Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a solar electric system for my home cost?
The price of residential solar electric systems varies based on system size, panel choice, and incentives. The good news is, a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price, and additional incentives, can lop a huge piece off the purchase price. With aggressive financing options you can also own your system for what you are currently paying your utility company.
What are the incentives for going solar?
Residents in all states are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit. After that, programs vary by state but may include rebates, net metering, income (SRECs in Mass, RECs in New Hampshire). Our solar consultants will walk you through the list of incentives that apply to you, and include them in your personalized proposal, to give you a clear picture of what solar can save and earn for you.
How long does it take to pay off the investment in my solar electric system?
Most homeowners who pay for it outright see a 6 to 8 year return on investment, those who choose the “no out of pocket” financing option see an 8 to 10 year return on investment.
How can I tell if solar will work on my house?
For the best results, the solar panels should be mounted on a southern facing roof or in your yard. The panels should have little to no shade on them during the hours of 9 AM to 3 PM throughout the year. During our visit to your home, we will conduct a “shade reading” to determine the amount of shade present at your location for the entire year.
How do I know what size system I need?
Our Solar consultant will figure that out for you using the usage from your electric bill. An average sized residential solar electric system is around 8,000 watts and will produce about 9,600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year.
What are RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) and SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate)?
Think of a REC (in NH) or SREC (in Mass.) as a unit of value for the clean solar energy you produce. As part of renewable energy development programs, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have set targets for solar and other green energy technologies. What this means to you is that you can sell the value of the solar energy you produce in a market created specifically for SRECs or RECs.
Will I have electricity during a power outage?
No. With a straight grid-tied system without batteries, even on a sunny day when your solar array is producing power, you will not have power in the home if the utility experiences a power outage. This is to protect the linemen working on the utility grid. If you absolutely need power during an outage, your system must have batteries. This adds cost and complexity to the installation but can be done, and we do offer this service.
Will I be helping the environment?
MOST DEFINITELY! You will be using less fossil fuel each and every day and producing your own clean energy. You will be responsible for your own carbon footprint.
