The most common misconception about solar energy is that it has a huge price tag, and that it’s only been a viable solution for those select few with pockets deep enough to afford the initial cost.

But Green Convergence, Santa Clarita’s local residential and commercial SunPower dealer, now makes it possible for residents and businesses to have solar power for less than they’re currently paying the electric company, and for no money down.

Voted “Best Solar Installer” in the SCV, Green Convergence offers great financing, leases with no money down, payments for less than your current electric bill, and higher efficiency solar panels for less — all in an effort to make solar available to everyone.

Santa Clarita Valley residents know about heat waves, and their impact on electric bills. With the air conditioning running, summer bills easily reach $200, $300 or higher. But solar would eliminate those high bills, as they have for Jeri Seratti-Goldman, CEO of Santa Clarita radio station AM 1220 KHTS and a residential solar panel owner.

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“We’ve been living in our house as of April 2011 and I’ve had no (electricity) bill,” Seratti-Goldman said. “It’s absolutely amazing! Before, we were always afraid to turn on the air conditioner. We’d end up paying $500-$600 (bills) in the summer, which is a lot of money. This summer, we didn’t hesitate to turn it on. We had no bill.”

With no bill and the ability to generate more power than the home or business uses, using air conditioning to maintain a comfortable climate is no longer an issue. Solar systems and monitoring software now make it easier than ever to keep track of how much power is being generated and used.

“We’re generating more than what we’re using and we can look at it on a daily basis on the computer,” Seratti-Goldman said.

Best of all, SunPower panels are the highest efficiency panels on the planet, which is why Green Convergence represents and installs them. With more than 100 design patents, SunPower has been around for 25 years. SunPower solar panels have a dramatically higher output of kilowatts per hour, meaning a SunPower system will generate stored conventional power at a faster rate than Southern California Edison puts out.

As licensed and insured roofing, electrical and general contractors, Green Convergence uses separate crews for each phase of solar panel installation. Experienced, journeyman roofers do the roofing and waterproofing while the electricians do the wiring.

“One group of guys can’t do it all. Roofing and electrical are two diverse fields,” said Mark Figearo, Green Convergence CEO and co-owner. “Most panels need airflow so there’s an elevation of six to eight inches up off the tile. As roofers, we actually take the tile off, install a low-profile mount close to the roof itself, and then tile back around that. The wiring and electrical aspect is the same. Our installations are remarkably attractive and clean.”

No money down, a 30 percent federal tax credit, payments less than current electric bills, and the most efficient panels on the planet: It’s not surprising Santa Clarita voted Green Convergence the Best Solar Installer in the SCV.

For more information and to explore solar options, visit http://greenconvergence.com or call (661) 294-9999.