Solar panel installations make it look like a plug-and-play endeavor for most roofers and technical specialists. However, installing a solar panel, maintaining its performance, and ensuring it complies with all manufacturer warranty guidelines uses a fixed set of practices, equipment, and certification.
If you feel confused about some aspects of solar panel installation and performance, here are a few things to help you understand it well.
How Long Do Solar Panel Installations Take?
Solar panel installations usually take 2-3 days depending on the climate. Bad weather has delayed most projects to avoid premature solar panel damage and electric shock injuries. Take note that the installation process is much faster than the queuing period because most roofers and certified teams are helping properties similar to yours.
Here are a few more questions about solar panels that Revision Energy answers in the post below.
Will Solar Pay For Itself?
Within the next few years, you can recoup the money you spent on solar panel materials and installation. Solar can pay for itself with the enormous savings on power that you can have. Plus, using more systems can increase the chances of never using traditional coal power in the next few years.
Will solar pay for itself?
Many customers feel that the pride and peace of mind of solar ‘pays for itself’ as soon as the system powers on. From a financial point of view, solar will recoup the outright cash investment in roughly 12 years in Maine or New Hampshire (5 years in Massachusetts). Solar PV provides an 8-10% IRR over 20 years or is immediately cash-flow positive (or neutral) if financed (see: own your power). The system also helps lift the grid overall by providing highly valuable ‘peak’ electricity. With multi-billion dollar grid improvement projects already in place, the one certainty is that rates of grid electricity will go up. Maine’s CMP in is the middle of a $1 billion upgrade project and PSNH rate increases are on the rise due in part to costs to maintain older power plants.
What are the incentives of going solar or switching to electric heating?
Incentives change periodically, we keep an update to date guide to ME, NH & MA solar rebates. Until the end of 2023 you can expect a 26% federal tax credit taken when you file your yearly taxes, and some sort of state rebate that arrives as a check a few weeks after your system is installed. Maine currently does not have a state rebate. Massachusetts has an “SREC” program that offers additional cash incentives for solar power sold as carbon credits on an annual basis.
How bad are fracking, tar sands, and climate change?
Very bad. We have in-depth articles on problems with tar sands oil, fracking for natural gas, and the terrifying implications of climate change in Northern New England.
What’s better? Solar or wind power?
While we’re supportive of all forms of renewable energy, small-scale wind power is generally not cost-effective in the Northeast nor easy to site. In other words, you’ll get more electricity, dollar for dollar, by investing in solar instead of wind. Read on for more about: wind energy vs. solar energy. (Continue reading here to learn more)
You can always count on Roper Roofing and Solar to provide you with high-quality solar panel installations and servicing. Contact us today to get started.
