Solar FAQs - Questions About Solar Energy
Rooftop solar panels are installed with mounting systems either attached to the roof or ballasted with heavy blocks. Ballasted installations are used on flat roofs and require no penetration from the roof. For tilted or pitched roofs like asphalt, a small pilot hole is drilled into the truss of the roof frame. This pilot hole allows the mounting bracket to attach to the roof and the plate that holds the panel is flashed with the rest of the roof to prevent leaks. For metal roofs, clamps are used to hold the panels in place. In both cases, the panels and mounting system can withstand very high-powered wind loads and storms.
Home and business owners may realize a 10% ROI or better. Given their longevity, the systems may pay for themselves well within their lifetime. As energy prices continue to rise, the return on investment should also improve.
Expanding solar energy in our electrical supply is vital for a transition from a fossil fuel-based grid to renewable energy. Solar panels are mainly silicon, glass and wires. It is estimated that in just two years, the renewable energy produced by your solar PV system will exceed the embedded energy used in the production of the modules. The glass, wiring, and metal used in solar panels can be recycled for raw materials for future construction projects.
Your best starting point is to determine how many kilowatts of power you need is to look at how many kWhs (kilowatt hours) home, business, or organization used in each of the previous 12 months. With this, we can compare expected monthly solar energy production to your electricity usage. Annual electricity usage total is also a good start. You’ll find your monthly kWh records via paper copies of your utility bills, a phone call to your utility provider, or through your online utility account.
A south-facing area that gets sun from approximately 9 am to 3 pm is best. Solar systems also work well even when facing west or east, if that’s your best option. We can mount the systems on the majority of roof types, including a variety of materials used on pitched and flat roofs. Systems can also be ground-mounted.
Solar panels can last between 30-35 years, with manufacturers’ warranties typically lasting 25 years. Each year, the panel’s efficiency degrades by a small percentage. Yet after 25 years, high-efficiency panels produce 85-92% of the energy as they did in year one.
Like plants and photosynthesis, solar panels take the power of the sun and turn it into energy. Here’s how it works. The photons from the sun shine down on the panels, they excite electrons in the panel’s cells, which then move to its circuits. This direct current energy travels from the roof to an inverter which converts the direct current (DC) energy to alternative current energy (AC) for your home’s energy use. The inverter connects to your home’s electrical system at the panel box or at the meter. In the installations StraightUp Solar completes, your home is always tied to the utility grid to receive power when the sun goes down. Alternatively, the energy can be stored in batteries to be withdrawn at night. Your bi-directional meter tracks the energy generated from your array that exits your home as well as the energy your home consumes from the grid. When the grid is down, and if you have no batteries, your inverter will not allow energy to exit your home to protect the utility workers repairing the lines.
It depends on how much your system costs, how much energy your array produces, and the cost of electricity in your area. This will determine how much money will need to be offset (the costs) and how much will be saved via lowered energy costs (savings). Some homeowners can reduce their energy bills by 50% or more in the course of the year. The paybacks for solar systems can range from 8 to 15 years, depending on the type of incentives offered and the size of the solar PV system.
Homeowners policies typically cover solar arrays, but check with your insurance agent if you need additional coverage. In some cases, additional coverage may be necessary as you are adding value to your house. Your electric cooperative may also require proof of insurance before setting up your array.
Your home with a solar array will be more attractive to a future homebuyer. Recent analysis from Zillow showed in mature solar markets, homes with solar were 4% higher in value than a comparable home without solar. When you buy a house with solar, you are getting an energy generation system that pays for itself. No other appliance in the house can create a positive cash flow. Contact StraightUp Solar when you sell or move into a home with solar. Our service department can show you how to hook up your system and ensure years of smooth operation.
Solar can be placed on a variety of roofs, roof types, and buildings. While south facing roofs are the best place for a solar array, east or west facing roofs can also be suitable. However, it will produce slightly less energy. It is not advised to put solar on a north facing roof. Similarly, ground mounts should face the south and have no tree obstructions or shading if possible. We install arrays on asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs and TPO-covered flat roofs, just to name the more popular roof types. We do not install on slate or tile roofs.
Purchasing a solar PV system is similar to buying a car. Purchasing an array with cash or financing depends on your current situation and goals. Financing allows you to spread out the payments of the system over several years, but you do pay for service and interest charges. StraightUp Solar is a proud partner of the Clean Energy Credit Union who can make long-term loans for your solar PV system. Plus, financial incentives are available in both Missouri and Illinois.
It depends on how much energy can be offset with your solar PV system. A typical solar homeowner offsets about 70% of the energy with a solar PV system. In many cases, this amount of energy can provide all the energy needed for the high solar months of April to September. With net metering, you may only pay the customer charge during those months.The baseline customer charge will vary utility from utility.
Like plants and photosynthesis, solar panels take the power of the sun and turn it into energy. Here’s how it works. The photons from the sun shine down on the panels, they excite electrons in the panel’s cells, which then move to its circuits. This direct current energy travels from the roof to an inverter which converts the direct current (DC) energy to alternative current energy (AC) for your business’ energy use. The inverter connects to your business’ electrical system at the panel box or at the meter. In the installations StraightUp Solar completes, your business is always tied to the utility grid to receive power when the sun goes down. Your bi-directional meter tracks the energy generated from your array that exits your business as well as the energy your business consumes from the grid. When the grid is down, your inverter will not allow energy to exit your business to protect the utility workers repairing the lines.
