Solar FAQs

A solar energy system creates usable power from sunshine. There are two basic kinds of systems: Photovoltaic or PV uses sunlight to generate electricity. It’s the same technology found on pocket calculators, just on a larger scale. PV systems can be designed to generate the majority of the electricity used in your home, or just a portion of it.

Only shade can stop the solar panels from working. Solar panels work even when it’s raining or cloudy. For instance, Germany isn’t known for being a warm and sunny place but its solar power plants produce between 20-30% of all its energy daily. New Jersey and Massachusetts aren’t nearly as sunny as California or Arizona yet New Jersey now ranks 3rd in the country for solar capacity and Massachusetts ranks 4th. In fact, solar panels can work even in cold and snowy weather. Check out our blog post on ‘How Snow Makes Solar Panels Work Better‘ for more information.

Clouds don’t stop the solar UV rays from getting through and power production from Photovoltaic solar panels actually works most efficiently in colder temperatures. Optimum temperature for power production is around 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

Solar panels, which rely on sunlight to generate electricity, do not work at night. When the sun sets, solar panels go into a dormant state because they cannot produce electricity from darkness. They need the photons provided by sunlight to stimulate the flow of electrons in their semiconductor materials, thereby producing a current. However, this doesn’t mean solar energy can’t be used at night.

Energy produced during the day can be stored in a battery for use when the sun is not shining, including at nighttime. Moreover, depending on the grid system, surplus energy produced during the day can be fed back into the grid and then drawn back during the night, effectively using the grid as a storage system.

If properly installed, it should last 30-40 years. Systems that were installed in the 1970’s are still fully operational today. Technology has evolved so the systems from the 1970’s may not be as efficient as today’s technology.

With systems that we recommend, very little. PV systems are inherently very low-maintenance, requiring the system owner only to wash the solar panels down with water when they get dirty so light can get through. Rain usually takes care of cleaning your panels for you.

For more tips on maintaining and cleaning your solar panels, check out our blog post on ‘How Often Should You Get Your Solar Panels Cleaned?‘.

A kilowatt hour, or kWh, is a unit of measurement that equates to how much energy is used divided by an hour. Because the devices and systems that use energy in your home do not run constantly, kWh is used to measure just how much energy you’re actually using. For example, if you use a 100W lightbulb for 10 hours each day, you are using the equivalent of 1kWh (100W x 10 hours = 1000Wh = 1kWh) that day. If you maintain that use every day, that will equal 30kWh in a month for your lightbulb usage.

Your utility company most likely bills you on your home’s kWh usage each month. Nationwide, the average kWh usage a month is about 900, though that number can vary greatly per household depending on house size, amount of electronics, climate (more AC/heating), as well as many other factors.

Solar works by producing kilowattage with your panels, allowing you to use that energy and not have to pay the utility company for that energy usage. Because utility companies are constantly increasing the rates they charge per kWh used, solar helps avoid these rate increases by letting you produce energy yourself, rather than needing to buy it from the utility.

The cost of going solar depends on several factors, including your roof, electricity usage, equipment preferences, and financing option. Because every home is different, we provide personalized pricing during a free solar evaluation.

The good news is that you can still go solar with $0 upfront costs! Solar Energy World offers multiple $0-down options that make switching to solar more accessible without requiring a large upfront investment.

There are two ways to go solar for $0 down:

• Solar Lease: Install a solar system with $0 upfront costs and enjoy predictable monthly payments. Leasing allows you to benefit from solar energy without having to purchase the equipment or make a large initial investment.
• $0-Down Purchase: Own your solar system without paying anything upfront. Our financing options allow you to spread the cost of your system over time while enjoying the long-term benefits of ownership, including potential savings through available state incentives, net metering, and SRECs.

Whether you choose to lease or purchase, our financing options make it easier to transition to solar without the burden of a large upfront expense.

During your free solar evaluation, our team will review your roof, electricity usage, equipment preferences, and financing options to provide a personalized cost-benefit analysis. We’ll help you compare your options and find the right solution for your home and budget.

You don’t need a large upfront investment to start benefiting from solar. Explore our $0-down and financing options or contact us today to schedule your free solar evaluation.

There are three main types of solar panels:

• Monocrystalline: Highest efficiency and the most popular choice for homes, typically “triple black” in color for best aesthetics.
• Polycrystalline: Older technology that’s less common today
• Thin-Film: Lightweight panels often used for specialty applications

Solar Energy World primarily installs high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels because they deliver the best performance, appearance, and long-term value for homeowners.

