THE SESP BUYER’S GUIDE TO SOLAR FAQ’s

1.       What does PV stand for?
Photovoltaic—The process of converting light energy to electricity.

2.       Is Solar PV a good investment; are there financing options?
YES and YES!
Installing a Solar PV System on your house has proven to be better than most traditional investments like the Stock Market or Money Market accounts. Consider this an opportunity to stop the pay-as-you-go cycle and invest in your financial future with solar electric freedom.

3.       What 4 critical components are found in all interconnected systems?
A.  PV modules; aka solar panels or solar modules
B.  Inverter; use to convert DC to AC (see #5)
C.  Bi-directional meter; (see #6)
D.  Quality design, materials and installation, which can be found in abundance with Solar Electric Systems & Products (SESP).

4.       Are all solar panels the same; how do you choose?
No, there are four types of photovoltaic cells.  The major differences in these solar cells are their efficiency, quality and applications.  The most efficient cell is the Monocrystaline (single), followed by the Polycrystalline (multi).  The Amorphous and the Thin-film are much less efficient and therefore are not considered for most applications.  For most residential applications, the Mono or Poly are used.  However, SESP prefers to use the Monocrystalline panels for two primary reasons; their long term production (over 25 years guaranteed) and their superior efficiency.

5.       What does the inverter do?
Convert and manage Direct Current (DC) from the panels to Alternating Current (AC) and synchronizes the solar power energy with the electricity coming from the grid into the house.

6.       What is “net-metering”?
A key component for any grid-tied system, this refers to a meter provided and installed by the utility company which will record energy production (reverse direction) and energy consumption (forward direction).

7.       How do you determine what size system I need?
First, an SESP consultant reviews your annual power consumption (your kilowatt hours used), the energy efficiency of your home and your financial goals.  Then we consider where the optimal for the solar array and the exposure and tilt to the south to determine what size (kilowatts of power) will best meet your needs as the customer.

8.       Is the cost per watt the best way to comparison shop for a system?
No, there is no one way to make a comparison—a savvy buyer should consider; experience, quality of materials used, design, and ROI (return on investment). Warranties should be from companies that have a proven history with the BBB and who you can trust will be in business in the future.

9.       What is the “payback” period for a solar system and how long will it last?
Typical payback period is 7-10 years to break-even.  This is currently possible with the present rebates and tax incentives.  This could be shortened dramatically with the anticipated utility company rate increases.  A good quality system will produce power for 35 – 40 plus years with minimal maintenance.

10.    Should I purchase a system now or wait for prices to come down?
Purchase NOW!  Rebates have already gone down, and material costs are the lowest we have ever seen.  In part this is due to the struggling economy.  Now is the time to take advantage of the best opportunity this market has ever offered!

Other information for you to consider:

• Check out our photos of previous installations.
• We offer a FREE whole house energy audit.
• Our installation Warranty is 5 years on labor and materials.