Solar Energy – Frequently Asked Questions

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Solar Panels The decision to go solar is an important one, and we want you to feel confident when you say “yes” to solar energy. To help you through this process we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions, below.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is, quite simply, the radiant energy created by the light from the sun. This energy can be converted into solar power through the use of photovoltaic (PV), or solar, panels. Solar energy is an infinitely renewable resource quickly gaining popularity as it is a clean and dependable alternative to more traditional energy sources.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels are electrical devices made up of a series of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert the energy of light directly into electricity. Each photovoltaic cell is composed of silicon, phosphorus and boron, and is treated so that it generates a flow of electricity whenever it is exposed to sunlight. This electricity is passed through a circuit hooked up to the solar panel and is converted into an alternating current that can be used to power the appliances in your home.

Are solar panels right for my home?

Solar panels are ideal for homes in sunny regions, but even a cloudy area can yield substantial solar energy. It is important, however, that your roof is not overly shaded as too much shade significantly reduces the amount of solar energy your system can produce.

Do I need a specific type of roof for solar panels?

No – solar systems can be adapted to accommodate almost any type of roof (barring slate and clay tile roofs) and they can be installed on both large and small scales, so limited roof size is rarely an issue. A solar system can last up to 25 years so it is important that your roof is in good shape prior to the installation, but once the panels are installed they can help to extend the life of your roof by shielding it from the natural elements that typically cause a roof to deteriorate.

How is my solar energy stored?

Throughout the day your solar system generates energy that you use to run the appliances in your home. If you produce more power than you need you are able to sell it back to the grid – using your credit during the times you require additional energy. You can expect to generate excess power in the summer when there is more sunlight which could potentially offset the power you use from the grid in the winter.

Are solar panels a good investment?

Yes – although solar panels initially require a substantial financial commitment, as soon as you begin to generate your own solar power your utility bills will drop significantly, and you can expect these savings to continue for years to come! The amount you save depends on the size of your solar system, but typically one can expect to recoup their investment within 5 – 10 years.

Why is it important to get multiple bids?

Solar panels are an important purchase. We want you to be able to make an informed decision by comparing costs and information from a number of different installers so that you can find the system that works best for you!

Do you have any questions we didn’t answer? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

Solar Energy Advantages

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There are many advantages to using solar energy. It almost seems like the list of solar Learn more about Solar Energy Advantagesenergy advantages gets longer every day. Depending on who you ask, of course.

The fact is we are going to need a lot more energy from renewable sources in the near future. This will not only allow us to become independent from fossil fuels and the carbon emission problems involved with burning fossil fuels but solar energy will allow us to achieve energy independence on an individual basis. By generating your own solar energy you stop relying on utility companies, avoid having a higher electricity bill every year and you are no longer exposed to blackouts and power outages.

Let’s have a look at some major solar energy advantages. It’s up to you to decide how important each of the advantages is to you. There are many great reasons to go solar, what’s yours?

Solar Energy Advantages

Save Money

It might not look like it because you know that solar panels are not cheap but you can save money by going solar. If you decide to go with popular choices like a solar lease or a PPA your monthly fees will still be lower than your old monthly utility bill. Many homeowners save an average of 50% or more on their monthly utility bill.

It gets even better: With having your own solar power system in place you protect yourself from rising utility costs for the next 20-25 years (depending on the lifespan of your solar panels). Electricity rates have been increasing an average of 6% every year in the past and are likely to increase even more.

Producing your own energy means that you take control of your monthly energy costs. Thanks to solar power they are stable and predictable. Solar energy advantages also include earning money with your solar panels  by selling electricity back to the utility.

Become Energy Independent

It’s no secret that oil will become more expensive, more dangerous to exploit and that oil supplies are limited and constantly decreasing. Unlike fossil fuels solar cells provide a clean and renewable source of energy. Solar energy is free (once the solar panels are paid for) and solar energy can be produced safely wherever it is needed. There are no additional transportation costs and another huge point on the solar energy advantages list is that solar energy makes a country more independent from foreign energy.

