There is a surge of homeowners electing to say “YES” to solar energy all over the United States and data suggests this solar boom is happening all over the world. Compass Solar Energyis based out of the northwest Florida panhandle. While we do occasionally venture outside of our immediate geographical service area for large government contracted solar farms or commercial building rooftop solar installations. However, our typical day-to-day operations keep us plenty busy with residential installations and service calls within our own local community.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), as of 2019, a total of more than 2 million solar PV installations have been performed all across the U.S. It took 4 decades to reach 1 million solar installations, and about 3 years to double that amount. In general, solar is considered to be a booming industry. You can find article after article explaining why solar makes sense for homeowners, how solar helps the environment, Federal or State tax incentives, and a myriad of other positive reasons why a person should say “YES” to solar.

If you can find every reason under the sun in favor of going solar; how can there be any reasonable explanation as to why people hesitate to go solar? Especially considering that in today’s market, there are zero money down, 100% finance options to go with a grid-tied or off-grid whole home solar installation, and have battery/generator backup as well.It makes total sense for most homeowners to say “YES” to solar ASAP. However, it does not necessarily make perfect sense for everyone. There are a couple of reasons where solar simply won’t work for its intended purpose or is not a realistic option. 

Should I go solar if my roof is shaded or covered in trees?

There are plenty of times when some simple tree trimming can open up the sky and let the light shine all over your roof. Even the occasional tree removal is a feasible option for those interested in making the switch to solar. 

Every solar project proposal we create calculates the positive environmental impact that each specific solar project makes. By installing solar panels, there is less air pollution. By lessening the pollution in the air, it’s equivalent to planting a certain number of trees that would filter the air. I love trees, and I am not promoting getting rid of trees. I will say though, if removing one tree from the southern corner of the house allows a homeowner to make the switch to solar, which will have the environmental impact equivalent of planting 1500 trees, I’d say that is a more than fair trade off. 

However, every once in a while, a yard is so packed with tall, mature, protected trees that there is just no way that solar makes sense. 

Old Live Oak trees are protected in a lot of areas in northwest Florida. Heavy shade will drastically reduce the production of solar panels to the point where it really isn’t worth the investment to go solar. There are other areas all around the U.S. that protect certain designated species of trees as well. If your yard is covered in shade from protected trees, or trees that you refuse to trim or possibly remove, it probably doesn’t make sense to go solar. This is the only situation in which we believe solar does not make sense. The ROI, or return on investment just is not there.

Should I go solar if I don’t have the cash?

Compass Solar Energy takes a “Golden Rule” approach to business. I would want to be thoroughly informed and given options, so that is what we do for our clients. The average grid-tied rooftop solar PV project we sell and install, at the time of this article, is about 12.5KW of solar at around $40,000 – $60,000 depending on the difficulty of the project and different equipment combinations and/or options, such as batteries and generators, selected by the client. We are a custom design company and offer multiple panel and inverter options to our clients, so our prices vary from project to project. Unlike other solar companies that have cookie cutter prices and equipment, we want to make sure you have a system that is custom tailored to your unique situation and solar needs. 

Paying for these projects is fairly straight-forward. You pay for it with money that you have, or if not, you pay for it by borrowing money. The easiest way to pay for most people seems to be a solar loan. Solar loans are available now with no down payment and very low interest rates. Just a few years ago, going solar was cash, borrowing against the house, or using a credit card. Today, solar loans make it easy to say yes. If you are working with a good solar installation company, your solar loan is going to take the place of your existing electric bill. In other words, you stop paying $150 – $300/month to the electric company, which you will pay forever, and you start paying $150 – $300/month for your solar project, which will eventually be paid off. As a result, the bill for electricity is all but gone; with the exception of some standardized nominal fees and the rare occasional high electricity usage that goes beyond what your system produces in a given month. 

