Frequently Asked Questions

10 Things to Consider Before Going Solar

1. How much does solar cost, really?
2. Will I need to get a new roof?
3. Does it matter where I live?
4. Will solar power be my only source of electricity?
5. What happens if my panels produce more energy than needed?
6. How much will I save with solar panels?
7. How long is the warranty?
8. How important is choosing the right installation company?
9. Is there an alternative to buying solar panels?
10. What if I move?

There are a few things to take into account. The size of your home and how much energy you use will determine the scope of the project. There’s also a marketplace of solar panels for you to choose from. With all that in mind, according to the Center for Sustainable Energy, the average cost of a residential system will vary from $15,000 to $25,000.

Your roof will need to be inspected to ensure that it can withstand the weight, especially if you are due for a roof replacement in the next five years. Otherwise, no, there’s no need to tack on a brand-new roof to the project. However, confirm if the warranty on your roof will be affected with the installation of the solar panels. You can find out more details on this by contacting the company that installed your roof and discussing this with the contractor you’ve hired.

There’s a misconception that solar panels are only going to be worth it if you live in a state that’s sunny all year round. In reality, states like New York and Massachusetts are in the 10 top states who have embraced solar power, and they don’t get nearly as many peak sun hours as Arizona or California. According to Energy Sage, homes in Arizona are exposed to about six-and-a-half hours of average peak sunlight, while Massachusetts gets just four. Even so, this is still enough — the rule of thumb is that solar panels need about four hours per day. If you live in a place where solar panels could use an extra boost, consider looking into higher-efficiency panels.

Not if you don’t want it to be. If you choose an on-grid solar panel system, your home will be connected to your city’s electricity grid to ensure a continuous source of power when needed. This is especially helpful if you live in a place that doesn’t have consistent sunlight or where sunlight is not plentiful many months out of the year. Some homeowners choose to live off the grid, relying on battery storage and generators. This installation will require an experienced solar panel installer who knows how to do this.

This is a great problem to have, and the energy doesn’t go to waste. If your home produces extra energy, it’s fed into the city’s grid and you receive a credit on your utility bill. This is called net metering. In the case of homeowners living off the grid, the excess power goes into their battery storage and is saved for when they’re running low on solar power.

The answer to this is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of your solar panel system and the total energy usage. Remember those sunny and less sunny states we talked about earlier? According to Energy Sage, California homeowners see an average of $40,673 in savings over two decades. In New York, it’s $35,436. These are also both states where electricity bills are above average. Either way, you can expect about $1,000 or more in savings per year.

Google created an interactive program called Project Sunroof, which allows you to enter your address to see an estimate of how much money you would save. Not only does it look at your location, but also the size of your home and how the amount of peak sun hours.

There are two warranties. The first is a performance warranty, which is the manufacturer backing the performance of the solar panels over the years, typically 25 to 30 years. The second is the product warranty, which is protection should there be issues with the product, lasting 15 to 25 years. As with any warranty, there are exceptions to what they will cover. Each warranty is going to vary depending on the manufacturer.

As with any home project, choosing the right contractor to install your solar panels is of the utmost importance. At Modernize, we’ve created a helpful checklist of what you should be on the lookout for when finding the right solar panel installer. Incorrect installation can damage your roof and reduce both the production output and lifespan of the panels. If you have trusted friends or family members who have had solar panels installed, asking for their experience is a great place to start.

Some homeowners opt to lease the solar panel system rather than purchasing it. They pay a monthly fee for the energy produced, which will be significantly lower than the fees paid to your local utility company. Leasing also means you don’t have to worry about the cost of repairs or routine maintenance. However, through leasing, you won’t be able to take advantage of the savings offered by tax credits and rebates, and the savings in the long run won’t be as great as those who own the solar panels.

Homeowners have a few options when moving. If it’s a short distance away, the installer should be able to handle the reinstallation of your panels on the new home. However, if you’re planning on moving to another city or state, you’ll have to weigh the benefits. It will be costly to have the panels removed, taken to the new destination, and reinstalled. You also need to evaluate how well solar panels will perform in your new home, the permitting rules of that new city or state, and what incentives they have to offer. Some homeowners opt to take advantage of selling a home with solar panels, as this increases the value of the home and is a selling point for many buyers. For those who leased the solar panels, simply call the company to have them transferred to a new location, the new homeowners, or cancel the plan altogether.

There are various problems that can arise with your solar panels, like internal corrosion, delamination, roof issues and even snail trails. Be sure to give us a call and ask about these things if they concern you. While various things can happen, rest assured that our professional instalers will do everything possible to reduce or eliminate these and many other concerns.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

1. Cost. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high.
2. Weather-Dependent. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops.
3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive.
4. Uses a Lot of Space.
5. Associated with Pollution.

Solar panels don't damage your roof when installed properly.

For most homeowners, installing solar panels will not result in roof damage as long as your solar installer is a licensed, qualified professional and your roof is in good condition.

Here's the deal: There is no such thing as a free lunch (or a free solar panel installation). Free solar panels' are not actually free; you will pay for the electricity that they produce, usually under a 20 to 25 year solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA).

One of the most frequently asked questions by homeowners in regard to solar power is, “can it really power my entire house?” The answer to that is actually quite simple – yes, solar can indeed power your entire home.

Depending on your home, the price per watt for solar panels can range from $2.50 to $3.50 in most markets. Residential solar panels are usually sized at 3kW to 8kW and can cost anywhere from $9,255 and $24,552 in total installation costs. See average solar panel system costs by size (before tax credits or discounts). Speak with one of our professional installers for pricing in your market, based on your particular home and needs.

The first 25 to 30 years after your solar installation is considered the system's “useful life”, but panels can still produce electricity for decades longer. ... Just like a lot of other equipment, solar panels don't perform at 100% for their entire life and then just stop working in year 30.

If you live in an area with high energy rates and a suitable solar rating and can afford the initial investment, it's worth installing solar panels in your home while the 26% tax break is in place — for the good of the environment and your wallet. Give us a call to find out what incentives are currently available in your area.

Solar panels don't produce energy at night or when the sun is obscured. Instead, they continue to provide power through net metering, in which surplus power is transferred to a public utility power grid -- often powered by fossil fuels -- to offset costs.

Pros of solar energy

Lower your electric bill

Improve the value of your home

Reduce your carbon footprint

Combat rising electricity costs

Cons of solar energy

Doesn't work for every roof type

Not ideal if you're about to move

Buying panels can be expensive

Low electricity costs = lower savings

According to a recent Zillow report, homes with solar panels sell on average for 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar across the US. A study conducted by Berkeley Lab, also found that homes with solar panels tend to sell faster than those without.

Because of the way light interacts with a monocrystalline silicon layer, monocrystalline solar panels appear black in color. The process of aligning the silicon into one crystal, known as the Czochralski process, is energy-intensive and results in some wasted silicon.

When you go solar, your roof warranty is voided on the portion of the roof that you install solar. Don't worry, you're still going to be covered under your installer's workmanship warranty. An installer's workmanship warranty is generally for 10 years and it covers the areas of the roof they worked on.

One of the most common questions is if installing solar panels will cause your property taxes to increase due to the increase in your home's value. The good news is that the answer is no! ... Still, you will not pay any additional property tax when you install new solar panels until the home is sold.