FAQs Buying Solar Electric System by AET Solar

FAQ for buying a Solar Electric System

1. What is a Solar electric or photovoltaic system?

Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV)systems use the sun’s energy to make electricity. PV technology produces direct current electricity by collecting electrons by the interaction between sunlight and the semiconductor materials in a PV cell. Direct current is converted to alternating current and fed into the electric service box.

2. Why should I consider buying a PV system?

A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your utility or electric service provider. A PV system can save you money on your electricity bill and act as a hedge against future price increases. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean, renewable and reliable. You help your community by reducing the load on the utility grid and you can provide additional electricity for the grid when you generate more than you use during the day, when electricity demand is highest.

3. Do I have a good site for PV?

Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roof’s facing east and west may be OK. If a rooftop is not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground.

4. What should the size of my PV system be?

You can match the size of your system to your electricity needs and budget. The average household in California uses about 6,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. If your usage is typical of the average household, a system in the 3 to 4 kilowatt (kW) range would be adequate to meet most of your electricity needs.

To estimate the best system size for your house or business, examine your electricity usage for the last 12 months and apply this easy formula:

Annual Usage		1kW System Output		System Capacity
6,500 kWh	÷	1750 kWh	=	3.71 kW

A system with a capacity of 1 kW can produce about 1750 kWh per year. Divide your annual usage (in kWh per year) by 1750 kWh to get the system size (capacity in kilowatts) that would meet most of your electricity needs. If you want your PV system to meet half of your electricity needs, then you should size it to meet half of your annual electrical usage. Or you can offset only a small portion of your electricity bill with a single PV panel. If you size your system larger than your average electricity needs, for example to meet your highest electricity needs on summer afternoons, your system would generate more electricity than you could use during the rest of the year.

5. How much mounting space do I need?

A small PV system can use as little as 50 square feet. A larger system, to meet the needs of a typical household, would use between 300 to 600 square feet. As a rule of thumb, 100 square feet of PV area produces 1 kilowatt of electricity.

6. Are there any special features I should consider?

An inverter is needed to change the direct current (DC) power from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your electrical devices and to be compatible with the electric grid. Batteries can provide back-up power for your home or business in case of grid outages, but they also increase your costs.

7. How much does a PV system cost?

Although many factors affect the cost, an average PV system costs from $6 - $8 a watt or $12000 - $16000 - before Rebates and Tax Credits.

8. Are there any incentives or rebates available?

YES! California offers cash rebates on eligible PV systems. To find out what the current rebate level is, please contact our office at (619) 562-8800. Federal Tax Credits are also available.

9. Am I eligible for a rebate?

If you live in the electricity service territory of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company, you are eligible for the Emerging Renewables Program rebate. Either you or your system retailer can apply for the rebate.

10. Are there any financing programs available?

The best way to finance a PV system for your home is through a mortgage loan that includes a primary mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan secured by your property. If mortgage financing is not available, look for other sources such as conventional bank loans. A list of companies that finance PV systems can be found on the California Energy Commission’s Website at http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/financing_intro.html

We also provide solar funding through SunPower.

11. What do I need to know about connecting my PV system to the grid?

You will need to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with your utility. This agreement addresses the terms and conditions under which your system will be safely connected to the grid. The agreement also specifies the metering arrangements (called Net Metering). Net Metering allows you to “bank
any surplus electricity your system generates on the electric grid.