Solar Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL PV QUESTIONS

Q: How does a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Work?
A: See our How Solar Works page

Q: What is an inverter and what does it do?
A: The DC power from the solar panels is sent to an inverter, where it is converted into alternating current (AC) power, the exact same type of energy which flows to your home from the grid utility.  The inverter should be regarded as an energy computer.  It is constantly monitoring the grid energy which comes in to your house, as well as converting and conditioning your solar energy to match the electricity which flows through your house.  If your solar system is producing more electricity than your home requires at any given moment, the inverter is responsible for forcing that excess energy back onto the grid, which gives you energy credits to use when it’s dark.  The inverter also ‘wakes up’ your solar system every morning and puts it to sleep at night - it does it all automatically, requiring no operation. 

Q: What solar products does American Solar install?
A: We design all of our PV systems incorporating only the finest equipment available.  We are a Premier Dealer of SunPower panels, the most efficient solar modules on the planet.  We choose to use only the best, most reliable and efficient inverters as well, such as SMA and Fronius.  At American Solar we believe in engineering and installing PV systems using premium equipment, so as to be confident that your solar system will operate without issue for 30+ years.

Q: How reliable is solar power?
A: Solar systems built these days are extremely reliable. They have proven to be dependable sources of energy for homes, commercial buildings, industrial complexes, and governmental facilities, supplying megawatts of energy to end-users day in and day out.  Some of the largest companies in the world have buildings powered by solar energy, including:  eBay, FedEx, WalMart, Whole Foods, and the US Air Force.  

Q: Are solar panels fragile?
A: Absolutely not.  Today’s PV panels are built to produce energy for 30-40 years and beyond.  They are comprised of thick tempered glass which is rating for 1” hail at terminal velocity.  The panel frames are made of aluminum to preventing rusting and corrosion.  The wiring and connections are rated specifically for prolonged outdoor applications in harsh environmental conditions.

Q: How long will a solar system last?  What about warranties?
A: We engineer and build our PV systems to have a service life of 30-40 years.  Most solar panels carry manufacturer's warranties of at least 25 years.  Other parts, such as inverters, carry 10-15 year warranties.  In addition, American Solar extends a 10 year warranty on our installation labor.  Most solar systems may far outlast their warranties; many of the first solar systems installed more than 30 years ago are still going strong, in fact, the first PV panel built (in the 1950’s) is still generating electricity today!

PV SITE ASSESSMENT, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Q: Do I have a good site for PV?
A: Your site should have somewhat clear, unobstructed access to the sun.  Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. Some shade can be worked around with the design of the system.  PV systems facing southeast to west deliver optimal production.  Several factors such as tilt, sun exposure, and location also affect energy production.  If a rooftop is not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground.  American Solar can find a solar solution for almost any site.

Q: What size solar system do I need?
A: Every home and business is different, so the size of your system will depend on your energy needs, roof space, solar goals and budget.  Residential solar systems are typically 3-10 kW in size and commercial systems generally range from 50–500 kW.  American Solar will custom design a system to meet your specific needs and offset as much of your utility bill as you desire.

Q: Where will the solar panels be mounted?
A: Usually, PV panels are placed on an existing roof using a simple mounting structure. If the roof is not suitable, PV panels can be mounted on the ground using a freestanding support structure.

Q: How much roof space do I need for the solar array?
A: A general rule of thumb is that you need one square foot of roof or ground area for each 10 watts of power, or 100 square feet per kilowatt.  For example, a 2.5-kilowatt system will require approximately 250 square feet of space.  Because American Solar uses only the highest-performing panels on the market, we can ensure you that your PV system will yield the maximum possible power per square foot.

Q: What changes need to happen to my home electrical system before solar is installed?
A: None.  The PV system integrates to your existing home electrical system easily, acting as a supplemental power source that works seamlessly with your grid utility connection.

Q: What permits are needed to meet local building codes?
A: As part of our comprehensive service, American Solar will obtain all building permits and design your system to meet your local building codes.  We’ll arrange the electrical, building and utility inspections and will be onsite to make sure that everything is up to code.  American Solar actively manages your solar installation project every step of the way.

