Frequently Asked Questions
my home and solar
Why should I switch to solar?
Residential solar energy systems represent an investment in the future of the planet, conserving non-renewable energy sources and protecting the environment.
In addition, solar panels and home batteries are becoming more affordable, accessible, resilient and efficient. They provide peace of mind and energy security for households when the power goes out or the next storm strikes. Unlike those from your utility, American Clean Energy Solar customers pay predictable, affordable rates for 20 to 25 years. With home solar, you get to control your energy future.
Is my home good for solar?
Our solar advisors can help you determine if your home is a good fit for solar at the moment. They’ll run a custom analysis of your home with our proprietary solar design technology and they’ll get a sense for your energy needs.
How many solar panels will my home need?
How much power do I need? Check your electric bills to see how many kilowatt hours (kWhs) you use throughout the year. We’ll go over this with you in detail during your free solar consultation to figure out just how much power your panels will need to produce.
What’s your climate like? The number of panels you need depends on how much sun reaches the ground where you are.
How much direct sun hits your roof? Shading, which direction your roof faces, and any aesthetic preferences you have can impact how big your system needs to be.
Will I notice anything different after I go solar?
The one key difference you will notice after switching to solar is in how you pay for your power. You will still receive a monthly bill from your utility company. If you have a monthly bill with Sunrun, you will have two separate bills.
How much energy you end up having to buy from your utility depends on the size of your solar system and how much electricity you’re actually using.
Will solar panels increase the value of my home?
(Source: https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/)
What happens during an installation?
Our local installation crews are experienced and efficient. A lot of times, they can complete installations in one day. Here’s what a typical installation day looks like:
Step 1 – Crew arrival and preparation
First things first. We introduce ourselves and map out where we’ll be working and parking our vehicles.
Step 2 – Review system design and equipment location
Your foreman will review the plans with you and confirm the equipment and where it will go.
Step 3 – System installation
The crew will install the solar panels and wiring on your roof, while the foreman installs your inverter and other electrical equipment.
Step 4 – Crew clean up
We clean up as construction winds down to make sure we leave your property exactly as we found it.
Step 5 – Final walk-through
Once installation is complete, your foreman will explain how your new home solar system works and how to power it on.
What happens to my roof when solar panels are installed?
One little known benefit, once the solar panels are on your roof, they can protect the underlying sections from normal weathering and increase its longevity.
What happens after I turn my system on?
For customers with a monthly bill, you will receive your first bill 30 days after you get the green light to turn on the system.
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How does a home solar system work?
1. Solar panels
Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to direct current electricity (DC electricity). As long as the sun ray’s are making contact with your roof, your panels are converting solar radiation into DC electricity. Even when it’s cloudy, you can still expect your panels to produce 10% to 25% of their normal output. But your electricity isn’t ready just yet. You’ll need an inverter to get the kind of power you need to turn the lights on.
2. Inverter
The inverter takes the DC electricity produced by your solar panels and turns it into alternating current electricity (AC electricity). It’s typically installed on an exterior wall of your house, or in the garage.
3. Main electric service panel
Solar electricity from your inverter flows to the electrical panel, and then into to your home where it powers your lights and appliances. If your panels generate more solar energy than you use, the excess power will flow to the utility grid. Even better? You might even earn energy credits from your local utility for the power you send.
4. American Clean Energy Solar meter
Your meter monitors your system production and sends the information to us through a wireless signal. Since it tracks your energy production 24/7, it will automatically alert American Clean Energy Solar if it detects problems or irregularities. That way, we can make sure your solar system is in the very best shape without you ever having to lift a finger.
5. Utility meter
When your system produces more than you need, the excess energy is sold back to your utility and credited to your monthly electric bill. When you need more energy than your solar system can produce, your home will automatically pull the energy from your utility. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.
What is installed as a part of a solar system?
Each home is different, and the equipment we install can vary from house to house. In general, here’s what you can expect.
1) Solar Panels
Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current electricity (DC).
2) Inverter
Your inverter tells energy where to flow and converts it into alternating current electricity (AC), so it can be used in your home.
3) American Clean Energy Solar Meter
Solar production is measured and monitored by your American Clean Energy Solar meter so we can make sure your system is producing as much energy as possible.
There are also a few pieces of equipment that you already have at your home that are connected to the solar system.
4) Main Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel distributes AC electricity to your entire home. You probably know it by its other name, “Fuse Box.”
5) Utility Meter
When the sun is shining, you may get all of your energy from solar, but due to things like weather, winter, and nighttime, you will still have to buy some energy the old-fashioned way. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.
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What is a kWh?
The more power an appliance consumes, the faster it will use up 1 kWh. For example, a power-hungry, 500-watt vacuum cleaner will use up a kWh in two hours, whereas the same amount of energy will power a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.
Your utility will track how many kWh your buy from them, as well as how many kWh you send into the grid.
American Clean Energy Solar will track how many kWh your solar panels produce.
Will my panels work when it is cloudy?
When we design our systems and estimate their production, we take in to account the amount of sunlight that your specific region receives each year. This means that your system will be sized appropriately for the amount of sunny (or cloudy) days you receive each year.
Will my panels work in winter?
Summer is when solar production peaks with the longest days of the year and consistent sunshine. During winter, solar production is at its lowest due to short days and more variable weather.
We design our systems with all four seasons in mind, and this seasonal fluctuation will be factored into your solar production estimate.
Do solar panels work at night?
Net Metering Makes the Most of Your Solar Production
Connecting your solar installation to the grid enables net metering. When your solar panels produce excess energy, it’s sent to the grid. The utility company then provides credit on your account. At night, you can apply those credits toward drawing electricity from the grid so your solar power never goes to waste.
Solar Battery Storage Offers Energy Independence
We use battery storage to make use of solar power at night. Solar batteries maximize your panels’ daytime energy production and provide electricity for later use. So instead of sending your excess electricity to the grid, store it and use your own energy. You’ll consume electricity from the battery first before drawing from the grid.
A home battery or net metering enable your solar installation to access free or reduced-cost electricity at night. That’s how solar is a 24/7 affordable energy option.
Will trees/shade impact my solar performance?
Will my solar system still work well after 25 years?
We design our solar agreements with the lifespan of our equipment in mind and have taken this expected decline in performance into account in our production estimates.
This means that after 25 years, your system should still be operating at around 88% of its original capacity and providing your home with clean, renewable energy.
What if my solar panels don't produce enough power?
When we’re designing your home solar system, we make sure it fits your household electricity needs, helping control your energy costs over time. We look at 12 months of past electricity usage to make sure your solar panels produce the the right amount of power for your home over the course of a full year.
Keep in mind that there’s the chance you’ll have an unseasonably hot summer that requires you to run the air conditioning more than usual. If that’s the case, you may have to use some extra electricity from your local utility, resulting in a slightly higher energy bill for that month. Your solar panels would still be producing the amount of power they’re supposed to—your higher-than-average energy usage will just need an added boost from the grid to support it.