7 FAQs ebook SOLAR POWER. 7 FAQs ebook

Transcription

1 SOLAR POWER 7 FAQs ebook 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 MOST COMMON FAQs OF A SOLAR SALES REPRESENTATIVE 1. WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM? 2. HOW AM I SAVING BY GOING SOLAR? 3. HOW LONG WILL MY SOLAR SYSTEM LAST? 4. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE ONCE INSTALLED? 5. WHAT LABOR, MATERIAL, PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION WARRANTIES COME WITH THE SYSTEM? 6. HOW IS THE SYSTEM ATTACHED TO MY HOME? 7. WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN A SOLAR COMPANY?

3 7 MOST COMMON FAQs OF A SOLAR SALES REPRESENTATIVE Converting to solar power and installing solar panels will be one of the biggest decisions you ll make as a homeowner. And like any major purchasing decision, going solar requires a bit of research. At Green Street Solar Power we understand this, so we ve put together this document to provide you with practical knowledge and information that will aid in your decision making process. Below you ll find seven of the most frequently asked questions by potential customers. one of the biggest decisions you ll make as a homeowner 3

4 1 WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM? The primary costs associated with going solar involve the installation of the system. Of course, there is far more to going solar than installation. The system itself consists of equipment like panels, inverter, and racking. If you choose to purchase your system outright you will be paying a higher upfront cost, but will essentially own your power for the remainder of your time at the solar residence. You ll also receive all federal, state and city incentives. Green Street Solar Power also has 100% financing options for homeowners. As opposed to an outright purchase, you ll have a monthly payment instead of a large initial capital outlay. Any interest attached to the loans is deductible. Loan options require no personal guarantees, no liens on your home, and offer very aggressive rates. increase your property value without increasing your property taxes 4

5 1 WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM? Green Street Solar Power also offers a Lease/Power Purchase Agreement. This option allows for the homeowner to lease the system with little or no money down, and you ll be able to lock into a rate that s lower than your current utility cost. In New York, you ll be able to capitalize on other state and city incentives on top or your utility savings. With a Lease/Power Purchase Agreement, you essentially rent your roof in exchange for a portion of solar electric power. The Financier will pay for and own the equipment much like a utility company owns the equipment that creates electricity. When leasing it is important that the homeowner makes sure that the Financier is a reputable company, with a strong balance sheet that will be around for the next 20+ years. This will give the homeowner piece of mind. As a result, homeowners who go solar only pay for the electricity produced at a fixed rate for their lease term. the value of your residence will increase by approximately $5,500per kilowatt One last thing: adding solar to your home can actually increase your property value without increasing your property taxes. Recent research and white papers have shown that in addition to your annual savings, the value of your residence will increase by approximately $5,500 per kilowatt installed when using SunPower panels. 5

6 2 HOW AM I SAVING BY GOING SOLAR? Simple. You will save money by lowering your electricity bill. It is important to note that savings vary depending on system size, exposure to sunlight, amount of electricity required, and whether you own or lease the equipment. If you decide to purchase your system you can expect to save much more than through a lease agreement. Now, we know what you re thinking. How is solar so affordable? It s a great question and the answer is three-fold generous state and federal subsidies help keep costs in check. solar energy production has dramatically increased many homeowners lease their solar systems a much more affordable upfront option than owning We ll happily walk you through your options and, based on your needs, come up with an accurate forecast of potential savings. In the meantime, click here to read more on cost savings. 6

7 3 HOW LONG WILL MY SOLAR SYSTEM LAST? Residential solar systems last for 40+ years and the panels carry a 25 year warranty. It should be noted that solar systems will degrade over time a term describing the amount of solar energy decreasing production over time, but the drop isn t dramatic. Furthermore, the inverter will likely be the only piece of equipment in the residential system that will need to be replaced (within the lease program, this is the responsibility of the Financier). Most importantly, all of Green Street Solar Power installations are monitored and fully warrantied by SunPower, the industry leader in solar panel technology since To add to this, SunPower is 66% owned by Total, S.A., the 25 th largest company in the world, with a net worth of over $150B. 40+ YEAR LIFESPAN 7

8 4 WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE ONCE INSTALLED? The system s performance measured by operational wattage used will depend on the size of your system, how much energy you need, and how much energy you re getting from solar compared to the utility. Ultimately, the goal of a solar install is to try and offset 100% of your previous 12 month usage. Depending on the time of year, your location, and the current weather, your solar production will vary. The best way to maximize your system s efficiency is to monitor your energy consumption and check your monitoring system, a device that tracks how much energy you have generated via sunlight. Net metering calculates your usage versus how much solar energy you generate, and the utility company will provide credits for energy produced in excess of the amount you use. maximize your system s efficiency Feel free to contact us for more information on the basics of managing a solar system s monitoring system or understanding net metering. 8

9 5 WHAT LABOR, MATERIAL, PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION WARRANTIES COME WITH THE SYSTEM? Installation generally requires 2-3 days of labor, although this may vary depending on the size and scope of installation. In addition, technicians may need to cut branches to maximize the amount of sunlight that can reach the panel. Rarely will the installation period exceed 5 days. A home solar system is generally comprised of a set of smaller components, which include Modules (panels), Inverters, Racking, and other components known as balance-of-system parts (Conduit, Flashing, Wiring, Switches, Etc.). Make sure you re aware of the different warranty plans that companies offer. At Green Street Solar Power, we use only top-quality panels like those from SunPower. SunPower offers the most aggressive panel warranty on the market. They offer a true 25/25/25. This means that they will warranty the panel for 25 years, they have a full production warranty for 25 years and they have a full replacement warranty for 25 years (inclusive of shipping and replacement). 25 YEAR WARRANTY 9

10 6 HOW IS THE SYSTEM ATTACHED TO MY HOME? Systems are generally attached to the roof. Our technicians will determine if your roof contains a large enough area to support the system. They ll also gauge the structural integrity of the roof. For example, if your roof needs to be replaced, we suggest you do so prior to panel installation. In fact, solar panels can be integrated into the new roof and can even reduce the cost of the installation of the new roof. If your roof isn t a viable option, our technicians can install solar panels on the ground or on mounting structures. 10

11 7 WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN A SOLAR COMPANY? The three most important things to look for in a company are experience, licensing, and customer testimonials/reviews. Home solar installation shouldn t be left in the hands of an inexperienced firm or one that claims to offer the cheapest deal. We suggest you do additional research and see what satisfied customers have to say about their provider, particularly around things like the installation process, financing options, cost savings and knowledge of their marketplace. Experience Licensing You ll be happy to know that every Green Street Solar Power installation comes with warranties that are backed by our industry-leading partners, and our company has the backing of a multi-billion dollar, publically traded company. Our partners offer homeowners complete peace of mind, as they have large balance sheets and will be around for many years to come. Customer Testimonials 11

12 SOLAR POWER Here at GreenStreet we have an entire page dedicated to all the things our customers have to say about us. If this ebook wasn t enough, visit our website to read more on going solar or call us at for a free consultation. 12