FAQ: Your Solar Questions Answered
Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that is both good for the environment and your wallet. While this is a fairly simple concept, the details of the solar industry get far more complicated once you dig in a bit more. How does solar power work? How much money can you actually save? Will adding a battery to your solar system help? Should you go solar?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions and provided our answers below. If you have any more questions, feel free to get in touch with us.
How Solar Works
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is energy that is harnessed from sunlight and converted to usable power through solar panels. It is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and is rapidly growing in popularity around the world.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Solar panels are used to convert solar energy into electricity. Panels are usually made from installing a semiconductor, often silicon, inside of a metal frame with glass casing. In short, solar panels work via the photovoltaic (PV) effect, which is a process where solar cells absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity. It is first converted to direct current (DC) electricity and is sent to an inverter, which then converts it to AC power that can be used to power your home. Learn more about how solar panels work.
What is the Photovoltaic Effect?
The photovoltaic effect is the main process that drives the vast majority of solar energy creation. This process begins when sunlight particles, known as photons, collide with a semiconductor. Photons cause electrons to be separated from atoms, causing a chain reaction and a flow of electrons, or electrical current, known as electricity. Metal plates and wiring inside solar panels are designed to harness this electricity and convert it to usable power. Learn more about the photovoltaic effect.
How Does an Inverter Work?
A solar inverter is one of the many parts of a solar system that makes solar power feasible. The inverter acts as the main junction point between solar panels and your home’s electrical panel and is responsible for converting the harnessed direct current (DC) power to usable alternating current (AC) power. Once the power is converted to AC, it travels from the inverter to the electrical panel. The panel, also known as a breaker box, is what controls your outlets, lights, and appliances in your home. Learn more about how an inverter works.
How Do You Maintain Solar Panels?
While the maintenance required to keep your solar panels functioning is minimal, it is still an important part of owning a solar system. After all, panels are meant to last decades, so some upkeep is going to be needed from time to time. The most important thing you can do to maintain your solar panels is to monitor their performance and pay attention to any changes in production. If you notice a drop in production, there may be an issue. At this point, do a quick inspection on your own, looking for any physical damage, exposed wiring, or buildup of dirt or debris that may be affecting your system. If it’s something you can’t address on your own, you should call your solar company to perform a more thorough inspection to find and fix the issue. Learn more about solar panel maintenance.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Solar panels are designed to last a long time. Typically, they have a lifespan of 25-30 years, though this may vary depending on the quality of the panels, the conditions they are exposed to, and how well they are maintained.
Will My Solar Panels Work at Night? On a Cloudy Day? In Cold Weather?
Solar panels’ production is based on exposure to the sun. This means they will not produce any power at night. On cloudy and overcast days, they will still produce power, but often less efficiently. Surprisingly, solar panels may actually be more efficient on colder, but still sunny, days, as silicon cells perform more efficiently at low temperatures.
Batteries
What is an Energy Storage System? How Do They Work?
Energy storage systems, also known as batteries, are used to store excess power that solar panels produce. You can then decide how and when to use this power – save is backup for a power outage, use it strategically during the evening when your panels are no longer producing energy, or export it back to the grid when buyback rates are highest.
What is PV-Plus-Storage?
PV-plus-storage refers to the combination of a solar panel system with battery storage. This setup is becoming increasingly popular as it’s become evident that battery storage goes hand-in-hand with solar: your panels produce excess power during the day, and batteries allow you to store that power for later use once your panels are no longer producing electricity. Going solar has many benefits; adding a battery to the equations magnifies each of these benefits and increases your system’s efficiency and financial savings. Learn more about the future of PV-plus-storage.
Can I Add a Battery to an Existing Solar System?
Yes. While it’s simpler to install your battery and solar system at the same time, you can still add a battery at a later date.
How Long Do Solar Batteries Last?
The lifespan of an energy storage system may vary depending on type, maintenance, and usage levels, but on average they will last 10-15 years.
How Much Battery Storage Do I Need?
This will depend on your energy consumption. Get in touch with us to learn more about the best solution for your home.
Can a Battery Power My Home During a Blackout?
When used for backup, batteries generally will not power your entire home, but rather will keep your essential appliances and systems running. Larger battery systems may be able to power your entire home for extended periods.
Going Solar
What are the Benefits of Going Solar? Should I Go Solar?
While there are many variables to consider, going solar is generally a worthwhile investment. Benefits of going solar include financial savings, energy independence, increased property value, eligibility for tax incentives and rebates, and reduced carbon emissions. You will have drastically reduced energy bills, which will only become more significant as energy companies continue to raise their prices. When paired with a battery, there are many ways to take advantage of the new NEM 3.0 system in place to save even more. Learn more about the benefits of going solar.
