Solar FAQs

Why should I consider using solar?
Solar electricity is relatively maintenance-free, it's cost-effective, and after the break-even period it's essentially free power.

What is the difference between solar power and solar energy?
Nothing. Solar power and solar energy are synonyms for one another and are often used interchangeably.

How long has solar power been around?
Solar power is one of the oldest sources of energy. Technically, solar power has been around since the sun’s existence. But, recent history of solar power starts with the world’s first solar collector being built by Swiss scientist Horace de Saussare in 1767. In 1839, French physicist Edmond Becquerei observed the photoelectric effect, commonly known as the photovoltaic effect. This is the process through which a solar cell converts sunlight into electricity. This was the catalyst to solar power. In the 1880’s, visible light converting photovoltaic cells made of selenium were built. Approximately fifty years later, an American experimenter named Charles Fritts constructed the first solar cell which produced about 1-2% efficiency. Then, in 1981, the first commercial solar water heater was patented by the father of American solar energy, Clarence Kemp. William J. Bailley invented a solar collector in 1908. In 1954, Bell Telephone Laboratories produced a 4% efficiency silicon PV cell, and later accomplished 11% efficiency.  During the mid-1950’s, the first solar water heated office building was built by architect Frank Bridgers. Solar powered homes and businesses have since flourished.

How does a Sunpath solar power system generate electricity?
A SunPath solar power system generates electricity through the use of photovoltaic (PV) technology which turns the sun's light energy into direct current (DC) electricity. After passing through a component called an inverter, the (DC) electricity is converted to alternating current (AC), the type of electricity that you access through the outlets in your home.

Will I still need a utility provider? Will I need to be connected to the grid?
Unless you choose a stand-alone system with batteries, you will need to remain connected to the grid through your local utility company. While you generate most of your own electricity during the peak hours of daylight and demand, your utility will seamlessly take over to supply your electricity at night and on very cloudy days. For remote applications in which utility access is not feasible, stand-alone systems are ideal. With batteries that store your electricity, these systems are completely independent from the utility grid.

Will all my electricity needs be handled by a solar power system?
The amount of electricity generated by a SunPath system depends upon several factors. These include system size, your location, and environmental conditions. If you have enough space, a solar power system can be custom-sized to meet all of your electricity needs. It is rarely necessary for a system to cover all of your electricity needs to be cost-effective. In most cases, simply eliminating the peak periods of energy consumption has a noticeable effect on monthly utility bills. This is especially the case if your utility charges are based on a tiered rate structure in which you pay an incrementally higher rate for each kWh that you use. Your SunPath consultant will assist you in deciding what size system is best for you.

Average households use between 5,000 and 10,000 kilowatt hours per year. A 5,000 watt system will cover an area of approximately 450 square feet (15 X 30). A 10,000 watt system will cover twice that. A 5,000 watt system in Binghamton, NY will produce 5,601 kWh of energy per year. This is enough to run an average household and will fit on a average roof.

In what temperatures will a SunPath solar power system operate?
Our solar modules operate in temperatures ranging from -13 to 122 degrees F (-25 to 50 degrees C). Since PV modules generate electricity directly from light, not heat, solar modules actually function best in cooler temperatures.

What happens at night when there is no sunlight to power the solar energy system?
Since photovoltaic technology requires sunlight to generate electricity, your system will not produce during the dark hours of the night. Unless you purchase a system with a battery backup, your local utility will continue to supply your electricity at night. During sunny days when your solar system generates more power than you need, you send the excess energy to the utlility grid. When the sun goes down, you retrieve that energy from the grid. For stand-alone systems, the excess energy is retrieved from the battery.

What happens when it is overcast or cloudy?
Output is directly proportionate to the amount of sunlight available at any given moment. While your system will produce the bulk of your electricity when it is sunny, it can generate 50 — 70% of that output under bright overcast conditions. As cloud cover thickens, production will continue to diminish as less light reaches the surface of the modules.

What happens in utility electrical outages?
In any type of utility outage, only those stand-alone systems with battery backup will continue to have power. By law, any solar electric system without battery backup must shut down until utility power returns.