Help Save Our Planet

One of the major solar energy advantages is that producing solar energy does not create greenhouse gas emissions or any other pollution. The alternative – burning fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil releases toxic emissions which are a main contributor to climate change. If we want to help the environment we need to produce less carbon dioxide (CO2) by burning less coal, gasoline and other fossil fuels and start generating more energy from renewable energy sources.

Create New Solar Jobs

The rapidly growing solar energy industry creates thousands of highly-skilled jobs in North America and Europe. Not only installer or engineering jobs are created but a large number of consultants, project managers, sales managers and office staff are needed.

Which of the solar energy advantages are the most important ones to you? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

Solar Panel Warranties: 3 Types Everyone Should Know About

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Before you commit to a solar installation Ask Your Solar Installer about Solar Panel Warranties or decide which solar installer to pick, it might be a good idea to spend some time looking into solar panel warranties and finding a solar panel warranty that your are comfortable with.

There are three different types of warranties for solar panels: an output warranty, a material warranty and a parts and labor warranty. Find out what you need to know about different solar panel warranties.

Solar Panel Warranties: Output Warranty Protects You For 20-25 Years

Output warranty covers the power your solar panels produce. You can claim your warranty if the power that is produced by your solar panels descends to less then 80% peak power output during the first 20-25 years.
Make sure that all warranty details are included in your contract and that you have them in writing. Ask about a detailed list of exactly what will be covered by your warranties. Note that there are separate manufacturer warranties for other components of the solar power system like batteries or power inverters.

Here are 5 questions you might want to ask your solar installer about solar panel warranties:

  • Who will be handling warranty claims and submit all warranty paperwork?
  • Who will honor the solar panel warranty?
  • What about the warranties of other components?
  • Does the warranty cover all aspects of removing, shipping and repairing or replacing solar panels?
  • What happens if the installer or the manufacturer go out of business in the next 20 years?

If the manufacturer is the one responsible for honoring warranty claims ask the installer for detailed information. Usually there will be a manufacturer’s website, a blog or a manual that has detailed information about any solar panel warranties.

Solar Panel Warranties: Material Warranty Covers You for 5-10 Years

Material warranty (sometimes called “materials and workmanship warranty”) is for any defects your solar panels experience over time. For example, if water gets into a solar panel or if solar panels get damaged in any other way. Solar panels are built to withstand hail, rain, snow and all other weather conditions that may cause a potential threat to photovoltaic cells.

Installer Warranties: The Warranty for Parts and Labor Covering 2-10 Years

You will also receive a “Parts and Labor Warranty” from your installer. Usually the installer offers a 2-year warranty when they install a solar power system. It will protect you if something goes wrong during the installation. Some premium installers offer a warranty for up to 10 years.

All solar panel warranties are different. Make sure to ask installers questions before you decide to sign a contract or even pick an installer. It’s also important to read the small print. It makes sense to compare bids, installers, solar panel systems and warranties. We recommend you get at least 3-4 different bids.

What helped you evaluating solar panel warranties? Which questions were most important to you? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

How climate affects solar panel performance

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Where you live, the surrounding landscape, the orientation of your house Solar Paneland the location of your solar power system all affect the performance of your solar panels because they are responsible for how much sunshine you will receive. The climate you live in also plays a very big role in determining how effective a solar panel is or will be.

Let’s take a closer look at how climate factors influence your solar panel’s ability to produce power and how you can use this knowledge to help enhance your solar panel performance.

Sunlight

Climate is responsible for how much sunlight you can expect in your area. The amount of sunlight you get depends on how far north or south you live and changes during the seasons.

Cloud cover

Even if you live in a cloudy region going solar might still be an economical choice for you. If there are lots of clouds it only means that light might not only be coming in directly from the sun but from many different directions. This is because clouds cause sunlight to spread out.

Humidity

All electrical connections are sensitive to humidity and tend to malfunction or fail entirely in an environment that is too humid. To prevent this all equipment junctions on your solar panels need to be sealed properly. Corrosion is another problem related to humidity and can also be caused by fog.

Snowfall

If you plan on locating solar panels on your roof keep track of where heavy snow buildups occur and which parts of your roof may be warmer and therefore carrying less snow. The warmer spots are better for placing solar panels, and usually are located close to chimneys or heaters.