If you sell your house, you may transfer the Lease to the new homeowner or purchase the system. You may prepay the remainder of the payments to make the transfer even more attractive to the new homeowner. Whichever option you choose, Solar Energy World will guide you through the process.

For most homeowners, solar offers long-term savings and energy independence.

Pros:

• Lower electric bills
• Protection from rising energy costs
• Increased home value
• Reduced pollution with green energy.

Cons:

• If you purchase a system, there is an upfront investment
• Not every home or roof can produce maximum solar power due to factors such as tree shade.
• Energy production from solar can vary in the short term due to weather factors like heavy cloud cover or snow cover.

Our team provides a free consultation to determine if solar is a smart investment for your home based on all factors affecting your specific property.

Every solar system is custom designed for your home and energy needs.

Our process includes:

1. Reviewing your energy usage and the property’s solar access.
2. Designing a system sized for your home and energy needs.
3. Creating a panel layout / series of arrays that maximize your solar production
4. Handling all engineering, permits, and utility approvals
5. Installing and activating your system
6. Servicing your system under warranty if needed, to ensured continued maximum power production.

The result is a solar energy system custom designed to maximize savings, performance, and long-term reliability.

At Solar Energy World, we pride ourselves on offering a seamless and straightforward solar installation process, beginning with our initial conversation and extending beyond the installation’s completion. Our proven approach is based on our “6 Steps for Success” method, which covers every aspect of your solar panel installation and is executed by our team of professionals. We believe in transparent communication, which is why we keep you informed at every step of the way, so you know what to expect. Visit our installation information page to learn more about our “6 Steps for Success” and other critical details.

The length of time it takes to install solar panels depends on several factors, such as the size of the system, the complexity of the installation, and the weather conditions. A typical residential solar panel installation takes around one to three days to complete. The installation process includes site assessment, design, permitting, installation, and final inspection. If you want to find out more about the installation plan, contact us today. 

Solar panels don’t damage a roof when they’re properly installed. In fact, they help protect the roof surface from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and other weathering from the elements.

At Solar Energy World, we:

• Inspect your roof before installation
• Use engineered mounting systems that distribute weight safely
• Properly seal and flash and warranty all roof penetrations
• Follow all local building codes and manufacturer requirements

Every system is custom designed to ensure your roof remains secure, watertight, and protected for years to come.

A solar energy system has several personal benefits:

• It’s a good investment in a sustainable future for yourself and your loved ones.

• It reduces your energy bill and the utility will buy back any extra electricity you generate if you own your system.

• Federal, local, and utility financial incentives are also available.

• It adds to the value of your home.
• You gain energy independence.

The ability of homeowners associations (HOAs) to restrict the installation of solar panels largely depends on the state laws. While many states, such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, have laws according to DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) that override any HOA contracts seeking to deny the right to install solar PV systems, there are still some states that don’t have such protections in place. In those areas, the HOA might have more power to restrict solar installations. Therefore, homeowners should check both their HOA agreement and local and state laws before proceeding with solar panel installation.

Fossil fuels are a leading cause of global warming and air pollution. Solar energy reduces the amount of fossil fuel that is burned, thus reducing the pollutants and CO² that get into the atmosphere. Solar panel systems that are recommended by Solar Energy World have the added benefits of very high efficiency, durability, and service life – they’re engineered for sustainability. This means fewer replacements and repairs, saving even more energy and precious resources.

You will still have power if you have a solar battery backup system installed along with your solar panels. Solar Energy World offers both solar panels and solar energy storage. When you schedule a free solar evaluation with us, it includes a detailed cost benefit analysis so you can decide if adding storage to your installation would make economic sense for you.

Solar energy is generated locally. The energy dollars stay at home, creating economic growth and benefiting your community. In addition, solar jobs are growing at more than 20 times the national average. Every 90 seconds*, another American home or business goes solar and every solar panel is installed by a worker whose job can’t be outsourced.

Currently, the US depends on fossil fuels, especially oil, from potentially unstable or unfriendly countries. These supplies are vulnerable to political upheaval, trade disputes, embargoes, and other disruptions. In 1973 we imported only about 34% of our oil, and yet the 1973 oil embargo was a serious blow to the economy. Today we import over 53%, and are more vulnerable every year. Solar energy can help reduce this dependency, making our economy, our nation, and your family more secure.