| How does a solar PV system work? |
The photovoltaic (PV) modules convert sunlight into electricity. PV solar systems utilize modular panels made of silicon, which react directly to sunlight. Through this photovoltaic process, the system generates Direct Current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity is routed from the panels to an inverter which converts the electricity into Alternating Current (AC) for use in the home or business.
|
| Why should I invest in a Solar Power, Inc. solar electric system now? |
There are many good reasons to invest now and begin reaping the benefits.
- Generate your own electricity and become energy independent. Invest in a solar electric system and generate your own electricity from sunlight - a clean, silent, renewable energy source with no emissions.
- Eliminate your net electric bill and put the current incentives to work for you. Solar Power, Inc.'s (SPI) solar electric systems combined with federal tax credits, state rebates, depreciation for businesses and Net Energy Metering programs create very favorable financial incentives for installing a solar system now.
- Increase your property value. 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 or business improvements that can be justified in terms of return on investment.
- Enjoy long-term solar life expectancy. With PV panels' 20-year warranty and an estimated lifespan of 40+ years, your solar system will shelter you from rising electric rates for many years to come.
|
| What does solar-generated electricity do for the environment? |
The EPA says, "Using solar energy to replace the use of traditional fossil fuel energy sources can prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere." Your system will reduce the demand on existing fossil-fuel power plants, thereby helping to reduce pollutants and global-warming CO2 emissions.
|
| What size system do I need? |
SPI matches solar systems to the unique energy needs of each customer. A detailed site and energy-needs analysis is usually the first step to determine appropriate system size. This service is performed at no charge.
|
| Do I need a battery backup? |
No. SPI's solar PV systems connect directly to your local utility grid. On sunny days, your SPI solar electric system sends surplus energy to the grid for credit to 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 -- no batteries are needed.
|
| How much does a solar electric system cost? |
System costs are based on the size of the system. Typically, SPI systems pay for themselves within 5 to 10 years. Keep in mind that each system is sized to the unique annual energy needs of each customer. Systems are designed to replace the total amount of electricity you use annually. Site-specific elements (such as consumption patterns and electric rate schedules) and financial incentives (for which you may or may not qualify) will affect your total system investment. Please contact SPI for a free analysis and cost estimate based on your specific situation and needs.
|
| Are there special loans for installing residential solar power? |
Currently there are no state or federal sponsored financing programs for residential solar electric systems. However, SPI does offer financing plans and you can also make use of any secured loan such as home equity loans or lines of credit.
|
| Does my house or business have to face south? |
No. South-facing systems are ideal, but southeast or south-southwest can be used with minimal loss of production.
|
| Can I make additions to my SPI solar system if I add on to my home or business? |
Yes. Additional modules can be added to your system up to the load limit of your inverter. Inverters can be added to expand the system.
|
| How do I sell electricity back to the utility company? |
The system does it for you automatically. SPI solar electric systems are tied to the utility grid through inverters. Inverters track kilowatt-hour production every day. When a solar system produces more electricity than is used, the inverter automatically 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. If you're on an optional Time-of-Use net energy metering schedule, the utility credits your account during peak rate periods at several times off-peak rates. This helps to reduce the size of your solar installation, and can zero out your electric bill over the course of each year.
|
| Can my roof support the weight of the solar array? |
Yes. Solar panel and mounting equipment add very little load to your roof. In most cases the solar power system will add less than 4lb per sq. ft. of load. Virtually all modern construction is designed to support loads far greater than this. Some older buildings may require some structural work prior to installing a system. However this is a very rare exception.
|
| What kind of permits do I need? |
We take care of them for you. As a provider of turnkey systems, SPI obtains all necessary building and electrical permits for each system. As a licensed contractor, SPI ensures the installation is done properly, meets all state and local code requirements.
|
| How do we get started? |
It's as easy as one, two, three. First, SPI inspects your site, building or home. Next, we evaluate a year's worth of electric bills to create a profile of annual energy needs. Second, we design a system tailored to your requirements, and present the design in a proposal. Third, once you approve the design, we execute a contract and get the wheels in motion, ordering the materials for your system, initiating the required paperwork for local building permits and your rebates.
|
| How long does the typical system take to install? |
Installation time depends on the size of the system. Commercial installations can vary largely depending on other factors. The typical residential system takes less than one week to complete.
|
| Is solar electricity right for my home or business? |
Most likely, yes. With continually rising electric rates, solar electricity is right for almost every home or business. If you own your home or commercial building and would like to know if solar electricity can help you, contact us today for a free site evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.
|
| Are there rebates or financial incentives available? |
Yes. Incentives vary depending on your geographic location and whether you are a commercial or residential user.
- The Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems is 30% of the system's net cost (capped at $2,000 for residential systems and open-ended for business).
- The Internal Revenue Code has a 5-Year Accelerated Depreciation Schedule for commercial solar systems.
|
| Is solar electricity something my business can use? |
Yes, especially if you own your own building. Many businesses consume large amounts of electricity every day adding significantly to their cost of operation. Many companies are moving to solar electricity, because of the extremely generous incentives at the State and Federal levels. More importantly, it makes great economic sense because the savings in energy expense can be so great. Contact us today for a free site evaluation and free follow-up cost-benefit analysis.
|
| Is solar electricity reliable? |
It is very reliable. While the photoelectric effect was discovered in the 1800's, solar electric systems have been used by the space program since 1954. The technology has continually advanced to become very reliable. Consider a few of the following facts:
- Solar electric systems contain no moving parts -- the entire system is solid state electronics.
- Solar electric systems need very little maintenance. Simply keeping the modules free from dirt by letting the rain rinse them or by occasionally hosing them off is really all that's needed.
- Solar PV modules come with a 25 year warranty.
|
| Why is the Federal government promoting solar electricity? |
Because it is a clean, abundant energy source that frees us from fossil fuel dependency. Since the 1970's, the Federal government has encouraged the development of the solar electric industry, to curb our consumption of fossil fuels. While fossil fuels are finite, wasteful and ultimately harmful to the environment, the sun represents a clean and virtually infinite source of energy.
|
| Why is the European Union promoting solar electricity? |
Germany and other European countries have been active in solar electricity for decades. Despite their less sunny climates, they know how much better solar electric power is for the environment, and how much less risk it imposes on their economies from foreign policy disputes and wars. The recent Earth Summit gave birth to a new call by many European countries to band together and pledge to increase the percent of their overall electricity production by renewable sources (like solar) to 20% or more by 2010.
|
| Are there special loans for installing commercial solar power? |
There are a number of ways to finance a commercial solar power system, including those offered by SPI. SPI offers financing plans and can help you arrange the means of financing that best suits your business goals. Financing alternatives include:
- Property-secured loans
- Capital equipment loans
- Equipment-secured loans
- Third-party financing
- Power Purchase Agreements
|
| Are there special loans for installing solar for Non-Profit Organizations? |
Non-profits that would like to install a solar system, but are not able to take advantage of the tax credits, have options including Power Purchase Agreements and third-party financing In this type of arrangement a party other than the contractor and non-profit will purchase the system and make use of the tax credits. The third party can pass on charges for the produced power to the non-profit. After the term of the agreement with the third party expires, the third party can sell the system to the non-profit at a large discount. In many situations both parties can see a very good return on the investment.
|