The CarbonFree Advantage

How Long Does It Take To Install a Solar Energy System?

As soon as it is clear that permits will be granted and applications for incentives accepted, we can order the necessary equipment. Because demand for solar equipment is currently very strong, in some cases delivery can take up to three months. In many other cases, however, it is shorter. Any work needed to prepare the site or reinforce the roof can take place prior to receipt of the equipment, and once it arrives the installation normally takes about a week.

What Do I Do About Maintenance?

Some photovoltaic systems are solid state and require very little maintenance other than the occasional cleaning. Others use motors to track the sun, while thermal systems use fluids and pumps requiring periodic inspection.

CarbonFree specifies the recommended maintenance interval in our projects, and we normally install a monitoring system to track system output and indicate any anomalies. We can also arrange for periodic cleaning and any necessary maintenance to be performed by a reliable local technician.

What Happens In a Blackout?

Aside from systems for remote locations, most of the systems we install are grid-connected. Because of restrictions related to time-of-use generation, the systems cannot use batteries and therefore do not generate power during a blackout. Off-grid systems we install in remote locations do use batteries in order to provide energy when the sun is not shining.

How Long Will the System Last?

Most photovoltaic panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Past experience shows that many last even longer. The balance of the system and most components for thermal installations come with a warranty of three to five years, and for electric systems the inverter typically needs to be replaced after ten to twelve years.

What If You Later Sell Your Building or Property?

If you choose to buy your solar energy system, it should add to the value of your building or property if it is later sold. Depending on the level of energy prices at that future time, the value of the system may be even more than you paid for it.

If you opt to enter into a contract for electricity or heating/cooling without purchasing the system outright, there is a clause enabling the transfer of the remainder of the contract to the buyer of the building or property, plus an option to terminate the contract early and have the equipment removed. Given that the energy prices under the contract are competitive from the start and likely to be even more valuable as market prices rise, the contract may add to the sale price you are able to obtain.

Solar Energy Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Have a Solar Energy System Installed?

Installing a solar energy system enables you to lock in electricity or heating/cooling costs, avoiding future uncertainty for the life of the system. Your organization can buy the system itself, or enter into a long-term contract with CarbonFree for the electricity or heating/cooling at fixed rates. With either solution you benefit from the knowledge that your organization is reducing its environmental footprint and helping prevent the climate change caused my most non-renewable sources of energy.

How do I Determine Whether My Facility is Appropriate?

Solar energy systems are normally installed on building rooftops or on the ground, although other options such as vertical wall mounting or parking lot canopies are also possible. Key criteria to consider include the amount of space available, the absence of shading from nearby buildings or trees, and, in the case of rooftops, the ability to withstand wind and deadweight loadings.

CarbonFree can work with you to determine which systems would work best for your facilities.

What Size System Do I Need?

The size of system needed is determined by your organization’s forecast energy needs, and how they relate to average daily sunshine levels. In order to arrive at an accurate estimate, CarbonFree would be happy to conduct a site visit and review past utility bills. In jurisdictions with net metering or feed-in tariffs, the potential exists to maximize output based on the rooftop or ground area available for a solar energy system, selling any excess energy back into the grid or to nearby users.

What Kind of Payback Can I Expect?

Depending on what you pay for energy and what local incentives are available, the payback can be expected to range from four to ten years. If you prefer to simply buy the energy rather than the equipment, you can expect to pay no more than you currently pay for the equivalent energy, but benefit from rates that are locked – avoiding unexpected increases.

What Permits Do I Need?

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need a connection impact assessment from your local utility, approval from your local municipality and an inspection by a qualified electrician or solar installer to ensure your system meets the national electrical code and local building code. Other environmental or building permits may be required, and most incentive programs also have significant paperwork associated with them. It is also important to check whether there are any property tax impacts from adding a solar energy system, but fortunately many jurisdictions now do not increase assessed values for solar. For each project we undertake, CarbonFree secures all necessary permits and analyzes the potential property tax impact if any.

Is a New Roof Needed First?

For rooftop applications, it is important that the remaining life of the roof is at least as long as the expected life of the solar energy system. For that reason a roof that is more than 10 years old may need to be replaced or reinforced prior to installing the solar energy system, while more recent roofs do not.