Solar Energy FAQ
 |
 |
LIVE EARTH FARM
This organic family farm gets most of its electricity from its new solar electric system. Earth Farm grows a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs year round, providing fresh, organic and sustainably grown produce.  More...
|
|
Q. What size solar electric system
do I need?
A. We design your solar electric system based on a number of factors, including how much electricity you use annually, the size of your home, the types of uses of electricity loads you have (such as swimming pool pump, hot tub, and others), your roof area or ground area available for solar panels, orientation and tilt of the solar panels, economic efficiency, and your budget. Call us for a free estimate.
Q. Will the utility pay me for the
electricity I generate?
A. Yes and no. They will credit you for the electricity you generate, but only up to the point of covering your entire annual electric bill. Beyond your annual use, the utility will not pay you for extra electricity you generate.
Solar Mike will design a solar power system that is the right size for your usage.
Q. Can I sell my excess power back to my local utility?
A. In a sense you do. Under California's "Net-metering" law, you pay the net difference over the course of a year between the power you generate and the power you consume from the grid. At the end of the year, if you have generated more power than you have consumed, that amount is "zeroed out" and you start from scratch. The intent of the legislation is to get people to build systems that just meet their energy needs so that their net electric bill over one year is zero. This is why it is so important to size your system correctly. Our extensive experience and accurate modeling will get you the best sized system for your location and conditions.
Q. Does the state still have rebates or credits?
A. Yes. California has a solar energy rebate program, CSI (California Solar Initiative) that pays cash for solar electric systems. They also have a performance based incentive program, which pays you monthly for 5 years for the electricity you produce. In the world of acronyms, the rebate program is known as EPBB (Expected Performance Based Buydown), and the payment program is the PBI (Performance Based Incentive).
Learn more in our Financials section
Q. Are there any Federal Incentives?
A. There is a federal tax credit of 30% of the net cost of the system for businesses, and up to $2000 for residences. These tax credits end Dec 31, 2008.
Q. How long does it take for the system to pay for itself?
A. It depends on how much electricity you use, what size system you install, and how you are paying for the system. At today’s electric rates, residential systems will pay for themselves in 10 to 15 years. If rates increase dramatically, the system will pay for itself sooner.
If you borrow money to buy the solar electric system for your home, you may be cash positive the first year, meaning you will spend less per month paying for your loan than you would have spent on the electricity.
Businesses are expecting paybacks in the range of 5 – 10 years, as qualified above.
Q. What type of solar panel do you recommend?
A. We carry many manufacturers of solar panels, including Sharp, Sanyo, Mitsubishi, Evergreen, SunTech, and Schuco. We recommend both single crystal silicon and polycrystalline silicon panels for most of our solar energy installations.
Q. My roof doesn’t face south. Will I get enough solar energy to power my house?
A. Solar panels can face east through south through west and still generate enough power for your home or business. The California incentive program favors south through west-facing roofs. With Time-Of-Use utility rates, these orientations will perform better than east-facing solar panels.
Q. I have trees shading my roof. Will there be enough solar energy on the solar panels to generate my electricity?
A. Maybe. Ask yourself, “Is my roof sunny most of the day?” If the answer is “Yes”, you probably have enough solar energy.
Q. What if there is no solar energy – if it’s a foggy and rainy day?
A. Your solar power system will continue to generate electricity most days. For example, a day that is fully overcast, but not stormy, could generate at least 20% of what it would be on a sunny day.
Q. How long will my solar panels last?
A. Most solar electric panels have a warranty for 20 or 25 years. They may last much longer. Over time, the output of the solar panel gradually decreases; between 1/2 and 1% per year.
Call us for a free estimate
|
|
