gtag('config', 'UA-115107550-1');

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Solar Questions

 
How do solar panels capture the sun's energy?
If you put a silicon cell in the sunbeam’s path, the cell catches the energetic photons and turns them into a flow of electrons, or an electric current. These electrons can be forced to flow around an electric circuit and then power our businesses, homes, phones and laptops.
Does a solar system work when it is cloudy?
Solar panels work in cloudy weather. However, they do not generate as much electricity as they do during a sunny day. There are many areas that receive frequent rainy or cloudy weather where solar production can still be significant. As the efficiency of solar panels continues to increase, the overall production of panels will go up and help further offset a decrease in production during cloudy periods.
How long does a solar system last for?
A solar system built with high quality materials and proper construction techniques, that also receives proper maintenance, can last for 25 years or more. There will be some planned maintenance to replace equipment such as inverters at stages of the system life, which doesn’t have as long a lifespan as the solar panels.
How much roof or space do I need?

Our energy analysts will review your energy bills and decipher how much solar you need and how much can be placed on your roof, land, or carport. A rule of thumb has 500kW of solar offsetting energy bills of $5K a month. A 500kW system requires approximately 50,000 sq. ft. of roof or 1.75 acres.

What is net energy metering and how does it work?
Net energy metering is a system that credits owners of a solar system for any excess electricity they generate and sell to their local electric utility.
 

The Process of Going Solar

 
What information is needed to get an accurate solar quote?
Once you contact a solar provider and request a quote, the company will need to know the business address where you plan to install solar and will need to see copies of past energy bills for the last 12 months. It also helps if you have a discussion with them to tell them what financing methods you prefer and any information you have about your goals in going solar.
How long should it take to get a solar quote?

Once you have provided the solar contractor with the information needed for a quote, it should take just 24-48 hours for them to generate a sample system design and a quote for you to review. If you decide to move forward with evaluating the system based on the initial data, the solar provider will do formal system engineering and come to your site for a site walk. From there, they can generate an updated pricing contract with your exact system details.

Solar Project Warranties and Guarantees

 
How do solar panels capture the sun's energy?
If you put a silicon cell in the sunbeam’s path, the cell catches the energetic photons and turns them into a flow of electrons, or an electric current. These electrons can be forced to flow around an electric circuit and then power our businesses, homes, phones and laptops.
Does a solar system work when it is cloudy?
Solar panels work in cloudy weather. However, they do not generate as much electricity as they do during a sunny day. There are many areas that receive frequent rainy or cloudy weather where solar production can still be significant. As the efficiency of solar panels continues to increase, the overall production of panels will go up and help further offset a decrease in production during cloudy periods.
How long does a solar system last for?
A solar system built with high quality materials and proper construction techniques, that also receives proper maintenance, can last for 25 years or more. There will be some planned maintenance to replace equipment such as inverters at stages of the system life, which doesn’t have as long a lifespan as the solar panels.
How much roof or space do I need?

Our energy analysts will review your energy bills and decipher how much solar you need and how much can be placed on your roof, land, or carport. A rule of thumb has 500kW of solar offsetting energy bills of $5K a month. A 500kW system requires approximately 50,000 sq. ft. of roof or 1.75 acres.

What is net energy metering and how does it work?
Net energy metering is a system that credits owners of a solar system for any excess electricity they generate and sell to their local electric utility.
 
 

Solar Financing Options

 
What are the benefits of a cash purchase?
A cash purchase will generate the greatest overall savings for a system owner. The system owner also can take advantage of the 30% federal investment tax credit.
What is the deadline for the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)?

The federal investment tax credit (ITC) is worth 30% of the system value until 12/31/2019.  After that, it is scheduled to decline in value over several years.

  • 12/31/20: Declines from 30% t0 26%

  • 12/31/21: Declines from 26% to 22%

  • 12/31/22: Declines from 22% to 10%

  • Future Years; 10%

What other kinds of incentives are there for solar for my business?
In addition to the federal tax credit, there are sometimes state or utility specific incentives for businesses to take advantage of. For example, The City of Columbia has a incentive for every KW installed you receive $500.00 cash. For solutions that include energy storage, Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) program funds are also available to help pay for part of the system.

