I live in a cold climate. Will my panels even produce?
Answer:
It’s easy to equate temperature with sun exposure, but in reality, even on a slightly overcast day, your panels can perform very close to full capacity, producing a high amount of electricity. Similar to those times you’re out doing yard work on an overcast day, and you still may get a little sunburned or tanned. Even on snowy, rainy or cloudy days, your panels will still produce. It’s safe to say that during the winter, your panels will produce less. And at night, your panels will likely produce nothing. We like to set up our customers so that they overproduce in the summer. Many power companies will take that overproduction and mark that as credit for solar customers to use during the nighttime and especially during the winter months of lower production.
What is net metering?
Answer:
Net metering is a system that power companies work with to keep track of energy usage for solar customers. Before your solar energy system is turned on, your power company will replace your current meter with a smart meter. The old meter counts up for kilowatts that come in from, and go out to the grid, meaning that as you use and generate power, your numbers will be going up. Because the power company won’t be able to tell which is usage and which is production, you’ll be charged for both. The new smart meter will show the difference between what you make and what you use. That way, they can track your credits and monitor your account more accurately.
How long until my bill is gone?
Answer:
As soon as your power is turned on, your system will start producing. If your system is turned on in the summer, it will produce more than you use. This means your usage will be totally covered, and you will not have a bill. Your meter will then count up what you are not using, and your power company will count that amount as a credit toward the times your solar system isn’t producing. However, if you have your system installed and turned on in the winter, it’s likely that you will still have a small bill left to pay, because you are using more than your solar power system can produce in the winter. Until credits build, there is no guarantee that your bill will be completely eliminated.
Will solar add or detract from the value of my home?
Answer:
The benefit behind solar is that it eliminates an expense, and turns it into a money-making investment. If you plan to move in the future, you don’t need to worry about solar affecting the home’s appeal. Think of this, if you were house hunting and you saw two homes that were both perfect. They both have enough rooms, the updated kitchen, and the walk-in closet. But the difference is that one has solar. Would you rather choose the home that does or doesn’t have a monthly rate for power? Even if you’d have to put some effort into the yard, or swap out the carpet, the average family spends $2,500 annually on power, and you’d be able to save that much by choosing a home with solar! It has been shown over the last decade that solar can dramatically increase the value of your home. So even if you plan to move, this is a way to save money until you sell, and to stay competitive in the market when it is that time.
Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
Answer:
The ideal placement for solar panels is on a South facing roof plane. However, an East or West placement produces about 96% what a South-facing system would produce. As long as you have a plane that is clear from obstructions like vents, dormers and pipes, you should have a very efficient system. It’s most important that there are no trees creating shade that would cover the panels at any time of day. Lastly, if your roof is more than 15 years old, it would be wise to take a look at getting that redone before putting the panels on. If you worry that your roof won’t qualify, we can get you connected with the best tree removal specialists and roofers in the area.
Be sure to reach us to answer any further questions by going to our website. You’ll find more information and be able to request a free quote!
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