1. IS MY HOUSE RIGHT TO GO SOLAR?
The first question we need to ask ourselves when considering switching to solar is if our house is eligible for solar or not, as the truth is, not all houses can go solar. In some cases, the location of your house can prevent you from having solar depending on the weather in your area and the direction your roof faces. Adding to that, if there is too many obstacles in the way then going solar might not be the right decision for you as there will be a lot of shading and the panels will not be able to absorb enough sunlight to completely power your home.
However, whether your house is eligible for solar or not, it should be decided by a solar expert. Therefore, the first step you need to do when considering solar is reach out to a solar installer and conduct an initial solar consultation with their team and let them decide the extent to which solar can benefit you and reduce your electric bill. Here at Palmetto Energy Solutions, we believe everyone should have the chance to learn if their homes are eligible for solar or not, thus we offer a free solar consultation to anyone who is interested.
2. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SOLAR COMPANY TO TRUST?
One of the most crucial and difficult decisions when considering installing a solar system is which company to trust. With the increasing demand on solar in the past couple of years, many new companies emerged making it more confusing for one to choose between thousands of solar installers. We suggest that you take your time when choosing the solar installer and make sure your installer will provide you with the benefits and customized service you are looking for.
Our advice to all homeowners is to use a local solar installer, as their team will be more knowledgeable regarding the ins and outs of solar within your state. If you are a resident and homeowner based in Columbia, South Carolina, then reach out to us and we would be happy to help you learn more about solar and help you start your solar journey together.
3. DO SOLAR PANELS HAVE A WARRANTY?
Before working with a solar installer, it is essential to learn about the warranties they offer along their products and service, as solar is an investment and it is essential to protect it.
A solar panel’s warranty insurance usually covers the integrity of the panel itself and protects you against problems such as manufacturing defects, environmental issues, premature wear and tear etc. Make sure to look for a solar installer that provides warranties that exceed just 10 or 15 years, as a longer period is generally more advantageous to you.
Here at Palmetto Energy Solutions, we aim to provide you with the protection you are looking for, and to offer benefits that exceed your expectations. This is why we offer three warranties with our solar systems to ensure that we protect all the different parts of the system. We firstly, offer a 25-year warranty on the panels (Q-Cells). Secondly, we offer a 25-year warranty on the micro-inverter we install (Enphase). Thirdly, we offer an insurance that covers the solar material and labor provided by Solar Insure; it means that unlike other solar installers, we will not change you on the labor not material used when maintenance for the system is needed; thus we got you covered and protect for 30-year with Solar Insure.
Contact our team to learn more about the three warranties we offer.
4. ARE SOLAR PANELS EXPENSIVE?
The most common misconception about investing in Solar Energy is that ‘Solar is so expensive.’ Solar is not as expensive as you might think; the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy confirmed that since 2014 the cost of solar panel systems has dropped by 70%, making it more accessible and cheaper than ever to go solar today!
Not to forget, going solar means you get to take advantage of the Solar Tax Credits available on both a federal and a state-level depending on your state; thus, you will be able to recoup more than a quarter of the overall cost of the solar panel system you installed! The federal government is currently offering a tax credit of 26% for all solar panels installed in 2022, so hurry up!
Do not worry. The return on investment will be worth it!
5. HOW LONG WILL MY SOLAR PANELS LAST?
As a general rules, solar panels last for about 25 to 30 years. However, this does not mean that they stop generating usable clean electricity after the 30 years; it just means that energy production will slightly decline in comparison to the panel’s efficiency when first installed. In fact, over time your solar panels will suffer a slight degradation, which is about 0.8-1.2 percent per year of original efficiency.
Solar panels will continue to produce energy for decades – as long as they are not physically damaged by wind, wreckage or any external factors. To extend their life cycle it is best to regularly clean your panels to maintain high efficiency.
6. HOW MANY NUMBERS OF PANELS DO I NEED?
One of the tricky parts about installing solar is deciding on how many panels do you need. The actual number you will need to install depends on several factors including geographic location, panel efficiency, panel rated power, and your personal energy consumption habits.
Some homeowners do not install a solar system to cover a 100% of their electricity consumption, but at least help reduce their electric bills and consume less energy from the grid and utility company. Thus, in such a case the number of panels you need will be less. Meaning how many numbers of panels do you need depends on several factors that our experts will help you understand during the consultation, and then calculate the needed number of panels.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY!
Let our solar experts guide you through the process of switching to solar energy and to answer all your questions! Take advantage of the free solar consultations we offer you!