So what exactly are Solar Power Systems?

They are clean, environmentally friendly power systems, also known as photovoltaic or PV systems. They are a reliable and pollution-free way to produce energy for use in your home. In essence, you’re turning the sun to power for electricity in your home or business.

What’s the best reason for buying a Solar Energy system?

The reasons to buy a PV system are as varied as there are customers. Some people want to save the Earth's finite natural resources and helps reduce the affects on the ozone layer. Some other folks believe that they’re taking part in an energy-saving movement that is the wave of the future. And still others like not having to depend so much on the local utility companies so that they are less vulnerable to price increases.

If you are in the market for a solar energy system, here are some of the main considerations you should keep in mind are.

Where will you install your new solar energy system so that it works most efficiently?

Before you can install a PV system, you need to make sure you have clear and unobstructed exposure to the sun for most of the day, and that this exposure is consistent throughout the entire year. If you think you have a roof, a part of your house or another location in mind, you should call your PV provider to get their opinion.

The direction your solar panels face is going to affect their performance, too. For most residents of the U.S., the best location for installing a PV system is usually on the roof of a south-facing building.  You can consider putting the panels over a deck or patio and letting them act as a car park, then in addition to the energy it produces, you can enjoy the shade it provides over a patio or windows.

Does your current home have a roof that is large enough for the PV system you’ll need?

In general, the amount of space a PV system needs depends on the size of the system you want to purchase. Some home solar systems only require about 50 square feet (for a “starter” system), but others could need as much as 1,000 square feet. If your space is limited, you may want to think about more efficient PV modules. Greater efficiency means that the module doesn’t need as much surface area to turn sunlight into electric power. But be advised, higher efficiency modules typically cost more.

Do you have a steep pitched roof or flat roof and is it in good condition?

As you might guess, some roofs are simpler, faster and cheaper to work with, but a PV system can be installed on just about any roof on a residential building or home. Typically, roofs with composition shingles are the easiest to work with, and homes with slate roofs prove to be the most difficult installations. But an experienced solar installer should be able to work on all types and can use roofing techniques that completely stop any potential leaks. If your roof is older and needs to be replaced, you may want to replace it when the PV system is installed. PV panels can sometimes be integrated into the roof itself, and some modules are actually designed as three-tab shingles or raised-seam metal roof sections. One benefit of these systems is their ability to offset the cost of roof materials.

Will I get a tax break if I install a PV system?

There is a very good chance that you could get some tax benefits if you decide to install a PV system. Check with you individual state laws. In many states, you can get incentives in the form of solar rebates and other energy saving programs.

How does a solar power or PV system get installed?

Basically, solar panels will be attached to your roof. These modules turn the sunlight directly into DC power. An electrical inverter then converts this DC power into AC power so you can use it for the lights and appliances in your home. Also, with a solar energy system, your power consumption is monitored throughout. So if it turns out that your solar energy system is creating more electricity than you’re using, your current power company will often let you use “net metering,” which actually credits your account for the amount of power you send back to the grid.

If I add a solar energy system to my roof, will I need a building permit?

Yes. The company you choose to install your PV system should know exactly where to get the permits required for your city or town.

What else should I know about getting permits before installation?

The important thing to remember is that you need approval before you begin installing your PV system. You will probably need to pull permits from your city or county building department. These typically include a standard building permits, an electrical permits, or sometimes both. Again your installer should know more about your particular area. Typically, your PV installer will take care of this, usually adding the price of the permits to the system price.

Will my system work at night?

No, unfortunately solar powered systems do not work during nighttime hours. Your solar modules must have sunlight present in order to produce power.

So at night, when the solar energy system is idle, you would get power from your utility company, as usual. Solar systems are also equipped with an emergency battery backup and some of the energy your system creates during the day is used to recharge the batteries, which kicks in if you ever have a power outage.

Ok, but what happens on cloudy days, does my solar energy system still work?

