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Why should I invest in a solar PV system now?

Eliminate your net electric bill, use current incentives. High-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) systems combined with state rebates, federal tax credits, depreciation and California’s Net Energy Metering program, create very favorable financial incentives for installing a solar system now.

Declare energy independence. Invest in a solar PV system and generate your own electricity from sunlight — a clean, silent, renewable energy source with no emissions.

Enjoy long-term solar life expectancy. With PV panels’ 20+ year warranty and 40+ year life span, your solar system will last for years to come, sheltering you from rising electricity rates.

Add value to your property. Solar systems are exempt from property taxes, but the value of a solar system is added to the appraised value of a property. It’s one of the few home improvements that can be justified in terms of return on invested dollar.

How does a solar PV system work?

PV solar systems consist of modular panels made of silicon, which react directly to sunlight by generating electric current. An inverter changes the DC (direct current) generated by the panels into AC (alternating current).

What does a solar PV system look like?

North American Solar designs and mounts PV panels to minimize visual impact and maximize aesthetic appeal. Flush roof-mounted systems are most common, but sometimes systems are installed on open ground away from a building. North American Solar clients approve the system design before installation.

How long does it take to install?

Installation time depends on the size of the system. Average residential systems rarely take more than one week to complete.

How much does a PV system cost?

System cost depends on size, materials and labor. Most systems pay for themselves within a few years. Keep in mind that each PV system is sized to the unique annual energy needs of each customer. Systems aren’t sized for square footage, but designed to replace the total amount of electricity you use annually. Please contact an North American Solar Energy Consultant for a free site analysis and detailed explanation of system costs.

Are there rebates or financial incentives?

The Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems is 30% of the system’s net cost
The Internal Revenue Code has a 5-Year Accelerated Depreciation Schedule for commercial solar systems
Lucrative state rebates are available for residential, commercial and public works solar projects.
Solar systems are exempt from California property taxes, but the value of a solar system adds to the appraised value of a property

Can I really use a PV system to sell power to the utility company?

Yes! Solar PV systems are tied to the utility grid through inverters. Inverters track kilowatt-hour (kWh) production every day. When a solar system produces more electricity than is used, the inverter sends the surplus energy to the grid, the electric meter "spins backwards" and the utility credits the owner for the surplus energy at the same retail rate that it charges for electricity during that period. If you’re on an optional Time-of-Use net energy metering schedule, the utility credits your account during peak rate periods at several times the off-peak rates. This helps to reduce the size of your solar installation, and can actually zero out your electric bill over the course of each year.

Is financing available?

Yes. Please discuss financing options with one of our Energy Consultants.

How much will I save on my electric bill?

Optimally, your system will be designed to eliminate your electric bill. However, restrictions on space, budget or sunlight exposure may affect the size of the system that can be installed.

I’ve decided to GO solar! what is the process?

First, North American Solar inspects your site, building or home. We evaluate a year’s worth of electric bills to create a profile of annual energy needs. Next we design a system tailored for your site, and present the design in a proposal. After you approve the design, North American Solar orders the materials for your system and starts the required paperwork for local building permits and state rebates.

The installation process begins. Once installation is complete and the system is interconnected we will meet with you to go through your PV Service Guide and introduce you to our outstanding Customer Service Department.

What size system do I need?

North American Solar tailors PV systems to the unique energy needs of each customer. A detailed site and energy analysis is necessary to determine appropriate system size.

What kind of permits do I need? Does a solar power system have to meet local building code?

North American Solar builds turnkey systems. We obtain all necessary building and electrical permits for each system. And yes, Your PV system must be inspected and meet local building and national electrical codes.

Do I need a battery backup?

No. North American Solar PV systems connect to the local utility grid. No batteries are necessary. On sunny days, the solar system sends surplus energy to the grid for credit on your utility bill. The utility provides the power at night and on rainy days, and you tap into the credit your solar system earned on sunny days.

How do I maintain my solar PV system?

Solar PV systems are designed and installed to be low-maintenance and repair-free. They are solid state technology and have no moving parts. Panels benefit from being hosed off with water twice a year, especially after long periods without rain.

How do I know if my system is working?

Your system is working if the green inverter light is on. We also ask you to send consecutive electric bills every six months, so that we can analyze usage and actual system production. Our dedicated Customer Service specialists are available to address any concerns long after system installation.

What Do I Do If Something Breaks?

Call our Customer Service Department. North American Solar warranties each system we install for ten years, and will perform any replacements or repairs within that time.

What if my roof needs repair after the solar panels are installed?

A roof inspection (and any necessary repair) is recommended prior to a PV installation. If roof replacement is needed after installation, North American Solar can temporarily disconnect, remove, and then reinstall the solar panels for an hourly fee.

Why is PV mounted at an angle?

Reason 1: Keeping modules in the sun
The more sunlight modules collect, the more electricity they produce. In the northern hemisphere, the sun moves across the sky at an angle to the earth and dramatically changes position in the sky between summer and winter. Flat-mounted PV modules lose much of the sunlight they could potentially collect because it reaches the panels at a sharp angle, bouncing off the glass surface.

Reason 2: Keeping modules cool
PV modules generate electricity from light, not heat; in fact, heat reduces electric production because of resistance. In the same way that a computer has fans to cool the silicon chips, solar modules in a tilted position allow for cool air to flow across their front and back surfaces. Heat gain from the sun is radiated from the front and back of a tilted module, cooling the panel, lowering resistance and raising productivity.

Reason 3: Keeping modules clean
Dust in the air gathers on PV modules just like it does on a car. The fine coating of dust that dulls a car’s finish also reflects sunlight off the surface of a PV module—preventing light from penetrating to the module to thus generate electricity. Flat-mounted PV modules gather more dust, and when it rains dirt puddles on the surface of each module. Rain washes dust off tilted PV modules. It is recommended in dry periods to spray dust off PV modules with a hose.

Reason 4: Keeping modules efficient
Solar PV modules tilted to the sun run cool and clean and generate electricity efficiently. When they are allowed to produce at peak efficiency, fewer PV modules, and less space to mount them, are needed to meet energy production targets. This in turn saves space, the cost of additional modules and the cost of installing them.