Common Questions & Answers About Going Solar
This solar FAQ page was designed to answer commonly asked questions about installing solar panels on a home. StarAlt Solar was created to help educate homeowners about the benefits of going solar! If you have additional questions, feel free to Contact Us.
What is a solar panel?
A solar panel is an electronic device made up of solar cells, or photovoltaics (often referred to as PV), which absorbs sunlight and converts it into useable electricity.
How is a solar panel used to create power?
Photons in the form of sunlight hit a solar panel causing electrons to be excited. These electrons travel through a semiconductor and create electrical current in DC (Direct Current) form. Since homes run on Alternating Current (AC), a device called an inverter is used to convert the electricity into the needed form. The inverted current then travels into your home’s main circuit panel where it provides power to electrical loads such as your lights, appliances, air conditioner, refrigerator etc.
Related Reading: Is Your Home A Good Candidate For Solar?
What happens on cloudy days and at night?
Solar panels require sunlight to work – the more the better. However, a solar panel will still produce power, at a lesser level, even when the sky is cloudy. A solar power system interacts seamlessly with the power grid that your home is currently connected to, ensuring that power is always delivered.
When you install a solar power system it becomes your primary power source.
In the event that the solar panels do not produce the amount of power your home needs, for example at night or on cloudy days, the system will automatically switch over to the power grid to draw the remaining amount of power that is needed.
Consequently, when your solar panel system produces more power than is needed within your building, it will send it into the grid and you will be issued a credit from your local power company (the utility will pay YOU for sending them your excess solar energy)!
Can solar lower my power bill?
Definitely! When you generate power from solar panels you are independently creating an amount of power. Power generated from your solar power system is power that you don’t have to purchase from the local utility.
So you’ll save money every day by producing your own solar electricity, and over time this adds up to substantial financial savings!
How many solar panels do I need for my home?
It depends – How many kilowatt hours (kWh) do you use in an average month? That’s the main factor that we need to now before we can answer the question.
10 or 15 solar panels may be enough for a smaller home that uses less energy, while more solar panels will be needed for larger homes that consume higher amounts of power.
That’s where we come in! StarAlt Solar will analyze your power needs based on recent electricity bills, and then provide recommendations for offsetting your power costs with solar. The easiest way to give you an honest answer is to Contact Us to schedule a free solar consultation.
You can also view our Solar Install Portfolio to see projects we’ve completed near you!
Will my local power company buy the solar power produced by my solar panels?
Yes, net metering is a common utility program where they will purchase the output from a solar power system. Learn more by reading our Solar Net Metering blog.
Because net metering programs are subject to change over time, we recommend incorporating a battery into your solar power system. This will allow you to have a dedicated supply of power in case there is a grid outage, plus we can program your battery to sell your excess solar power back to the local utility when they’re paying you the highest rate!
How much does solar power cost?
It depends on how many solar panels are installed, which is a function of how much power you want to produce, which is determined by your monthly power bill. Speaking with a StarAlt Solar representative will allow us to analyze your power needs and design a system to meet your needs.
We can design a solar power system that will provide clean energy to your family at a cost that is more affordable than what you currently pay. We’ll make sure your solar panels pay for themselves over time, and we’ll give you a service warranty for extra peace of mind!
Are any solar incentives, rebates, or tax credits available?
Yes! A 26% Federal Tax Credit is available for both residential and commercial solar installations in 2022, plus many electric utilities have unique solar rebate programs which provide additional incentives and cost savings.
Your StarAlt Solar representative can give you with the most up-to-date information as it relates to your solar project and any local incentives that are available. We want to give you the best deal possible!
Is financing available to install a solar power system?
Yes! In fact, at StarAlt Solar we offer various solar financing programs which will enable you to pay less for power than you currently pay each month.
That is, the cost of your new power bill + the monthly solar finance cost will be less than your current power bill. Request a free solar consultation for details.
How long do solar panels last?
Modern solar panels are sold with a 25 year warranty, and are designed to deliver 80%+ of their rated power after 30 years. Research tests have proven that solar panels can produce siginificant amounts of power for 40 years or longer!
Related Reading: Comparing Solar Panel Warranties
How long will it take to install solar panels on my location?
StarAlt Solar can complete most solar panel installations in a few days or less. Installation follows a thorough site survey and engineering review.
Larger commercial or business installations can take longer depending on size, complexity and special mounting.
After we install your solar project, we’ll submit all of the necessary paperwork to the local utility and coordinate final inspections required to obtain permission to operate.
About StarAlt Solar
StartAlt Solar has more than 50 years of combined experience in the solar energy market. From designing and engineering to installation and maintenance, StarAlt Solar can make your next solar energy project a reality.
At StarAlt Solar, we aim to provide the best equipment for the best prices and strive to deliver honest, trustworthy service at the best value to our customers. Contact Us to schedule a free solar assessment today!
