Overview

California State Contractor License #508902 Classifications: B-1 General, C-2 Thermal insulation, C-46 Solar Energy Systems. 

     ACS is a unique and original business based in Lancaster Ca. since 1983.  For 25 years ACS has served the High Desert installing effective reliable conservation and solar energy systems.   ACS is an innovative pioneer in the field of green building systems application and a recognized award winning solar Industry leader.

   ACS has accumulated a client reference list numbering in the tens of thousands, which they proudly make available as testament to the value, quality and cost efficiency of the systems they install.

History

     In the  the early 80’s, ACS served High Desert homeowners by providing homeweatherization, window efficiency treatments and retro-fit attic and wall insulation. The demand for home comfort and efficiency improvements is greater in the rigorous, temperature extreme High Desert.

     With the rising utility costs after the OPEC embargo in the 70's, ACS expanded their services to include solar energy.  At this time the fledgling US solar industry exploded because of  tax credits. 50% of a solar energy system could be recouped the first year as a tax credit.  ACS enjoyed this robust period that was the glory days for the U.S. solar industry.  

      ACS witnessed a growing horde entering the solar business.  It at first appeared that they had little impact on ACS; most employed high pressure sales tactics, charged exorbitant money for systems that were not engineered to endure in the High Desert and were sloppily installed by inexperienced installers.

     The solar glory days ended abruptly at midnight January 31, 1985 when the federal solar tax credits expired. Within 6 months, 90% of the US solar industry expired as well. The resulting detriment to the solar industry by the fly-by-night solar companies did not become apparent until after they were gone. Many homeowners were left owing thousands of dollars on solar installations now orphaned with no manufacturer warranty or dealer service.

    Maybe the solar glory days should be called the solar tax credit debacle.  The early 80s federal solar tax credit program lacked adequate guidelines, was poorly policed and was sorely abused. Even though this happened 22 years ago, the damaged U.S. public perception that solar energy is expensive and unreliable, still persists today.

The new Solar Age

     Domestic water heating is the most common use of solar energy world wide.  The United States has the smallest percentage of solar heated domestic water of any industrialized country in the world; less than 1%. Not just the Southwest but almost every region in the US has more available solar energy than Germany and yet 45% of the domestic hot water in Germany is solar heated, it’s 65% in Turkey and 85% in Austria, which explains Arnold Schwarzeneggers staunch solar advocacy.   Many countries such as Israel and Australia have made solar water heating a mandatory code requirement. Almost a hundred percent of Israel’s domestic hot water is solar heated.

     In sunny Southern California a properly sized solar domestic water heater will provide more hot water than a residential home can use, all year around.

   Of the U.S. solar contractors that were in business back in 1985, only a fraction of one percent is still in business today.  The secret to the survival of ACS is a result of their ardent striving for system value and efficiency.  The question was always: How long will the system take to pay for itself?  The ACS statement of purpose is to provide:”Solar and energy improvements systematically engineered to provide the greatest cost efficiency.”  ACS has developed energy systems of great value that provide outstanding performance with long term guaranteed reliability. 

   Solar energy is viewed by some to be the clean energy solution to global warming.  Others see solar as an abundant energy source that can substantially help liberate the U.S. from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  Either way it is universally agreed that utilizing our solar energy is a good idea and the time to start is now.

 The Future  

     The goal, of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is to make California a world leader in the use of solar energy.  Currently there are tax credits, rebates and subsidized financing available for the purchase of solar energy systems.  Solar energy can be utilized to heat swimming pools, domestic hot water and generate electricity.

   The recorded annual solar energy in the California High Desert is the highest in the nation.  There are few places where it makes more sense to utilize solar energy than our High Desert.  There are few solar contractors better qualified with the years of solar experience and track record of success in the High Desert climate, like ACS.  Energy systems installed by ACS are proven and guaranteed to stand the test of time.

   An ACS energy saving system is an inflation proof investment.  Investment returns of saved energy dollars will forever increase and saved energy cost are not taxable income.