Frequently Asked Questions

General

What should I look for in a solar installer?

When looking for an installer you should look for experience, both C-10 (electrical)and C-46 (solar only) licenses, and a commitment to quality.  PV solar is a major electrical upgrade to your home.  You want a certified electrician involved with installation of the system.

Is solar technology? Shouldn’t I just wait until the technology improves?

Solar technology has advanced steadily over the last 50 years; however, solar panels aren't subject to planned obsolescence.  Solar panels installed today will still be saving you money for many decades after they are installed.  The best time go solar is always now.  Government incentives have seen rapid decline since 2007.  Rebates have gone from covering up 40% of a system's cost to covering as little as 10% in many instances.  Solar power is about reducing and controlling your cost of electricity - there is no reason to wait.  Start saving today!

How does installing solar affect my relationship with my utility (SCE, PG&E, LADWP, etc.)?  Am I completely off the grid?

You can get the benefits of both worlds.   If you are consuming more power than you are producing, like at night, your utility will supply your power, just like any other customer.  When you are producing more power than you are consuming, your meter “spins backwards”, crediting your account.  Your lifestyle can remain the same and no more “sweating in the dark” because you are worried about the affordability of electric bills.

Do solar panels break easily?

No.  Modern solar panels are made to very high safety and quality specifications.  Solar panels are designed to withstand the elements, including lighting strikes and ¾ inch hail up to 120 MPH.  If you decided to go solar with a PPA, your provider will cover any damage or repairs that need to be performed as well as any system failure, vandalism, and even theft.

How efficient are solar panels?

Solar panels are currently at an efficiency level of about 24%.  While this may not seem like a high level of efficiency, the theoretical maximum of solar panel efficiency is 28%.  Even with a level of 24% solar panels are very efficient at producing more than enough power to supply a home.

Do solar panels become less efficient over time?

Solar panels will become less efficient over time, although after 25 years they will still be producing at least 80% of the electricity they produced in the first year.  The elements and chemicals that make up the solar cell degrade over time, like every other substance on earth.  90% of solar panels use silicon, which is the most durable and efficient solar cell material available.  The sunlight on a solar cell gradually begins to have a negative effect on the cells and they begin to break down.

What makes a good solar candidate?  What are things I should consider that may affect whether solar is right for me?

To be a good candidate for solar, your property needs decent exposure to the sun.  Your house needs a suitable roof or a small patch of useable space facing any non-northerly direction with little to no shade coming from the south.  Most people look for reasons why solar won’t work for them, but solar is a great option for many homeowners.  Acro Energy can give a free solar consultation.  Have a qualified professional provide you with a detailed analysis showing what solar can really do for you.  Worst-case scenario, you’ve used a little of your time to learn more about something that must interest you.

How does solar effect the environment?

Solar is the most environmentally friendly and cost-efficient way to provide energy to a home.  With solar power, a homeowner is no longer completely dependent on oil, coal, wood, or natural gas to provide power.  Not only does solar produce power without any harmful emissions, the power source is completely renewable.

How is solar energy stored?

Solar energy is stored through net-metering.  Net-metering occurs when your system is producing more electricity than you are consuming and your meter “spins backwards”.  During times when you are producing more electricity than you are consuming, energy is pulled from the grid to power your home.  The grid essentially becomes a storage site for your solar power.

Are there different types of solar energy?

There are three commonly used types of solar energy: solar thermal energy, photovoltaic solar power, and concentrating solar power.  Solar thermal energy is energy that is created by converting solar energy into heat, which could then be used for heating water, space heating, or pool heating.  Photovoltaic solar power is energy that is created by converting solar energy into electricity using photovoltaic solar panels.  This type of electricity can be used to power a home, air conditioning, and solar lighting.  Concentrating solar power is a form of solar thermal energy that can generate solar power electricity.  This type of solar power is generated more for large-scale energy production and works similarly to photovoltaic solar power.

What are renewable and non-renewable resources?

A renewable resource is something that replenishes as we use it, like sunlight, wind, and water.  Solar power is an example of a renewable energy source.  Non-renewable resources are resources that do not replenish as we use them, like oil, coal, and uranium.  Because something is classified as a non-renewable resources does not mean that it cannot be replenished.  It may take many years to millions of years before more could be created.  Solar energy is an excellent option for homeowners looking to power their homes without depleting non-renewable resources.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of solar energy?

There are numerous advantages for going solar.  Solar can immediately start helping you save and can almost eliminate an electric bill.  The energy produced by PV panels is clean, sustainable, and renewable, meaning it does not harm the environment and you will never have to worry about running out of a power source while also helping reduce greenhouse gasses.  Solar also helps homeowners become more independent.  Using solar power reduces our dependence on utility providers as well as foreign oil.  PV panels also require little maintenance and if you go solar though a PPA, maintenance is completely covered. 
The only disadvantage to solar is now quickly becoming an advantage.  The once prohibitive costs going lower and lower. With a PPA you can even go solar for $0 down.

How is solar energy converted?

As sunlight hits the photovoltaic array, the solar energy is converted to direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity is then transferred to the inverter, which converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity.  The alternating current electricity is transferred to the breaker box, which provides a connection point to the grid.  The meter is attached to the breaker box and measures the energy being created and consumed from photovoltaic array.

Savings and Cost

How much does it cost to go solar?

A PPA can help you go solar for as little as $0 down.  Even if you purchase a system, in the long run you will be paying less than you are paying now.

How much can I save?

Anyone with solar will start seeing savings from day one, although the actual amount of savings depends on how much electricity you consume and how much electricity is produced by your system.

What type of maintenance is involved?  Are there hidden costs?

It is a good idea to clean your solar panels at least once a year, or more if you live in a dusty area (like almond orchards).  This will keep the dust and dirt off of your panels, allowing them to work to their full potential.  If you are a PPA customer, your PPA provider will cover any maintenance needed for your system at no additional cost.

Does the value of my house increase?  Will I have to pay additional taxes?

The value of a home will increase by at least 20% immediately.  The increase in home value will not affect your current property taxes.  Legislation has been put in place to protect homeowners from paying more in property taxes after solar power installation.  The specific legislation in California is Section 73 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code which allows property tax exclusion on most solar power systems, including residential systems.

Power Purchase Agreements

How long does a PPA agreement last?

Most PPA agreements last for 18-20 years.

What happens when the solar PPA expires?

At the end of your PPA agreement, you will have three options.  You can purchase the solar power system, which at this point will be only a few thousand dollars.  You could renew the agreement and continue to pay rates lower than that of your utility provider.
Or, if you choose, you could have the system removed at no cost to you.

Will I be able to take advantage of tax incentives and rebates if I go with a solar PPA?

Yes and No.  The company that owns the system under a PPA is able to pass the value of the tax credit to the host customer as reduced cost of electricity.  In many cases this is better than getting the tax credit yourself. If you can use tens of thousands of dollars in tax credits, to reduce your tax liability you may want to look at owning the system rather than going with a PPA; however, most people simply don't have that much tax liability and this makes PPAs extremely attractive for the average homeowner.

What happens when I move and I have a solar PPA?

PPAs are designed to be flexible so you can move.  You have the choice to simply transfer the PPA agreement to the new owner or you could purchase the equipment and sell it with the house.  Either option will allow you to see a higher selling price for your home.

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