• What size PV solar electric system will I need?
• Will installing a PV solar electric system increase the value of my property?
• How much roof space is required to install a PV solar electric system?
• Where are PV Solar systems installed?
• Does it matter what type of roof I have?
• What is the life expectancy of a PV solar electric system?
• Who handles the permits and rebate paperwork?
• Is there any system maintenance required?
• Can the homeowner sell excess electricity that they generate back to their utility company?
• Will my PV solar electric system provide power to my home during outages?
• What size solar panels should I get?
• What happens when it is overcast or cloudy?
• Does a solar power system produce harmful emissions?
• How much does a PV solar electric system cost?
• Can I increase the size of my PV solar electric system at a later date?
• Can I add battery back-up at a later date?
• Will my Homeowner’s Association allow me to install a PV solar electric system?
• Can I install a PV solar electric system that is larger than I need and sell back excess energy to the utility company?
• What is a Net-Metering agreement?
• How am I helping the environment by purchasing a PV solar electric system?
• Why should I borrow money to pay for solar?
• Is solar electricity really cost-effective?
• Are tax incentives available?
• Will my property taxes increase?

What size PV solar electric system will I need? ↑Top
The size of the system will depend on the amount of electrical consumption that you want to offset. Most households are capable of eliminating 100% of their usage based upon efficient system design and budget considerations.

Will installing a PV solar electric system increase the value of my property? ↑Top
Yes. You receive an increase of approximately $5.50 in value for every kilowatt of electricity that you offset through a PV solar power system. Best of all, your property taxes do not increase as a result of the increased value.

How much roof space is required to install a PV solar electric system? ↑Top
Generally, a roof-mounted system will require approximately 18 square feet per solar panel installed. So, a 3,000 watt (3kW) system would require approximately 230 square feet of unobstructed roof surface.

Where are PV Solar systems installed?↑Top
Solar systems can be ground mounted or roof mounted. Roof mounts also include patio cover and carport installations.

Does it matter what type of roof I have?↑Top
No. We provide mounting systems for all roof types and pitches. It is essential that solar installers use proper mounting hardware to ensure that all penetrations resist leaking and provide an effective barrier against water leaks and environmental degradation. Sealing compounds must always be applied to mounting fasteners and locations where cutting of roofing materials is required.

What is the life expectancy of a PV solar electric system? ↑Top
PV solar panels are warranted to perform for 25 years and frequently last well beyond. Many high-quality panels are still producing 40 years after installation, though at somewhat less efficiency.

Who handles the permits and rebate paperwork?↑Top
DS Energy Solutions manages the rebate application process for you and ensures that you receive the incentives you were promised. From filing the paperwork to system start-up, DS Energy Solutions provides seamless coverage of all the details required to bring your system online and without any hassles.

Is there any system maintenance required?↑Top
We recommend cleaning the panels as needed which is often no more than hosing them off. Other than that, there are no moving parts or wear components.

Can the homeowner sell excess electricity that they generate back to their utility company?↑Top
Yes. You will enter into a net-metering agreement with your utility company that allows you to be paid for excess electricity that you generate. The utility credits your account monthly for excess generation and pays you annually for the amount you generated over what you consumed.

Will my PV solar electric system provide power to my home during outages? ↑Top
During an electrical outage, your system will not produce electricity to your home unless a battery-storage unit has been installed to provide back-up generation. The Net-Metering agreement with your utility company prohibits introducing power back into the grid during outages.

What size solar panels should I get? ↑Top
Each panel exhibits unique performance, size, and cost characteristics. Considerations are made based upon which panel and associated components will perform best at meeting budgetary and space-allocation requirements. Consumers may be surprised to learn that some situations allow less efficient panels to be used that actually meet or exceed output requirements and provide greater cost savings over higher efficiency panels.

What happens when it is overcast or cloudy? ↑Top
Your PV solar system continues to produce electricity at reduced output. Even though the system is producing less electricity during this period, the design and size of the system takes into consideration days of full, medium, and minimal output. Annually, the system produces the amount required to offset the utility bill.

Does a solar power system produce harmful emissions? ↑Top
No. Electricity coming from the panels is considered DC current and does not contain harmful radiation. Once the solar power reaches the inverter, it is converted to AC power and enters the home just as electricity does from the utility.

How much does a PV solar electric system cost? ↑Top
System component and installation costs are calculated at a cost-per-watt. For example, the price of a system sized at 4.5 KW (4,500 watts) is calculated by multiplying 4,500 X by the price-per-watt. If the price-per-watt is $4.90, then the total installed price is 4,500 X $4.90 = $22,050 before incentives.

Can I increase the size of my PV solar electric system at a later date? ↑Top
Yes.

Can I add battery back-up at a later date? ↑Top
Yes.

Will my Homeowner’s Association allow me to install a PV solar electric system? ↑Top
In California, no HOA can interfere with a solar project. As for other states, they are starting to follow California's way of handling solar projects. Some HOA's just require a submission of your plans.

Can I install a PV solar electric system that is larger than I need and sell back excess energy to the utility company?↑Top
No. Your system size cannot produce more electricity than was consumed in the past 12 months. Many homeowners perform energy audits and upgrades before buying a PV solar power system so their system size can be reduced thus saving thousands of dollars.

What is a Net-Metering agreement? ↑Top
This agreement states your rights and responsibilities as an energy producer and also the responsibilities of the utility company offering to buy your electricity. Key to this agreement is the contractual obligation the utility company honors makes to buy back excess electricity that you have generated at the current market rate.

How am I helping the environment by purchasing a PV solar electric system? ↑Top
Creating and harnessing solar energy reduces the need for petroleum, natural gas, coal, and wood products that are presently used in abundance as energy sources. Solar energy is highly abundant and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions which are thought to contribute to global warming.

Why should I borrow money to pay for solar?↑Top
Many consider the installation of a PV solar power system to be an investment in reducing future rate and tariff increases. In most cases, a homeowner can obtain a loan that is equal to or less than the amount they are paying in annual electric costs. This actually increases their monthly cash-flow, eliminates or reduces their electric bill, and provides funding for a permanent solution to spiraling electric costs. And the best part, the system continues to provide a permanent solution for more than the 25 years for which it is warranted.

Is solar electricity really cost-effective?↑Top
Yes. Consider that in a short period of time after the system is paid off, you will pay little or nothing for energy costs. Since financing most systems costs less or equal to the amount presently being paid to the utility company, you choose when to finally eliminate electric costs instead of letting the utility company decide how much to dominate you with ever-increasing rates hikes.

Are tax incentives available?↑Top
Yes. There is a 30% federal tax credit available to qualified homeowners. Please consult with a tax advisor to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Will my property taxes increase?↑Top
No. Even though the value of the home will increase by approximately $5.50 in value for every kilowatt of electricity that you offset through a PV solar power system, the property tax will not increase.