- What does a solar system cost?
Cost varies greatly based on the size of the system needed, the location of the installation, and options such as backup power. With some basic information, we can typically provide a preliminary estimate over the phone and follow up with an on-site review to finalize a quotation.
- What incentives are available?
There is a 30% Federal tax credit that runs through 2032. There are no state-level incentives for solar in Missouri, however some utilities such as Ameren will offer $0.25/watt in rebates. Between the Ameren rebate and the Federal tax credits, you can save up to 40% of the total installation cost.
- Will hail damage the panels?
Solar panels are made from toughened glass and will withstand small to medium size hail, frequently out-performing most roofing materials in hail resistance, however extremely large hail may cause damage. In most cases solar arrays are covered under your building insurance policy, however we always recommend checking with your insurance provider to verify coverage limits.
- What is the warranty for residential installations?
Panels: 12-25 years
Inverters: 10-25 years
Batteries: 10 years
Labor: 5 years
- What maintenance is required?
We recommend an annual visual inspection and periodic review of the system monitoring system.
- What is the difference between a silver frame and an “all-black” panel?
The color. Black panels tend to cost slightly more for the aesthetic appeal.
- Will my solar system still power my house if the utility power is down?
Only if the system is equipped with battery backup.
- I’m planning to purchase a new Tesla (or other electric plug-in vehicle), how much solar will I need to install to cover the extra energy usage?
One gallon of gasoline contains approximately 33kWh of energy, however a gasoline engine is only about 30% efficient in converting that fuel to usable energy, so most of the fuel is wasted. Accordingly, one gallon of gas converted to electricity is worth about 10kWh. This is a rough rule of thumb, but if the vehicle is comparable in size/type, you can multiply the gallons of gas you use in a month by 10 to get an approximation of the kWh you would need to generate in a month.
- How much battery storage will I need for a backup system?
We typically recommend a minimum of 15kWh for most residential backup installations, however more capacity may be desired for high-energy devices or to operate over longer periods without sun.
- Can I go off-grid?