3680 Watt Double Pole Mount
Glover, Vermont
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Sunlight is the most plentiful energy resource on earth. |
What kind of system should I use?
What size solar system do I need for my home?
I’ve heard there are incentives to off-set the cost of installation. What are these incentives?
What is the rate of return on my investment in solar energy?
How long will solar panels, inverters, and batteries last?
Can I sell power back to my utility company?
Will the panels shed snow during a Vermont winter?
What is solar energy? The sun radiates energy in the form of photons. Solar panels collect these photons, transforming them into solar energy for electricity. This process of converting the sun’s energy into electricity is called photovoltaic.
What kind of system should I use? This depends on your situation. The following definitions will help you understand the different systems. Please contact us for more information.
We offer three types of photovoltaic systems:
Off-grid: All of the electricity needed is produced on-site and stored in a battery bank. This system is best for remote homes and camps where power lines are too expensive to bring in or non-existent. The important pieces of this system are the panels, the batteries, charge controller, and inverter. Learn more about off-grid solar.
Grid-tie: With this system, homeowners become their own power plant, with the solar panels generating electricity which is then used in the home. Excess power is sent back into the grid. The homeowner receives kW credits from the utility company. This is called Net Metering. Vermont has recently passed a law stating that utility companies must credit the homeowner at no less than .20/kW hour. The important components of this system are the panels and the inverter. Learn more about grid-tie solar.
Grid-tie with battery backup: This system is a hybrid design. There is the benefit of Net Metering from the grid-tie system, but power storage with batteries, like in an off-grid system. Some homeowners choose this option because they do not want to utilize a generator when grid power fails.
What size solar system do I need for my home? System size is determined by energy use. For grid-tie systems, we use the homeowner’s electric bill to help with this calculation. A load survey (a list of appliances, their power requirements, and how often they are used) is used when designing an off-grid system. As well, one’s budget and lifestyle are considered when designing a system. Energy use, and therefore system size, is directly related to lifestyle choices.
How much does a system cost? System size and cost are directly related to your power needs and energy use. The more energy you conserve, the less your system will cost. Be sure your appliances are energy-efficient, your light bulbs are compact fluorescents, and you practice “energy awareness”—this can involve simply using energy-efficient appliances or taking further measures such as air-drying clothes, using a comforter rather than an electric blanket, and so on. Again, energy use, and therefore system cost, is directly related to lifestyle choices.
I’ve heard there are incentives to off-set the cost of installation. What are these incentives? Incentives to purchase and design grid-tied systems are available from the state and federal government. Solartech is considered a “Solar Partner” with Renewable Energy Vermont. Therefore, our customers are qualified to receive state rebates upon completion of installation at a current rate of $.75 per DC watt installed. The amount of this incentive is based on the size of the solar array. The maximum allowed incentive for the latest round of funding is for a 10KW system which will result in a maximum incentive of $7,500.
The second incentive available to clients is a 30% federal income tax credit. Note that this is a credit toward taxes owed and not an income deduction. This tax credit can be rolled over for use in future tax years. Additional details are available from the IRS, from tax preparation services, or refer to IRS Form 5695.
Please note that off-grid systems qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit only. There are no state incentives for off-grid systems.
Lastly, there is no state sales tax on renewable energy investments.
For further information on incentives visit www.dsireusa.org. and see our chart of example costs for roof mount systems.
What is the rate of return on my investment in solar energy? The rate of return over 25 years averages around 15-25%—far better and much safer than the stock market, bond market, money markets, and long-term CDs. When all incentives are used and we forecast the rise in electricity rates (utility rates have steadily increased by 6.7% a year with a 30% jump in the last three years alone), your system will have paid for itself in approximately 8-10 years for commercial systems and 12 years for residential systems. Interestingly, if one considers the cost of power over the life span of the system, a homeowner will fix their rate of electricity at 8-12 cents per kWhr.
How long will solar panels, inverters, and batteries last? Solar panels have a 25 year warranty. However, panels installed 30 years ago are still generating power at 90% or better of their output rating.
Inverters have a 10 year warranty and are expected to continue functioning well for at least 20+ years.
Batteries, if properly maintained, will last for 10-15 years. Many homeowners successfully use their batteries for 15 years. With any systems we install that utilize a battery bank, we instruct the homeowner in proper battery bank care and maintenance. As well, we are always available for support.
Can I sell power back to my utility company? First of all, this depends on each state’s laws. However, Net Metering is the common way utility companies credit a homeowner for power they produce with their solar system. Contact us for information on Vermont laws.
Will the panels shed snow during a Vermont winter? Yes! With pole mounts, the angle of the panels is adjusted seasonally, and during the winter, the panels are at a steeper angle to catch the sun’s rays as it sits lower on the horizon. This steeper angle allows much of the snow to slide/melt off. You may also clear the panels with a soft brush broom or car broom. With roof mounts, the panels shed snow as the sun melts it. Once a small patch of panel is exposed, the panel heats up and the snow melts/slides off.