- 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. Similar to buying a car, there are lower cost economy size/scope systems, and there are larger, feature-rich systems available, however with some basic information and a quick phone call we can typically provide a close preliminary estimate over the phone and if desired, we can follow up with an on-site review to review details of the project and finalize a quotation.
- What incentives are available?
There is a 30% Federal tax credit that runs through 2032. Additional information can be found here: Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics | Department of Energy
There are no state-level incentives for solar in Missouri, however if you are a rural area small business, or agricultural producer, you may qualify for an additional REAP grant, which can cover up to an additional 50% of the system 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: 10 years
- What maintenance is required?
We recommend an annual visual inspection and periodic review of the system monitoring. Keep debris buildup such as leaves, and animals such as squirrels clear of the solar array and related components as they may chew wiring. It may be beneficial to periodically clean the module glass if a buildup of dirt or mold occurs.
- 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 special battery backup or “daylight” backup systems.
- 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?
Typical EV’s consume about 1kWh per 4 miles driven, so take your mileage per month and divide by 4, then add to the monthly electric usage. As an Example: 1000 miles per month driven, divided by 4 miles per kWh would be 1000 mi / 4kWh/mi = 250kWh per 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. Depending on the items you wish to run and how long you wish to run them without available sunlight, a larger battery pack such as 20-30kWh may be recommend. In some cases, a larger battery is warranted – such as for Off-Grid applications where battery banks may be 40-80kWh.
- Can I go off-grid?