Q and A
Does PV add to the Resale Value of my home?
PV “System Resale Value” for your home is based upon research published in the Appraisal Journal which concluded that “The increase in appraisal value for a home is about twenty (20) times the annual reduction in operating costs due to energy efficiency measures.”. To calculate System Resale Value the first year annual utility savings is [...]
What does the term TOU rate mean?
Time-Of-Use Rates: Each day (weekday or weekend) is broken into four (4) areas: Off-Peak (base rate), Morning Part-Peak, Peak, and Afternoon Part-Peak. We have defined the times each rate starts and used the current rate applicable for that time period. Your utility may change these rates or the time periods applied. TOU charges can account [...]
What happens during a power outage?
With a grid connected solar PV system, the inverter will automatically disconnect itself from the utility grid when there is a power outage. This is to prevent back feeding the grid and putting engineers working to restore power in danger. But, if you have a grid connected PV system with battery back up it will [...]
Will my system have batteries?
Usually only if the system is ‘Off-Grid’. Batteries will be essential for the storage of electricity so you can use electrical equipment when there is no sunlight. Grid Connected PV systems don’t need batteries, however, you can have batteries with a grid connected installation if you wish to have power during power cuts, you need [...]
Is the “Tilt” of my solar array important?
The Earth is tiled on its axis at 23.5 degrees and regardless of where you live the difference between the sun’s peak angles in the sky from December to June is 46 degrees. Regions closet to the poles experience seasons when the sun never shines, and six months later, seasons when the sun never goes [...]
Are PV Systems Safe?
Solar panels are a quiet, non-polluting source of energy. Like all large electrical devices, PV systems generate electricity and should be treated with care and maintained with the assistance of a solar professional.
Do PV systems work well in the cold?
Yes. In fact, photovoltaic systems generate more power when the temperature is lower. Because of the shorter hours of daylight and lower angles of the sun in winter, PV modules do generate less energy than in summer.
Can PV systems produce power on cloudy days?
Yes. Although a PV system may receive 80-90% less sunlight on a cloudy day, the modules can still generate electricity.
Can my Homeowners Association (HOA) place restrictions on the installation of a PV system?
No. In most states like (CA. CO, NM, etc.) there are bills that will prevent homeowner associations from blocking improvements that save energy. These bills were enacted because the legislature found that some homeowners associations were unreasonably restricting things like solar panels and evaporative coolers.
How do I know if my site will work for a PV system?
Solar designers look for sites that provide an optimal southern orientation, good exposure to the sun, and an adequate amount of structural support and space for solar panels to be placed. The best location for a PV system is on a south facing roof, but an east or west facing roof might also work. Flat [...]