A – That depends! There are several popular ways to put solar on your roof and realize all of the benefits…and most of customers take advantage of Smart Solar America’s $0 out-of-pocket financing. Get in touch with us and we’ll find out if you qualify for the best solar programs.
A – Having solar panels on your home does not entirely get rid of your electric bill. Your home will remain connected to the electric grid, and you will receive a monthly bill from your electric company. With most utilities, there is a fixed connection or service charge on your monthly statement that you will pay regardless of how little electricity you use. If your solar system was recently installed, you may need to wait a few months to see the impact on your utility statement because utility bills are billed retroactively.
A – When solar panels are paired with a battery, the excess electricity produced goes into the battery instead of going to the grid. When the sun goes down and your panels aren’t producing electricity anymore, you can use the energy you have stored in your battery – instead of paying for electricity from the utility.
A – Solar batteries connect directly to the power grid. Rather than creating electricity, they store energy from your solar system. During a power outage, the battery automatically disconnects from the power grid, creating a self-sustaining, personal grid that powers appliances throughout the home with the energy stored in your battery.
A – New research sponsored by the Department of Energy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that buyers are willing to pay more for homes with rooftop solar panels. Buyers were willing to pay a premium of $15,000 for a home with the average-size solar photovoltaic system (3.6 kilowatts, or 3,600 watts), compared with a similar home without one.*
* Home value will increase only if solar panel is purchased (not leased).
A – Smart Solar America offers you an industry-best 30-year Bumper-to-Bumper warranty on all parts and labor.
A – Most standard homeowner insurance policies provide adequate insurance protection for solar panels, and meet the minimum requirements for an interconnection agreement with a utility company. A utility company may require you to provide proof of insurance, but you shouldn’t need a special policy just for your panels.
A – Solar property tax exemptions give homeowners the right to remove the added value of a solar panel system from the valuation of their home for tax purposes. This means that even while the value of your home increases due to a solar system installation, your property taxes will still reflect the pre-solar value of your home (which is almost always lower).
A – You may be hoping to save time and money by doing the work yourself, due to the complexity of permits and installation, most homeowners come to the correct conclusion that installation is a job best left to professionals.