The 100% financed option makes total sense for most homeowners. It really turns the whole process into an easy decision. The only thing stopping a homeowner from going solar is if they do not have the money to pay for the project, or they do not have the credit score or available credit to qualify for a solar financing or lease option. The credit requirements are a 650 FICO or higher and the DTI, or debt to income ratio requirement varies from lender to lender. If you don’t have over a 650 FICO and you don’t have the cash to pay for solar outright, unfortunately solar is just not an option.

Is solar right for me? 

If you don’t fall into one of these two categories, either tons of shade from protected trees or no cash/credit to pay for the project, then solar would be a smart financial decision for your home. Not every solar sale and installation company is created equal, so do your due diligence when shopping around. Check the BBB (Better Business Bureau) ratings before deciding. Sit down with 3 companies to make sure that the company you choose is the most experienced and most qualified company for the job. Whatever you do, if you are in our service area, before signing any paperwork with any other company, make sure you sit down with a Solar Analyst from Compass Solar Energy for an honest and transparent evaluation and recommendation. Our Solar Analysts are thoroughly trained and will provide you with more information than you could ever hope to learn on your own. Don’t go at it alone. Find the most experienced company in your area and call them for a consultation. 

Solar is a new buzzword. Everywhere I look, I see ads offering to help people “Go Solar”. Looking it up online, there seems to be very little clear-cut information. It’s all ads, size estimating tools, and opinions from people who have had a good or bad experience. There is not much in the way of practical information on what to expect during the process of “Going Solar”.

For the most part, when you hear or read the phrase, “Going Solar”, what is being referred to is a grid-tied roof-top solar installation. That is what the majority of this surge of solar installations all over the US consists of; grid-tied residential roof-top solar installations. 

Compass Solar Energy offers battery and/or generator options for back-up energy storage during an outage or to offset peak usage. We also provide ground-mount and off-grid installations. Whatever option you choose, it’s available to any qualified homeowner. However, the most common and most affordable option is the grid-tied roof-top installation. That’s the option that typically provides the fastest ROI (Return On Investment) thanks to net-metering. Net-metering, in a very small nut shell, refers to the process of overproducing energy with solar panels to then sell back to the electric company, which lowers or possibly eliminates your usage charges from your electric company. 

The process of going solar is still a mystery for most homeowners. A person can spend hours online researching and still not know what to do or how it happens. For anyone that is wanting to have a professional licensed solar PV contractor, here are the 8 basic steps to “Going Solar”.

1. Choosing an installer

Choosing a solar installer seems like a daunting task. Mostly good reviews are a good sign, mostly bad reviews are a bad sign. That is a quick way to filter out the companies to avoid calling. Once you have your list of potential installers with mostly good reviews, do some deeper digging into the companies. The first place you should check is with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB can tell you how long a company has been around. It’s important that you go with an established and experienced contractor. 

There is nothing inherently wrong with a new company or an out-of-town contractor, but it’s always safer to go with an established, local company. Since our company was founded in the Florida Panhandle, we are very accustomed to out-of-town contractors flooding the area every time we have a bad storm come through. Some do a great job and really help out; others do a bad job and leave people in a bind. The problem with new companies and out of town contractors, not just with solar or even construction, but just in general, is you don’t know who will be here and who will not be here a year or two from now. So, the safest bet on a long-term investment like solar, is to go with a local, reputable, and experienced company.

2. Energy Bill Analysis

 After narrowing down your choices for solar installers to the best 1 or 2, the next step is to get quotes. In order for a professional solar estimator to accurately create a proposal for work to be done, it must first be established how much solar is needed to meet your energy requirements. The best way to accomplish this is to perform an energy bill analysis. You will be required to submit your previous 12 months of usage, as provided by your most recent electric bills for review. As long as there are no major life or lifestyle changes set to occur, the assumption is that your future energy consumption will be similar to the previous energy consumption. If you have done something to drastically reduce or increase your consumption within the previous 12 months, that is important information to pass along to your solar professional. If you have future plans to reduce or increase your energy consumption, that is also something that you will want to address with your solar analyst so that they can give you an accurate assessment of how much solar is required to meet your needs or achieve your energy production goals.

