This is the most common solar FAQs , Solar cells in the modules mounted on your roof convert sunlight directly into DC power. A component called and inverter converts this DC power into AC power that can be used in your home. The system is interconnected. During the day, if your solar system produces more electricity than your home is using, your net meter will spin backward crediting your utility account for the excess power generated being returned to the grid. Your utility would provide power as usual at night and during the day when your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your solar system. Systems are also available with a battery backup. Part of the power produced by your solar system during the day is used to charge the batteries, which provide power for your critical loads in the event of a power outage.

No. Sunlight must be present for your solar modules to produce power. At night, you draw power from your utility, or batteries in an off-grid application.

Yes, though the system will produce less electricity. Under a light overcast sky, panels might produce about half as much as under full sun.

Solar energy used to be expensive, advances in technology have helped to bring these costs down. These advances have contributed to the growth of the industry, as well as with with state and federal tax credits incentives and innovative solar financing programs, solar is not only much more affordable, it actually pays for itself through savings and potential cash back which is a source of possible additional income your system can generate for you.

The DIY solar trend is quickly fading with the cost of solar energy becoming easily affordable. Having the peace of mind with professional licensed and bonded installers on your roof combined with a production and power guarantees, homeowners are leaving it to the professionals.

It doesn’t have to be completely sunny for your panels to produce electricity. In cloudy or overcast weather, your panel production won’t be 100%, but they will still be producing power. Typically, winter months can produce the same or more power per day because the position of the sun. Solar panels can handle some pretty tough weather. Solar panels are guaranteed to withstand one-inch hail at 55 miles per hour and are also built to withstand direct lightning strikes.

Certainly! Many of our customers have had a zero ($0) electric bill for years with with the benefits of net metering. Having said that, on average, most homeowners and businesses decrease their annual energy costs by 20-60%. With utility costs climbing each year, solar energy can tremendously generate savings over the next 25 years and protect you from the inevitable hikes in energy prices.

No. You are not required to replace your roof. Our experts will determine if your roof is in good condition. If you know your roof needs maintenance in the near term or we determine so, it would be in your best interest to complete the repair or install the new roof before the solar panels. Otherwise, it would be costly to remove the panels to repair the roof and then re-install the panels. Energy Renovation Center also does roofing we can handle all your roofing and solar under one roof here at Energy Renovation Center., and can tie the financing together for your roofing costs.

Solar panels also shade that area of the roof where they are installed from harmful ultraviolet sunlight and also protect your roof from the elements. Solar panels generally weigh 2.5lbs./sq.ft., about the same as a second layer of shingles.

Just a few weeks! Typically, on the day of installation, our expert installers arrive early and are gone before sunset. Depending on the size and complexity of electric wiring, installations of larger systems can take 1-3 days. Energy Renovation Center handles all the details from design, permitting, inspections, and monitoring. Once you decide to go solar, you can be saving next month!!!

We take care of you. The solar panel warranty is 25 years. Panels are projected to continue to work for up to 50 years, with some loss in efficiency. The inverter warranty averages from 15-25 years, depending on the type needed for your installation, we generally only install Enphase Micro Inverters which carry at 25 year manufacturer warranty.

None. You absolutely can spray the panels down with a hose once a year, since there are no moving parts and  solar panels are built tough. In the event you need service on your system, our customers receive a 25-year manufacturer warranty for panels and inverters.

To the naked eye, solar panels appear susceptible to damage from low-impact collisions, but that is far from the truth. Although the solar cells themselves are very fragile—the frame and glass that surrounds them is very sturdy and durable. Solar panels are designed to endure even the most severe weather conditions. From 90+ mile per hour wind to medium sized tree limbs to golf ball sized (or larger) hail, solar panels have been specifically tested and designed to withstand any impacts, including direct lightening strikes.

There is always a risk that something could hit the face of your panel just right and crack it. Accidents happen.

For this Solar FAQs, your home solar power system will automatically shut off if the power goes out. This is to protect utility workers who might be working on power lines in the event of an outage. It is not safe to send power out to the grid where workers are attempting to fix a power outage problem. You will not have power during this time unless you were to have a battery backup system installed to support a small portion of your home’s electricity needs.