How safe is a SunPath solar power system?
Because they are generally mounted in low or no-traffic areas, are virtually maintenance free, and have no moving parts, solar power systems are very safe. SunPath system components carry all recommended electrical certifications, including Underwriters Laboratory (UL listed) and IEC. As with any electrical appliance, however, you should always use proper care when handling solar system components.

How much does a solar power system cost?
The total purchase and installation costs depend on the size of the system, available incentives and subsidies available in your area, and the specific layout of your home or structure. Our knowledgeable sales staff can provide a quote for designing and installing an entire solar system. Call us today at 858-228-5565 or click here to schedule an appointment for a quote.

Will my utility company pay me for the kilowatt-hours I export to the grid?
Net metering is a regulation that requires utilities to allow excess energy generated by solar electric systems to be sent to the grid. This arrangement allows all electricity produced by your SunPath system to be used to offset the remaining portion of your utility bill. The excess electricity is received as a credit. In most cases, you will not receive a check for the excess power. However, these laws are changing rapidly and utility companies may be required to purchase excess power from solar electric systems in the near future.

Will anyone at SunPath help me apply for the available incentives in my area?
SunPath will handle all of your paperwork, making it simple and convenient for you.

Will SunPath solar power systems work with my home and roof type?
To have solar panels installed on your roof, you must own a home that has enough roof space that is free from obstructions and not shaded during the key sunlight hours. The best location for a solar system is an un-shaded south or west facing roof. However, flat roofs can still capture over 80% of the power of a true south-facing roof. We will check your roof to determine the best solution. If your roof is unsuitable for solar panels, ground mount and pole mount systems are also available.

What size solar panels should I get?
A SunPath consultant will help you determine the size you need based on your usage needs, your location, your roof and other factors. However as a general rule, an average 2,500 sq. ft. single-family home uses about 5,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. A 3 kW (AC) system will generate nearly all of the electricity required for such a home on an annual basis. The only other condition in deciding proper system size is the amount of suitable space available on your roof. To be suitable, you must have unobstructed, non-shaded roof area, either flat or a sloped, at any orientation other than North. You need roughly 100 square feet of roof space for each kWp that you wish to produce.

The size of the system depends on a few factors. The key factor is your yearly kilowatt hour usage. You can get that figure from adding up all your kWh use per month if you happen to save your bills, or you can get it from the internet. Just Google your utility company, bring up your utility company and put in your account number. They will give you a two year history of kWh usage. Your yearly kWh figure can then be divided by a magic number to ultimately arrive at the number of kilowatts of photovoltaic power you will need to power your whole load. The other two factors are your geographic location (i.e. San Diego, California is a bit more sunny than say, Binghamton, NY), and the size of your roof or a sunny area near the house to put your panels. The magic number has to do with the number of full sun hours per year in your geographic location times the average efficiency of the entire system.

How much weight will a solar power system add to my roof?
The system weighs 2.5 pounds per square foot. A 1-kilowatt system is approximately 80 square feet. The weight density of our modules is similar to the weight of common asphalt shingle roofing material and can be used on almost any roof.

Will my Home Owners Association (HOA) allow me to install a solar power system?
In most states, such as California, is illegal for Home Owners Associations to prohibit the installation of solar devices, though some restrictions may be imposed. If you live outside California, you should review your homeowner's association bylaws.

How long does it take for the solar power system to be installed?
Residential Installation - It will typically take two-to-three days for a professional installation.

Commercial Installation - It depends on the size and complexity of the job. A small commercial installation can take 2-4 days, while a large, complex install can take 2-4 weeks.

Can I increase the size of my SunPath solar power system at a later date?
Yes, provided you have the available roof space.

Can I add battery back-up at a later date?
Yes, if you start with some battery backup, it is easy to add more. However, if you start without any backup, it will be more expensive to add batteries because you will need to add a different type of inverter.

How durable is a SunPath solar power system?
SunPath systems are very durable. Solar panels have passed a standard battery of tests and are built to withstand winds of up to 125 miles per hour and 1 inch balls of hail.

