What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system?

Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems use the sun's energy to make electricity. PV technology produces direct current electricity by collecting electrons freed by the interaction between sunlight and the semiconductor materials in a PV cell.

Why should I consider buying a PV system?

A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your utility or electric service provider. A PV system can save you money on your electricity bill and act as hedge against future price increases. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean, renewable and reliable. You help your community by reducing the load on the utility grid and you can provide additional electricity for the grid when you generate more than you use during the day, when electricity demand is highest.

Do I have a good site for PV?

Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west may be OK. If a rooftop is not available, your system can also be mounted on the ground.

What should the size of my PV system be?

You can match the size of your system to your electricity needs and budget. The average household in California uses about 6,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. If your usage is typical of the average household, a system in the 3 to 4 kilowatt (kW) range would be adequate to meet most of your electricity needs.

How much mounting space do I need?

A small PV system can use as little as 50 square feet. A larger system, to meet the needs of a typical household, would use between 300 to 600 square feet. As a rule of thumb, 100 square feet of PV area produces 1 kilowatt of electricity.

Are there any special features I should consider?

An inverter is needed to change the direct current (DC) power from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your electrical devices and to be compatible with the electric grid. Batteries can provide back-up power for your home or business in case of grid outages. but they also increase your cost.

How much does a PV system cost?

Although many factors effect the cost, an average PV costs from $9 to $10 dollars a watt, including installation, or $18,000 to $20,000 for a 2kW system.

Am I eligible for a rebate?

If you live in the electricity service territory of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company and San Diego Gas and Electric Company, you are eligible for the CPUC incentive rebate. We can help you to apply for the rebate.

Are there any financing programs available?

The best way to finance a PV system for your home is through a mortgage loan that includes a primary mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan secured by your property. If mortgage financing is not available, look for other sources such as conventional bank loans. We can help you to find a loan that fits your needs.

How does a residential System generate electricity?

A Solar Electric System generates clean natural solar electricity through the use of photovoltaic (PV) modules, which turn the sun's light energy directly into electric energy with use of an inverter.

How do I use the electricity from my System?

The electricity generated by your System works just like the electricity delivered by your local utility. After passing through a component called an inverter, the direct current (DC) electricity generated by photovoltaic panels is converted to alternating current (AC), the type of electricity that you normally access through the outlets in your home or business facility.

Will a Solar Electric System produce enough solar energy to handle all my home electricity needs?

Providing you have enough roof space and depending on your family´s electrical usage, a Solar Electric system can be designed to meet all of your ordinary electricity needs, but in most cases it is not necessary for a system to cover all of your needs in order to be cost-effective. For instance, if your utility charges are based on a tiered rate structure, you pay an incrementally higher rate for each Kilo-Watt Hour (kWh) that you use; in this case, simply eliminating the most expensive portion of your electricity usage has a noticeable effect on your monthly utility bill.

Will my home still need a utility provider? Do I need to be connected to the grid?

Yes, you will still need to be connected to the grid through your local utility. While you generate the bulk of your own electricity during the peak hours of daylight and demand, your utility will seamlessly take over and continue to supply your electricity at night and on very cloudy days.

How safe is a Solar Electric System?

Since solar systems are generally mounted in a low or no-traffic area, are virtually maintenance free, and have no moving parts, they are very safe. Your Solar Electric System carries all electrical certifications, including Underwriters Laboratory (UL listed) and IEC. Please remember, as with any electrical appliance, you should always use proper care when handling solar system components.

How durable is a Solar Electric System?

All Solar modules have passed a standard battery of tests and are built to withstand winds of up to 125 miles per hour and 1 inch hail. The inverters, racking, wiring and hardware supplied are all top quality products as well.

How long does a Solar Electric System last?

The heart of a Solar Electric System is the high quality Solar PV Module made to typically last for more than 30 years.

What is the warranty on an Solar System?

All Solar modules carry the manufacturers´ limited warranty covering them for up to 25 years. PV Powered, LLC inverters carry the manufacturer´s limited warranty covering them for 10 years. The installation company warrants the installation of the system for 10 years to conform to the CPUC incentive rebate requirements.

What happens at night?

Since solar or PV technology requires sunlight to produce electricity, your system will not produce electricity during the dark hours of the night. Your local utility will continue to supply your electricity at night.

What happens on cloudy days?

Since solar or PV technology requires sunlight to produce electricity, the bulk of your electricity production will take place in sunny conditions. Output is directly proportionate to the amount of sunlight available at any given moment, so systems can generate 50 — 70% of their typical output under bright overcast conditions but production will continue to diminish as less light reaches the surface of the solar modules.

What is Net Metering?

Net metering is a result of regulations that obligate utilities to allow excess energy generated by solar PV systems to be sent to the grid, thus spinning the meter backward. This arrangement allows all electricity produced by your Solar Electric System to be used to offset your utility bill.  When your Solar Electric System produces more electricity than you consume, your meter will spin backward.

What government incentives are available that will lower the price of a Solar Electric System?  Who will help me apply for the available incentives?

There are many different financial incentives available for solar electric systems both residential and commercial. However the advantage of purchasing from Solarperfect, Inc. via Costco Wholesale is that the Costco price reflects the California State Energy Commission financial incentives as partial credit towards the purchase of the system.  Solarperfect. Inc. will provide further information to you on the availability of any additional incentives

What happens during a power outage?

Your Solar System is designed to shut down during a power outage to prevent possible injury to those working to restore power.

What size system is right for my home?

The size you choose is a trade off between the amount of money you want to invest and the amount of electricity you want to produce. A typical US home uses approximately 13,000 kWh per year. You can ask your utility provider or you can look at your old electricity bill to calculate how much electricity your home typically uses. But remember, you do not need to cover all your electricity needs with a solar system to save money and add value to your home. Under the tiered rate structure used by most utilities, the solar electricity generated by a Solar Electric System can remove you from a higher charge bracket.

Will an Solar Electric System work at my home?

To have solar panels installed on your roof, you must first own a home that has enough roof space, free from obstructions and not shaded during the key sun hours of the day. Southern or Southwestern orientations are ideal but West-facing roofs can still capture over 80% of the power of a true south-facing roof. Both flat roofs and tilted roofs are fine. Ground mounted systems are also available. You also will How much does an Solar Electric System cost? need to have adequate space available on your electrical breaker panel.

How much does an Solar Electric System cost?

Generally, the total cost for purchasing the solar system is based on the size of system you require, the financial incentives that are available in your area, and the specific details of the layout of your home. Solarperfect, Inc. and Costco Wholesale make it easy and affordable for you to own a solar system and enjoy energy independence, while saving the environment.

Will I need approval from my homeowners association for a residential solar system?

Normally you will need approval from your architectural committee (consult your CCR´s and Association By-Laws). However, in the State of California any covenant or restriction that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable as a matter of law. California Civil Code §714.

Can I add battery back-up at a later date?

If you start out with a system that utilizes battery backup, it is easy to add more. However, if you start without any backup, it will be rather expensive to add batteries due to the high cost of adding a different type of inverter. Systems without battery-backup use a different inverter than those with battery backup.

How long will it take to install?

It typically takes 2 - 3 days for the professional installation.

What about the environment?

An Solar System uses no fuel and produces no pollutants. Our smallest systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions as effectively as planting a grove of 50 mature trees.