Solar fAQ
Here you can find out some of the question we get asked every day, to help you
get a better understanding of the process and what you can get from your solar panels.
Q
How Can I Tell If My Home Is Solar-Ready?
A
To examine the practicality of solar systems for your property, a number of parameters are assessed. The best thing you can do when inquiring if your house is ready for solar is call us 😊 We'll set up a time for a thorough energy assessment at your leisure. A professional in 4Clean Energy Solar will assess every component of your property to estimate how much solar power it can generate, providing you with a clear picture of the worth and practicality of your investment.
Q
How long are my solar panels going to last?
A
Will my solar panels survive for a long time? Components, including the panels, should survive for at least 25 years when installing solar panels.
The panels, inverter system, and other parts are covered by our warranty. You can have peace of mind knowing that we'll be prepared to come and fix any system component that breaks down in the next 25 years.
Today's household solar systems are getting stronger and stronger. Some of the newest components, like the ones we use, may endure five to ten years over their original warranty, according to expert tests.
The panels, inverter system, and other parts are covered by our warranty. You can have peace of mind knowing that we'll be prepared to come and fix any system component that breaks down in the next 25 years.
Today's household solar systems are getting stronger and stronger. Some of the newest components, like the ones we use, may endure five to ten years over their original warranty, according to expert tests.
Q
Installing Solar Panels: How Long Does It Take?
A
A team will come to your house on the appointed day, fully stocked with everything they'll need to install your new solar panels. The vast majority of the labor required to set up solar energy systems in Long Island takes place in open air. In order to gain access to the electrical panel and connect everything, we will need to come inside the building, but only for a brief period of time.
We take pride in the meticulous condition of the spaces we operate in, and we clean as we go to guarantee that your home is left in as pristine a condition as when we first entered it.
The length of time required to finish the installation procedure? Depending on the scope of your job, we may be finished in as little as half a day or as much as two days. So that you know what to expect, we provide precise installation time estimates based on their size.
We take pride in the meticulous condition of the spaces we operate in, and we clean as we go to guarantee that your home is left in as pristine a condition as when we first entered it.
The length of time required to finish the installation procedure? Depending on the scope of your job, we may be finished in as little as half a day or as much as two days. So that you know what to expect, we provide precise installation time estimates based on their size.
Q
How frequently will I need to perform maintenance on my solar array?
A
Installing a solar energy system in your home will provide you with clean, reliable electricity with minimal upkeep. Modern systems are designed so that almost nothing can go wrong, and there are no moving parts.
Once every three to five years, cleaning becomes an issue. When you clean the solar panels, you get rid of the dust and organic debris that can accumulate on their surface. This maintenance will ensure that your solar panels continue to produce energy at the level you were expecting based on our original energy analysis.
Under a maintenance contract, we will clean your panels and keep them in good working order. We'll also look for any faults or damage, which should be impossible to miss.
In terms of home renovations, installing a solar energy system on the roof is as low-maintenance as it gets.
Once every three to five years, cleaning becomes an issue. When you clean the solar panels, you get rid of the dust and organic debris that can accumulate on their surface. This maintenance will ensure that your solar panels continue to produce energy at the level you were expecting based on our original energy analysis.
Under a maintenance contract, we will clean your panels and keep them in good working order. We'll also look for any faults or damage, which should be impossible to miss.
In terms of home renovations, installing a solar energy system on the roof is as low-maintenance as it gets.
Q
If I install solar panels, will I still get an electric bill?
A
In a nutshell, sure. Nonetheless, you may expect a significantly reduced cost from what you're used to seeing.
To calculate how much energy you can generate from solar in your home, we do a thorough energy study. You will have a good idea of the monthly production and savings potential before you give the go-ahead for the installation.
Once your solar array is operational and net metering is in place, any extra energy you generate will be stored in a "credit bank." A credit like this can be used to reduce future utility costs.
If you generate more energy than you use in a given month, your only cost will be the standard monthly hookup fee, which is around $12 to $15.
In the months where your consumption exceeds your production, your credit will be credited to your bill first, leaving you with way lower expenses than you had before solar.
To calculate how much energy you can generate from solar in your home, we do a thorough energy study. You will have a good idea of the monthly production and savings potential before you give the go-ahead for the installation.
Once your solar array is operational and net metering is in place, any extra energy you generate will be stored in a "credit bank." A credit like this can be used to reduce future utility costs.
If you generate more energy than you use in a given month, your only cost will be the standard monthly hookup fee, which is around $12 to $15.
In the months where your consumption exceeds your production, your credit will be credited to your bill first, leaving you with way lower expenses than you had before solar.
Q
During a Blackout, What Happens?
A
When there is a grid outage, a conventional panel layout will cause your system to go down. This function is for safety. During a blackout, the grid needs to be protected from incoming sources, which is why your home will stop exporting. This safeguards machinery and any linemen who could be engaged in power restoration.
Even though you have solar panels, you will lose power along with the rest of the grid in this scenario. Major blackouts do occur, despite how uncommon they are.
Localized power problems may cause trouble even without a significant blackout. You can take into account the following scenario if you desire steady electricity even during maintenance windows or brief blackouts.
Even though you have solar panels, you will lose power along with the rest of the grid in this scenario. Major blackouts do occur, despite how uncommon they are.