Q: How long will it take to install my new solar system?
A: A typical residential roof installation takes about 3-5 days, and a typical commercial installation takes about 1-3 weeks from the day we begin the installation.  The length of time depends on the complexity of your roof and the number of panels that will be installed.  The estimated installation time will be included in the design proposal presented to you by American Solar.

Q: How do I maintain my solar PV system?
A: The maintenance required to keep your PV system in working order is very minimal. Due to the solid-state electronics and very few moving parts, your photovoltaic (PV) system is designed to work day-in and day-out for 30 to 40 years. Washing the modules if/when they get dirty, clearing out any debris that may collect underneath the array, and keeping nearby shade-casting trees trimmed are really the only maintenance tasks the homeowner should stay on top of.  The homeowner should take a peak at the inverter readout from time to time to be assured that the system is on when it should be and producing energy.  That’s about it.   

Q: What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?
A: Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition.  When an American Solar representative comes out to inspect your building prior to installation, he or she will check to make sure that your roof is suitable for a solar installation.  If your roofing surface is deteriorated or in need of repairs, this should be taken care of prior to your solar installation.  Once the solar panels are installed, they actually help to protect your roof from the elements, and therefor can greatly extend the life of the roofing which is covered by the solar array. If you should ever need to make repairs on the roof, the solar panels may need to be removed and re-installed.  American Solar offers this service for a reasonable fee.

UTILITY, METERING AND PERFORMANCE RELATED QUESTIONS

Q: Am I still connected to PG&E or another utility electric company?
A: Yes.  You will continue to rely on your electric utility company (PG&E or otherwise) for your home’s electricity and/or Natural Gas.  There are no changes to your home’s connection to your grid electric utility.  Your PV system acts as an integrated, supplemental power source.  There are no batteries to store energy.  In essence, the utility becomes your battery, or power storage capacity, through net metering.

Q: What is Net Metering?
A: In a grid-tied solar PV system, electricity flows through your meter in either direction, dependent on the amount of electricity your solar system is producing and how much grid electricity your home requires.  When your PV system is producing more electricity than your home requires at that moment, the surplus energy is pushed back onto the grid, spinning your meter backwards.  At other times, you may need to draw supplemental power from the utility grid (like at night), causing your meter to spin forward. Net metering keeps track of the difference between the grid-supplied electricity you use and the surplus energy generated by your solar PV system.

Q: How will my utility billing change?  What is ‘True Up’ billing?
A: Utility customers who have grid-tied PV systems no longer receive a monthly electric bill.  You will still be billed monthly for your gas usage, should you have that service.  At the end of the year, the utility will "true up" how much electricity it provided to you, and compare it to how much your solar system fed back to the utility grid. The kilowatt-hours (kWh) produced by you and exported to the grid are valued at the same price per kWh as those used from the grid during that same time of use period.  At the end of the year your electric bill is ‘trued up’ and you will only pay for the net energy used.  If your system offset 100% of your electrical usage you will still owe the utility a nominal amount for required fees, which normally amounts to about $12 per month.

Q: What is Time-of-Use (TOU) metering?
A: A TOU rate plan from PG&E bases the price you pay for electricity on the time of day and the time of year you use energy.  With TOU, you typically pay more for electricity during peak hours (1 PM to 7 PM weekdays) in the Summer.  You pay less during all other hours (off-peak, partial-peak) and in the Winter.  TOU can be very beneficial to solar PV owners since, under the net metering laws, the power company must credit you at retail rates for any excess power you produce.  So, if you can “sell” your excess electricity at peak rates and buy it back at off-peak rates, your PV system will have a greater impact on lowering your energy costs.

Q: Will the utility company pay me for the excess electricity I generate?
A: No.  If in a 12 month period your system has produced more energy than your home has consumed, you will not be paid by your grid utility for that surplus electricity.   That is why it is so important for American Solar to understand your historical annual electricity usage in advance, so we can design an appropriately sized PV system for your home.

