Solar -PV – FAQ
Solar PV FAQ’s
How does a solar PV system work?
The photovoltaic (PV) modules convert sunlight into electricity. PV solar systems utilize modular panels made of silicon, which react directly to sunlight. Through this photovoltaic process, the system generates Direct Current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity is routed from the panels to an inverter which converts the electricity into Alternating Current (AC)
for use in the home.
Why should I invest in a SolStore solar electric system now?
There are many good reasons to invest now and begin reaping the benefits.
- Generate your own electricity and become energy independent. Invest in a solar electric system and generate your own electricity from sunlight; a clean, silent, renewable energy source with no emissions.
- Enjoy long-term solar life expectancy. With PV panels’ 25-year warranty and an estimate lifespan of 40+ years, your solar system will shelter you from rising electric rates for many years to come.
What does solar-generated electricity do for the environment?
The EPA says, “Using solar energy to replace the use of traditional fossil fuel energy sources can prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.” Your system will reduce the demand on existing fossil-fuel power plants, thereby helping to reduce pollutants and global-warming CO2 emissions.
Do I need a battery back-up?
No. Yes! Solar Solutions™ solar PV systems connect directly to your local utility grid. On sunny days, your SolStore solar electric system sends surplus energy to the grid for credit to your utility bill. The utility provides the power at night and on a rainy day, and you tap into the credit your solar system earned on sunny days — no batteries are needed.
How much does a solar electric system cost?
System costs are based on the size of the system. Keep in mind that each system is sized to the unique annual energy needs of each customer. Systems are designed to replace the total amount of electricity you use annually. Site-specific elements (such as consumption patterns and electric rate schedules) and financial incentives (for which you may not qualify) will affect your total system investment. Please contact SolStore for a free analysis and cost estimate based on your specific situation and needs.
Does my house or business have to face south?
No. South-facing systems are ideal, but southeast or south-southwest orientations can be used with minimal loss of production.
Can I make additions to my solar system if I add on to my home or business?
Yes. Additional modules can be added to your system up to the load limit of your inverter. Inverters can be added to expand the system.
How do I sell electricity back to the utility company?
Most regions across the U.S. allow for net metering to take place. Under a net metering option, the excess electricity generated by your solar system is distributed back out to the utility’s power grid through you home’s electric meter. This causes the meter to spin backwards and generate credits that will appear on your electricity usage statements and related invoices. When the net metering option is in place, the entire process is automatic once your system has been interconnected by your electric utility company. It is the surplus energy created by a properly designed system that will cancel out all, or a portion, of your electricity expense, depending on the goals you set for your system.
Can my roof support the weight of the solar array?
Yes. Solar panel and mounting equipment add very little load to your roof. In most cases the solar power system will add less than 4 lb per sq. ft. of load. Virtually all modern construction is designed to support loads far greater than this. Some older buildings may require some structural work prior to installing a system. However, this is a very rare exception.
What kind of permits do I need?
We take care of them for you. As a provider of a turnkey system, SolStoreobtains all necessary building and electrical permits for each system. As a licensed contractor, SolStore ensures the installation is done properly and meets all state and local code requirements.
How do we get started?
It’s as easy as one, two, three. First, SolStore inspects your home or business. Next, we evaluate a year’s worth of electric bills to create a profile of annual energy needs. Second, we design a system tailored to your requirements, and present the design in a proposal. Third, once you approve the design, we execute a contract and get the wheels in motion, initiating the required paperwork for local building permits and your rebates.
How long does the typical system take to install?
Installation time depends in the size of the system. The typical residential system takes less than one week to complete.
Is solar electricity right for my home or business?
Most likely, yes. With continually rising electric rates, solar electricity is right for almost every home or business. If you own your home and would like to know if solar electricity can help you, contact us today for a free site evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.
Are there rebates or financial incentives available?
Yes. Incentives vary depending on your geographical location whether you’re a small business owner or residential user.
- The Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems is 30% of the system’s net cost.
Is solar electricity reliable?
