system is considered eligible, as is cash purchase).

• The solar or energy storage system is not being re-used or re-installed.

HOW DO I CLAIM THE FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT?

When you file your taxes, you’ll need to complete the IRS form 5695, which you can find in the adjacent useful links. Once you complete it, add the result to Schedule 3, IRS Form 1040, line 5. The

credit information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for expert advice from a professional tax/financial planner or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

USER’S GUIDE TO SOLAR

Save big with solar panels and energy storage options.

The best way to offset energy costs is solar energy. Along with the energy savings, there is a refreshing feeling in knowing you’re reducing the carbon footprint of your home.

WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?

The sunlight that reaches earth constitutes 50% light (visible), 45% infrared radiation, ultraviolet rays, and electromagnetic radiation. The heat radiations trigger chemical reactions that produce electricity.

The energy generated from the sun is what is captured in the form of thermal or electric power. The latter captures the sun’s energy via flat plate collectors used in solar heating, which converts them to thermal energy. With electric energy, the sun radiations are captured through photovoltaic cells and directly converted into electricity.

ADVANTAGES OF PV SOLAR PANELS

• Cheap, clean, and renewable energy.

• Maintenance costs for P.V. panels are relatively low compared to other energy sources.

• Photovoltaic systems are quiet, thus reducing the effect of environmental noise.

• Solar energy can be harnessed locally, thus reducing environmental disruptions associated with transportation.

• Solar power reduces the electricity bill as it costs you only a fraction of what you pay to the utility companies monthly.

• Solar power plants have fewer safety risks compared to fossil and coal plants.

DISADVANTAGES OF PV SOLAR PANELS

• Photovoltaic modules produce variable energy. They cannot absorb energy during the night, and the amount of energy collected during the day also varies with weather seasons and time of the day.

ARE BATTERIES NECESSARY FOR A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM?

The inclusion of batteries depends on the type of solar system that you have installed. If the

system is grid-tied, you do not have to include the batteries, unlike the off-grid systems.

WHAT’S THE BEST TYPE OF BATTERY FOR SOLAR?

There are essentially three types of solar batteries; flooded lead-acid accumulators (FLA), sealed lead-acid accumulators (SLA), and lithiumion batteries. FLA are the cheapest and the oldest but require regular maintenance for best operation. You just need to top up the battery with distilled water to account for the evaporation.

SLAs are advance FLAs, where the battery is sealed to prevent evaporation. They are a little bit more expensive than the FLAs but do not need maintenance.

Lithium-ion batteries represent the best tech in batteries. These are known to charge much faster than the other two types. They also withstand deep discharge cycles and last the longest, in addition to being maintenance-free.

HOW LONG DOES BATTERY BACKUP LAST?

A solar battery’s lifespan will depend on its type and make. But on average, you should expect a useful lifespan of 5 to 15 years.

CAN I EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF MY BACKUP BATTERY?

Proper maintenance and storing your battery within optimal temperature ranges can considerably extend the life of your solar batteries.

HOW LONG CAN BATTERY BACKUP POWER MY HOME?

The actual duration will depend on various factors, including your home’s energy load, your batteries’ power rating and capacity as well as whether you are connected to the grid.

HELPING VETERANS BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT

Scan the QR code and nominate someone today! Tell us your nominee’s story and why you feel they deserve to be a part of the Semper Cares Initiative.

SIERRA MAY

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Since 2012, Semper Solaris has been helping homeowners in California lower their energy bills with Solar Panels + Battery Storage, Roofing, Heating & Air. In 2022, our focus has been set on investing in exceptional high school and college students who are dedicated to helping our planet by using alternative energy.