Wind

If you live in a very windy region it might be required to use heavy-duty mounting equipment to prevent your solar system from being snatched off your roof. In cases like this, repairs can be expensive and loose parts may cause dangerous situations.

Smog

Smog and heavy air pollution affect the amount of sunlight you get and will lower the performance of your solar panels which means that they will produce less energy. Smog can be very corrosive as well. You might want to choose the material of your solar panels carefully to increase their average lifespan.

Temperature

Temperature is another factor that has an impact on your solar system’s output. Surprisingly solar panels are more productive on a cold but clear day than they are on a hot day with lots of sunlight. If you’re living in an area where there’s a big variation in temperature (very cold nights compared to very hot days) you’re going to need equipment that can endure constant changes in temperature.

Do you live in a cloudy region and solar power works for you? What convinced you to take the plunge and go solar? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

How to find the best location for your solar panels

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Before investing a large amount of money it’s usually a good idea to start evaluating the rooftop solar panelseconomic efficiency of your investment. With regard to your solar investment, economic efficiency includes finding the optimal location for your solar power system to ensure you get optimal access to the sun and maximum system performance.
In this blog post we’ll talk about the important factors that will help you determine the solar availability for a particular location on your site whether this may be a sunny space on your roof or a spot out on your yard.

Are solar panels a good fit for your roof?

A first step might be to determine whether or not your roof is eligible for solar panels. Therefore it is important to assess your roof’s

  • Size
  • Orientation
  • Shading
  • Condition
  • Insolation

Roof size

You can use images of your roof, or satellite images from Google Maps and physical measurements to locate an open space on your roof. Make sure there are no obstructions like a chimney or a plumbing vent in the way. If any of these are in the middle of the perfect roof space for your solar panels think about having them removed prior to the solar panel installation.

Roof orientation

The ideal orientation is south facing with no shade throughout the day, but solar can work on a variety of similar orientations (SW, SE and even E or W) depending on the amount of sun you get each day. If you want to know for sure pay attention to when your roof gets sunlight in the morning and at what time the sunlight stops in the evening.

Shading and vegetation close to the roof

If you’re looking for a site for your solar panels try to find a sunny spot that has little to no shade during 9 AM to 3PM. In order for your solar power system to perform well and be economically efficient you’ll need sufficient sunshine all year around. Make sure there are no big trees south of your roof that could block your access to the sun.

Roof condition

Check the condition of your roof prior to a solar panel installation. You can expect your solar power system to be productive for at least 20 to 25 years (maybe even longer). If your roof is already in a condition that it won’t last the next 5 years you may want to think about replacing the roof or part of the roof before you schedule an installation.

Roof insolation

There are a number of websites on the Internet to help you determine how much sunlight to expect in your area. We found a very good example where you can find out about the average annual sunshine your state gets.
Even if you live in a cloudy area that doesn’t mean that you can’t utilize solar power. It only means that light will be coming in at different angles which will affect the orientation of the solar panels.

If you’re planning to have your solar panels on a sunny spot on the yard, you may also apply our example about the different factors for analyzing your roof. Of course, in this case you won’t need to worry about your roof’s condition.

What other factors were important to you when choosing a site for your solar panels? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

Get ready for your solar panel installation – Part 2: Installation phase

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In last week’s post about the pre-installation phase we talked about things that need to be Rooftop Solar Panel Installationtaken care of prior to a solar panel installation. We presented how to avoid wasting precious time and how to best prepare for the installation.

This time we’re going to explain what to expect during the installation and commissioning phase so that you can get your solar panels installed faster and without any unpleasant surprises.

What to expect during and after the installation phase:

Installation

Once your equipment has arrived, your paperwork is complete and permits are approved, it’s time to schedule your solar panel installation. The installation of solar panels will take between 2 to 10 days (ground mounts can take more than a week). On the first day the installation crew will walk you through the installation process and inform you about the on-site schedule.

