Question 1

Should I put the panels on the roof or the ground?

Answer

The placement of the panels is very site specific. Roof mounted solar is the quickest and most cost efficient installation. They might not be the best though if the roof doesn't face south or if there is limited real estate. Ground mounts are very sturdy and are much easier to maintain and clean. They can be placed in the optimal orientation and in an area with the most sunlight.

Question 2

What is the difference between Grid-Tied and Off-Grid solar?

Answer

The difference, like the name suggests, is whether you want to be attached to the utility company or not. Off-Grid systems use batteries and sometimes a backup power source to power your house when the sun isn't shining. They give you complete energy independence from the grid. Grid-Tied systems function as a way to offset your energy usage with a utility company. You sell power back and forth for a credit to zero out your electricty bill. It can be looked at as if the utility company is your "battery." When the sun is up, you store the power with them and use it during the night. This is a cost effective way to reduce your electricity costs for the life of the system.

Question 3

If I choose solar, does that mean I won't have an electricity bill?

Answer

No. You will still have a bill, but it is paid differently. If you are a custormer of PG&E you will get what's called a "True Up Bill" once a year. At that time you will pay the net difference between the energy you produced and the energy you used from them. This can be reduced to zero, but you will still have an account with the utility company.

Question 4

Do I need to clean my solar panels?

Answer

It's a good idea to wash off the panels every few months. Dust can block up to 10% of the sunlight and make the system less efficient. You don't have to buy anything special for the job. The top of the panels are made of glass and wash easily.

Question 5

Are there any rebates?

Answer

Yes. There is a federal tax credit that covers 30% of the entire cost of the system. This was extended to 2019.

Question 6

How long will the system last?

Answer

Each piece of equipment comes with a 10-year manufacture warranty and the panels come with a 20-year warranty. You can expect the system to last at least that long, but it's not uncommon for systems to last much longer than that.

Question 7

Is financing available?

Answer

Yes. There are a few options for financing.

Question 8

How much will it cost?

Answer

Due to the fact that each system is custom designed for your needs, there is no set price. If you give us a call, we would be happy to give you a quote for a system.

Question 9

How difficult is solar to maintain?

Answer

Solar systems are low maintenance. Once set up, you can mostly let the sun do it's job and provide you with free energy.

Frequently asked questions