Frequently Asked Solar Questions

 
How do solar panels capture the sun's energy?
If you put a silicon cell in the sunbeam’s path, the cell catches the energetic photons and turns them into a flow of electrons, or an electric current. These electrons can be forced to flow around an electric circuit and then power our businesses, homes, phones and laptops.
Does a solar system work when it is cloudy?
Solar panels work in cloudy weather. However, they do not generate as much electricity as they do during a sunny day. There are many areas that receive frequent rainy or cloudy weather where solar production can still be significant. As the efficiency of solar panels continues to increase, the overall production of panels will go up and help further offset a decrease in production during cloudy periods.
How long does a solar system last for?
A solar system built with high quality materials and proper construction techniques, that also receives proper maintenance, can last for 25 years or more. There will be some planned maintenance to replace equipment such as inverters at stages of the system life, which doesn’t have as long a lifespan as the solar panels.
How much roof or space do I need?

Our energy analysts will review your energy bills and decipher how much solar you need and how much can be placed on your roof, land, or carport. A rule of thumb has 500kW of solar offsetting energy bills of $5K a month. A 500kW system requires approximately 50,000 sq. ft. of roof or 1.75 acres.

What is net energy metering and how does it work?
Net energy metering is a system that credits owners of a solar system for any excess electricity they generate and sell to their local electric utility.

The Process of Going Solar

 
What information is needed to get an accurate solar quote?
Once you contact a solar provider and request a quote, the company will need to know the business address where you plan to install solar and will need to see copies of past energy bills for the last 12 months. It also helps if you have a discussion with them to tell them what financing methods you prefer and any information you have about your goals in going solar.
How long should it take to get a solar quote?

Once you have provided the solar contractor with the information needed for a quote, it should take just 24-48 hours for them to generate a sample system design and a quote for you to review. If you decide to move forward with evaluating the system based on the initial data, the solar provider will do formal system engineering and come to your site for a site walk. From there, they can generate an updated pricing contract with your exact system details.

Solar Project Warranties and Guarantees

 
How do solar panels capture the sun's energy?
If you put a silicon cell in the sunbeam’s path, the cell catches the energetic photons and turns them into a flow of electrons, or an electric current. These electrons can be forced to flow around an electric circuit and then power our businesses, homes, phones and laptops.
Does a solar system work when it is cloudy?
Solar panels work in cloudy weather. However, they do not generate as much electricity as they do during a sunny day. There are many areas that receive frequent rainy or cloudy weather where solar production can still be significant. As the efficiency of solar panels continues to increase, the overall production of panels will go up and help further offset a decrease in production during cloudy periods.
How long does a solar system last for?
A solar system built with high quality materials and proper construction techniques, that also receives proper maintenance, can last for 25 years or more. There will be some planned maintenance to replace equipment such as inverters at stages of the system life, which doesn’t have as long a lifespan as the solar panels.
How much roof or space do I need?

Our energy analysts will review your energy bills and decipher how much solar you need and how much can be placed on your roof, land, or carport. A rule of thumb has 500kW of solar offsetting energy bills of $5K a month. A 500kW system requires approximately 50,000 sq. ft. of roof or 1.75 acres.

What is net energy metering and how does it work?
Net energy metering is a system that credits owners of a solar system for any excess electricity they generate and sell to their local electric utility.

Solar Financing Options

 
What are the benefits of a cash purchase?
A cash purchase will generate the greatest overall savings for a system owner. The system owner also can take advantage of the 30% federal investment tax credit.
What is the deadline for the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)?

The federal investment tax credit (ITC) is worth 30% of the system value until 12/31/2019.  After that, it is scheduled to decline in value over several years.

  • 12/31/20: Declines from 30% t0 26%

  • 12/31/21: Declines from 26% to 22%

  • 12/31/22: Declines from 22% to 10%

  • Future Years; 10%

What other kinds of incentives are there for solar for my business?
In addition to the federal tax credit, there are sometimes state or utility specific incentives for businesses to take advantage of. For example, The City of Columbia has a incentive for every KW installed you receive $500.00 cash. For solutions that include energy storage, Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) program funds are also available to help pay for part of the system.

Associations

Agriculture | Commercial | Residential

Satisfaction Guaranteed

 Call Now for a Free Quote:

(573) 819-9623

or