POWERED BY THE SUN
Going solar is a great, but big, decision. We want you to be confident in your decision to go solar. We have put together a guide to help answer the most frequent questions that we get asked. Going solar is an exciting decision and an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills.
HOW SOLAR WORKS
- Solar Panels: Capture the sun’s rays throughout the day and convert sunlight into Direct Current (DC) electricity.
- Inverter: Receives the DC electricity and converts it into AC (alternating current) electricity suitable for household use.
- Safety Disconnect: The electricity passes through a safety disconnect.
- Main Service Panel: Distributes the electricity to the individual circuits in your home.
- Electric Meter (Utility Gird-Tied/Hybrid): Excess electricity is sent back to the utility company, giving you kWH credits in exchange.
- Battery (optional): Excess electricity is sent to your batteries to charge them to capacity.
BENEFITS OF SOLAR
Reduce Energy Bills: Going solar is a great way to reduce your energy bills and even potentially eliminate them. We size the solar system to cover the annual energy needs of your home. Therefore, when your system is producing more power than you need in the sunny months, you have credits in the cooler months when there is less daylight to produce solar power. Many of our customers only pay the grid connection fee on a monthly basis which can be as low as $15/month!
Reduce Carbon Footprint: Going solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar power has minimal impact on the environment as it does not produce CO2, water pollution, or greenhouse gases. A Northeastern home with a 7.5 kW system can offset almost 10,000 pounds of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent to saving 50 trees or off setting 11,000 car miles driven.
Protect Against Rising Energy Costs: Relying on the traditional form of energy means that your electric payments are prone to unexpected price spikes since they are tied to the ever-shifting global energy market and domestic policy changes. However, solar systems harness a consistent and reliable source of energy that lessens or can even eliminate your dependence on big utility companies. Therefore, freeing you from the whims of electricity pricing.
TYPES OF SOLAR SYSTEMS
Solar systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We are able to customize the solar system to the needs of your home or business.
There are 4 main types of solar systems: Roof Mount, Ground Mount, Solar Outbuilding/Shed, and Solarscapes.
SOLAR PANEL LIFESPAN
Lifetime: The technology in solar panels is continuing to improve. Solar panels are continuing to produce energy at around 90% efficiency after 25 years! That means your solar system is going to last for decades to come. Also, the solar panels will continue to produce power for more than 25 years. Additionally, as the technology continues to improve, the longevity will increase as well. However, we are already impressed with the longevity of the current solar panels available.
Durability: Solar panels are built to last. They are composed of glass, metal, and silicon with no moving parts. Therefore, they have a 25-year warranty and will last well beyond that. Solar panels are also put through vigorous testing to make sure that they can stand up to the demands of Mother Nature and the everyday activities that take place around your home and yard. They are tested against pouring rain, hail, sleet, snow, baseballs, and an enormous amount of weight. The panels come out of these strenuous tests unscathed and still producing power. It’s amazing what solar panels can hold up against!
Don’t trust our word for it? Check out these videos of solar panels being put to the test!
PAYING FOR SOLAR
The cost of your system will depend on several factors including: the size of the system, your current energy usage and costs, your area’s utility net metering policy, tax credits, incentives, and rebates. We can walk you through your system’s needs, available tax credits, and financing options. Most customers have a solar payment that is lower than their previous electric bill, allowing them to start saving money from day one.
Financing: There are a number of different financing options available depending on the state you live in. Through the financing options that we have available to our customers, that qualify, there are many low interest options and bridge loans available. Our Finance Manager will be able to go over the specifics with each customer and help them get the best financing option for them.
Solar Tax Credits & Incentives: The current Solar Federal Tax Incentive is 30% of the system's cost. Additionally, many states have their own incentive and rebate programs available that can offset the solar system cost up to 50%! We can help you determine how much you can save on your solar system from day one.
Cash: There is always the option to pay for your solar system in cash if you have the funds. We can walk you through the amount you will need for your custom solar system.
Are you ready to go solar now? Do you have additional questions that you still need answered? Reach out to us today and we will be happy to answer your questions and help you get started on your solar journey.