At West Coast Solar, Mark McBride specialize in custom solar power system design, manufacturing, and installation for residential and commercial properties.
Name of Company: West Coast Solar
Contact: Mark McBride
Phone: (925) 303-6303
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://thesolarsherpa.expert/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markmcbwcs
How did you get into the solar industry?
“I decided to take the plunge into renewable energy after I discovered all of the benefits that my family enjoyed after having solar installed on my own home in 2014. When I did make the change, I promised myself that I would take a different sales approach within the industry. I take the time to research all aspects of a customer’s energy usage situation, focusing in on the reasons why their bills are high. I make recommendations based on previous, current and future energy usage, then build a system to meet my customer’s needs. This is how I gained my “Solar Sherpa” nickname many years ago. I take care of my customers as if they were family!”
California just changed its rules on the rebate program. Can you break down what will occur after April 1. Did the CPUC get this vote very wrong?
This is a great question! In layman’s terms… they are lowering the value of the power you are producing by 75% on new or retrofit systems being installed after April 1st. In order to benefit from the production, you will need batteries to store the excess produced power. California is the largest producer of solar energy in the world, and Brentwood, believe it or not, has more solar per capita than any other city in the nation. It makes no sense, except to pad the utilities pockets. On top of all of this, PGE is requesting an 18% increase for 2023!!
Photo by West Coast Solar
Who should consider solar?
Most people will benefit from solar. People paying cash usually have a return on investment in 5-7 years, then you are basically your own utility. Financing solar (not a lease/PPA) usually yields a 50% savings on your average PGE bill. This number will fluctuates based on the system size being properly designed etc. I always strive on designing a minimum 100% offset of production to eliminate any true up situations.
When should someone not consider solar?
I have always had the belief that almost every homeowner can benefit from solar. If the financing is so out of line that the ROI doesn’t make sense, that would be one.
People with fixed incomes, elderly that may not understand the finance part, or people who just don’t use much power. I am one of the extreme few that will walk away from a sale if it doesn’t benefit the homeowner. As you know, I have been involved in our community on many levels for many years. It is not worth tarnishing my name or reputation to make a buck…never have, never will. I’ve built my name in the industry on a no BS approach to selling it ethically.
I will always advocate on behalf of anyone looking for or needing advice on solar… regardless if they purchase from me or not. You are going to see a lot of fly by night solar companies scattering like cockroaches in the light after April 1st. It will be companies like ours that have been around for over 16 years that will still be here to help our customers in the future.
Job you are most proud of?
I am proud of all my jobs! I would also have to say that all the homes of people that have referred me to friends and families. There is not better feeling than a customer having the confidence to refer you to someone. That proves that they trusted me enough to make that referral.
If I had to pick one home that we have installed…it would be too hard. I love the difficult projects that other companies reject. We do them all.
What role will batteries be playing in the future?
Batteries will be as important to a solar system as the panels are. I foresee the price of batteries coming down, as they will need to be economically feasible to sustain the industry in California. Once again, PGE and other utilities are making the public shoulder the burden of the storage of your produced energy.
How has the solar mandate in 2018 played out so far?
NEM 2.0 was tolerable, and in my opinion, a fair mandate. Utilities do need money to maintain their infrastructure, and everyone, including homeowners with solar, should share the burden. I think a better solution for NEM 3.0 would have been to put a “surcharge” of $25 on all solar per month to help with the ongoing maintenance.
What are three things people should most consider before going to solar?
- Return on investment
- Length of time anticipated in your home
We also have to see why is your bill so high? Are their underlying issues causing it? That’s what differentiates me from a lot of solar salespeople. I want to know the root of the high usage. We don’t want to put a band aid on a potential problem. I will always ask about past, current and anticipated changes that will affect your consumption before designing a system
Better to buy solar panels or rent them?
This is the age old question in solar. Its always better to buy your solar if you can take advantage of the 30% ITC from the Federal Government. That is a great incentive for buying the solar because it can, in most cases, lower the outlay of money for the system by 30%. Most if not all solar financing companies price their payments based on you reinvesting the credit into the loan.
Now a PPA /Lease can help you if you are unable to take advantage of the tax incentives. Low income, retired on a low fixed income can benefit from this. Always read the fine print on all contracts. Some PPA’s have as high as a 3.9% yearly increase in the power you are buying in the terms of the lease. Once again, always know the terms of you loan, lease or PPA.
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