Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions we are often asked concerning adding solar to businesses. If you don't see an answer to your question, be sure to contact us. We'll be glad to discuss your solar options in depth.

Do the panels need to face south?
What happens if the panels are shaded?
How does the power get stored?
Do I need batteries with the system?
What happens when the utility has a power outage?
What electrical service can a solar PV system support?
Are the panels fragile?
How much space does the system need?
How much solar electric power do I need to power my facility?
How much power does the system produce?
How long does it take to install a solar energy system?
Do I need to install a new roof before the solar panels are installed?
Our building’s roof is flat will that work with solar PV?
What about my roof’s integrity if I have solar panels mounted on it?
Will the roof support the added dead load of the system?                           
Will the solar panel mounting system interfere with roof drainage?                   
How long will the system last?
What is Net Metering?
Are there incentives for buying solar electricity?
Do I need to clean the panels periodically?
What happens if the panels get covered by snow?
Should I wait for the technology to improve?

 

Do the panels need to face south?
South is best, but panels installed facing southeast or southwest still generate a very high percentage of possible power. Usually on large commercial roofs, there is enough available area to position the system in a southern orientation. Ground mounts are another option. A site evaluation will determine this.

What happens if the panels are shaded?
PV panels should be installed in areas where they get significant shade-free sun every day, ideally from 9AM - 3PM. Even small amounts of shade can very significantly reduce the output. Our designs and installations also seek to minimize the impact of any shade issues through selection of the proper equipment and good engineering. Mechanical units and vent stacks are shade producing elements on commercial roof that have to be taken into consideration when designing the system. SDHW collectors are more tolerant of shade than PV panels.

How does the power get stored?
In a Clean Power, non-battery system, power is not stored. It is either used immediately in the facility, or sent backwards through the meter, creating a credit. Solar Hot Water (SHW) is stored in tanks on site.

Do I need batteries with the system?
Batteries are not required for a commercial grid tied system, the utility acts as your “battery” by supplying your required power when it exceeds the production by the solar array.

What happens when the utility has a power outage?
Most PV systems are “clean power” grid tie systems, without batteries. These systems do not generate power when the utility is out for safety reasons.

What electrical service can a solar PV system support?
The solar PV system can support all standard electrical services. The inverter is the electrical component that converts the direct current (DC) generated by the solar array to alternating current (AC) that is used by most facility loads. The inverter is specified to match the existing electrical service (phase and voltage) when the system is designed.

Are the panels fragile?
No. While the panels are made of tempered glass, they’re quite strong. They pass rigorous tests including hail tests, and PV panels are regularly installed in desert and marine environments.

How much space does the system need?
For example, a 20 KWP array which produces about 24,000 KWH/year, requires approximately 2,000 square feet. This can be significantly impacted by the mechanicals and exhaust stacks that are on the roof that are occupying square footage and create shading areas. Since solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are modular so the solar panel install can be done in increments with a budget strategy over time. A Solar Hot Water (SHW) system size depends on the requirements for hot water at the facility, but could be a hundred to several hundred square feet.

How much solar electric power do I need to power my facility?
Each facility is different, and the amount of electricity used is dependent upon the electrical loads that are used to operate the facility/business. A review of the facilities utility bills over the past year will provide an accurate account of the energy consumed. A commercial PV solar system commonly provides a portion of the facilities electrical requirements.

How much power does the system produce?
Systems come in all sizes, and produce as much or as little power as required. Most systems produce a portion of the facility's required power, leaving room for additional conservation or generation in the future. For example, a 50 KWP system will produce about 57,000 KWH of electricity annually depending on site and weather conditions. A SHW systems typically provide 50-75% of the hot water needs.

How long does it take to install a solar energy system?
Commercial systems may take several weeks to install, depending upon size and type of installation. The solar panel installation takes the most time but is done with little or no disruption of your operation.

Do I need to install a new roof before the solar panels are installed?
Solar panels will last for decades, with warranties of 25 years. Because of this, we want the roof to be in decent condition, as it does not make sense to remove and reinstall the panels after only a few years.

