Frequently Asked Questions
How does solar work?
Solar photovoltaics (PV) are devices that convert the sun’s light into electricity. When someone invests in a solar PV system, it will generate electricity on-site and reduce the amount of electricity that must be purchased. A sufficiently sized system can cut an electric bill to nearly zero (there’s still a small, monthly fee if you stay connected to the grid).
How does net-metering work?
Net-metering is a policy that lets a PV system owner build credit with a utility provider for any electricity they produce but can’t consume by sending excesses to the grid. These credits can then be used to receive electricity when the PV system is producing less than required (e.g. at night). With net-metering, a separate backup storage system, like a battery, is not necessary.
Is net-metering unfair to other utility customers?
It is important to remember that ALL utility customers pay a service and delivery fee no matter how much or little energy they purchase from the utility. This means that solar PV customers do NOT unfairly shift the cost of maintaining the grid onto non-solar PV customers. By reducing peak demand during extreme weather and reducing overall demand on the utility, customers with residential PV systems actually help maintain grid efficiency by reducing the need to add ever more generation capacity. A 2016 study by the Brookings Institute found that benefits exceed costs with rooftop residential solar PV--even before factoring in the environmental benefit of solar.
How many solar panels do I need?
This depends on a host of factors such as how much electricity you use, how much of your usage you’d like to offset with a PV system, your budget and the space available for a PV system. By performing a site-assessment and working with the customer, we can design a PV system to meet your exact needs.
How much space do solar panels take up?
For many customers, a solar array of sufficient size can fit on the roof of the residence. If it is determined it cannot fit, a ground-mounted PV system can also be installed.
What are the costs of installing a solar PV system?
The cost of a purchasing a PV system includes a few different variables. The size of the system plays the largest role. More specifically, the costs include the solar panels, mounting hardware, electrical wiring and processing equipment, as well as labor. With the current federal and state tax credits, as well as rebates offered by some utility providers, a solar PV system can be a very affordable investment.
Additional Information: How to Save
What sort of maintenance is required?
Maintenance is usually negligible. Solar PV systems have no moving parts and are very robust. If it hasn’t rained for a long while, it is sometimes recommended to clear way any dust or debris with a garden hose, for example. In the winter, snow will usually slide off the sloped solar panels. The sun will usually clear off any snow accumulation in a day or two, if it doesn’t slide off.
What if my roof doesn't face south?
South-facing roofs are recommended for PV systems because they receive the most sunlight over the course of a day. East-facing or west-facing roofs can be used as well. North-facing roofs are generally not recommended for PV installations. If a system cannot be optimally designed for a roof, mounting the system on the ground is another viable option.
Will solar detract from the beauty of my house?
We sure don’t think so. A PV system designed and installed by Green Light will be done so professionally and look great on your home. We also think it makes a statement about you yourself: perhaps you are a forward-thinker, a wise investor or concerned with the future of the Earth.
Will solar work at night?
No, not really. If you’re connected to the grid, net-metering (see above) can be used to “store” any excess electricity generated during the day. If you haven’t stored enough credits to cover all your electric needs for the night, you can still purchase electricity from the utility just like you could before installing a PV system. If the sun isn’t shining, that doesn’t mean you won’t have electricity. For off-grid applications, some sort of energy storage device, like a battery, is required or perhaps another form of electric generation.
Do you use string inverters or micro-inverters?
Green Light Renewables is proud to feature Enphase micro-inverter systems. We prefer the use of micro-inverters because they insure that if one panel goes down, only that panel is affected. With a string inverter, the entire string of panels goes off-line if even one panel malfunctions. In addition, string inverters use a higher voltage and increase the risk of fire hazard.
How can I get more information?
Contact Green Light Renewable Services today.
Phone: 515-250-4268
Email: greenlightrenew@gmail.com
Or click here to send a direct message and we'll contact you as soon as possible.