Solar panels have been around for decades, but they’ve seen an increase in popularity in recent years. While you have many brands to choose from, SunPower solar systems are ranked among the very best. They boast world-record efficiency ratings, have impressive longevity and give you the best bang for your buck.
As you continue researching solar systems for your Rockland or Orange County home, use this homeowner’s guide to help you learn more about the process of installing, using and maintaining solar panels so you know what to expect.
Financing Solar Panels
The upfront cost to invest in solar energy is a major reason why many homeowners in Rockland and Orange County have yet to go solar. However, what many people don’t realize is you can offset a great deal of the upfront cost with cash rebates, refunds and tax credits. You can then offset further costs throughout the life of the system with net metering and property tax exemptions.
If you prefer not to pay upfront, you have the option to lease your solar panels or take out a loan. With these options, you pay $0 down and still enjoy monthly savings on your energy bill as you gradually pay off your lease or loan. No matter what financing option you choose, it’s a win-win situation.
Saving with Solar Panels
SunPower solar systems can power anything that runs on electricity. This includes your air conditioner, heat pump, electric furnace, electric water heater, lights, appliances, hot tub and more. The amount of money you save each month depends on the size of the solar system you install, the amount of sun your solar panels soak up and how much energy your home uses.
You can install any size system you want, from a single panel to two dozen panels and more. Flexible systems let you start small and add more panels in the future if you wish. If your SunPower solar system generates more electricity than you need, net metering allows you to sell excess energy back to the grid, resulting in a credit that decreases your energy bills even further.
Installing Your Solar System
SunPower solar systems require professional installation from a qualified contractor. Acquiring building permits, scheduling inspections and going through the utility approval process are all steps best left to a professional, not to mention the complex installation process itself.
From carefully heaving hefty panels to the roof to making electrical adjustments and linking the system with the grid, it’s a sound choice to leave the solar system installation to a professional.
The entire process takes about three months, beginning with a site assessment, system design and permit application. The installation itself only takes one to three days, depending on the size and scope of the system. Once inspections are complete and the utility approves and activates the system, you can begin taking advantage of the sun’s limitless energy and enjoying your savings.
Solar Panel Longevity
SunPower solar systems come with two impressive warranties. The first is a 25-year product warranty. It states that if anything happens to your solar panels within the first 25 years of use, your installer will repair or replace any malfunctioning components free of charge.
It’s very rare for a homeowner to make a warranty claim as only 1 out of every 20,000 SunPower solar panels is ever returned under warranty. In addition, SunPower solar systems often last 40 years or longer.
The second is a 25-year power warranty. The warranty states that, in 25 years, SunPower panels will continue to produce at least 80 to 90% of the electricity they produced on day one of installation. This means, in addition to a long life, you can expect SunPower panels to retain excellent power production throughout the years.
A slow degradation rate combined with superior efficiency means a SunPower solar system produces 70% more electricity than conventional panels in the first 25 years of use.
Maintaining a Solar System
With few moving parts, SunPower solar systems hardly ever break down and require very little maintenance. All you need to worry about is keeping the panels free from shade and other obstructions that block sunlight. For this reason, you might want to occasionally brush or rinse off the panels, though rainfall takes care of this maintenance step for you on most occasions.
With a web-based personalized monitoring system, you can check on the panels’ energy production in real-time. If you ever notice a drop in production, that’s a sign you need to check for excessive dust, leaves or snow blocking the sun from reaching the solar panels.
Now that you feel more confident about what to expect from SunPower solar systems, get in touch with a dealer near you today to ask any further questions or to start the installation process.
