Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the financial benefits of solar energy?
After you install solar panels at home you save money on your electric bill and protect yourself against future rising electricity rates. How much you can save depends on what you currently pay. Going solar is a great choice in today’s climate.
2. What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
Solar power has many environmental and health benefits. It results in less air pollution and means cleaner air. Cleaner air helps reduce health problems in all populations including asthma and other respiratory problems.
3. How does solar impact my property values?
Studies have proven that solar energy powered homes sell quicker and for more money than homes powered solely by the utility. In most of the USA, going solar will increase your property value more than a kitchen renovation.
5. How do solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?
Solar panels take 8 minutes to receive the energy from the sun that is 93 million miles away! The panels convert this energy into direct current (DC) electricity. A majority of American homes and businesses run on (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. The energy is then used by your home or sent to the grid. The grid acts like your battery so you can still turn your lights on when you come home at night.
6. Will I still receive an electric bill if I have solar panels?
Yes, you will still get a bill from your electric company. Depending on your roof size this should be minimal and only include the customer charge. This charge is generally around $5 for most utilities!
7. Do solar panels work in a blackout?
If your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will shut off in the event of a blackout. This is to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair-people from being injured by your panels sending power back to the grid. However, there are certain inverters you can buy that provide backup power in a blackout when paired with a battery.
8. Can I afford to go solar?
If you currently pay an electric bill you can afford to go solar. A vast majority of people that have already gone solar have used $0-down solar financing options, including both solar loans and solar PPAs. This makes it easy for people to go solar and start saving immediately.
9. Do I need to replace my roof before installing solar?
Solar energy systems can last for 25 to 35 years, and it can be costly to remove and reinstall them if you need to replace your roof. If your roof needs maintenance in the near term, you should complete it before you finish your solar installation. All solar installers will be able to tell you whether to replace your roof before going solar.
10. How long will my solar power system last?
All of our systems are warrantied for 25 years! Some components may need to be replaced after a decade or two but this will be covered by equipment, product and labor warranties. In addition to the warranties our systems can withstand snow, wind, hail and most of what mother nature can throw at us (bird poop included.)
11. What happens if I sell my solar home?
If you own your solar energy system, your solar house will sell at a premium: studies have shown that solar increases property values.
12. What happens during the solar power installation process?
The first step to going solar is to send us your electric bill so we can create you a quote. We can show you a variety of equipment choices, financing options, and reviews we have from satisfied homeowners from your neighborhood and across the country. We then schedule a site visit to assess your roof and current electrical service to see if you qualify. We will then create a final design engineering and required paperwork for the township, state and utilities. After approval from the local authorities we schedule your installation! The actual installation takes a day or two to complete depending on the size and complexity.