Why Solar
• Solar energy systems reduce up to 100% your electricity costs, depending on system size. Utility prices are only going up every year. Solar energy provides you security from rising electricity rates.
• A solar electric system adds value to any home or building and pays for itself for years to come. And, your solar system adds value without increasing your property taxes.
• Solar is an environmentally responsible technology. Unlike fossil fuels, it does not emit pollutants which create harm to people and the environment.
• The current state and federal incentives for solar can save up to 80% of your system cost. State rebates can drop every six months, so make your reservation now!
• It is a proven technology with panels that are backed by a 25-year manufacturer warranty.
Photovoltaics (PV) or solar cells as they are often called, are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Groups of PV cells are electrically configured into modules and arrays, which can be used to charge batteries, operate motors, and to power any number of electrical loads. With the appropriate power conversion equipment, PV systems can produce alternating current (AC) compatible with any conventional appliances, and can operate in parallel with, and interconnected to,
the utility grid.
A typical silicon PV cell is composed of a thin wafer consisting of an ultra-thin layer of N-type silicon on top of a thicker layer of P-type silicon. An electrical field is created near the top surface of the cell where these two materials are in contact, called the P-N junction. When sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell, this electrical field provides momentum and direction to light-stimulated electrons, resulting in a flow of current when the solar cell is connected to an electrical load.
Net Metering
source: us department of energy
Net metering allows homeowners to receive the full value for the electricity that their solar energy system produces. The term, net metering, refers to the method of accounting for the electricity production of a photovoltaic or wind energy system. Net metering allows homeowners with such systems to use any excess electricity they produce to offset their electric bill. As the homeowner's system produces electricity, the kilowatts are first used for any electric appliances in the home. If more electricity is produced from the system than is needed by the homeowner, the extra kilowatts are fed into the utility grid.
Under net metering, the electric meter of the customer will run backwards when their solar electric system is producing more energy than they need to operate their home at that time. The excess electricity produced is fed into the utility grid and sold to the utility.
At the end of the month, if the customer has generated more electricity than that used, the utility credits the net excess generated kilowatt-hours. If the customer uses more electricity than they generate, they pay the difference.