Our building’s roof is flat will that work with solar PV?
Yes, there are several options to mount solar PV modules to a flat or minimally pitched roof. Depending on the roof system that is in place we can integrate a system that does not require roof penetrations, angles panels up to 20°, and adds minimal additional roof loading.

What about my roof’s integrity if I have solar panels mounted on it?
Solar Source’s parent company, the Melanson Company is an experienced roofing company that has the expertise to provide your roof/solar integration. There are non-penetrating solar module mounting systems that minimize the potential of causing damage to the roof during installation and over the life of the system. As roofing experts, we've got you covered.

Will the roof support the added dead load of the system?
The additional weight that the panels and their supporting structures apply to the roof needs to be considered. The age of the building, design of the roof, and the type of solar panel mounting system may need to be reviewed by a structural engineer. We offer a roof integrated system that adds about 4.0 lbs/ft2 under the mounting system and only about 2.5 lbs/ft2 across the area of the solar array, including the weight of the solar pane.

Will the solar panel mounting system interfere with roof drainage?
No, a properly designed system will not cross drainage planes, keep a separation from the edge of the roof, and provide drainage channels or gaps in the structure for water flow. As roofing experts, we have you covered.

How long will the system last?
The PV panels have no moving parts and will last for decades and have a 25 year power warranty from the manufacturer. Inverters can have warranties of 10 years or more. The SHW system collectors have a 10 year warranty, and tanks from 6-10 years.

What is Net Metering?
Net Metering is the regulatory ability to get credit for electricity you generate with solar energy and send backwards through your utility meter. Exact provisions vary with each state, but the effect is to allow you to generate excess power during the day and ‘sell it’ to the utility.

Are there incentives for buying solar electricity?
There are many incentives for purchasing solar. Some common incentives include:

Economic:
• Federal Tax credits are currently 30% of the system cost, details can be provided
• Individual states offer incentives as do some utilities, see www.dsireusa.org
• Reduced building operating costs increased real estate value
• Hedge against rising electric costs that are inflating at a rate of ~ 5%/year.

Marketing:
• Commitment to quality and operational efficiency
• “Green” business virtues
• Media attention opportunity
• Reduction of risks from fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Political:
• A step toward energy independence
• A statement for a renewable energy future
• Local economy benefits from increase of locally produced energy.

Do I need to clean the panels periodically?
In this part of the country, there is sufficient rain to clean the panels on your solar installation. However, if you are in a dusty area or your industry exhausts gases that have particulates, grease, or other materials that could soil the surface of the panels, there could be performance gain from cleaning the panels. Do not walk on or over the panels to clean them. Do not use metal, hard, or abrasive methods for cleaning. Do not spray water on the panels when they are very hot.

What happens if the panels get covered by snow?
Solar electric panels need sunshine to generate power. While some sun does make it through several inches of snow, little electricity is generated when the panels are covered with anything. Our estimates take that into account. The steeper the angle the faster snow sheds. Snow can be removed with a plastic edged roof rake.

Should I wait for the technology to improve?
In the case of solar hot water there is little likelihood of a dramatic breakthrough and the costs of copper, glass and aluminum put upward price pressure on these systems. In the last 20 years costs have gone up and the only development, evacuated tubes are not proving to be a better (or cheaper) collector. For PV while there will continue to be improvements and breakthroughs the dominant technology for decades- silicon (one of the most abundant raw materials on the planet) crystalline cells, has continued to get better and cheaper. Thin films using silicon and other often exotic materials have gained market share but still suffer an efficiency penalty requiring more area so they must become significantly cheaper to be competitive. The reality is that by waiting for a breakthrough the savings in energy grow each year as energy costs increase and CO2 are postponed. The cost savings would have to be dramatic to make it worthwhile since the CO2 savings would not be recoverable and it will likely take several years after the breakthrough discovery for widespread commercial availability. So proven, reliable technology with a great return on investment now, or a possible breakthrough that might be as reliable sometime in the future, what are you waiting for?