Yes, solar panels still absorb a fair amount of energy from the sun even on cloudy days, although they produce a bit less electricity on those days. For example, on a lightly overcast day, your panels will typically produce about half as much energy as they would under cloud free day.

Is a solar energy system capable of heating water?

The most common uses for solar modules, which convert the sun’s energy into electric current, are to run electronics, motors, pumps and other most home appliances. To heat water, you would need to also install a solar hot water system, which uses sunlight to heat water.

Can I use my solar electric system to heat my house?

If you are talking about a basic electric solar energy system, then no. Electric solar energy systems are intended to create electricity to power lights, home appliances and other electronics you have in your home. There are some other, more robust, solar-based systems that are designed to convert the sun’s light into heat for your home.

I hear the terms on-grid, grid-connected, grid-tied and off-grid. What do they all mean?

On-grid, grid-connected or grid-tied are terms that refer to your utility company’s electrical power grid. Solar electric systems are built as on-grid systems, which means that they connect into your existing utility service. The term off-grid means that it is not connected to the utility electrical grid, but rather a stand-alone system. And most of those types of systems are built and designed by a solar power expert.

Solar electric sounds great, but how do I know if it will work on my home?

The best thing about today’s solar electric systems is that they work for a very high percentage of homes built in the last 50 to 75 years. The modules are specifically designed to work with many popular shingles and roofing materials. And as long as you are able to receive a decent amount of direct sunlight with a minimum of about 120 square feet of space, you should have not problems supporting a basic PV system. In the United States, a southern-facing roof area is the ideal direction. If the majority of your roof faces west or east, you can still benefit from a solar electric system. But you can also expect somewhere around 90 percent of the power of a true south roof mounting with an east or west facing roof.

Is partial shade from trees or other buildings a problem?

Yes. The internal design of a solar panel has individual solar cells. Each of these cells needs to get a full day’s dose of sunlight to work optimally. If any part of the cell is covered in shade it won’t work to its full potential and the whole solar module will be compromised (even those individual cells that were receiving full sun).

What if I have to replace the roof after the modules are installed?

Ideally, you would want to install a solar energy system at the same time as you are replacing your roof or while you’re building a new home. That way, you can have the roofers apply watertight mounting brackets for your panels. But if you have to replace your roof after the solar modules are installed, you can certainly do it. Your installer will have to assess your roof and make the final determination as to what the best approach will be.

Would it be a good idea to add mirrors around the solar panels to increase the power they generate?

No. Most solar panels only work when they’re exposed to direct sunlight.

What if I can’t install solar panels on my roof?

There are quite a few options for installation. Check with a professional installer in your area to see what alternatives they recommend. Some of the more popular options include, a ground-mount, trellis or pergola application may be an option.

I rent my home, can I still get a system?

Unfortunately not. Only legal property owners can authorize the installation of solar energy panels because it involves the owner to actually enter into a contract that could contain a property lien (called a mechanic’s lien). So you have to be the owner of the property to be on that contract.

Is there a chance that my solar panels will get damaged in a bad storm?

Usually not. Solar energy panels are attached to your roof using a heavy duty mounting brackets that can withstand winds of up to 125 mph. Most panels tested can also repel a hailstone of up to 2.25 cm at 55 mph.

How do I know if my new solar energy system is working properly?

Your energy system should come equipped with a power meter. Your meter will let you know how much power you create and consume on a given day, and how often and how much power you send back to your power company’s utility grid. Many utility companies will offer a rebate on the energy sent back to the grid. Check with your local utility to find out more.

Is a solar energy system hard to maintain?

No. Since most solar energy systems are self-contained and have no moving parts, they are virtually maintenance free for many years. You may have to replace the batteries every five to 10 years or so. It’s also a good idea to have the installer give your system a full top to bottom check up once a year or so. Other than that, you may just want to rinse your solar panels with a garden hose on occasion.

Do I need to notify my local utility when I’m ready to connect my solar system to the grid?

Yes you do. It’s important that you contact your local utility as soon as possible. Most have explicit protocols in place that must be followed before you can connect to the grid.