FAQs
Solar power buys you freedom from power companies, and pays itself off over the medium to long term. A solar installation allows you greater financial stability through lowering your bill, improving your property value, and allows you to produce your own power locally.
Solar is a highly practical method of reliably reducing your long-term electrical bill if installed in an unshaded area, with the right installers. It's a great way to have more control over your electrical needs, and produce an asset that you are guaranteed to need far into the future.
Yes! You can save money on your taxes for both personal use and businesses over time with a solar installation. The Federal Tax Credit for solar energy systems, also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is a financial incentive provided by the U.S. federal government to encourage the adoption of solar power. The ITC applies to residential and commercial solar energy systems, including solar panels (photovoltaic or PV systems) and solar water heaters. These systems must be installed in the United States, and they must meet certain quality and safety standards. The ITC equals 30% of the [costs of new, qualified clean energy property](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5695 "Instructions for Form 5695 (2022)") for your home installed anytime from 2022 through 2032. The credit percentage rate phases down to 26% for property placed in service in 2033 and 22% for property placed in service in 2034.The credit is nonrefundable, so the credit amount you receive can't exceed the amount you owe in tax. You can carry forward any excess unused credit, though, and apply it to reduce the tax you owe in future years. Do not include interest paid including loan origination fees.
The credit has no annual or lifetime dollar limit except for [credit limits for fuel cell property](https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit#limits). You can claim the annual credit every year that you install eligible property until the credit begins to phase out in 2033.
Here's a link to the IRS's explanation: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit
It depends upon your financial situation, location, and power consumption. In an area with high solar irradiance (a lot of sunlight) and a low power bill, it is easily possible for a solar installation to pay itself off within the span of 8 to 12 years. Kentucky has great irradiance if you are looking for us to install locally.
Most panels are insured up to 20 years, and the manufacturers often state they will last anywhere from 40 to 50 years. In reality, most panels survive far longer than this time, and a great example is the first modern Photo-Voltaic cell invented: it is still generating power from it's development in 1954. The issue with panels as they age is that there is a significant efficiency drop-off.
The panels that we install are made with tempered glass that can withstand a one-inch hailstone striking it at a 90° degree angle at 90 MPH. They will support a 200 lb male standing in the center of it without damage. There are no moving or mechanical parts to wear out, however they do lose efficiency over time. The warranty for the panels takes into account the panels efficiency in the warranty time frame. Most are warrantied for 25 to 35 years.
No, the panels we install are ground faulted, arc faulted and overload protected. If there is an electrical short, the power is cut off immediately at the panel by the optimizer or micro inverter and the entire system is shut down. The only flammable part in the install are the pvc electrical pipe and it is treated so that it burns poorly.
Yes, it can power the house and more. While 100% reduction of your electrical usage would reduce your kWh(kilo-watt hour) rate to 0, being connected to the grid you will still pay a flat meter fee. Keeping the meter allows you to accrue solar credits, that can be used to power your home when the solar isn't producing at night or in an extended low production time.
Kentucky is a state with cheap power due to both our location and coal production. Firstly, Kentucky has more than enough sunlight to justify a solar installation. We also have more natural waterways than any other state, and Amazon and UPS are headquartered in Kentucky due to it's cheap transportation costs. Because of these factors, utilities are often cheaper in our state, making it another excellent reason to install solar: your investment can pay itself off even sooner, and you can have even more freedom from the electrical grid should you be so inclined.
Yes. Most solar systems we install don't have a battery system. Instead they use Net Metering, which uses the grid as the battery. The excess energy produced by your solar system runs your meter backwards, which you receive solar credits for and that is applied to your next bill. Not all utilities use Net Metering though.
If you're unsure if your utility uses Net Metering, your utility will be able to answer, or if you know you're ready for solar we'll take care of that for you.
It can if you're only running DC loads from it. This is normally done by Amish families and others who use DC appliances or lighting. Not having an inverter isn't practical for most home owners. Inverters convert the DC current from the panels into usable AC current for your home.
Yes, the systems we install will work with both a smart meter and the older style meter.
Solar panels will work if there is any light reaching them, but at reduced production.
Solar panels work best on cold, clear days with low to no humidity. Some panels are efficient enough to work on bright moonlight.
The FAC (Fuel Adjustment Clause) is a mechanism that permits jurisdictional utilities to regularly adjust the prices of electricity to reflect fluctuations in the cost of fuel, or purchased power, used to supply that electricity. To learn more about the FAC click here
If you overproduce power, it runs your meter backwards and is saved as a credit which you can then pull from the grid with no expense. Not every electrical company provides net metering, and this varies company to company.
Personal Hydroelectric, Personal Wind, Natural Gas Generators, Higher Home Efficiency, Reducing Consumption.
Reducing Consumption:
-Soft starts on all motors
-LEDs for all lights
-Replace all Televisions with LED screens.
-Instant Water Heaters
-Insulation, so that heating & cooling costs are lower.
-Door Seals
-Window Seals
-Spray Foam around electrical boxes (for receptacles and switches)
-Timing your electrical loads depending on power company. (Usually middle of the day when everyone is home.)
-Timer Switches on electrical outlets.
-Killa-a-watt: tracks the power each device is using.
-Gas heating and cooking if you can. Cheaper, and produces less CO2 than electrical.
-Phase Balancing (Requires a skilled electrician.)
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