How long does a SunPath solar power system last?
The solar panels used in our power systems have a 40 year design life, and come with a 25 year warranty.

Can I get any size solar power system I want? For example, a really big system to sell back more energy to the utility company?
Answer: No. Most utility companies will only allow you a maximum amount of photovoltaics that they will "net meter" or pay you for the excess energy you produce above and beyond your own usage. Also, in New York State in order to receive incentives to install your system you cannot exceed 110% of your historical kWh usage.

What happens when it snows?
The panels won't produce when they are covered in snow. The good news is that they are extremely slippery and the snow slides off very easily. If there is a small corner of the panel exposed, it will create heat and a film of water will develop under the snow facilitating the snow removal.

How do I get started?
The first step is to get your kilowatt hour usage for the year. Once you have that, submit your information via SunPath's contact page. A SunPath representitive will be in touch with you shortly to conduct an initial needs analysis and then he will schedule a site visit.

How long will it take to have a system up and running?
Generally it takes 14 to 16 weeks from the signature on the contract to flipping the on switch. The actual installation may take anywhere from two to five days for a residential installation, and 2-4 weeks for a commercial installation. The long lead times center around paperwork and inspections.

Can I heat with photovoltaic panels if I heat with electricity?
Not the best application. Converting electricity to heating is an expensive way to use electricity. Try a ground source heat pump!

Which kind of solar energy should I buy?
There are basically 3 technologies to choose from:

• monocrystal (high output) -- the most efficient
• polycrystal (high output) -- almost as efficient as monocrystal
• thin film / amorphous (heat- and shade-tolerant) -- less efficient

Which type you should use depends on where you plan to install it. They all perform their best in full sunlight.

What makes the monocrystal and polycrystal output drop so much in shadows?
The high output modules have individual cells, and each cell can be thought of as a small battery. When you shade one cell, it's like taking a battery out of the (series) circuit. Think of the old Christmas tree lights - when one went out they all did. Thin film modules don't have individual cells, it's more like one big cell. The larger high output modules also have a bypass diode so that the cells are essentially divided into two separate circuits. When one cell in one of the circuits is shadowed, that whole circuit is down. But because the disabled circuit can be bypassed, the other circuit can still function.

If monocrystal is the most efficient, why would I even think about buying polycrystalline?
They come in different shapes and sizes. The difference in efficiency is small enough that available space is the more important issue here. Measure your space and choose the module that fits best. The most popular polycrystaline (Kyocera) tend to be more square, while the most popular mono-crystal (Shell) tend to be more rectangular.

What's the difference between solar cell, solar panel, and solar module?
A solar cell is one small (approx. 4"x4") area on the surface of a solar module. The module is made up of many solar cells set into a frame for support. A solar panel is several solar modules installed together on a rack. Put some racks together and you have a solar array.

What is Net-Metering?
Net-Metering is an advantage to owning a grid-interactive solar system. When you are using more power than your solar electric system is producing, you are saving money by not consuming energy from your electric utility. On the other hand, if you are consuming less energy than the system is producing at a specific time, then the excess power will be sent back into the utility grid, inherently causing the electric meter to run backwards. At this point, you are selling your electricity to the utility because they are using it to power other electric customers that do not have your innovative new solar electric system. The local utilities have different rate schedules for net metering. The utility usually charges a monthly metering charge in order to participate in the program. The utility will then pay the customer for the surplus electricity fed to the utility grid at a price lower than current retail rates.

Do I need special equipment for net metering?
Most utilities require that you install a meter specifically for net metering in addition to the normal electric meter you already use at your facility. This meter is a one time charge and will allow for cost savings on your energy bill when you are not consuming all of the power that your solar electric system produces.

Does my utility offer net metering?
On-site electric generators have been around for a long period of time. Therefore, most utilities have adopted some type of net metering program. Check with your local utility for details.

What incentives are available to me in my state?
The website for DSIRE is a great resource to find out what incentives are available to you: http://www.dsireusa.org.

