Solar Panels
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
2. What is the difference between solar panels and building integrated photovoltaic products?
3. What’s the difference between solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems?
4. Can I use solar power to heat my home?
5. What size solar electric system do I need?
6. How is the size of a solar electric system calculated?
7. Will solar increase my property value?
8. How much roof space will my system need?
9. Does my roof have to face south?
10. Does it matter what type of roof I have?
11. Are surrounding trees a problem?
12. Is there financing available for solar?
13. Do I need special insurance?
14. Will I need any permits to install a solar energy system in my home?
15. Do I need solar professional to install my system?
16. Why is it important to get multiple bids?
17. How do I select a solar professional?
18. How can I calculate the cost and payback time from a solar power installation?
19. How long will it take to install a solar power system in my home?
20. What components do I need to install a grid-tied solar electric system?
22. Do I need battery backup for my solar panels?
23. How long will my solar electric system last?
24. Is there any system maintenance required?
1. What is solar energy?
Solar energy takes advantage of the sun’s rays to generate heat or electricity. It is an infinitely renewable resource and unique for its ability to generate energy in a quiet, clean, and consistent manner.
2. What is the difference between solar panels and building integrated photovoltaic products?
Solar panels are flat panels of photovoltaic arrays mounted on a roof or a pole to capture the sun’s rays. Building integrated photovoltaic materials are PV arrays that are integrated into the building material itself, primarily windows, roof tiles, or walls. Solar panels work well for retrofits or remodels while BIPV are appropriate for new construction or a major renovation.
3. What’s the difference between solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems?
While both types of solar systems capture energy from the sun, solar photovoltaic systems use photovoltaic panels to produce electricity. Solar hot water, or thermal, systems use the sun’s energy to heat water for domestic use, to heat a swimming pool, or for a radiant heating system.
4. Can I use solar power to heat my home?
Absolutely! Radiant heating applies solar thermal technology. Transferring solar energy through pipes into an under floor radiant heating system is a wonderful way to stay warm. Radiant floor systems are typically 40 percent more efficient than their forced air counterpart and can be zoned to match thermal comfort to each room.
5. What size solar electric system do I need?
The recommended size of your system will depend on your power consumption and what portion of your current electricity needs you would like your PV system to meet. Before investing in solar we recommend that you calculate your total annual energy consumption (available from your utility bill). We then suggest a quick home energy audit (which you can do yourself) to find ways to reduce your energy use by upgrading appliances, windows, insulation and lighting or by changing your energy use habits. If you reduce your electricity loads, you can generally buy a smaller, less expensive PV system. Purchase your system based on your budget, your present needs, and future expansion potential for more solar electric power and/or batteries.
6. How is the size of a solar electric system calculated?
Once you’ve become as efficient as you can (or want to) be, solar is a perfect way to reduce or eliminate how much power you are buying from your utility. A system should be sized to meet no more than your whole load on the sunniest day of the year, and rely on some grid power or battery backup during winter or on cloudy days.
In addition to how much electricity you’d like to generate, the size of your system also depends on these factors: The site’s solar resource or available sunlight; The system’s orientation and tilt; The system’s efficiency at converting sunlight to electricity; Other electricity sources, like a utility, a wind turbine, or a fossil fuel generator.
The most accurate way to size your solar electric system is to have Fire Mountain Solar come to your home or business and perform a site analysis and load assessment. We have the experience and tools necessary to gather the data needed for the calculations, and will design a PV solar system package to meet your needs. Accurately sizing the components of your solar electric system helps ensure that your system will produce the amount of power you want it to produce at a reasonable rate of return on your investment.
Solar electric systems for Western Washington homes are generally sized in the 2 kW to 8kW (2,000 watt to 8,000 watt) range. The cost of your system will vary depending on which products are best suited for your application and what incentives are available in your specific area, but as a ballpark you can expect to spend between $6 and $8 per watt of solar installed (at 2010 prices).
7. Will solar increase my property value?
Yes. According to the National Appraisal Institute, for every $1 of electricity that you offset with a renewable energy system your home value will increase by $20. Also, a home with a renewable energy system is generally more attractive to buyers, even when compared to an otherwise identical home right next door; big pluses in today’s tight housing market.
8. How much roof space will my system need?
The general rule is that 100 square feet of roof space is needed for every 1,000 watts of solar panels.
9. Does my roof have to face south?
Though a South facing roof is always best, SE to SW also work well. In our region, SE to SW orientations result in annual energy production at about 96% to 98% of a South facing array . Even due West or East orientations are workable, but the amount of power generated is reduced to about 82% to 88% of what you would get with a Southern orientation.Adding a few more panels to your array will often compensate for these losses.
10. Does it matter what type of roof I have?
Different roofing materials and pitches require different mounting systems, but pretty much any roof can be installed with solar. The type and pitch of your roof will affect the overall installation cost of your system, so it is important to enlist the help of an experienced solar professional to determine the best method for mounting your array. This will insure the panels are at the best angle to take advantage of year-around variations in light, and that the installation does not compromise the integrity of your roof. Standing seam metal and composition roofs make installation the easiest; flat and wood shake roofs make installation more difficult. If your roof will need to be replaced during the next ten years we recommend you either wait to install solar or that you replace your roof now.
