Like any home improvement project, switching to solar may require some pre-planning. Our goal is to make your solar journey as easy as possible. Here, we’ll go over 10 important things to know before going solar and when choosing solar panels for your home in New England. These things include, but are not limited to, how to effectively monitor your solar system for efficiency, navigating various solar incentives, understanding how solar works in inclement weather, and more!
1. Plan for future electricity needs, not just your current usage
Most people who want to go solar want to accurately plan their solar project for the amount of energy they consume in their household. At Solaris, we specifically size your system to overproduce energy. This allows for a surplus of solar energy to be produced, especially during the sunnier months, so you can use net metering for some of your electricity and earn credits on your electric bill to use during less sunny months. Oversizing your solar system also plans for future electricity needs.
More Americans are using electricity than ever before. Over time, this puts strain on the grid, making electricity more expensive. As we move away from fossil fuels and bring more electricity-powered devices in our homes, electricity prices are only going to increase over time. Investing in a solar system today will keep your electric bills low and help you save considerably in the long run.
2. Pay close attention to the details of your area’s net metering policy
In Massachusetts, utility companies like Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil offer net metering in the areas that they service. This incentive allows you to sell the surplus electricity your solar panels create back to the grid, such as during the summer months, in exchange for credits that you can use when your system underproduces power, such as during the winter months. However, net metering is not available in some communities. With that being said, there are often generous solar rebates available in these communities in lieu of net metering. We can help you figure out if you are eligible for net metering or these rebates and help you maximize your earnings from your system. It’s important to choose a local solar installer like Solaris who knows the ins and outs of every program in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
3. Monitor your solar energy production
It’s important to monitor your solar panels to ensure things are running smoothly and efficiently. You can monitor your Solaris Renewables solar system on the MySolarEdge mobile app. This app allows you to check your solar production and kilowatt per hour generation right from your phone or smart device. If you notice a panel producing power irregularly, you can contact Solaris and we will check in on the production error. This is important to make sure you aren’t missing out on incentives that are based on your energy production.
While your system is warrantied and should be working great without any action on your end, you want to ensure you’re checking the energy production of your solar panels at least once a week. And, in the event something is ever wrong with your Solaris solar system, you can rely on the comprehensive warranties that are provided with each and every solar system we install. Just give us a call at 781-270-6555 and we can troubleshoot any issues you have.
Additionally, there are other technologies that can monitor energy in your home. We partner with Span to bring whole-home energy monitoring to our customers. With Span, homeowners can see their electric usage by the circuit. For instance, you can track just how much energy your stove is consuming versus your heating system and other appliances. This home energy monitoring platform pairs the data from the MySolarEdge app, so the homeowner can see how much energy they’re consuming versus how much energy they’re producing.
Most of our customers enjoy monitoring their solar system because the app’s user-friendly software makes it interesting, and even fun, to see and compare your electrical usage.
4. Own the system, it pays for itself (relatively quickly)
It’s important to note that buying and leasing solar have very different incentives. When you purchase your solar panels, you’re able to reap the benefits of your investment through programs such as net metering and federal and state tax credits .Whereas when you lease them, you are not eligible for these incentives. However, both options are significantly better than not having solar panels! Going solar lowers your electric bill, no matter how you go about paying for it. To better understand the difference between the various financing options, learn whether you should purchase or lease your solar panels.
5. Get the site ready
The process of installing solar could come with some upfront costs, like installing a new roof or removing any necessary trees that would hinder solar production. While the costs associated with a new roof or tree removal may seem daunting, one of the many incentives to buy solar panels includes a 30% tax credit on the total costs of your solar project. The Federal Solar Tax Credit is a federal program that allows you to receive 30% of your total solar project expenses on your next federal tax return. The majority of our customers choose to include the costs associated from a new roof, tree removal, or other service required to go solar into the total cost of the solar project.
6. Choose solar panels that produce a lot of power
Because the energy consumption in most households generally increases over time, it’s important to get powerful solar panels that will be durable over time and produce a lot of energy for your home. You’ll want to choose Tier 1 monocrystalline solar panels that are rated to produce 400 watts or more per panel. Our choice solar panels for most homeowners in New England are Maxeon, Solaria, or Certainteed panels due to their high energy output, durability, beautiful aesthetics, and many other factors.
7. Learn how solar panels behave in inclement weather
In New England, you can expect some stormy days. During winter blizzards, snow can pile up quickly and cover your solar panels. This blocks light from reaching the panels, limiting the amount of power they generate. However, snow doesn’t last as long on solar panels as it does on the rest of the roof. Solar panels are warmer than the rest of the roof and they have a slippery surface with less traction than roof shingles, so snow melts off relatively quickly. Before you know it, your panels will be producing power again.
No need to stress, though. Here at Solaris, we run estimated annual solar production reports for each customer before we build their system so they know exactly how much power they’re going to generate throughout the year. We take into account inclement weather and less-sunny months to generate a yearly solar production value that we guarantee to each of our customers.
8. Be careful of anything underneath your panels in the winter
Like we mentioned above, solar panels have a slippery surface with less traction than roof shingles. So, when the snow begins to melt during the next sunny day, heaps of it can come crashing down from a pitched roof. We recommend being aware of the area directly under your solar panel system and keeping it clear of fragile objects to prevent damage from the sliding snow.
Fortunately at Solaris, we customize the design for your system based on the specific characteristics of your home, so we’ll help you reduce potential landslides cascading from your roof. We also install ground-mounted systems. If you have enough available land, this is a great alternative to rooftop panels.
9. Remember that solar panels are recyclable
Even though premium solar panels are built to last 40 or more years, one concern of solar customers is that their solar system will have a negative impact on the environment after its time is up. However, most parts of solar panels are recyclable including glass and aluminum. Inverters, racking, and battery backup systems can also be recycled.
10. Work with a trusted installer with a history in the local solar market
It’s important that homeowners choose a local solar installer that has been in the solar business for quite some time. As a homeowner or business owner, you’ll want a solar company that is familiar with your local area and knows your local departments, policies, and procedures. Working with a local company, your installer and its headquarters aren’t too far away.
Being headquartered on the North Shore of Massachusetts, we know all about Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine solar incentives, building codes, and more. We have the knowledge and experience to get your project moving and built beautifully. You can also rest assured that, should a problem arise, a team member from Solaris will pick up on your first call. You and your access to efficient solar energy are our main priority. We recognize that solar is a long-term relationship, as you will have solar panels from Solaris on your home for decades, and we want to ensure that you are working with a company you can rely on.
It’s also important to choose a manufacturer who boasts top warranties. In order for a solar company to offer the highest warranties in the industry (comprehensive 30-40 year guarantees), the company must hold esteemed partnerships with premium solar manufacturers. Solaris has exclusive partnerships with top-tier solar manufacturers, providing our customers with access to the most comprehensive solar products and warranties in the industry. Throughout your entire solar journey, we’re here to provide support and maintenance, just give us a call!
When making the decision to go solar, it is important to choose an installer you can trust. Solaris has helped over thousands of homes and businesses transition to cleaner energy for over a decade. Still not convinced? Check out what our customers have to say!
Solaris Renewables Is Here To Help
While the benefits of going solar seem never-ending, there are many parts of the process that are crucial to consider before making the switch. When you try out our free solar assessment, our local experts will tell you everything you need to know about what going solar would look like for you. Reach out to our team today!
Go Solar With A Trusted Installer
Interested in learning more about how solar works in New England? Our team can answer any question you have about going green. We are your local experts in the solar industry!