Why should I go solar?
Solar provides you with clean, renewable energy! You will be making a significant impact to the planet and the people that live on it. It is a fantastic financial decision due to falling costs, government credits, and increasing utility prices. You also will be able to control your electricity, relying less on the utility company when it comes to rates and outages. By installing solar, you actually help the economy by creating demand for solar jobs. Solar energy is the future, and could provide almost 50% of the electricity in the United States by 2050. Start today!
How does this it work, and how long will it take?
It all begins with a consultation with one of our experts. We will create a customized design and proposal, and get you set up with financing. At that point, the project is handed off to a vetted local installer. We will stay in contact with you for the entire installation process to provide world class customer service. There are a number of steps that go into the solar installation process, which can end up taking less than 30 days, but can take up to 2-6 months in certain cases:
1) Site assessment: The installer will come to your house and look at the quality of the roof and electrical equipment to make sure the house is adequate for solar. The site assessor will need access to your roof, main electrical panel, and attic.
2) Project acceptance: The finance company will review the project and give NTP (Notice to Proceed), meaning the financing is secured for the project. The installer will look at the site assessment results, and push it to the Design phase if all looks good.
3) Design: The installer’s Engineering team will review all information at this point and finalize your design. t’s possible that some changes could occur at this stage, but it’s to ensure the safety of the house and allow the customer to optimize the most out of their solar system.
4) Permitting: At this point, the installer will apply for a solar permit on your behalf. Timing of approval can differ depending on the municipality, but it’s good practice to make sure that there aren’t any current open permits or unpermitted structures on the property.
5) Installation: The installer will come to install the solar panels and connect them to your electrical system. Keep in mind that at this point, the panels are not yet operational. This process is usually completed in one day. Additional electrical work is sometimes needed, which is done on a separate day.
6) Inspection: After installation, an inspector from the local municipality will come to the house to review the installation. If any changes are needed, the installer will make adjustments and another inspection will be held.
7) Permission to Operate: Once the inspection is passed, the installer will request connection to the electric grid from the utility company. Depending on where you live, a representative from the utility is sent to examine the system and grant their approval. This representative might also install a new meter or upgrade the existing one.
8) Activation: Once the utility has given their approval, the system can be turned on. You can now start receiving all the benefits and have officially gone solar!
How much will it cost, and how can I pay for it?
We’ve seen that if you can afford to pay your electric bill, you can afford to go solar. With Siamang Solar, you can either pay for it in full or we can set you up with a $0 upfront loan. You will still have a utility bill (with credits for solar) and a solar bill with monthly payments that could be less than your average electric bill. The average solar system costs $13,000 to $21,000, but it’s different for everyone. We will strive to have it make financial sense for you and to optimize savings.
How much money will I save?
It depends. First and foremost, there is the federal tax credit, known as the investment tax credit (ITC) of 30% that you can claim on your taxes, and is available to all from 2022 until 2032. There are also additional savings one could take advantage of at a state and municipal level. Savings depends on local utility costs, but based on the average system size, solar can save you about $1,500 annually on your electric bill. Electricity prices have increased each year over the last decade, so locking in an amount and taking control of your power can be crucial, as you can see big savings over time. It depends on your situation, but average savings over 25 years has a range of $22,000 - $95,000. Going solar is an investment; many see a payback of 5-10 years for a system lasting up to 30 years.
How will solar impact my property value? What if I move?
It will actually increase the value of the home! According to Zillow, on average, a house with installed solar panels sells for 4.1% more than a house without them. If you move and you paid the system off, you can add it onto the value of the house. If there is still a loan to be paid off, you can transfer the rest of the payments to the new owner. You can also take your solar panels with you, but it could be costly.
Will solar panels still work during a blackout?
Since solar panels for most people are connected to the grid, they will not work during a blackout. However, there is a solution! If you get battery backup along with solar, you will be able to use both during a blackout.
What kind of maintenance will I need to do?
Solar panels actually require very little maintenance. Since they tend to be tilted, the angle along with rainfall allows debris to wash down and off the system. We recommend using a garden hose twice per year to rinse the panels. Snow generally falls off easily, but any excess can be removed with a roof rake. Once installed, you will be able to remotely track the energy production of your panels to see how they are performing. The solar equipment is under warranty, which varies according to the product chosen, but most last around 25 years.
What if I’m not qualified for solar?
Some people can’t install solar on their roof. One must be a homeowner, so renters are left out. Some roofs are unfit due to shading, size, orientation, and roofing material. In some instances, it actually doesn’t make financial sense for some people. However, for every reason that one cannot install solar, there is a potential solution to have renewable energy. Please check out these resources for those living in the United States:
Once I go solar, how can I further help to combat climate change?
There are many methods, including eating more of a plant-based diet, limiting food waste, shopping sustainably, increasing energy efficiencies, using a greener form of transportation, consuming less, and voting for those who will make positive climate changes quickly in government. Also, any action that contributes to these solutions by Project Drawdown will help (click here). Lastly, talk to your family, friends, and others you may know! Conversations with loved ones go a long way. And while you’re at it, tell them to go solar with us!
If you have any other questions that you don’t see listed, please reach out to us!