It is very reliable. While the photovoltaic effect was discovered in the 1800′s, solar electric systems have been used by the space program since 1954. The technology has continually advanced to become very reliable. Consider a few of the following:
- Solar electric systems contain no moving parts– the entire system is solid state electronics
- Solar electric systems need very little maintenance. Simply keeping the modules free from dirt by letting the rain rinse them or by occasional hosing them off is really all that’s needed.
- Solar PV modules come with a 25 year warranty
Why is the Federal government promoting solar electricity?
Because it is clean, abundant energy source that frees us from fossil fuel dependency. Since the 1970′s, the Federal government has encouraged the development of the solar electric industry, to curb our consumption of fossil fuels. While fossil fuels are finite, wasteful and ultimately harmful to the environment, the sun represents a clean and virtually infinite source of energy. Finally, the current movement to solar power and other renewable energy forms also advances our nation’s energy independence
What is photovoltaics (solar electricity), or “PV”?
What do we mean by photovoltaics ? The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric technologies work. First used in about 1890,the word has two parts: photo a stem derived from the Greek phos, which means light, and volt, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity. So photovoltaics could literally be translated into light electricity, and that’s just what photovoltaics materials and devices do, they convert light energy into electricity. The photovoltaic effect was first recognized by Edmund Bacquerel, in France, in 1839. Scientists made solar cells of selenium in the 1880s. And, modern PV technologies were developed at Bell Labs and RCA Labs in the mid 1950s.
How do we get electricity from the sun?
When certain semi conducting materials, such as kinds of silicone, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the “photoelectric effect” .The photoelectric effect refers to the emission , or ejection , of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is this basic process that a (PV) cell converts light into electricity.
Sunlight is made up of photons or particles of solar energy. Photons contains various amounts of energy, corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a PV cell they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. Only the absorbed ones generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell which is actually a semiconductor).
How does it work ?
A huge amount of solar energy falls every year from the sun to the Earth, we can use this energy to power electrical energy for our Homes and Businesses , The energy falls onto the panels, which creates DC electricity, an inverter then converts this into AC electricity, which is then used to run your household or business needs.
How much energy does the average home need ?
This depends on you the consumer, obviously the less you waste the less you need. To assess your current needs add up your units consumed on your last 4 electricity bills, or contact your supplier and ask them what is your average electrical consumption is per annum. This is by far the best way to size a system rather than individual use. An average size 3 bed roomed semi detached house can produce 30-50% of its electrical needs using a 2kw system.
Do I need constant sunshine for my PV system to work ?
Your PV system does not need direct sunlight for it to work, even on cloudy days your PV system will still produce electricity.
What if it is not producing enough electricity for my needs ?
In this case the system will allow energy to come into your home from the national grid. This will be necessary on winter days and of course night time when your PV system turns itself off.
What if the system is producing more electricity than my needs and how does it store electricity so I can
use it after the sun goes down?
The most basic solar system is what is known as a “Grid-Tie Only” system. There are no batteries. Excess electricity produced by the solar panels, will be directed back to the local utility grid, spinning your existing meter backwards in the process. You will receive credit for any power that you “sell” to the utility company. This is what is known as Net Metering.
How do I determine what size of system I need?
For starters, any size solar system will make in impact on your yearly power consumption. The bigger the system, the bigger the impact. To figure out how much of an impact, find the total number of Kilowatt-hours you used in the last 12 months. If an entire year’s worth of bills are not available, annualize your average daily consumption. We have found the average home in the Bay Area to use about 8,000 KW hours a year. A 1 KW solar system, will generate an average of 2000 KW hours in a year. Therefore, 1 KW will provide about 25% of an average household’s yearly power consumption.
What happens when I need to re-roof?
In most situations, the PV panels can be easily removed and reinstalled. This is a common obstacle for roofers. If the roof is a tar and gravel design, it may be possible to simply tilt the panels up and re-tar and gravel.
How can I tell if my building is suitable for Photovoltaic Panels?
Several aspects will need to be evaluated to determine if your home is a good solar site, such as orientation, space available, shadows on the space available and your current electricity usage. The best site will be one with adequate south-facing roofs that have no shade. Variations on that will cut into the productivity of the system.
How long will my PV System last?
A well designed system will operate well in excess of the manufacturers 20 year warranty. The PV module with no moving parts has a lifetime expectancy of at least 30 years.
