FAQ
Q.
With solar, will I still
have power when the utility power goes out?
A. Only if you buy a
system with battery backup. Solar Depot offers systems both with and without
battery backup. Systems with battery backup are somewhat more expensive and
less efficient, but they give you the peace of mind of never being without
power.
Q. Will the utility company send me a check if I produce
more power than I use?
A. No.
However, if you produce more power than you use in any given month, the utility
will bank that electricity and you can draw down that electricity credit for up
to one year.
Q. Isn’t solar still really expensive?
A. NO! Solar is
actually far more economical over the long term than buying your power from the
utility. After the state rebates and tax credits, if you finance the system
over a 25-year period, the monthly cost of solar can run about the same as your
current electric bill. The big advantage is that this cost will never increase,
while the cost of electricity from the utility has increased at an average rate
of 6% per year over the last 30 years. Solar is a great investment for the long
term.
Q. Do I need to buy a system that will eliminate my electric
bill?
A. No. Many people
buy systems that only eliminate part of their electric bill. The utilities have
adopted a rate structure that increases the cost of electricity as you use more
of it. Many people choose a system that will only eliminate the most expensive
electricity. This increases the return on your investment.
Q. What size system do I need?
A. A solar electric system
designed by Solar Depot can easily produce all the electricity you need for
your home. They come in many different sizes, and we have a system that just
the right size to meet your needs. We typically go back and look at your old
electric bills to see how many kilowatt-hours per month you have been using.
Based on your usage, we can recommend a system that meets your electric load.
Q.
Will solar work on any house?
A. No, but it works
in many locations. You need an unobstructed south, southeast or southwest
facing roof top, with limited shade on area where the solar panels will be
installed. Alternatively, you can mount the system on the ground.
Q.
How much space does it
take on my roof?
A. Solar electric power systems take approximately 100 sq ft of surface area (collector area) per 1 kilowatt of generating capacity. Therefore the average 4-kilowatt system we were talking about would require about 400 sq ft of area of good southern exposure.
Q.
Does it have to go on my roof?
A. No.
While roofs are usually good locations because they are high enough to be above
any shading from tree, and many times they are facing south, there are many
different mounting options for these systems. Detached structures, garages,
covered patios, trellises, and ground mounts are a few other installation
options.
Q.
What type of
incentives are available for solar?
A. Nationwide, there
is a one-time Federal Tax Credit of 30% offered to anyone who installs a
solar electric system. If
you are a
Q. What kind of financing is available?
A. The best
financing packages for these systems are available as secured loans, in which
you take out a 2nd mortgage on your home get fixed long term rates. We can put
you in contact with a bank that can provide you with details on the financing
package they offer for a solar system loan.
Q.
Will I ever have to
pay another electric rate increase if I buy this system?
A. If
you opt to purchase a solar electric system that covers your entire electricity
usage, you won't ever have to pay for power again. Investing in a solar
electric power system is like buying insurance against future rate hikes;
you’ll never get another electric rate increase for the next 30 years and you
become your own power company. You’ve bought the PV system, now the fuel
(sunshine) is free!
Q. How do I get
credit from the utility company for solar electricity I produce?
A. With
a grid-tied solar electric system you still have your “line-coming-in” from the
utility, just like before, only now you also have a “line-out” to send your
extra electricity back to the utility grid. The Net-Metering
law (in place in several States), requires the local utility company to credit
you for the amount of solar electricity your system produces and feeds into the
grid.
The
utility meter measures the difference between the electricity you buy from the
utility and the electricity you generate with your solar electric system. When
you are making more electricity than you are using, like typical summer days,
your extra electricity automatically gets metered back out (sold) to the
utility grid. You receive credit for this power at the same rate they sell it
to you. Net Metering allows you to use the electric utility grid like a bank
account. You can put electricity into it that you don’t use immediately and you
can withdraw the same amount later on at no net cost to you.