Inspections

When the solar panel installation is complete, a county inspector/local building official will take a look at the installation and certify it. For the inspection it’s important that your solar installer has a contractor’s license that can be presented to the inspector. Every utility-connected solar power system has to be inspected. It’s best to ask your solar installer about the inspection process in your area. The process differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Commissioning

After the initial inspection is completed, a last inspection by the utility company will follow. The utility might put in a new meter and will then connect you to the grid. Some utilities will send an email after the visit telling you when to turn on your system. Make sure to ask about the procedure during the site visit.

Connecting your system to the grid

Once you turned your system on it’s time to learn how to operate your solar power system. On the last day of installation the installer usually shows you how to operate your solar power system. You will also be given a user manual. If you have access  to a monitoring system you should check that it is operational.

Reviewing any last paperwork

If you bought the solar panels yourself, you’ll receive the final rebates once the system is installed and working properly. There’s paperwork to submit to utilities and state before you’ll get any rebate payments. Be sure to review, sign and return any paperwork necessary to your installer in time. If the installer gets paid the rebates directly, nothing needs to be done.

Insuring your solar panel system

Inform your insurance company about the new solar power system on your roof. They need to know about it in case of theft, vandalism or any storm-related damage.

Maintain and repair your solar panel system

Before turning on your system you should find out about how to properly operate your system and how to identify potential problems. It always helps to know what to look out for and to be aware of the location of any error lights. In the event that your system is broken you should notify your installer (even if you are under warranty) to let the installer know that there’s a problem that needs to be fixed so your system can produce electricity again.

Start saving money with your first utility bill

You should see substantial savings on your first utility bill. If that’s not the case, contact your utility.

Read the first part of this post to learn more about the pre-installation phase: Get ready for your solar panel installation – Part 1: Pre-installation phase. 

What helped you to save time during the installation and commissioning phase? Let us know in the comments section below.

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

Get ready for your solar panel installation – Part 1: Pre-installation phase

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The process of installing a solar power system for your home can take up to 90 days or solar panel installationmore. However, delays are to be expected – waiting for permits, rebate approvals or equipment – and can last up to several weeks.

With a solar panel installation too much money is at stake to rely on guesswork or cause unnecessary delays. There are a number of important things that need to be taken care of prior to a solar panel installation. You can avoid wasting precious time if you know what to expect and how to prepare.

In this blog post we’ll tell you everything you need to do during the pre-installation phase to get your solar panels installed smoothly and without any unnecessary delays.

What to expect in the pre-installation phase:

Perform an energy audit

With an energy audit you can find out how you use energy and how you can reduce power consumption. In some states it’s necessary to perform an energy audit before any rebates are granted. Make sure to be informed about requirements in your state prior to the solar panel installation.

Check your roof’s condition

In the event that you’ll need a new roof, our advice would be to take care of that first. It may cost a lot more if your solar panels need to be removed to replace the roof and then be installed again on your new roof.

Have your finance in place

If you are looking to finance your solar power system with a mortgage or a loan make sure you have your financing in place. You can’t sign any solar panel installation contract until the payment aspects are taken care of. It’s in your best interest to find out about solar rebates and incentives in your state. To get started, check out the DSIRE website by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Get multiple bids for your solar panel installation

Aim to receive as many estimates as possible. At Gridbid we recommend 3-4 bids from different solar installers in your area. Take a look at their website, pictures of their most  recent installations and read a couple of online reviews (if available). Make sure the installer you chose is a licensed contractor.

Select a qualified solar installer

Find the installer and bid that you trust and like most and discuss the terms of a contract. Make sure you check up on the timing of the costs with your solar installer including permits, fees, taxes, possible down payment and total costs as well as the timing for rebates and tax advantages. Ask any questions you might have about the system, the installation process, rebates, permits or previous solar installation projects.

Schedule a site visit

In order to give you an accurate quote the installer usually comes to your house to take a closer look at the situation. A site visit is also a good time to confirm the design, discuss the project, check the roof structure and talk about permit details. If you want to save time during the visit, have your last utility bill ready and know how much hours of sunshine your area gets per day. Basic roof measurements can also be very helpful.

