- HOW MUCH WILL MY SOLAR PANELS COST?
Every household has different needs when it comes to energy consumption. Customized solutions, these solar energy systems are designed for your homes’ individual requirements, which will be determined by your savings goal and our team of solar home specialist’s recommendations. We do offer free, no-hassle quotes to give you a better idea of an exact price.
- SOLAR ENERGY WORKS-BUT WHO CAN AFFORD IT?
Solar energy used to be pricey, but with advances in technology and the growth of the industry, as well as with with state and federal incentives and innovative financing programs, solar is not only a much more affordable energy option, it actually pays for itself through savings and the additional income your system will generate for you.
- CAN I INSTALL THE SOLAR SYTEM MYSELF?
The DIY (DO IT YOURSELF) solar trend is quickly fading with the cost of solar energy becoming easily affordable. Having the peace of mind with expert installers on your roof combined with production and power guarantees, homeowners are leaving it to the professionals.
- DO SOLAR PANEL WORKS AT NIGHT AND ON CLOUDY DAYS?
It doesn’t have to be completely sunny for your panels to produce electricity. In cloudy or overcast weather, your panel production won’t be 100%, but they will still be producing power. Typically, winter months can produce the same or more power per day because the position of the sun. Solar panels can handle some pretty tough weather. Solar panels are guaranteed to withstand one-inch hail at 55 miles per hour and are also built to withstand direct lightning strikes.
- HOW DDO I KNOW IF MY HOME IS SUITABLE FOR A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM
Simple. We evaluate your roof structure, shading from trees, current power usage in your home or business, and savings goals. When all this information is gathered, our sales consultants can give you a free quote and preliminary drawing of the panels at your home or business. Call us today!
- WILL A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM PRODUCE ENOUGH ENERGY TO COVER ALL MY ELECTRIC NEEDS?
Certainly! Many of our customers have had a zero ($0) electric bill for years with with the benefits of net metering. Having said that, on average, most homeowners and businesses decrease their annual energy costs by 25-50%. With utility costs climbing each year, solar energy can tremendously generate savings over the next 20 years and protect you from the inevitable hikes in energy prices.
- DO I NEED TO REPLACE MY ROOF BEFORE INSTALLING SOLAR?
No. You are not required to replace your roof. Our experts will determine if your roof is in good condition. If you know your roof needs maintenance in the near term or we determine so, it would be in your best interest to complete the repair or install the new roof before the solar panels. Otherwise, it would be costly to remove the panels to repair the roof and then re-install the panels. Solarpermanente provides roofing needs through our company, Buildpro, and can bundle the roofing costs into your solar energy system cost. Solar panels will shade that area of the roof from harmful ultraviolet sunlight and also protect your roof from the elements. Solar panels generally weigh 2.5lbs./sq.ft., about the same as a second layer of shingles.
- HOW LOGN WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING?
A typical installation can take one to three days, depending on the size and complexity. As soon as your contract is received, Our Solar team goes right to work to verify all the details and get our design team finalizing the design requirements. It can take several weeks to align all the details for a successful installation across other entities such as your local jurisdiction having authority for permitting, your utility company and other local inspections that are required.
- HOW LONG WILL MY SOLAR POWER SYSTEM LAST?
We take care of you. The solar panel warranty is 25 years. Panels are projected to continue to work for up to years, with some loss in efficiency. The inverter warranty averages from 1- years, depending on the type needed for your installation.
WHAT KIND OF MAINTENANCE IS NEEDED?
In regions with little rain, it may be necessary to spray the panels down with a hose once a year. While solar panels are built for durability, We offers a -year warranty, in conjunction with the -year manufacturer warranty for the panels and inverters. Please note that these warranties only cover production issues due to defect, and not physical damage to the panels due to impac
HOW DOES NET METERING WORKS?
When the solar panels are installed and your utility installs the Net Meter, you begin producing power. Net Metering is the system that utilities use to credit solar energy system owners for the electricity produced by their solar panels. You only pay for the electricity that you use beyond what your solar panels can generate. Any excess power your home doesn’t use will be sent back to your utility company. Your electric meter will run backwards. You will feed excess energy to the utility company during the day and then receive it back during the nighttime, at no cost. Net Metering differs from state to state and differs between utilities. Make sure you ask about your specific area.
WILL MY PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WITH A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM?
Good news! In many states solar panels are property tax exempt. Just ask us in your complimentary solar consultation if this applies to your situation.
CAN SOLAR PANELS BREAK OR EASILY DAMAGED?
To the naked eye, solar panels appear susceptible to damage from low-impact collisions, but that is far from the truth. Although the solar cells themselves are very fragile—the frame and glass that surrounds them is very sturdy and durable. Solar panels are designed to endure even the most severe weather conditions. From 90+ mile per hour wind to medium sized tree limbs to golf ball sized (or larger) hail, solar panels have been specifically tested and designed to withstand any impacts, including direct lightening strikes. There is always a risk that something could hit the face of your panel just right and crack it. Accidents happen.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF THE POWER GOES OUT?
For safety reasons, your home solar power system will automatically shut off if the power goes out. This is to protect utility workers who might be working on power lines in the event of an outage. It is not safe to send power out to the grid where workers are attempting to fix a power outage problem. You will not have power during this time unless you were to have a battery backup system installed to support a small portion of your home’s electricity needs.