Illinois offers a special property tax assessment for solar. The alternative valuation will be the lesser of two values: the value of a conventional heating and cooling system, or the value of the solar energy system, whichever is less. Missouri’s property tax exemption for solar states that solar energy systems not held for resale are exempt from all state, local, and county property taxes.
StraightUp Solar works with a variety of top-tier solar energy equipment vendors. A portion of our solar components are sourced through our Amicus Solar Cooperative partnership, which allows us to obtain high-quality components with cost savings achieved through quantity.
Like plants and photosynthesis, solar panels take the power of the sun and turn it into energy. Here’s how it works. The photons from the sun shine down on the panels, they excite electrons in the panel’s cells, which then move to its circuits. This direct current energy travels from the roof to an inverter which converts the direct current (DC) energy to alternative current energy (AC) for your farm’s energy use. The inverter connects to your farm’s electrical system at the panel box or at the meter. In the installations StraightUp Solar completes, your farm is always tied to the utility grid to receive power when the sun goes down. Alternatively, the energy can be stored in batteries to be withdrawn at night. Your bi-directional meter tracks the energy generated from your array that exits your farm as well as the energy your farm consumes from the grid. When the grid is down, and if you have no batteries, your inverter will not allow energy to exit your farm to protect the utility workers repairing the lines.
You will have several mounting options for a solar array at your farm. We install on pitched asphalt and metal roofs, flat roofs, even buildings with a curved roof such as those commonly found in agricultural settings. You may find that a ground mount is an attractive option, provided we can help you determine whether you have adequate ground space for a solar array.
The typical solar project timeline from contract signature to solar energy production is generally between 2-4 months, depending on the complexity of interconnection with your local utility.
Oftentimes we will locate your array in an area where livestock will not interact with it often, in order to reduce the risk of damage by livestock to your array.
The REAP grant application process does involve paperwork, which is easier to manage if your business’ paperwork is already in good order. However, you will need to locate and pull the required records. Allow at least one month preparation time to organize and gather your files, submit them to the grant writer, and allow time for processing.
For more information go to the Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants website.
Many agricultural operations will have their entire investment paid back within 5 years.
Like plants and photosynthesis, solar panels take the power of the sun and turn it into energy. Here’s how it works. The photons from the sun shine down on the panels, they excite electrons in the panel’s cells, which then move to its circuits. This direct current energy travels from the roof to an inverter which converts the direct current (DC) energy to alternative current energy (AC) for your building’s energy use. The inverter connects to your buildings’s electrical system at the panel box or at the meter. In the installations StraightUp Solar completes, your building is always tied to the utility grid to receive power when the sun goes down. Alternatively, the energy can be stored in batteries to be withdrawn at night. Your bi-directional meter tracks the energy generated from your array that exits your building as well as the energy your building consumes from the grid. When the grid is down, and if you have no batteries, your inverter will not allow energy to exit your building to protect the utility workers repairing the lines.
Tax-exempt organizations are not eligible to use solar tax benefits such as the 26% Federal Tax Credit or MACRS depreciation.
Tax-exempt entities may indirectly realize the savings of solar tax benefits by partnering with a for-profit third party who can purchase the solar equipment and perform the installation on behalf of your organization. Learn more about third-party financing for tax-exempt organizations by visiting our Government/Nonprofit Financing section.
Aside from a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or Lease through StraightUp Solar and our financing partner, your tax-exempt organization could also form a single-purpose business entity, usually in the form of an LLC. Tax benefits for the solar array, chiefly the 30% Federal Tax Credit and MACRS depreciation, would trickle down to the members of the LLC. Filing for an LLC will require legal expertise and approximately $1,000 in filing fees.
StraightUp Solar is dedicated to fulfilling our CLEARE values. In fact, the first “E” in CLEARE stands for “Educate.” We take this to heart by spreading knowledge about solar to not only customers, but also students, businesses, organizations, and anyone with a keen interest in learning about solar. Please contact us to arrange an educational presentation for your organization or school.
Yes, a solar group buy program can be used to raise funds for your organization. A common model for fundraising with a solar group buy is to pre-designate a donation amount for each kilowatt (KW) of solar that is installed within the group buy program. Learn more about our fundraising opportunities for Nonprofits.
A solar group buy will allow your community to save on solar with no minimum for participation. We’d like your solar group buy to have a certain goal in mind, and will work with your organization to set specific reward levels to encourage community participation. Generally, we scale these goals according to the size of your community.
Solar group buys can run for as much or as little time as your community would prefer and time commitment to adequately promote the program depends on the size and range of your community group. For a mid-size town, we’d recommend a 4 month program with educational meetings every other week for the first 3 months.
Depending on the exact design of the program, administration and promotion may be funded by a grant or by a fee paid by the installation partner selected by your organization.
Your organization will not be liable for installation quality issues. StraightUp Solar is a fully insured and bonded local business and each installation entails a contract between the specific home or business owner and our company.
Illinois Solar For All, made possible by the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016, helps make solar installations more affordable for low-income households and organizations through state incentives and through measurable savings on their energy bills.
Go to the Illinois Solar For All homepage to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to participate.