11. Are surrounding trees a problem?
The general rule is to have no shading from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tall trees to the SE or SW can be a problem, particularly in the winter when the sun is lower on the horizon. However, in Western Washington where the winter days are short and tend to be cloudy, it is possible to compensate for many winter shading issues. Fire Mountain Solar can perform a complete site analysis that will identify the shading effect of any surrounding trees or structures year-around, and make suggestions for optimizing your solar exposure.
12. Is there financing available for solar?
Yes. Every year more financing options become available for installing renewable energy at your home or business. Here are some options currently available: Consider using a home equity loan for the purchase and installation costs of a solar photovoltaic or solar hot water system to take full advantage of federal tax deductions. Many utilities offer rebates or low interest loans for solar electric and solar hot water systems. Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) for information on state and federal incentives for renewable energy and home energy efficiency measures at www.dsireusa.org. And last but definitely not least, Fire Mountain Solar is pleased to offer 12-months Same As Cash financing on complete system product purchases for select solar electric , solar hot water and radiant floor heating products, including BP, Evergreen, SunEarth, Heliodyne, and ProgressivTube.
13. Do I need special insurance?
Standard homeowner’s insurance policies usually suffice to meet electric utility requirements. Electric utilities usually require that homeowners who take advantage of net metering sign an interconnection agreement.
14. Will I need any permits to install a solar energy system in my home?
Probably. Many areas still do not require a building permit for solar photovoltaic or solar hot water systems, but as far as we know all areas do require an electrical or plumbing permit based on the type of system.
15. Do I need solar professional to install my system?
No. Fire Mountain Solar has worked with hundreds of people across the US who wanted to install their own solar electric system (solar hot water is a bit more challenging, but not impossible to do yourself). We do recommend that you get professional help from a qualified, experienced solar professional to design the system and help you select the best components for your application. We can design the system for you, provide you will all the components you need, and provide expert technical guidance via telephone and email throughout your installation, and after it’s complete.
That said, using a solar professional can take the guess work out of installing a solar power system and provide you with peace of mind. Whether you are considering solar photovoltaic, solar hot water or a radiant floor heating system, an experienced solar professional can help you with all the details.
16. Why is it important to get multiple bids?
As with any major purchase, it’s helpful to compare costs and information. Seeking information from multiple professionals can provide constructive advice, set realistic expectations, and help you fine-tune the design that will work best for your application.
17. How do I select a solar professional?
In this growing industry new companies are popping up on a regular basis and it’s not easy to know which installers are adequately qualified to do the job. And choosing the right solar professional often means the difference between a satisfying experience and a nightmare. Click here for some things to consider when selecting a solar professional for your project.
18. How can I calculate the cost and payback time from a solar power installation?
You can estimate how much a solar electric or solar hot water system may cost if you determine your current energy needs and costs and compare against your future anticipated use. Once you have a sense of how much energy you use, you can evaluate the cost of purchasing and installing one or both of the technologies.
Luckily in today’s market you can take advantage of multiple federal, state, and local tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives that create attractive and competitive prices for solar PV and hot water systems. Click the following link to be taken to the Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) www.dsireusa.org or contact Fire Mountain Solar and we’ll help you determine what incentives you are eligible for.
19. How long will it take to install a solar power system in my home?
Planning, configuring, and product ordering can take up to a few weeks. However, the installation process itself typically takes only a few days time, in many cases even less.
20. What components do I need to install a grid-tied solar electric system?
You will need a photovoltaic array (solar panels) to capture the sun’s energy, an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) produced from the photovoltaic cells into alternating current (AC) used by your home, and a house utility meter – called a net meter – that can record both the electricity produced from your home’s power system as well as any power you may use off the grid. These three system components are then connected through a series of wiring. The photovoltaic panels are secured to your roof with panel mounts or are installed on poles that can be adjusted for sun angle. In areas like Washington State where there is a production incentive, you will also need a production meter which is provided by your utility at little or no cost to you.
21. What is a net meter?
Net meters look very much like other outdoor meters with one notable exception – they spin both forwards and backwards recording both the power produced and power used.
22. Do I need battery backup for my solar panels?
Probably not – a backup battery bank can add as much as 25% in cost to a residential solar PV system. It’s not necessarily more efficient either – a same sized solar array will yield about 7–10% less energy if it’s battery-tied than its grid-tied counterpart.
Though you will remain tethered to your local utilities’ grid, you will not have to worry about not generating enough power. You also gain the advantage of offsetting rising utility costs. Most solar photovoltaic experts do not recommend adding a backup battery system unless there is concern about a long utility outage or the residence is in a remote location.
23. How long will my solar electric system last?
Solar panels typically have 20 to 25 year performance warranties and 1 to 5 year workmanship warranties. Testing shows that panel lifetimes generally exceed 25 years. As a matter of fact, the very first solar panel created by Bell Labs in 1945 is still producing power today!
24. Is there any system maintenance required?
Since there are no moving parts, the system is basically maintenance free.
Other questions?
Fire Mountain Solar can answer all your questions about alternative energy and other sustainable lifestyle products.
Contact us Toll-Free at: 1-877-230-7710
