Why rent your electricity when you can make your own?

That’s a question being asked by Steve Hansen, who goes by the moniker of Captain Solar. Hansen is the regional sales director with the Loomis-based franchise of Solar Universe, an installer of both ground- and roof-mounted solar panels.

“Solar allows people to take control of their power needs and help the environment,” Hansen said.

Recently, Hansen and his crew installed a ground-mounted solar system for Cuong Vu, who has lived in his rural Loomis home for 25 years. Vu said the tax credit of 30 percent offered by the federal government, along with a 10 percent rebate from the state, prompted him to choose solar panels. The tax credit and rebate cut the $82,000 cost of the solar installation almost in half for Vu.

“Solar is a better investment than stocks or the bank right now,” Vu said.

Vu said that his average monthly electric bill was $550, and more than $700 in the summer. Hansen estimates that the system will have paid for itself in six years.

Hansen said those with electric bills over $200 to $300 per month are good candidates for solar installation. He also said those who have two-plus acres of land are usually able to have ground-mounted solar panels.

According to Hansen, ground panels are cheaper to install and more effective than roof-mounted panels because they can be positioned to face due south.

Hansen explained that solar panels work on a system of “sell high, buy low” because the panels create an abundance of electricity during summer daylight hours. He called summer “solar harvest season.”

That electricity goes back to the electric company, crediting the homeowner at peak hour rates. The credit will pay for the homeowner’s electricity when little or no solar power is produced such as at night when the rates are much lower.

“During the day you are feeding power back into the grid,” Hansen said.

“You might be getting credited at 41 cents a kilowatt, then you buy it back at night at 11 cents a kilowatt,” he added.

Hansen said homeowners on solar receive one bill a year from the utility company for their electricity. He said the goal is for the homeowner to break even and have little or no payment.

Entrepreneur Luke Emard is president of Solar Universe in Loomis. He is a third-generation electrician and now operates a number of related companies out of his Swetzer Road location.

Emard said that branching out into solar panel installation just made sense.

“We saw a demand and felt we were better able to understand and install the systems. We don’t sub out any of the work, we do it all ourselves,” Emard said.

Homeowner Vu said he got a number of bids before choosing Solar Universe. He said the prices were all similar, but that Steve Hansen was the most knowledgeable.

“Solar is the safest investment you can make on your home. It saves you money every day,” Hansen said.

Solar Universe has a Web site where applicants fill in simple information about their power usage to determine how many panels are needed. Then a site survey is conducted.

Hansen said that his company takes care of permitting and even does the rebate paperwork for clients. He said installation usually takes one week. Solar Universe is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Loomis location services the entire Sacramento Valley.

For more information, visit their Web site at solaruniverse.com or call them at 444-1680.

Editor’s Note: Loomis News Staff Writer Joyia Emard is not related to Luke Emard of Solar Universe.