Acadiana Solar
Grid-Tie Solar Questions and Answers
1 Is my roof suitable for solar? Several factors determine the suitability of a roof for the instillation of Solar. A few of them are:
a. The age of the roof. The overall condition of the roof. The pitch of the roof. The direction or "azimuth" of the roof. The amount of roof that is affected by shading, etc.
3 How much can I put on my roof? Several factors determine the amount of Solar that can be installed on a roof. The primary factors are the physical size of the roof, the amount of roof that is affected by shading, vents that cannot be moved or modified, and the support structure of the roof.
4 Can Panels be put on Mobile Homes? Acadiana Solar will install Panels only on mobile homes that have roof structures made of 2" X 6" rafters.
5 Can I install only as much as my budget allows? There is no minimum amount of Solar that can be installed on a roof. Acadiana Solar designs projects according to the clients constraints and the physical limitations of the roof. The client may choose to reduce their bill by percentage, or have budget restrictions. Acadiana Solar will work with the client to produce the desired results.
6 How much does one Panel weigh? The weight of a Solar Panel is approximately 40 pounds.
7 How much space does one Solar Panel occupy? The size of a Solar Panel is approximately 3.5 feet by 5.5 feet. The size of the panel is determined by the wattage of the panel. The panel chosen for a project is the panel that best fits the clients goal and best fits the roof area.
8 Do I need Batteries? Conventional Grid tie systems use no batteries. Hybrid systems can be designed with batteries but become very expensive and require frequent maintenance. Should a back-up system be necessary it becomes more feasible to install a back up generator.
10 Will the power company pay me if I over produce? Should the Solar System have produced positive credits at the end of the year, the creditswill carry over to the next year. If excess credits are produced and the client decides to collect the credits, the account must be closed. At that time the credits will be paid but only at a 50% rate. Acadiana Solar designs its Net 0 systems so that the credits generated in months that the System over produces will be used up in months that the System under produces thus having no excess credits at the end of the year, and thus always having a dollar for dollar exchange rate on credits.
11 What about permits and interface with Utility and Codes? Acadiana Solar secures all permits and interfaces with Parish Codes and the Utility Companies.
12 Will I have a direct interface with the Utility company? Acadiana Solar secures Permits and schedules Inspections and the bi-directional meter change. The only interface the client has with the Utility is to sign the Net Metering Agreement.
13 How do you tie in my system to the utility company? Normally a grid-tie system is tied into the Utility Co. through the electrical service panel. Breakers are installed in the service panel that back-feed the panel with power from the Solar System. Any excess solar power produced is credited to your account by the utility company.
14 Why do I need a disconnect next to my meter? In times when the grid is down and work is required on the grid, the Utility company may elect to disconnect your system from the grid while the work is being preformed. This is a double safety precaution as the inverters shut down when the grid is not active.
15 Do I produce more electricity in the Summer or Winter? Energy production is higher in the Summer than in the Winter due to the added number of sun hours. However energy consumption may be higher in the summer due to the use of air conditioners. Therefore your Utility bill may be higher in the Summer than the winter.
16 How does the utility company give me my credits? The Utility company removes your existing meter and installs a bi-directional meter. The new meter records the power (kwh) that you take from the Utility and also records the amount of power (kwh) that you give to the Utility. The difference in the two readings is the net. If you give more to the Utility than you take from the Utility you have a positive net, and you receive credits for every kwh that you produce over the amount that you received from the Utility. When the sun is not shining you use your credits before you start paying for power from the Utility.
17 Can I transfer my credits from one bill to another? No
18 When will the utility install my bi-directional meter? Once the instillation is complete and your system has passed Parish Codes inspection, the utility will conduct its own inspection and install the bi-directional meter. By law they have up to 45 days to change it out.
19 Where will my inverter/inverters be installed? Acadiana Solar now uses Enphase Micro Inverters whenever possible. They are the most efficient inverters, they mount beneath the panels,( they are not visible) and now have a 25 year warranty equaling that of the panels. Conventional and Commercial inverters are usually installed in a location convenient for system operation and are aesthetically pleasing as possible.
20 Is the inverter weather proof? The Inverter is weather proof and designed to operate outside.
21 Is my roof protected by the panels? A roof is protected by the panels from direct sunlight (uv rays), direct rain, wind and hail. The roof area beneath the panels will age at a much slower rate than the part that is not under the array.
22 How will the Solar be attached to the roof? Depending on the type of roof there are various methods used to attach the panels. Acadiana Solar warrants our panels to be on the roof as long as the roof is on the house.
23 What about leaks in my roof? Acadiana Solar takes every precaution to prevent leaks and the best sealer is used for the various types of roofs. We have had no leaks in the 7 years that we have been in business.
24 What happens when I have to change my roof? Because the part of the roof that is under the panel ages at a much slower rate than the part not protected, the roof is often changed around the array and the roof under the array not changed. Should the entire roof need to be changed Acadiana Solar will remove and reinstall the panels for the going solar instillation rate.
25 What is the wind rating of the system? All of our systems are installed according to the Wind Code Ratings for the area. Acadiana Solar will also comply with client request should they desire a higher rating.
26 What about hurricanes if panels are destroyed? Should panels be destroyed or damaged due to any circumstances they will be covered by your home owners insurance as they are insured as part of the permanent structure.
27 Do I have power during a hurricane? If grid power is lost during a hurricane your inverters will shut down therefore you will be without power. If you need emergency power, Acadiana Solar recommends that you install a back up generator. They are now very affordable, much less expensive, and more maintenance free than a battery system.
28 What happens if there is problems with my system? Enphase and Acadiana Solar monitor your system over the internet and alert you should a problem arise. Acadiana Solar then schedules a convenient time with you to address the problem.
29 Do I have to clean the panels? Rain normally does a satisfactory job of cleaning the panel. During extended periods of no rain, heavy pollen, and dust rinsing the panels with a hose removes most of the particulates. Never use detergent on the panels.
30 What maintenance is required on system? There is virtually no maintenance on the system other than an occasional rinsing.
32 Are the panels affected by shading? Shading will affect the output of the panels. All shading issues are addressed and resolved prior to instillation. The Enphase Inverters used by Acadiana Solar minimize all shading effects should they develop after installation
33 What is the efficiency of the panels? Panel efficiency varies by panel type and manufacturer. Acadiana Solar always gives the client the best value for the money invested.
34 What is the warranty of the panels? The Panels have a 25 year Linear Performance Guarantee, and a 10 year product warranty.
35 What is the warranty of the inverter? The Enphase inverters have a 25 year replacement warranty.
37 What are the government incentives? The State of La incentive: The State is currently out of the money allotted for Solar Installs therefore, we cannot guarentee a refund will be given. The Federal incentive is a 30% tax credit.
38 How do I file for my government incentives? You file for your incentives when you file your income taxes. Acadiana Solar will provide all documentation necessary and a list of instructions for proper filing.
**For a full list of FAQ please visit our website***
