Solar FAQ
Solar energy is a clean and inexpensive source of power that you can harness to power your home. If you are interested in learning how going solar can benefit you, read on!
Why go solar?
There are numerous benefits to solar energy – from reducing your environmental impact to creating significant cost savings compared to traditional power sources.
Financial Benefits
– Save money on your electric bills
– Protect yourself against rising electricity costs
Property Benefits
– Increase the value of your home
– Protect your roof from damage
Environmental Benefits
– Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
– Eliminate reliance on fossil fuels
Personal Benefits
– Electricity self-sufficiency!
– Flexible options to purchase, finance, or lease
How does solar work?
If you’re looking to install solar on your home, it’s natural to want to know how it actually works! Here are a few key points about the mechanics of solar energy systems.
Photovoltaic Panels
– Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels absorb the massive amount of energy that the sun generates each minute and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
– The DC electricity then moves to an inverter to convert it into usable Alternating Current (AC) electricity.
Utility Grid
– After installing your solar energy system, you will still be connected to the utility grid. This allows you to draw energy from the grid when your solar energy system is not producing 100% of the power that your home needs, and then send energy back into the grid when your system produces more than you need.
Net Metering
– Net metering refers to when utilities credit homeowners with solar for the electricity their solar panel system produces. If you are enrolled in a net metering agreement with your utility, you only pay for the electricity you use above what your solar system generates.
Power Production
– Your system will generate different amounts of energy depending on the amount of sunlight it is receiving – you’ll generate slightly less energy when it’s cloudy and none at night.
– An expert installer will design your system to generate the appropriate amount of power for your home.
Battery Backup
– If you’re looking to go completely off-grid, or ensure your home continues to have power during a blackout, you can add a battery system to store extra power your panels generate. There is additional cost to implement this, but this option is appealing to many prospective solar energy adopters.
Maintenance
– Solar panels are extremely durable and require very little maintenance over their useful lifespan (25 – 35 years). The panels are tempered class, and even don’t need to be cleaned very often. Plus – panel warranties cover a wide variety of scenarios.
Solar Financing and Affordability
There are several different options available to acquire your solar system! In addition, there are a few factors that affect how much your system will cost and how much money you could save by going solar.
Financing Options
– In general, there are three different options available with regards to financing a solar energy system. First, you can purchase the system outright with cash. Second, you can take out a solar loan to pay for your system over time. Or third, you can sign a solar lease / purchase power agreement (PPA). A qualified installer will be able to walk you through the best option for your unique scenario.
Rebates and Incentives
– There are a variety of rebates and incentives available to prospective solar adopters – and they vary widely depending on where you live. But, the most important incentive available right now is the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of your solar energy system from your taxes! Plus – certain states have additional tax credits or rebates.
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