Answers to your solar system panel questions

Each day, we receive several questions from homeowners just like you about solar system panels. We have found that many of you have similar questions and concerns, so we have compiled a post to answer the most common questions easily!

1. How long do solar system panels take to install?

For a typical residential system, installation takes about a day. Steep roofs or delicate roofing systems may take a little longer, but no more than 2 or 3 days.

2. Should I replace the roof before installation?

If your roof is in need of replacement, go ahead and have it replaced before having the solar system panels installed. If you replaced your roof recently or still have a lot of life yet, don’t worry about it. In the event you need to have the roof replaced after solar system panels are in place, they can be removed and reinstalled.

3. How are solar system panels priced?

Solar system panels are typically priced by the watt. The average wattage of a solar panel is about 250 watts.

4. How many solar system panels will I need?

Your home’s electricity demand, your current usage, and available roof area help determine how many solar system panels you will need.

5. How much will I save?

If you buy your solar system panels outright, it’s a difficult equation; you’ll have to consider net metering, system life, and how much electricity will rise. If you choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement, you can compare your usage at the price of electricity from your utility company to the price guaranteed by the third-party system owner to see how much you’ll save each month.

Hopefully we’ve provided some answers for many of the questions you have about solar system panels. If you have additional questions or would like to receive a detailed estimate for your home, call Smith Sustainable Design anytime!

Are you considering solar installation?-Part 2

Questions to ask yourself

In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed considering what you want to spend when deciding whether or not a solar installation is right for you. Today, let’s look at how energy prices compare, which will show you what you’ll be paying with a solar installation versus continuing to buy all your power from your electric utility provider.

2. How do energy prices compare?

To determine your savings when going solar, think in terms of kilowatt hours (kWh). On your electric bill, your usage will be stated by kWh, and you’ll also see how much you are being charged per kWh of electricity use. If you’re interested in a solar lease or power purchase agreement, the provider can tell you how much you’ll be charged for each kWh produced, and you can determine your annual savings when going solar.

If you’re looking to own your solar energy system, you’ll need to determine how much electricity the system will produce and see how it compares to your annual kWh usage. If you require additional kWhs, you’ll pay your utility company for the energy- with a grid-tied system, you may receive a lower rate per your interconnection agreement.

Another factor to consider is your payback period. Once you determine your annual energy usage and savings through your solar energy system, you can figure how long it will take the solar installation to pay for itself through your savings. In New Jersey, the average payback period for solar installation is only 5 years! And in Pennsylvania, the average payback period for solar installation is only 6.5 years! Once the payback period is met, it’s as if you’re using the electricity you generate completely free- you’ll only pay for energy used from your utility company, if it’s even needed.

When deciding if a solar installation is right for you, look beyond upfront costs and see how much you’ll save annually. You’ll find the savings will be a huge benefit no matter which route you go; owning outright or choosing a solar lease or power purchase agreement. For answers to all your solar installation questions, contact Smith Sustainable Design.

Are you considering solar installation? - Part 1

Questions to ask yourself

A solar installation is a big investment for any home or business. Generally, when we are faced with the decision to make or forego a sizeable investment, we do a lot of questioning and perhaps even “soul searching” to determine if we’re making the right call for our families, our businesses, and even ourselves. If you’re thinking about going solar, you should definitely ask yourself this question:

1. How much am I looking to spend?

Years ago, if you wanted to go solar, you bore the burden of solar installation cost completely. Nowadays, that’s not the case. If you want to own your system, there are many programs and incentives available to help you save. Federal tax credits are available which provide a credit accounting for 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs! In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there are state and local rebates available to cut the cost even further. You many also have the ability to connect with the local utility grid, and you can receive credits for the excess electricity produced by your system.

There are also ways to begin using solar energy without the upfront costs of solar installation. Solar leases and power purchase agreements are increasingly common. With this option, you pay for the electricity generated by the panels, not for the cost of equipment. Solar leases and power purchase agreements require little or no upfront costs to you. These solar installation alternatives are making it possible for more homes and businesses to go solar, especially when upfront expenses would be cost-prohibitive.

For many people, cost is king and will ultimately be the deciding factor when going solar. If the expense of a solar installation is too high, don’t decide against solar- there are other alternatives which allow you to harness solar energy! In Part 2 of this blog series, we’ll discuss another important question you should ask yourself when considering a solar energy system. For answers to all your solar installation questions, contact Smith Sustainable Design.

The pros and cons of electric solar energy

On this blog, we talk a great deal about the advantages of electric solar energy. As a sustainable design provider, we may be partial, but we do what we do because ultimately, we feel the benefits are tremendous. As with anything, there are two sides of the coin, so to speak. Here’s a look at some aspects of electric solar energy which many consider a disadvantage.

Con: Electric solar energy is expensive

While the energy you consume that’s created by your solar panels is cheap, the installation of your system is costly. When many homeowners see the upfront price of 5 figures, many decide against installing these pricey systems.

Pro: Your net cost will actually be much lower! Thanks to federal tax credits, rebates from local utility providers, group discount programs, and power purchase agreements or solar leases, the final cost will be much lower. The federal tax credit alone for installing a residential electric solar energy system is 30% of the system’s cost!

Con: Electric solar energy is confusing

Yes, it’s true that many homeowners don’t know a lot about solar power, and likely don’t have any friends or neighbors who have installed a solar energy system. Terms like grid-tied, off the grid, inverter, and more can cause confusion when all you want to do is figure out if electric solar energy is right for you.

Pro: There are many resources you can look to for help. Every day, we educate homeowners on many aspects of solar energy, including how the system works, how it will affect them, and more. You can also look to many industry and government websites which have accurate information regarding the use of solar energy.

While there appears to be many cons relating to electric solar energy use, most concerns are easily dispelled. If you have questions about perceived disadvantages, call Smith Sustainable Design to address your solar energy concerns today.