1) Why Should I Invest in a Solar PV System Now?

Eliminate your net electric bill, use current incentives, high-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) systems combined with state rebates, federal tax credits and depreciation create very favorable financial incentives for installing a solar system now.

Add value to any property Solar systems are exempt from property taxes, but the value of a solar system is added to the appraised value of a property. It’s one of the few home improvements that can be justified in terms of return on invested dollar.

2) How Does a Solar PV System Work?

PV solar systems consist of modular panels made of silicon, which react directly to sunlight by generating electric current. An inverter changes the DC (direct current) generated by the panels into AC (alternating current), supplying power for lights and electrical appliances.

3) What Size System Do I Need?

PV systems are sized to the unique energy needs of each customer. A detailed site and energy needs analysis is necessary to determine appropriate system size.

4) Do I Need a Battery Backup?

No. Solar PV systems connect to the local utility grid. No batteries are necessary. On sunny days, the solar system sends surplus energy to the grid for credit on your utility bill. The utility provides the power at night and on rainy days, and you tap into the credit your solar system earned on sunny days.

5) How Much Does a PV System Cost?

System cost depends on size, materials and labor. Most systems pay for themselves within 5 to 10 years. To roughly estimate your investment, take your annual electric bill and multiply it 5-10 times (representing years). That will provide you with a rough estimate of your investment in solar based on payback periods.

Keep in mind that each PV system is sized to the unique annual energy needs of each customer. Systems aren’t sized for square footage, but designed to replace the total amount of electricity you use annually. Site specific elements, differing electric rate schedules, and financial incentives that you may or may not qualify for all affect your total system investment.

6) Are There Rebates or Financial Incentives?

The Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems is 30% of the system’s net cost (capped at $2,000 for residential systems)

7) How Much Will I Save on My Electric Bill?

Optimally, your PV solar system will be designed to eliminate your electric bill. However, restrictions on space, budget or sunlight exposure may affect the size of the system that can be installed.

8) Does My House Have to Face South?

No. South-facing systems are ideal, but southeast or south-southwest can be used with minimal loss of production.

9) Is a PV System Modular—Can I Add to it if I Add on to My Home?

Yes. Additional modules can be added to your system up
to the load limit of your inverter, and inverters can be added to expand the system.

10) How Do I Sell Electricity Back to the Utility Company?

Solar PV systems are tied to the utility grid through inverters. Inverters track kilowatt-hour (kWh) production every day. When a solar system produces more electricity than is used, the inverter sends the surplus energy to the grid, the electric meter spins backwards and the utility credits the owner for the surplus energy at the same retail rate that it charges for electricity during that period.  This helps to reduce the size of your solar installation, and can zero out your electric bill over the course of each year.

11) How Long Does It Take to Install?

Installation time depends on the size of the system. Average residential systems rarely take more than one week to complete.

12) How Do I Maintain My Solar System?

Solar systems are designed and installed to be low-maintenance and repair-free. They are solid state technology and have no moving parts. Panels benefit from being hosed off twice a year, especially after long periods without rain.