We originally purchased a solar system about 10 years ago from a different company that has since gone out of business (not sure 100% but they are gone and… Read more
Solar products
San Diego Solar inverters
Solar inverters are the unsung heroes of solar energy. Let’s talk about what they do and why you need to know.
The small but mighty solar inverter
Some folks call it the heart of a solar energy system, others call it the brain. Either way, the point is: the solar inverter is really important. Solar panels may get all the attention, but inverters are arguably the star of the show because they make your solar energy usable!
How does it work?
Solar panels use the sun’s energy to produce direct current (DC). However, your home uses alternating current (AC) for power. Solar inverters transform direct current from your panels to alternating current for your home.
There are two main types of residential solar inverters to choose from:
Central inverters
Central inverters are typically installed close to your existing main service panel. Most systems run on one central inverter; large systems may need two or more.
All solar panels connect to your central inverter and send the energy they produce to it. The central inverter then converts that energy to AC power for your home.
Pros: Central Inverters can be easier to service since they are usually installed at ground level. They can also include features like integrated EV charging and integrated support for DC-coupled batteries.
Cons: If your central inverter fails, your entire system is down until it is repaired.
Microinverters
Microinverters are small, individual inverters installed underneath each solar panel. Each microinverter converts that panel’s output to an AC circuit, and all output merges at the AC combiner panel. We install Enphase® microinverters, which are the most advanced on the market and are backed by rigorous testing.
Pros: If a microinverter fails, only one panel is down. This means the rest of your solar array can continue producing power! Burst technology lets microinverters produce more at dawn, dusk and in lowlight conditions, which makes for a longer solar day. Streamlined components make for quicker and less costly installations. High-quality materials and remote problem-solving save money on repairs. Enphase microinverters also come with a 25-year warranty.
Cons: Microinverters can be more challenging to replace since they are installed at the solar panel (typically on the roof).
What size do I need?
The size of your solar system is the biggest factor in choosing the right inverter size. When you work with Baker Home Energy, you’ll have Solar Professionals guiding you through this.
Generally, your solar inverter cost for either a central inverter or microinverters will be proportional to system size. Microinverters may run a bit more upfront since you’re purchasing one for each solar panel.
I had a great solar purchasing experience from start to finish. The consultation was thorough and without pressure. Project milestones were clearly communicated via the Baker Solar web portal and the couple questions I had were answered promptly. The installation was clean and Baker was even able to hide much of the conduit after discussing options. Overall pricing was very fair compared to other quotes I received and Baker has been around a long time which also gave me piece of mind. Read more
There are an awful lot of solar installation companies out there now, and they run the gamut from fly-by-night to true pro. I had two concerns during my… Read more
A Baker Electric Solar installation comes in stages.
Here we'd like to comment on the roofing team led by JC Solorzono, with teammates Eduardox2, Carlos,… Read more
Just had solar installed – Baker Electric did an excellent job. From the initial contact, to the roofing experts, to the installation crew – everyone was knowledgeable and professional. Communication was outstanding throughout the entire project. I would highly recommend this company for a seamless solar installation. Thank you Baker Electric for such a positive experience! Read more
We were satisfied with solar system installation for our home. Although there were delays due to rainy days, Baker was very communicative via phone calls,… Read more
Note: I'm waiting for PTO with my solar system, so this review reflects my experience to date thus far.
Had a great experience with Don Inman when I was… Read more
We are very impressed with the caliber of employees this company employs. It is a BIG investment for anyone who is putting in solar/batteries, etc., so you better get the best and most established company you can. There are solar company horror stories about “here today, gone tomorrow” everywhere you turn, but you won’t be one of them if you go with this 80 year old company. I chose them because they did a huge job for my employer 25+ years ago and I was a part of that build out. The company was very pleased. They’re still providing great service. A VERY special shout-out to Felix Ortiz and Bobby (sorry Bobby, I don’t know your last name). All the other folks who were here were great too. It was apparent that they enjoyed working with each other. Felix offered (and did) to paint the outside conduits to match our house. He was was not required to do it, but he did it to make us happy. You don’t get service like that anymore. Even if we have to swap out a light switch Baker is going to do it! Good job, Baker! Read more
We recently had an issue with our furnace not working and we contacted Baker because we have been so pleased with their work and impressed with their staff… Read more
I was very impressed with Tom Holmes w Baker Home Electric. He was exceptionally professional, very thorough and knowledgeable at an attractive price/value. Tom went well beyond the call of duty to help me fix my thermostat problems. I’m always sensitive to being sold more than I need when a new service technician suggests options. He was very courteous and made suggestions that were practical and sensible given my situation. I highly recommend Tom and Baker for any HVAC project. He is a hard worker and a genuinely nice and honest guy. Read more
We are very pleased with the service we've received, specifically, from the service manager Josh.
We ran into some snags, initially, after Baker became… Read more
Every step along the way with Baker to install solar has been smooth and efficient. They were straightforward, honest, and kept me up-to-date on everything. I researched solar companies and interviewed 3 of them. I was very impressed with Baker, plus they had the best reviews. Their prices were similar to other companies but they gave me an extra $1,000 off (someone referred me) and I am also going to receive $250 for a referral. I also took advantage of their no down, no interest, no payment offer that gives me 18 months to pay my solar installation costs. That allowed me to use my savings for a new roof and fence that I desperately needed. Go with Baker…you will have no regrets! Read more