Review and sign the paperwork

An experienced installer should be comfortable doing all the paper work for you, provide you with documents to sign and inform you on the progress of your applications. There are a number of documents that need to be prepared: e.g. Installation plans will need to be submitted to your local permitting office. If you are a member of a Homeowners Association you need to obtain approval for your solar panel installation.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the pre-installation phase of a solar power system. We are going to talk about the installation and commissioning phase in the second part of this blog post next week.

What questions did you ask your installer during your site visit?

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

Solar Lease or Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Which works better for you?

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Going solar can be a big investment. The good news is you don’t need to pay a large amount of money upfront to get solar panels on rooftop solar panel installationyour roof and enjoy the benefits of solar energy. We’re going to take a closer look at two of the most popular payment options everyone is talking about these days: solar lease and solar power purchase agreement (PPA). I’m sure you’ve heard both terms before. But can you really tell the difference?

In this blog post we’ll explain what solar lease and PPA are really about and highlight the benefits that homeowners may expect.

Solar Lease

A solar lease allows homeowners to take advantage of a solar power system without having to put up a large amount of cash upfront. A lease is usually a 20-year contract with a lease fee paid every month (fixed fee). Some leases have the same monthly fee for the 20 year duration, while others increase every 12 months. Monthly payments also include an electricity bill for any additional power that was consumed from the utility. These costs combined are usually still lower than your old monthly utility bill.
A solar lease gives you even more options:

  • You can choose to make a down payment
  • You can prepay for some of your electricity in advance which will result in a lower monthly bill
  • Or you can fully prepay your solar lease and avoid paying monthly lease fees

At the end of the lease the homeowner has the option to extend the lease, buy, upgrade or remove the solar power system.
Some installers offer the option to upgrade an existing system to a new solar power system with the latest technology. In the event that you sell your house during the 20-year-lease you can either transfer the lease to the new homeowner, buy out the solar panels or relocate the panels to your new home (additional costs apply).

Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

A solar power purchase agreement is a contract between a solar services provider (e.g. a solar installer or utility) and a homeowner to buy a certain amount of power based on a set rate. The homeowner gives permission to the solar services provider to install solar panels on his/her roof and agrees to purchase the electricity that is produced by the system. A solar power purchase agreement can range from 6 years up to 25 years and an interesting benefit of a PPA is that homeowners may buy their solar power system any time after year five.

A PPA is a performance-based, long-term arrangement where homeowners pay for the solar power the system produces (variable fee each month) and not for equipment, installation, maintenance or repair.

With both a solar lease and a PPA the solar services provider purchases the solar power system and takes care of the coordination of the project as well as all financing, design and permitting aspects. The solar services provider is also responsible for installation and maintenance and therefore benefits from financial advantages such as tax credits and government rebates.

Which has more benefits?

Whether you decide to go for a solar lease or a PPA, you’ll benefit from the same solar energy advantages:

  • Lower and predictable electricity rates
  • No high upfront costs
  • No system performance risks
  • No permitting processes to worry about
  • Increase in property value

By going solar you will also protect yourself from rising energy costs and produce less carbon dioxide (CO2) by burning less coal, gasoline and other fossil fuels.

How did you finance your solar power system? Are there any other benefits that we didn’t mention?

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

How to find the best solar panels for your home (Part 2)

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By reading our last blog post, you already know whether going solar is the right option for you but don’t know how to find a qualified solar installer, how many quotes you should get and what options you have to finance your solar panels. We have more answers for you in the second part of last week’s post.

What kind of information do I need in order to get a solar estimate?

A solar quote will give you an accurate estimate of what costs to expect for your solar panels installation. To get quotes from installers you’ll need to provide the following information: the location and composition of your roof, the average amount of shade your roof gets throughout the day, the average amount of your monthly electricity bill, your average monthly electricity usage (in kWh) and the name of your electricity provider.

How many different quotes from solar installers should I get?

At Gridbid we suggest that you get at least 3-4 quotes from different solar installers and compare the quotes and costs closely. If you get very different bids try to find out the reason and don’t automatically choose the lowest bid. To find out more about the quality standard it’s important to ask installers for a list of references and search for reviews online. Speaking with the owner of an older solar installation completed by an installer and the most recent one can also be a good idea.