Can My Roof Support Solar Panels?
Most roofs can support solar panels, but it’s important to get them checked before beginning any installation. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess the condition, orientation, and shading of your roof to ensure that your solar system is both as safe and as efficient as possible.
Can My Roof Support Solar Panels?
If you bought your solar panels, you can simply sell them as part of your home. Solar panels can increase your home’s value and appeal to potential buyers. If you leased your panels, things may become a bit more complicated. Potential buyers will need a high credit score to take over your lease, which may complicate the sale. Learn more about the pros and cons of buying, leasing, or going with a power purchase agreement (PPA).
How Does Net Energy Metering Work?
Net Energy Metering, or simply NEM, is a billing system designed to promote the adoption of renewable energy, such as solar power. This incentivizes homeowners and businesses to install solar panel systems by offering them credits for surplus energy production. The current NEM model is NEM 3.0.
Solar panels produce electricity during the day, often generating more than is necessary to power your home. In general, your home will produce excess power during the day when the sun is out. This excess energy can be sent back to the electric grid in exchange for credits, which are used to offset your future electricity bills. At night, when your solar system isn’t generating electricity, those credits are used to buy power from the electric grid. Learn more about NEM 3.0.
What Happens if My Solar Panels Produce More Energy than I Use?
If your system produces excess energy, it is sent back to the grid in exchange for credits which can offset future electricity use. If you have a battery, you can store the excess energy for later use, and even send it back to the grid during times of the day when buyback rates are higher. Learn more about pairing a battery with your solar system.
How Long Does the Installation Process Take?
The timeframe can vary from one project to the next, but on average, a solar installation takes about 2-3 days. Many factors can alter this timeline, including the size of the system, inspections, and local permitting. In some cases, the roofing will have to be redone as well, and this can add significant time and cost to a project. Adding a battery to your system will increase the project timeline and cost.
Is Solar Energy Reliable?
Yes, solar energy is very reliable with minimal maintenance required. As long as your panels are working, they will generate electricity as long as the sun is out.
How Can I Monitor My Solar System’s Performance?
Monitoring tools are available for most solar and battery systems today. Having monitoring set up is crucial, allowing you to make sure that your system is operating efficiently.
Solar Financing
How Much Does Going Solar Cost?
On average, a solar system costs around $16,000, but in some instances may cost up to $40,000. The total cost of a solar system depends on many variables, including the size of your system and your location. The overall cost is also affected by a variety of financial factors like tax rebates, which can help lower your spending.
How Does Solar Financing Work?
Buying a solar system outright can be difficult due to its high cost. Financing options, such as loans, leasing, and power purchase agreements (PPA) are available, making your solar system more affordable by allowing you to pay for it over time. Learn more about those options.
Will Going Solar Save Me Money?
Yes, going solar can significantly reduce your electricity bills and protect you from rising energy costs. While going solar is costly, you’ll begin saving immediately, and will earn your money back after about 4-7 years. At that point, you’ll essentially be making money every month.
How Can I Save Money on My Solar Installation?
You can save money on installations through various federal, state, and local incentives, tax credits, and rebates. You can also save by choosing the financing option that works best for you. We can help you navigate these options to maximize your savings.
Which is Best: Financing, Leasing, or PPA?
There are many pros and cons to consider when choosing the best way to pay for your solar system. Leasing and PPAs give you the ability to avoid large upfront payments, but in the end, we would recommend financing your solar system. Learn more about why we’d recommend financing.
What are the Tax Benefits of Going Solar?
The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can cover over 25% of the cost of installing a solar system. Additionally, other state and local incentives may be available.
About Solar Discovery
Who is Solar Discovery?
Solar Discovery is an all-in-one solar solutions company based in Los Angeles and serving the greater Southern California region. Founded in 2016, we are pioneers of innovative solar and battery technologies, dedicated to delivering reliable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective energy options to empower our community. Read our story.
What Services Do We Offer?
Solar Discovery is an all-in-one company that offers solar, roofing, and battery installations, as well as a range of other maintenance services. We serve both residential and commercial customers, and offer additional services to help with tax rebates, grant assistance, and anything else to ensure your system is set up as efficiently as possible. Whether you’re looking to install a full solar-plus-battery system or simply can’t reach your original installers for basic repairs on an existing system, we’re here to help you with all of your solar energy needs.
Do We Provide Services and Maintenance in Situations Where We Weren’t the Original Installers?
Yes! Unfortunately, many solar businesses collapse, leaving their customers high and dry when their systems need servicing. We know how difficult it can be to be caught in a pickle once your solar company disappears, so we happily offer a range of services and maintenance regardless of whether or not we did your original installation.