3. Sit Through a Consultation

Not every solar installer is created equal. In addition, this is a large and long-term investment. You can’t just spend a little time on the internet researching it and expect to understand all the information that goes into and is outlined within a solar energy project proposal. You need to do yourself the favor of sitting through a consultation. If the professional you are working with does not want to take the time to give you a detailed consultation, that is a huge red flag and probably not the company you want to deal with. Even after sitting through one consultation, not every company is the same. A lot of solar companies train their salespeople to sell one specific system and nothing else. You want to find a company that trains their salespeople to actually consult and educate homeowners so that the homeowner can make a truly informed decision. You should know exactly which panel and inverter is being proposed in the project. You should know exactly how your electric company pays for overproduction and how much they pay. You should know the terms of the product warranty, the production guarantee, and be able to read the fine print before signing anything. You should also fully understand how the solar tax credits work and if you even qualify to receive it; as not everyone qualifies. If your solar professional doesn’t give you all the information you need up front, go with someone else. This is way too important of a decision to leave things to chance. Take the time, sit through the consultations, ask the questions, get everything in writing up front.

4. Authorization and Paperwork

Once you sign off on the project, usually you will also need to give authorization for interconnection to the grid, allow for a building permit, and if you are financing the project with a solar loan; go through that application process for approval. The entire process from authorization to permission to operate is usually 2 – 6 months, depending on the circumstances.

5. Site Survey 

Once you have selected an installer and authorized the project, your solar installer should be performing a site survey. Some companies train their sales professionals to perform this task, others have a dedicated site survey professional. Either way, this has to happen before installation. The site survey involves inspecting and photographing the roof, the attic, the meter, and breaker panel. This should also include a shade analysis to be certain that the production listed in the signed proposal is accurate prior to installation. You definitely want to ask your solar professional if they are going to be performing a professional site survey prior to installation. That is the only way to catch potential problems beforehand that would stop or slow the installation process.

6. Engineering, Design & Order

The information collected during the site survey, along with the system specs from the proposal, is passed on to an engineer for planning and design. Once the engineer maps out the project’s technical specifications, the system can be designed for final approval and permitting. When the permit is approved by the county or city, that would typically be the time to order materials and schedule the date of installation.

7. Installation & PTO (Permission to Operate)

After the system is installed, it will have to be inspected by the building department. Once the installation passes inspection, technically the installation is complete and the solar installer has met their primary obligation. However, the project for the homeowner is not done yet. Most solar companies will assist the homeowner with the interconnection to the grid. I know that is what we do at Compass Solar Energy. The interconnection process only begins after the installation passes inspection from the building department. The electric company, once they received the application and required documentation to interconnect, will perform their own inspection to ensure all safety protocols are met and the system is ready for use. The electric company will notify either the solar installer, or the homeowner, or both that the system is ok to turn on.

8. Final Walkthrough

Now that the electric company has given permission to turn on the system, the final step in the process is to have your solar professional come out and walk you through powering on the system. At this time, if you have not already received it, you should be given all of your manuals and product warranty registration information. Along with instructions on how to power your system on and off, you should also receive instructions on what to do if you need service, how net metering works, how to check your monitoring app, how to claim the tax credit and who to call for loan billing questions. At this point, it would have been 2 – 6 months since you first decided to say, “Yes”, to solar and signed an agreement with a solar installer.

Solar makes sense for most homeowners. The only way to find out for sure is by reaching out and booking a consultation. It’s worth the time to find out if saying, “Yes”, to solar is right for you.

Independence is essential. For almost 70 years, the United States imported more energy than it exported. In 2005 alone, the United States imported enough electricity to power 391 million homes. 

That may sound good. But importing energy drains the economy and leaves America open to attack. Thankfully, solar power is available. 

Why go solar exactly? What is so important about US energy dependence? What are the benefits of going solar for you, your town, and the country?  