Which solar installers are the most qualified in my area?

There are many online solar directories where you can find qualified installers in your area.  Another option is to post your roof on Gridbid’s solar auction website and receive multiple bids from solar installers.  All you need to do is to pick the best deal and think about what you’re going to do with the time and money you save.

What financing options do I have?

  • Solar lease: A solar lease allows home owners to take advantage of a solar power system without having to put up a large amount of cash up front. The lease is usually 20 years with a fee paid every month. At the end of the lease the home owner has the option to extend the lease, buy or remove the solar panels.
  • Solar power purchase agreement (PPA): A contract between a solar installer and a home owner to buy a certain amount of power based on a set rate. With a PPA you only pay for solar power not for equipment, installation or maintenance.
  • Mortgage based financing: There are energy-efficient financing programs available with low interest rates which are subsidized by the federal government such as energy efficient mortgages (EEMs).
  • Third party financing: A solar installation is owned by a third party (utility, city, solar installer, etc.). A lease or a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) are the most common forms of third party financing.
  • Self financing: Purchasing your own solar system allows you to benefit from the various solar incentives available from governments, utilities and manufacturers.  If you are able to afford your own solar system and it has estimated returns that are attractive, then self finance might be your best option. Plus you do not have to deal with monthly fees or a loan appearing on your credit report.

Some of these questions are more complex than others. We will continue to talk about solar related topics in our blog. Read: How to find the best solar panels for your home (Part 1)

How did you finance your solar power system?

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.

How to find the best solar panels for your home (Part 1)

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If you are looking to reduce your utility bill or you want to invest in renewable energy then solar power may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. New federal, state and local solar incentives as well as increasingly affordable solar panels are making going solar more attractive than ever before.

Thinking about going solar but need some answers first?

This blog post will provide you with the information you need to help you make the best decision for your home by answering some key questions you might have.

Are solar panels a good fit for your roof?

The first step in determining whether or not your roof is eligible for solar panels is to assess your roof’s size, orientation and shading. You can use one of a number of free solar calculators to help determine the optimal tilt for your solar panels, what system size you need and how much sunlight to expect in your area.

What type of solar panels are best for your home?

There are a variety of reputable solar dealers on the market including SunPower, known for their efficient panelling, Westinghouse, renown for their innovation and Kyocera, recognized as the most economical choice. It is important to keep your solar power system as simple as possible as this will allow the best return on investment. Make sure to do your research, listen to the recommendations of your installer and stick with a credible manufacturer in order to avoid problems with your warranty in the event you need replacement panels.

What are the costs and benefits of a solar panel installation?

The costs that home owners should be concerned with are net costs, which is the total amount paid for a solar power system. The net costs of a solar installation are much lower than the retail costs when buying your own solar power system because home owners can take advantage of a number of subsidies offered by the government, utilities and manufacturers. For a solar lease the net costs of a solar system are simply your monthly lease fees and any down payment.
A solar power system will help you save on your monthly utility bill. Given rising energy costs it is very likely that your savings will increase even more over time. Investing in solar panels for your home will also add more value to your property.

What are the solar rebates in California?

If you are purchasing your own solar power system there are different types of subsidies available. In California you can get up to 25% off the cost of a solar system in solar rebates from the government – depending on your system’s productivity. Another form of subsidies are federal tax credit programs, with the Investment Tax Credit for solar currently set at 30%. Furthermore rebate programs – called “net metering”- are also offered by some local utilities (i.e. SCE, LADWP, PG&E). However, government subsidies change often, so it might be a good idea to do an online search as well as ask your tax preparer and your solar installer about all the subsidies available for you.

We know you have more questions. That’s why we are going to provide you with more answers in the second part of this blog post. Read: How to find the best solar panels for your home (Part 2)

What is your experience with going solar?

About Gridbid:
Gridbid.com is the world’s first online auction for rooftop solar where building owners post their roof information and solar installers submit competing offers to complete their solar power system. Gridbid’s goal is to help building owners get their best deal on solar and solar installers find new customers.