Solar Panels Q & A

Questions

What’s SREC?

An SREC is an acronym for solar renewable energy credits. It’s a trade-able method that represents environmental advantages of electricity developed from clean energy sources. One SREC represents 1 megawatt hour of electricity.

Also, individual state Solar Energy Grant Programs and the Solar Federal Income Tax Credit, Maryland residents who have installed a renewable pv system can receive and sell SRECs as well.

Is a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) transferable?

If you sell your residence, you may transfer the PPA to the new homeowner or purchase the solar pv system. You can prepay the remainder of the payments due under the PPA. This concept could make the transfer more tempting to the potential homeowner during this transaction.

What regular maintenance do panels need?

Most of the time, solar pv systems are low-maintenance. The owner must only wash the panels down with water when they get dirty so light can get through.

How long will my panel system last?

If properly installed, it should last about 30-40 years.

If there is a power outage, will my panel system continue to produce energy?

For safety reasons, your grid-tied system automatically switches off when there is a power outage. If you include a battery storage system, your pv system will continue to harvest and use energy when the network is down. Having a clean energy battery with your system allows energy self consumption and energy independence.

Can my homeowners association hinder me from installing panels?

No it cannot. Based on the DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency), “HOAs are barred from restricting a homeowner’s right to install solar panels. States which have laws that override any HOA contracts seeking to deny the right to install solar PV systems include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.”

Can renewable energy improve national security?

The United States depends on oil from potentially shaky or hostile nations. These resources have potential to bring political chaos, trade wars, and embargoes. Over 53% are imported annually and clean energy could reduce this dependency. Thus making our economy and nation more secure.

What is a kilowatt hour?

This is what you pay when you buy energy from the local utility. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit for measuring energy. It’s one kilowatt of power used over a period of one hour.

What’s net-metering?

Net metering’s billing mechanism credits panel system owners for the electricity they provide to the grid. If a residence is net-metered, it operates backwards to provide credit against what electricity is used at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output. Customers are only billed for their “net” energy use.

Conclusion

Renewable power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save. Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.

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