Answer these questions and you can understand the phenomenal benefits of going solar. Here is your quick guide. 

Freedom From the Grid 

America’s electric grid is spotty. In 2018, the average American experienced nearly six hours of power outages. The residents of five states experienced more than ten hours without power. 

Solar panels make electricity as long as the sun is out. If a power outage happens in the middle of the day, your home will continue to have electricity. 

Panels can send excess electricity into batteries. If a power outage occurs at night, your home can run off of them. 

A brownout occurs when a power supplier decreases the wattage that they transmit. They provide enough power that lighting and air conditioning can run.

But they don’t give enough for appliances to operate at full capacity. Appliances can overheat and become damaged. Many appliances come from foreign countries, so buying new ones sends money abroad. 

You can pool power from your panels with power from the grid. Your wattage will not decrease so your appliances can last long-term. 

Solar panel technology does not just apply to rooftop panels. You can get a solar water heater. Cold water travels through solar panels and becomes heated by the energy hitting them. 

You can get similar technology for your pool. This means that you do not need electricity for any kind of heating.

You can connect your home to the grid if you want. But solar panels give you an opportunity to be independent of it. 

Local Benefits 

Your solar panels can help make your town independent. You can engage in a practice called net metering. 

When your panels produce more power than the batteries can store, they can send that power to the grid. You get credits back that you can use to pay your bills.

Your neighbors get clean electricity. If you and your neighbors erect panels, you all may be able to provide enough power during an outage. 

Panels produce the most solar energy during days where the sun is high. These are occasions where people use the most energy to keep themselves cool. Panels can offset use in a small community entirely. 

This allows cities and towns to be energy independent. They can serve as models for the rest of the country, encouraging them to catch up. 

Local energy independence has economic ramifications. Most cities and rural communities do not have utility companies with their borders. They must import electricity from another town, sending money over there. 

Most people can hire a solar company within their town. This keeps money within their community. 

They save money since they are no longer buying from the grid. They can spend it on local businesses, helping their town becoming prosperous. 

Independence From Global Energy Markets 

Americans rely on crude oil. The United States imported more than 2.7 million barrels of oil in 2020. Most of this oil went to vehicles, with some going toward electricity production. 

This has significant ramifications for global politics. Imports come from countries like Iran and Venezuela that oppose American interests.

By importing oil from these countries, America pays money to its enemies. These countries also gain leverage over political decisions. The United States cannot sanction them since that would hurt its own economy. 

Solar power can create complete independence. Households make their own electricity in their backyard. There’s no need to transfer power across national borders. 

Panels can replace oil in the residential setting. The power grid in the Eastern United States can transition 30 percent of its energy toward solar power.

With further reforms, this number can increase. Homes can form a transmission network, transferring power from residence to residence. This can eliminate the use of oil in electricity production. 

It will take time to make an energy transition for vehicles. But electric cars can be powered through the electricity produced from panels. Scientists are working on ways to place panels onto the cars themselves. 

Energy Exports

Energy dependence can work the other way. If the United States were to export energy abroad, it can gain leverage over other countries. It can also increase its revenues, generating money for major projects. 

Solar is helping the United States become an energy exporter. In 2019 and 2020, the country was a net total exporter.

Americans ship solar power to countries all over the world. Batteries can hold solar electricity, then ships can transport them abroad. 

Many countries do not have solar panels. The ones that do may lack transmission lines to carry the panels to other towns. Americans can import energy to them, helping them decrease their carbon footprints. 

So Why Go Solar? 

Solar panels are stretching out across the country. This leads many people to ask, “Why go solar?” 

Panels can help you become independent from the grid. You won’t need to worry about blackouts or brownouts. You and your neighbors can produce power for your town. 

Oil dependence gives leverage to other countries. Shifting from oil to solar energy is possible, including in vehicles. 

The country can then start exporting solar power abroad. This can increase revenues and increase America’s soft power. 

Join the national movement today. Compass Solar sets up panels throughout Pensacola and the Panhandle. Contact us today.