Almost all utilities are required by law to offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your solar energy until you need it. Net metering allows you to send back any excess generation you do not use onto the grid.

Net metering lasts for a whole year, so you can build credit in the summer for those darker winter days. It measures the difference between the electricity you buy from the utility and the electricity you generate with your solar electric system.

When you are making more electricity than you are using, perhaps on sunny summer days, your extra electricity automatically gets metered back to the utility grid for use at a later date. Net metering allows you to use the electric utility grid like a bank account. You can put electricity into it that you don’t use immediately and you can withdraw the same amount later on at no net cost to you.

Your kwh production will depend on several variables: amount of sunlight, size of system, and panel efficiency. A good rule of thumb for the Midwest is 1,350 kwh/ yr for each kw. In other words, a 25kw system will produce approximately 33,750 kwh/ yr or 2,813 kwh/mo.

Shade reduces the amount of sunlight your solar panels receive and consequently reduces the electricity your system will produce. Our solar design team will conduct a shade analysis and work to position your panels where they can get maximum sun exposure. However, on occasion, a roof may be too shady to make solar feasible.

The amount of energy your solar system generates is directly attributed to the amount of sunlight it gets. As a result, it will produce slightly less electricity when it is cloudy. Surprisingly, the sun shines through the clouds and still produces electricity though.

Your solar system will be connected to the utility grid so you can draw energy from the grid when your solar system is not producing solar energy. You will never experience any power interruptions because of solar.

The size of your solar energy system will depend on several variables: utility usage, size of roof, shading, budget, and your local market. We typically install 3-10kw for residential homes and 20-100kw systems for commercial buildings. A lot of times, the system size is dictated by the state incentives. For example, in Missouri, rebates are capped at 25kw, per meter. As a result, most commercial systems are 25kw. In our East Coast markets commercial systems are usually much larger since the cap is typically >1MW.

Most of our commercial installations are self-ballasted, meaning they are weighted using no attachments.  We engineer the tilt to be slightly lower so there is no lift-off in the wind and of course ensure your roof is structurally sound enough to handle it.

99% of the time the answer is No. Battery systems are typically expensive and only make sense for buildings in very remote locations far from the utility grid. Our systems are typically connected to the grid so you always have a reliable power source.

That depends on how much energy you use, your project budget and the available roof or ground space.  In general, you can expect to offset 10-30% or more of your bill.  If your home or business is very energy efficient, you can expect more.  Our Solar Specialists will provide a complete analysis of your particular situation.

Usually it is fine, but you’ll need to check.  Sometimes there are restrictions on what can be placed on the street facing side of the home.  We are happy to help educate your HOA about solar.  Most restrictions do not hold up in court.

Solar panels are most efficient when they are perpendicular to the sun’s rays.  The best angle would be about your latitude (plus or minus a few degrees) and the panels would follow (track) the sun during the day for the most efficiency.  For practical purposes, we usually recommend fixed tilt arrays pointed as close to true south as possible.  Tracking the sun adds up-front cost and maintenance later on.  Efficiency gains are usually not great enough to make up for these extra costs.

After many years of experience, we have come to the conclusion that in most cases – solar is the best solution.  Solar panels provide more power at a lower price in almost every location.  They have no moving parts and 25 year power production warranties vs. 5 year warranties for most turbines.  Many of our utilities also offer extra incentives for solar, but not for wind.

It depends on the size – most homeowners will pay nothing more.    Larger commercial installations may see an increase – check with your carrier.

Solar panels are tested and certified to withstand hail using tempered glass.   If a panel is ever damaged, it is covered by your commercial or homeowners insurance – we’ll replace it!

Solar pv systems reduce the demand for dirty fossil fuels, thereby reducing pollutants and CO2 emissions.

Yes. Over the lifetime of the system you will realize significant savings. After incentives, most systems pay for themselves within 10 years. After that, you have free energy for the life of the system.

No, most systems do not require a new roof prior to installation. However, because solar panels have an expected life in excess of 30 years roofs need to be in decent condition since it does not make sense to remove and reinstall the panels after only a few years. After the panels are in place, they will greatly reduce the wear on the roof by blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays, snow and ice from striking the roof.

Some solar systems have received IRS rulings that allow you to receive a 30% Treasury Grant for the portion of a roof where solar is installed. In other words, if you install an eligible solar system over 50% of your roof you will qualify to receive a 30% Treasury Grant on half or the cost of your new roof.

Solar electric panels need sunshine to generate power. While some sun does make it through several inches of snow, little electricity is generated when the panels are covered with anything. However, because solar panels operate at a much warmer temperature than the outside air, the snow will melt off of your system and your system can continue generating electricity.

A system typically adds 3-4 pounds per sq ft so 95% of roofs will be able to support solar. We have our structural engineer evaluate each roof before we will install a system.

Luckily, solar PV systems require very little maintenance since they have no moving parts. Rainfall typically keeps solar panels pretty clean but you should rinse them off with a hose if there is a drought. A good rule of thumb for cleaning your panels is you should do so if there is a lot of dust or pollen on your car.

Most solar panel manufacturers have a 25 year warranty. Most inverters carry a 10 year warranty. There are solar pv systems that were installed in the 70’s that are still around today! Solar is proven and reliable.

Solar PV modules mounted on your roof convert sunlight directly into Direct Current (DC) power. An inverter converts this DC power into Alternating Current (AC) power that can be used in your home. The system is interconnected with your utility. During the day, if your solar system produces more electricity than your home is using, the utility provider will allow “net metering” or the crediting of your utility account for returning the excess power to the grid. The utility provides power as usual at night and during the day when your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your solar system.Will solar work on my building or house? All you need is a south-facing roof with little to no shade.