Solar Energy FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about solar power:
Why Should I Have a Solar Energy System Installed?
Installing a solar energy system enables you to lock in electricity costs, avoiding future price uncertainty, or to earn lease income from the space used to host the system. 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. We can work with you to determine which systems would work best for your facility.
What Size System Do I Need?
The size of system needed is determined by your organization’s forecast energy needs, he availability of net metering, the amount of space available to host a system and in some cases by any limits to the incentives or tariffs available. We would be happy to conduct a site visit and these factors with you.
What Kind of Payback Can I Expect?
If you wish to buy a system outright, the simple payback can be expected to be in the range of 8 to 15 years, depending on what you pay for energy and what incentives are available. If you would prefer that we own the system, the benefits in many cases are immediate.
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 or other environmental or building permits. Most incentive programs also have significant paperwork associated with them. It is important to check whether there are any property tax impacts from adding a solar power system, but fortunately many jurisdictions now do not increase assessed values for solar. For each project we undertake, CarbonFree Technology secures all necessary permits and analyzes the potential property tax impact if any.
Is a New Roof Needed First?
For solar installations which sit directly on a building’s roof, the cost of removal and re-installation at a future date can be considerable. For this reason it is important that the roof has a long enough expected remaining life for the system to operate undisturbed and repay its initial investment cost. This period of time is often up to 20 years but in some cases it can be shorter. If your roof does not have a long expected remaining life, we would be happy to discuss other options with you, such as elevating the system above your roof by extending your building’s columns.
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. Delivery time typically ranges from six to 12 weeks. Our actual on-site installation time is less – typically under four weeks and in some cases only a matter of days.
What About Maintenance?
Most photovoltaic systems are solid state and require very little maintenance other than the occasional cleaning. Others use electric motors or hydraulic pumps in order to enable them to track the sun, with this equipment requiring periodic inspection. CarbonFree specifies the recommended maintenance interval in our projects, with a six month service interval common for the non-tracking systems. It is our standard practice to install a monitoring system to follow system output remotely and to flag any anomalies. We normally arrange for scheduled maintenance and any necessary cleaning to be performed for the life of the system.
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 is expected to last just as long, except for the DC-AC inverters which typically require a major servicing or replacement after 10 years.
What If You Later Sell Your Building or Property?
When buildings are sold, solar power systems are usually left in place and the ownership or contractual relationships transferred to the buyer. If you have bought the system, it should add value to your building or property when sold. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and roof lease agreements are also transferrable, and depending on the terms of the contract they have the potential to be very attractive to property buyers.
Other Questions
We would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Please e-mail your questions to info@carbonfreetechnology.com.