Q: What happens at night, or when the weather turns cloudy?
A: Since the amount of power your solar system generates is a direct result of sunlight, it will produce less energy when the weather is cloudy.  On a completely overcast day, your solar system will typically produce about 25% of what it would on a clear, sunny day.  The inverter automatically shuts down your solar system at night, and wakes it up in the morning.  When the solar system is off you will be extracting grid electricity as you always have.  The exchange of energy is seamless and effortless. 

Q: Will a grid-tied solar system work during power outages?
A: No.  Due to safety regulations, a grid-tied solar PV system will automatically shut down during power outages.  The inverter is constantly monitoring the energy coming from the grid, and if it goes down, the inverter will immediately shut down the solar system.  All inverters sold in the US must incorporate this ‘anti-islanding’ safety feature.  If your solar system was to operate and back-feed energy to the grid during a utility power outage, then it would be possible for a utility service technician to get severly shocked as they worked on the power lines in your area.

Q: What if I want guaranteed power during a utility outage?  What about battery backup?
A: If your home or property have certain ‘critical loads’ that you can’t risk have going down if the grid falters (i.e. computing equipment, medical devices), then you may want to consider adding onsite power storage to your home energy system.  Only about 1% of US solar installations include battery backup, but American Solar specializes in engineering and integrating these sorts of systems.  A grid-tied PV system with battery backup requires more complex equipment and engineering, which is why most installers stay away from it.  We will work closely with you to determine your needs and design a system that will provide the fail safe power solutions you require.

ECONOMICS

Q: Is now a good time to buy a solar system?
A: Now is the perfect time to add solar! Federal, state and local governments are offering generous rebates and incentives to go solar; however, these programs are designed to reward early adopters of solar power, so the rebate amount per project continues to drop as the allotted funds are consumed. In addition, solar can dramatically reduce your utility bill and will protect you from rising utility rates for years to come.

Q: How much does a grid-tied PV system cost?
A: Many factors determine the final cost for a grid-tied PV system; pricing is very site-specific.  Pricing factors include:  system size, type of mounting system, roof material and pitch, wiring runs, local incentives, etc.  Currently, state and local incentives are dropping faster than that of PV equipment costs. So, there never will be a more cost-effective time to invest in solar than right now.

Q: What incentives are available for solar system installations?
A: There are two major incentives in place for solar system installations:  the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and the solar rebate provided by the Californian Solar Initiative (CSI).  The Federal ITC is a straight-up tax credit that is equal to 30% of your actual expenditure for your solar system.  Again, this is a tax credit, not an income deduction!  The CSI is a cash rebate that is calculated based on the size of the PV system.  Currently the CSI rate is at $.25 per Watt of PV system installed.  American Solar typically carries this rebate, subtracting the amount from the invoice cost, which saves our customers on their initial investment.

Q: How does a solar system affect my property value? 
A: Solar energy can be one of the best home improvement investments you make.  A recent study showed that homes with an installed PV system sold at a premium over the same homes without, with a related value of about $5.50 per Watt of PV system installed.  That’s almost exactly what the net cost of installation amounts to for a premium solar system.  Another study by The Real Estate Appraisal Journal demonstrated that for every $1,000.00 saved in grid utility costs per year (from solar energy offset), a property value increase of $20,000 could be expected.

Q: What is the return on investment (ROI) for a PV system? Is it cost-effective?
A: The variables affecting the ROI on your PV system include: your electrical use, system size, future electric rates, available rebates and tax credits, loan amount and financing rate, system output and performance, among others.  All PV systems American Solar installs have a 100% cash return in a 5-12 year period, with an average full return by the end of year nine.  Paying PG&E will never yield a cash return.  The cash return doesn’t account for the real value of the system installed, but how long until your investment in solar is offset by actual utility costs savings.  When you invest in a PV system, your monthly payment will help increase the equity in your home, rather than simply disappearing in payments to PG&E.  Plus, interest paid on your mortgages is tax-deductible.  The financial benefit of your PV system will increase dramatically as electrical rates rise, since your loan payment will remain the same!  The earlier you go solar, the faster you convert your electricity costs into a power-producing asset.