Frequently Asked Questions

Your solar installation won’t cost you anything out of pocket. You only pay for the electricity they generate, for less than the current market rate.
How does solar power work?

Solar power systems collect energy from sunlight via specialized panels and arrays of photovoltaics, which convert sunlight into electric current. That current can be used to power household appliances and machinery.

New research sponsored by the Department of Energy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that buyers are willing to pay more for homes with rooftop solar panels. Buyers were willing to pay a premium of $15,000 for a home with the average-size solar photovoltaic system (3.6 kilowatts, or 3,600 watts), compared with a similar home without one.*

* Home value will increase only if solar panel is purchased (not leased).

Unlike traditional means of generating electricity, solar panels don’t rely on the combustion of non-renewable fossil fuels. As a result, they produce power without releasing any of the chemicals or greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, or water resource pollution.

The life of a solar panel depends on where it’s installed and its level of use, but systems rated for 6 to 8 hours of sunlight conversion per day generally last upwards of 20 years. Manufacturers typically guarantee their systems with 10 to 20 year warranties on the panels, and a 5- to 10-year warranty on the other system components. Solar panels have been reported to last 30 to 40 years.

Most standard homeowner insurance policies provide adequate insurance protection for solar panels, and meet the minimum requirements for an interconnection agreement with a utility company. A utility company may require you to provide proof of insurance, but you shouldn’t need a special policy just for your panels.

Solar property tax exemptions give homeowners the right to remove the added value of solar panel system from the valuation of their home for tax purposes. This means that even while the value of your home increases due to a solar system installation, your property taxes will still reflect the pre-solar value of your home (which is almost always lower).