Using Solar Energy in Your Home - Q & A

Can I get rid of the electric company?
Yes, but that is called off grid and not as cost effective as grid tied solar. With off grid you need a battery bank. Batteries are expensive and last about seven years at most. Think of the power company as a 100% efficient battery that never goes bad.

If the power goes out will a grid tied solar system produce electricity?
No, if you want electricity in the event of a power failure you need a hybrid system solar system with battery back- up or a back-up generator.

Can a grid tied solar system be installed somewhere other than a roof?
Yes, there are ground mounts, pole tops and trackers. Trackers follow the sun and produce up to 24% more electricity from the same amount of panels.

Will the electric company buy my excess if my system produces more than I use?
Yes, but they will pay you less than it is worth. A properly designed grid tied solar system will not produce more than you consume.

How long will a grid tied solar system last?
About 30 years. The panels themselves are typically warranted for 25 years.
How long does it take to have solar installed on my home?
Typically, a solar home installation can be completed within three to six weeks depending on the company installing the system.

How do we know if solar is right for our home?
Using specialized equipment, solar technicians can come to your home and take precision readings from your location and produce a report that will show any potential shading issues with your location. Although electricity from Photovoltaic (PV) systems is still more expensive than electricity from the utility grid, demand from PV technology systems has the potential to expand rapidly and become a significant part of the national energy supply, as additional advancements are made and grid parity is reached.

What are the key advantages of PV technology?

PV cells are modular and light, have no moving parts, have no direct impact on the environment and require minimal maintenance. In theory, they are available anywhere in the world, can be installed and operated in areas of difficult access and are an easy route to a power source for the developing world. In addition, they have a long life and durability as well as low operating costs.

What is the future potential of PV technology?

Photovoltaic electricity generation has a low energy density per hectare and its efficiency does not depend on the size of a photovoltaic plant. This makes it extremely suitable for a wide range of applications. Photovoltaic systems can be used in small, decentralized plants as well as in larger, central power plants; they can be built in sizes from cm2 up to km2 and can be used in many different types of locations.