How am I helping the environment by purchasing a solar electric system?
Solar systems continue to produce clean electricity for over 25 years, which avoids producing harmful emissions by utility providers who burn coal or oil to produce electricity. A single 100 kWac solar electric system can prevent more than 187,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in one year, equating to 420 barrels of oil.

Can I avoid electricity price increases?
Yes. Solar electric systems are a one-time capital investment. In fact, the solar panels are guaranteed to produce power for at least 25 years. Once the system has reached its simple payback, the system is producing free, clean electricity. Therefore, photovoltaic systems allow for a hedge against electricity price increases.

Can I really zero out my electric bill?
If you have enough physical space, you can install a photovoltaic system that can offset all of your electricity use. There are frequently other small charges for being connected to the utility. Depending on the utility and customers energy usage, it is frequently most economically attractive to not fully offset your energy usage. An SunPath Solar consultant can provide you with various economic scenarios based on system size. Contact SunPath today.

Are there special loans for installing residential solar power?

There are lenders that specialize in financing solar systems of all sizes. SunPath has established relationships with several solar system lenders. Contact us today to find out more.

Currently there are no state or federal sponsored financing programs for residential solar electric systems.

Why should I borrow money to pay for solar?
By making monthly payments to the utility you are already essentially financing an indefinite, variable rate loan from your utility company. Installing a solar power system allows you to “refinance” this loan at a fixed rate and term, pay less every month, and have your loan payments go towards ownership of a valuable asset. Additionally, using a home equity or mortgage loan can have tax advantages – you should consult a tax specialist for further details.

Is solar electricity really cost-effective?
It depends on a number of factors but frequently YES. With decreasing costs, the systems are becoming more attractive for a larger segment of the population. In fact, in many cases a solar system can provide returns higher than the stock market average. SunPath Solar can look at your specific situation and estimate what your return on investment will be and how much you will save over the life of the system. The economic attractiveness of the system is tied to what future utility rates will be. This is difficult to predict but historically rates have increased 5.5% annually since 1970.

Is an incentive program available?
Yes, incentives are available through the California Solar Initiative (CSI), which is authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The program, which began on January 1, 2007, has a total budget of $2.165 billion to be distributed over 10 years. Municipalities and local utilities may have different or additional incentives.

Are tax incentives available?
Yes, the U.S. government provides a tax credit for commercial and residential systems. This credit is equal to 1/3 the system cost but is capped at $2000 for residential customers. Contact the Internal Revenue Service or consult your tax preparer for additional information.

How does a solar electric system affect the value of my property?
According to The Appraisal Journal, Evidence of Rational Market Evaluations for Home Efficiency, a $1 decrease in your annual energy bills results in a $20 increase in your property value. Using this formula, one can estimate the impact to your property value by estimating system performance and utility costs.

Will my property taxes increase?
No. Despite the fact that your property value will increase, there is legislation that prevents your property taxes from increasing.

How long until my system realizes net savings?
If you finance your system as recommended, you may experience net savings as early as the first year. Instead of paying your monthly utility bill, you will make monthly loan payments for your PV system. You will effectively pay less for your loan over time than you currently pay your utility company. Solar power systems usually yield an initial return on investment of 7-11%. As utility rates increase your return will also increase. Systems will usually have a payback period of between 6-12 years. Your exact payback period will depend on your electrical usage, electric rate schedule, and cost of your system. In most cases the larger your electric bill the greater the return on investment and the faster the payback.

What is the California Solar Initiative (CSI)?
As part of the Governor's Million Solar Roofs program, California has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2017 - moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers. As of January 1, 2007, the $3.3 billion program consists of three components:

• The California Public Utilities Commission, through its California Solar Initiative, provides incentives over the next decade for existing residential homes and existing and new commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. The program is funded through revenues and collected from electric utility distribution rates.
• The California Energy Commission manages a 10-year, $400 million program to encourage solar in new home construction through its New Solar Homes Partnership.
• Local publicly-owned electric utilities will adopt, implement, and finance a solar initiative program by January 2008.