Our residential experts field all types of questions from homeowners and about every aspect of the solar system installation process - from cost analysis to the durability of a solar array against the capricious will of mother nature. After comparing notes, here is a list of most commonly asked questions and concerns residents ask about their future home solar installations.
- Solar reduces your electricity bills and can (in many instances) pay for itself
- Going solar means you are hedging against the rising cost of electricity - on average, electricity prices have been going up 6% every year
- Going solar means you are producing your own electricity - It’s like having a clean power plant on your roof!
- Solar is good for the planet because it helps reduce greenhouse gases by offsetting fossil fuel-based electricity production such as coal and natural gas power plants
The current photovoltaic market is volatile due to varying supply and increasing demand. It is true that the cost of solar technology has been trending down, and will probably decrease in the long run. But there are many financial incentives and tax benefits currently offered by Federal agencies and utility companies and many are set to expire in the near future. There are no guarantees they will continue to be available so purchasing a solar system now could be the best decision you could make for your home.
Depending upon the system size and design, available incentives and rebates, your solar installation can generally provide payback in 5-7 years. However every system and situation is different and our staff will provide this information as part of the detailed financial analysis of your system design
Very much so! If you look at solar as an investment, a solar system has low risk with a high return over the 25-year lifetime.
A residential solar array.
Syndicated Solar evaluates the options of various available solar technologies, equipment types and selected sites to bring the best returns and savings to the project. As your trusted partner, we will listen to your needs and concerns and identify the best solution for your home or business. A Residential Solar Consultant will guide you through our decision process, ensuring that your needs are fully met.
Most solar deployments fall into two categories:
- One type of installation requires a large, flat structure such as a rooftop.
- The second option requires available ground space. Known as a ground-mounted system, this type of installation is appropriate if your home has limited roof space or your meter is located a distance away.
Syndicated Solar's engineering and design team is able to conduct site evaluations free of charge to determine the feasibility of any type of project and recommend the appropriate mounting option for your home.
One important difference between Syndicated Solar and other solar companies is our expertise in structuring a detailed installation and financing proposal for a cost-effective solar system before you make a commitment to an installation. SSI can offer financing for qualified homeowners. We also handle the processing on your behalf of any available incentives, rebates, and grants. Let one of our expert staff members find the financial solar solution that works for you.
Our solar experts conduct a complete site examination, including shade analysis, to determine whether solar is a viable solution for your location(s).
There are many variables to consider for an accurate estimation of what is termed as your energy harvest. These include the pitch and orientation of the roof, as well as the total system size of the solar array. A south-facing roof is the ideal location to put a solar system, but you can also have a system on an east- and west-facing roof. As a rule of thumb, a 1000-watt system will produce about 110 kWh a month. The employees at Syndicated Solar are experienced at producing very accurate solar energy harvest estimations.
With Net Metering, your electric meter will literally run backwards!
Typically, that surplus energy is fed into the electricity grid via what is called a net meter. Depending on your electric utility company, your meter may run backwards, crediting you with the electricity produced. This is called net metering.
Our Residential Solar Consultant or Business Development Representative can help you determine if your utility company offers net metering.
Once our solar system is installed, it is virtually maintenance free. Approximately once a year you should wash off the panels to remove dust or minute debris. Removing snow load with a broom is occasionally necessary for systems in areas with heavy snowfall. A solar system can run for 30 years without any major servicing, so maintenance and operating costs are very minimal.
Most solar modules are covered by a 25-year power warranty. The racking system and inverters are typically covered under a 10-year warranty. Syndicated Solar also has a 10-year limited warranty on installation. Overall, you are well-covered.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are also known as Renewable Energy Credits. These are non-tangible energy commodities in the United States that represent proof that specific measurements (kW or MW) of electricity were generated from an eligible renewable energy resource (renewable electricity). Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) are RECs that are specifically generated by solar energy.
SREC's are another great benefit of going solar.
A certifying agency gives each REC a unique identification number to make sure it doesn't get double-counted. The green energy is then fed into the electrical grid (by mandate), the accompanying REC can be sold and traded or bartered on the open market, and some utilities pay an incentive to obtain these credits.
If the solar system is grid-tied, then you do not need battery back-up. When no electricity is being produced from the solar system, electricity will be drawn from the grid. A battery back-up is only necessary if you want to have power during a black out or brown out or if you are not connected to an electricity grid (an off-grid system).
Unfortunately, your solar system will not provide electricity to your house during a black out or brown out if it is grid-tied with no battery back-up. The inverters are designed to shutoff during black outs and brown outs for safety reasons as utility workers access electrical lines to make repairs.
Most racking systems and solar panels are designed to withstand up to 100 mph winds. Solar panels are also designed to withstand 1-inch hail. In over a decade of installations, we’ve seen minimal damage due to bad weather.
If animal pests (or your personal pets) are a concern, we can install a mitigation mesh around the array to eliminate this problem.