Solar
We continuously monitor the market for suitable ways to reduce your energy bills and increase your home’s comfort. With the recent innovations in solar power technology, homeowners are able to generate low-cost clean energy on their roofs for only a small upfront investment. Fifteen percent of New England homes have a roof that is right for solar, which means over 54,000 families can take steps to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. If all 54,000 families went solar it would be as if 387,444 gallons of gasoline were never consumed.
The benefits of going solar include:
- Saving up to 25% on your electricity bills: When you go solar, you save money by locking in a lower rate for your electricity for the next twenty years which accumulates into tremendous savings.
- Protecting yourself from unpredictable utility rate increases for 20 years: Nationwide, electricity rates have been increasing at a rate of 6% per year over the last thirty years. When you go solar, you take control of your electricity costs by opting-out of variable utility rate increases.
- Increasing the value of your home: Adding solar panels to your home typically increases the resale value by 3 to 5 percent. Just think, if your home is valued at $300,000 then installing solar panels increases your home’s worth by $15,000.
- Reducing your greenhouse gas emissions: Over 15 years, using solar power for a 3-bedroom home (instead of fossil fuels) will offset over 80,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide. This is the same as if you walked 100,000 miles instead of drove. Electricity is the leading man-made contributor to global warming in the U.S. because it comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil which all release toxic emissions like carbon dioxide. Going solar reduces your dependence on fossil fuels by generating electricity from the sun.
- Reducing dependence on foreign fuel: Our increasing demand for energy has led to foreign wars, price spikes, and disasters like the Gulf oil spill. As we increase our dependence on foreign energy sources and funnel more money overseas, our economy suffers. Home solar is energy that is generated cleanly and safely in the U.S. and not only reduces our dependence on foreign fuel, but also creates jobs for people in our communities.
Next Steps
Call us at 866.867.8729 to request that your home be evaluated for its solar potential. If your roof is a good fit for solar, we can book a no-cost, no-obligation solar consultation on the spot.
One of our expert advisors will come to your home for a 60-90 minute visit which will include:
- A review of your current electric consumption
- An inspection of your home’s roof and electrical system
- An in-depth explanation of solar energy and how it works
- An overview of your custom designed system and how it can help you meet your needs
- A personalized estimate of the energy and financial savings you will see
- A discussion of your financing options as well as rebates and incentives available to you
- Time for you to ask questions and get all the answers you need to make an informed decision
How It Works
Solar energy is actually very simple. Solar panels on your roof turn sunlight into energy which you can then use as electricity.
How do panels turn sunlight into energy?
- Sunlight hits the solar panels on your roof. The solar panels, which are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, convert the photons in sunlight into electrons of direct current (DC) power.
- The DC power flows through the inverter, where it is converted to alternating current (AC). AC power is the type of electricity used by all the appliances in your home.
- The AC power then travels from the inverter to the electrical panel so you can use the power in your home.
- The meter monitors your solar power system’s production to ensure it is producing as it should.
- A bi-directional, or net meter, continually measures your electrical supply. When your solar power system produces more electricity than your home is using, your net meter will let your utility company know to give you credits for that. At night and on days when your home uses more electricity than your system is producing, you’ll use up those credits and draw electricity from the grid.
Affordability
There are two main options when investing in solar panels: owning or leasing.
If you choose to own the solar panels, then you can get started for a small upfront investment and begin making money immediately by leveraging the various incentives and rebate programs available to you.
If you choose to lease the panels from our partner, then our partner would provide you energy at a lower rate than if you received it from the electric companies allowing you to save money right away. Our partner would also insure, maintain and repair the panels throughout their lifetime at no cost to you.
Solar FAQ
What makes a roof good for solar?
The best roofs for solar are south-facing and have very little shade. On average, for every kilowatt (kW) installed, a home solar power system takes up about 100 square feet. Most residential systems are between 3 and 6 kW so the section of your roof that will have panels should generally be between 300 and 600 unobstructed square feet – 600 square feet is the amount of space needed to park approximately 10 cars.
What type of roof is best for solar panels?
The structural integrity and material of your roof are also important factors to consider. Solar works on many kinds of roofs, with the exceptions of slate and clay tile roofs. While a roof made of composite can be considered the best for solar panels, wood shake roofs, flat roofs or concrete roofs can all accommodate panels. Our advisor will inspect your roof for integrity prior to solar panels being installed in order to ensure everything is safe.
How long do solar panels last?
Most home solar power systems last between 25 and 35 years.
Will solar work if my roof is not new?
The solar panels on your roof will last for twenty plus years so you need to have twenty good years left on your roof. In general, we recommend your roof be less than fifteen years old when the panels are installed. You can do roof replacement or repairs once you have solar; however, it is likely to be more time consuming and expensive which is why we highly recommend taking care of any needed roof repairs prior to going solar. We offer sustainable roofing options that last up to 50 years and work well with solar panels.
What happens in bad weather or when it snows?
The ideal weather for solar panels is when there are no clouds in the sky. The system, however, is still producing in other kinds of weather. Just like at the beach, we all know that we can still get a sun burn even if it’s cloudy out. The same concept is true with solar panels. The system is still soaking up radiation even if it’s cloudy out and will produce about half as much as under full sun.
When there is a snowfall, the panels are usually the first things on the roof to melt the snow. If it is a significant amount of snow then it would most likely slide off the slippery glass surface due to the weight. The panels will not produce energy under snow.
Can the modules withstand high winds and hail?
The panels are supported by our roofer-designed mounting system that has been tested to withstand local historical wind gust record.
What happens when the power goes out?
The solar system shuts off as a safety feature to help protect both you and the local utility company’s line workers. It will automatically turn back on when the utility company restores power.
What kind of maintenance is involved with the solar system?
Little to no maintenance is required. The manufacturer recommends cleaning off the panel surface once a year to maintain its efficiency, preferably after the pollen falls in the spring just before prime summer production. As a rule, rain takes care of this most of the time.
What if I try to sell my house and the new homeowner doesn’t want solar panels?
Solar panels should be an asset in selling your home. Many studies have shown that for every dollar your system saves per year it adds 20 times that to your home value. That said, if the new owner is anti-solar the system can removed from the house. There is a cost involved in the removal of the system which varies pending its size and complexity.
