Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from our engineers on commercial solar PV, solar thermal, pool heating, microgrids, and data center cooling.
What services does Maktinta provide?
We design and build commercial solar PV, solar thermal and pool heating, off-grid and microgrid systems, and high-density data center cooling. We also provide Title 24 consulting and help property owners move from gas boilers to water-to-water heat pump systems. Every system is engineered in-house by the same team that installs it.
What rack density can you cool?
We design and build cooling for racks up to 150 kW using direct-to-chip cold plate systems. Our first high-density deployment supported 75 kW per rack. Air cooling alone becomes impractical above roughly 30 to 50 kW, which is why higher densities require liquid at the chip or at the rack door.
What is the difference between direct-to-chip cold plate cooling and rear door heat exchangers?
Cold plate cooling removes heat at the processor itself by delivering liquid directly to a plate on the chip package. It supports the highest densities but requires server-level integration. A rear door heat exchanger is a liquid-cooled coil at the rack exhaust that captures heat before it reaches the room. It requires no change to the servers, which makes it the practical choice for retrofits and mixed-density halls.
What PUE can a data center realistically achieve?
It depends on climate, cooling architecture, and how the measurement boundary is drawn. Typical enterprise facilities operate between 1.4 and 1.6. On one Bay Area deployment we brought a facility from 1.5 to 1.09 while supporting 75 kW racks. Any PUE claim should state whether it is annualized or a spot reading, and what is included in the IT load.
Can you retrofit cooling in an existing data center?
Usually, yes. The constraint is rarely the room. It is whether the existing chilled water plant has the capacity and control flexibility to support the new load profile. We start with a water-side capacity analysis before recommending an architecture, because a retrofit that outruns its plant fails in the second year rather than the first.
Do you work outside Northern California?
Our solar and thermal design-build work is concentrated in Northern California. Data center cooling architecture and design engagements extend beyond that, and we have delivered projects in Texas and Ohio. Contact us with the location and scope.
How does California's gas boiler ban affect my project?
With California's 2030 restriction on new gas boilers, property owners planning a replacement need to evaluate alternatives now rather than at end of life. We assess and design options like water-to-water heat pumps that meet the new rules. We model cost and performance honestly, including the cases where the numbers do not yet favor switching.
What exactly are water-to-water heat pumps?
Water-to-water heat pumps move heat from one water source to another, using electricity to deliver efficient heating and, in some systems, cooling. Their efficiency is measured by Coefficient of Performance (COP). Paired with on-site renewables, they offer a lower-carbon alternative to gas-fired water heating.
What are the benefits of pairing heat pumps with on-site renewables?
Combining heat pumps with solar PV or solar thermal can reduce carbon emissions and lower operating costs over time. However, under current utility rates, ROI calculations often still favor high-efficiency gas boilers, so every project deserves a careful, site-specific evaluation before committing.
What financial incentives are available in California?
Federal incentives are relatively straightforward to identify. State and local incentives are harder to pin down, change frequently, and many are set to taper off as 2030 approaches. We research what applies to your specific project and location as part of every proposal, so you are not left doing it yourself.
How do you manage permitting and engineering challenges?
We engineer and draft in-house, which lets us respond quickly when a jurisdiction requests changes and keeps approvals on track. Every project is designed to comply with California's Title 24, local codes, and federal standards, and most of our permits clear within one or two review cycles.
How do the operating costs of heat pumps compare with high-efficiency gas boilers?
Our analysis shows that, under current utility rates, water-to-water heat pumps cost roughly twice as much to operate as high-efficiency gas boilers. Integrating on-site renewables and using available incentives can narrow that gap and improve overall ROI.
What about grid capacity and electricity pricing?
Widespread heat pump adoption adds demand to a grid that is already under strain. We design systems to minimize peak grid draw, using strategies like battery storage and microgrid controls to manage demand charges and stabilize long-term energy costs.
What is solar thermal energy and how does it work?
Solar thermal systems use collectors to capture the sun's energy as heat and transfer it to water. That heated water can serve domestic hot water, pool heating, process heat, or radiant floor systems, reducing reliance on gas.
What are the benefits of a solar thermal system?
Solar thermal reduces energy bills and carbon emissions, and it often qualifies for renewable energy incentives. It is especially effective in facilities with steady hot water demand, such as multifamily housing, hospitality, and industrial process heat.
How does solar pool heating work?
Pool water is circulated through solar collectors, warmed by the sun, and returned to the pool. This reduces or eliminates the need for gas heating, lowering both operating costs and emissions.
What are the benefits of installing a solar pool system?
