Solar FAQ

When you decide to install solar power, there is a positive indirect effect on the environment. Solar energy is a renewable resource that replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources.

According to a case study done by the Centre of Renewable Energy Sources and the Technical University of Crete’s Department of Environmental Engineering, solar energy technologies provide obvious environmental advantages in comparison to other conventional energy sources. Some of these advantages include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the prevention of toxic gas emissions, the ability to reclaim degraded and unused land, a reduction of required transmission lines of the electricity grids, and the improved quality of water resources.

While sometimes it may be difficult to see the direct environmental impacts of going solar, if you step back and look at the big picture, solar energy is a powerful way we can support our planet. Our current energy resources are finite. Making the switch to solar energy means you can collect and utilize a natural resource with unlimited potential without doing extra damage to the planet.

However, if you’re set on using solar to divest from the power grid entirely, we have a blog post that offers tips on how to do so and explains what to take into account. 

Electric companies will buy back the excess energy you do not utilize, which is called Net Energy Metering or NEM. In this way, solar energy can actually bring down the price of energy for everyone across the grid. When there is an increase in the amount of solar power being produced, the cost of energy during peak usage periods decreases. This is because the demand of energy the grid provides decreases.

Another step towards energy independence is being able to keep the lights on in the event of an official Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). A solar system alone won’t keep your power on, but if you have solar panels partnered with battery storage, you can stay up and running during rolling brownouts. Being energy independent can be your families and businesses’ solution to combating PSPS.

A typical solar installation with the Simply Solar team is a two day process. On day 1, your crew arrives and checks in with you. Your solar consultant will do a walkthrough with you and go through each step of the installation process. This gives you time to ask any questions and gives you a clear picture of what will be going on in your space during the next few days. When you give the green light, it is time for the equipment to be offloaded and the team to get to work! While the panel installation is happening on your roof, the electrical work is being done concurrently on the ground.

When the sun rises on day 2, it is time for the team to finish up any work that needs to be done, including the DC conduit connection to the roof inverter. In layman’s terms, all electrical connections will be checked to ensure that when it’s time to flip the switch to “on,” you’ll be able to celebrate a fully functioning solar panel system. It’s a quick, simple process when handled by the experts at Simply Solar!

Simply Solar will provide you with a full solar consultation—currently conducted virtually due to COVID-19—to answer all of your questions. We walk you through considerations such as these:

1. Is your roof in the right shape or are there some repairs that need to be done? You don’t want a shiny new solar system on a less than optimal roof!
2. Is your home in the right location to collect solar energy? We assess the shading, any other obstructions, and the direction your home faces. There are some alternatives to roof installation, like a ground mount solar panel system.
3. We will look over your existing bills and how long you have owned your home to assess what the costs will look like and how to maximize your return on investment.
4. We will look through energy storage options, and see if that makes sense for your installation and the usage you want to get out of your system.
5. Is your roof in the right shape? Are there some repairs that need to be done? You don’t want a shiny new solar system on a less-than-optimal roof.
6. Is your home in the right location to collect solar energy? We assess the shading, possible obstructions, and the direction your home faces. There are some alternatives to roof installation, like a ground mount solar panel system.
7. We will look over your existing bills and how long you have owned your home to assess your costs and how to maximize your return on investment.
8. We will look through energy storage options and determine the best one for your installation and the usage you want to get out of your system.

There is a lot of info out there about solar power in California. We are here to remove the intimidation, help you simplify, and empower you to make the best renewable energy choice for your unique situation. Read our blog post here for more information about questions to ask your solar installer. 

It depends on where you are located and the company you are working with. Typically, the process can take anywhere from 3-13 weeks depending on your location. Simply Solar will take care of all of your solar permits and documentation.

We let you know the timing up front and always take into consideration the solar permit timeframe when going through site assessment and system design. We know you’re ready to start saving on your electricity bill, and we will do what we can to make sure this happens in a timely fashion!

The most common delays come during the permitting process and the utility connection. The utility connection happens after the city or county does their final inspection of your panels connected to the grid. Unfortunately, we have little control over how long this process can take. This part of the project can sometimes last up to a month.

In the meantime, we will do everything we can to make going solar an easy experience for you. If the delays seem to extend longer than you anticipated, don’t worry. Give us a call, and we will reassure you that everything is going according to plan!

Should you ever require a new roof, we will remove your solar panels and reinstall them at your home free of charge.

How it works:

• Contract states “removal and reinstallation of the PV system.” This refers to the labor needed and does not refer to any replacement materials needed, nor does it include any permits needed if applicable
• System must be between 3 and 10 years after install to be eligible for this R&R service

• Installing a different roof material will require new mounting material
• If your roofer allows, we can leave the solar mounts in place, which helps lower the cost. This also means we don’t need to add penetrations to the roof later when reinstalling the system.
• We have a roofing division: Rockin’ Roofers and we would love to get you a quote
• If we do your reroof, then the materials for the Remove and Replace are covered by Simply Solar
• We will coordinate our crew or with your roofer to remove the solar system a few days before the reroof starts but need to hear from your roofer as to when they will be ready for us to reinstall the system. 
• The best time to let us know you are getting a reroof is at least a couple of months ahead of time. This gives us time to coordinate our crews who can be scheduled up to a few weeks out. 
• We will need to store the materials somewhere at your home/business. If you have no space available then please let us know and we can arrange to store it in our warehouse.

Yes, photovoltaic panels will work with either direct or indirect sunlight. Even in small doses, your panels collect the sun’s rays when it is foggy, cloudy, and even when the sky is full of ash during wildfires. 

This is also where NEM (Net Energy Metering) comes to the rescue. Excess solar energy generated by your panels during max sunlight hours will offset the cost of energy you pull from the grid when you need it at night or other times when your system isn’t operating at full capacity. It’s just another bonus to staying connected to the grid.

Solar systems are able to be set up on your homeowners insurance policy. Since your homeowners insurance is based on the value of your property, and solar panels are a part of your property, they will be covered. You may need to talk to your insurance provider to ensure you have enough coverage, but in most cases you will.

A trusted solar installer will ensure that building and fire codes are always taken into account when installing your solar panels. When installed properly, the racking systems that hold the panels to the roof can withstand very high winds and even minor earthquakes.

The impacts of most disasters are out of our control. One thing that a solar system can provide during certain disasters is a sense of security. If the power goes out and your system is set up with battery storage, you can keep the lights on.

Unfortunately, just because you install solar panels does not mean you are free to plug in every appliance in your home because you’re collecting “free” energy from the sun. When a trusted solar installer assesses your needs and sizes your solar system, they take into account your current and what your future energy use will be, so you are sized with a system that meets your needs.

Any change in your home’s residents (i.e., more people living in your home) will dramatically impact your energy usage. If you plan on having someone move into your home in the near future, it is important to let your solar consultant know. Typical kWH usage per person in a home is 250kW-300kW hours per month. The more people living in your home, the more solar panels you will need.

If you add new or large electrical devices to your solar system, this will also affect your usage. Some high impact devices include AC units, hot tubs, and small space heaters used to heat single rooms. 

To help monitor your usage, Simply Solar can provide an energy audit by using an amp meter to assess where the additional kW usage is coming from. We also have helpful tips for reducing your energy usage before and after solar installation. 

Continue to be vigilant and energy savvy. Be sure you understand your solar output, use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, turn off the lights, unplug unused appliances, and be cognizant of your energy usage on a daily basis.