Localized power problems may cause trouble even without a significant blackout. You can take into account the following scenario if you desire steady electricity even during maintenance windows or brief blackouts.
Q
Can I Live Off-Grid Using Smart Solar Solutions?
A
You know firsthand how installing solar panels may save money and help the environment. You have just asked yourself one of the most crucial questions a homeowner may have.
Your home will still be wired into the grid even if you install smart solar solutions. Generally speaking, the rooftop solar panels won't be able to supply adequate power throughout the year. It is not technologically feasible at this time to install a battery backup capable of powering a family home for a prolonged period of time.
Instead, net metering allows you to store up credit on your energy bill during peak solar output months, which may be used to balance the power you draw from the grid in the off-season.
Your home will still be wired into the grid even if you install smart solar solutions. Generally speaking, the rooftop solar panels won't be able to supply adequate power throughout the year. It is not technologically feasible at this time to install a battery backup capable of powering a family home for a prolonged period of time.
Instead, net metering allows you to store up credit on your energy bill during peak solar output months, which may be used to balance the power you draw from the grid in the off-season.
Q
What Impact Do Solar Panels Have on My Home's Value?
A
Simple: Installing solar panels will raise the value of your home.
This is not simply conjecture. The real estate sector has been the subject of numerous studies. Homes with solar sold, on average, 4.1% to 4.5% more expensively across the United States in recent years, according to a reports.
Particularly when considering New York, the premium was significantly higher. According to the survey, solar-equipped homes sold for a 5.4% and more premium. It will be clear why that premium exists if you are aware of the exorbitant electricity bills (which, let's face it, we are all).
A buyer notices two things when they look at a home with solar panels:
They are not required to pay for the installation of such system.
When they generate most or all of their energy from solar, they will appreciate low electricity costs.
In other words, your green energy investment will grow into a valuable resource that isn't just for you. The solar system will be a selling point for potential purchasers if you decide to sell your house.
This is not simply conjecture. The real estate sector has been the subject of numerous studies. Homes with solar sold, on average, 4.1% to 4.5% more expensively across the United States in recent years, according to a reports.
Particularly when considering New York, the premium was significantly higher. According to the survey, solar-equipped homes sold for a 5.4% and more premium. It will be clear why that premium exists if you are aware of the exorbitant electricity bills (which, let's face it, we are all).
A buyer notices two things when they look at a home with solar panels:
They are not required to pay for the installation of such system.
When they generate most or all of their energy from solar, they will appreciate low electricity costs.
In other words, your green energy investment will grow into a valuable resource that isn't just for you. The solar system will be a selling point for potential purchasers if you decide to sell your house.
Q
What is solar net metering?
A
We consider the size of a residence, the amount of roof space available for panels, the location and slope of the roof, and any adjacent structures or trees that will shadow the panels throughout the day when constructing the suitable solution for you. We can determine how much solar a home will produce throughout the year using satellite pictures, drones, and software.
Solar energy is not constant. Because the sun is lower in the sky and the days are shorter in the winter, productivity is lower. There is plenty of sun and daylight hours in the summer, but you will most likely be consuming more power during this time, so you may wind up utilizing all or most of what you create.
Net metering allows for more control over changes in demand and solar panel production.
Solar energy is not constant. Because the sun is lower in the sky and the days are shorter in the winter, productivity is lower. There is plenty of sun and daylight hours in the summer, but you will most likely be consuming more power during this time, so you may wind up utilizing all or most of what you create.
Net metering allows for more control over changes in demand and solar panel production.
Q
What is the cost of solar panels?
A
A solar panel's price is decided by its capacity, the technology used to make it, the variant or model of the solar PV panel, quality, the manufacturer, and the brand. The price of a solar panel is frequently decided by the characteristics listed above, as well as similar criteria for the other components of the solar system.
Q
How should solar panels be cleaned?
A
To remove loose debris from solar panels, rinse them with clean water. Gently scrub the surface of the panels with a soft scrubber and soapy water from a bucket or mixing sprayer.
Most manufacturers recommend the cleaning of solar panels every six months. There are many professional panel cleaners in the market today or you can use automated cleaners that can be programmed to clean the panels as needed. One can use a garden hose to wash the face of the panels during either the early morning or in the evening. Care should be taken not to spray cold water onto hot panels or there could be a risk of cracking them.
Most manufacturers recommend the cleaning of solar panels every six months. There are many professional panel cleaners in the market today or you can use automated cleaners that can be programmed to clean the panels as needed. One can use a garden hose to wash the face of the panels during either the early morning or in the evening. Care should be taken not to spray cold water onto hot panels or there could be a risk of cracking them.
Q
What kind of maintenance is needed?
A
Most solar power systems can last years between checks. The pollen and dust that settle on your solar panels should be washed away by rain. If your system is in the shade of trees, you may need to prune and maintain the branches to prevent damage from falling limbs, reduce the amount of shade, and increase your yield. To keep your solar panels safe and ensure maximum winter energy output, you may need to shovel snow from your roof during exceptionally snowy winters. Except in cases of extremely heavy snowfall or prolonged freezing temperatures, snow will melt off of a tilted system. Homeowners are advised to avoid using metal or other hard surfaces when clearing snow from their solar panels, and instead use a tool specialized for solar panels instead.