Solar pool heating significantly lowers operating costs and energy use, and it may qualify for federal and state incentives. For commercial pools and aquatic centers, it is one of the few solar thermal applications that can return its capital cost in under five years at current gas rates.
What is a microgrid?
A microgrid is a localized energy network that can operate independently from the main grid. It combines on-site generation, battery storage, and smart controls to keep power reliable during peak demand or outages.
How can microgrids benefit my property?
A microgrid with battery storage lets you manage peak-time electricity charges, keep critical loads running during outages, and reduce dependence on grid pricing.
What is solar PV and how does it work?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor cells. They are a scalable way for commercial properties to reduce reliance on grid power.
What are the advantages of integrating solar PV with battery storage?
Storage lets you use more of your own solar generation instead of exporting it at low rates. It also provides backup power during outages and reduces peak demand charges. Under NEM 3.0, storage is often what makes the economics work.
How does solar PV without storage compare?
Solar PV without storage costs less upfront and is simpler to install. However, it relies on the grid whenever the sun is not producing, which leaves you exposed to rate increases and outages, and under NEM 3.0 exported power earns much less than it used to.
What should I consider when choosing between solar PV with or without storage?
We engineer and draft in-house, which lets us respond quickly when a jurisdiction requests changes and keeps approvals on track. Every project is designed to comply with California's Title 24, local codes, and federal standards, and most of our permits clear within one or two review cycles.
Who benefits from Maktinta's services?
Our clients include multifamily developments, colocation and data center operators, school districts, municipalities, commercial facilities with aging boilers, commercial pool and aquatic center owners, and any property owner preparing for a future without new gas boilers.
How do I get started with a consultation?
Call 408-432-9900 or submit the form on our website. Initial technical conversations are with our chief engineer. If you have utility bills, load data, or site plans, send them along so our first response can be specific to your project.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance and support?
Yes. We provide post-installation support including maintenance, remote system monitoring, and troubleshooting to keep your system performing at the level it was designed for.
What is net metering and how does it work in California?
Net metering lets you earn credit for excess electricity your solar system sends back to the grid, which offsets power you draw at night or on cloudy days. Under California's NEM 3.0 policy, exported power is valued at the "avoided cost" rate rather than the full retail rate. That shift makes pairing solar with battery storage the best way to maximize on-site savings.
Do solar panels increase property taxes in California?
For systems completed before January 1, 2027, generally no. California's Active Solar Energy System Exclusion prevents a qualifying solar installation from triggering a property tax reassessment, and that protection remains until the property changes ownership. The exclusion is currently set to end for new construction on January 1, 2027. Systems completed after that date may be assessed like any other improvement unless the legislature extends it. If property tax treatment matters to your project, timing matters, so talk to us early and confirm specifics with your tax advisor.
Do I need to replace my roof before installing solar panels?
Not always, but it is worth checking first. A commercial PV array has a service life of 25 to 30 years, and a roof with fewer than 10 years remaining should be replaced before installation. Removing and reinstalling an array later costs far more than sequencing the work correctly. We assess roof age, membrane condition, and structural capacity during the site evaluation and tell you plainly if re-roofing should come first.
How do you determine the right system size?
The ideal system size depends on your annual energy consumption, available roof or ground space, and the efficiency of the chosen panels. For commercial and high-load facilities, Maktinta conducts a load profile analysis to match array output with real-time energy demand. This ensures the system delivers maximum production and return on investment without oversizing.
What is a solar charge controller?
A solar charge controller regulates the flow of energy from solar panels to batteries, protecting them from overcharging and deep discharge. Lithium-ion batteries require smart charge controllers with programmable voltage settings and communication protocols such as RS485 or CAN. These controllers optimize charging efficiency and battery life, especially in off-grid and hybrid solar systems.
What commercial solar incentives are available in California right now?
Federal tax credit: The 30% Investment Tax Credit (Section 48E) is still available for commercial solar, but the window is short. Projects that began construction on or before July 4, 2026 have up to four years to be placed in service. Projects starting now must be fully placed in service by December 31, 2027 to qualify. That means installed, interconnected, and approved to operate.
Sourcing rules: Projects must meet Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) sourcing requirements to claim the credit, and the thresholds tighten each year.
Battery storage: Storage remains eligible for the Section 48E credit well beyond the solar deadline, whether paired with solar or standalone.
Depreciation: 100% bonus depreciation lets commercial projects deduct the system cost in the first year, in addition to the ITC.
With the 2027 deadline, permitting and interconnection timelines now decide whether a project qualifies, so the earlier you start, the safer the credit. Confirm eligibility with your tax advisor.