Frequently Asked Questions

1. Solar panels collect the sun's energy and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The number of panels you need is determined by your electricity needs.
2. An inverter converts the electricity from DC to alternating current (AC) electricity for use in your home.
3. A bi-directional electric meter displays net power usage. When you generate more than you use, your meter spins backwards, lowering your electricity bill. When you generate less, it spins slowly forward.
4. You now produce your own electricity to be used throughout the home. Since there are no moving parts, you don't have to worry about maintenance.
5. All excess electricity generated is stored in the utility grid for future use. You are using the utility grid as if it were a battery back-up source for your home.

Solar panels are made from silicon. Silicon ingots are sliced to form wafers, and then cut in to solar cells. Solar cells are grouped together to create a solar module. Solar cells absorb light to create a photovoltaic (PV) effect. Kenergy Solar systems deploy modules on your roof or other exposed locations to harness the sun's energy.

There are two layers of semiconductor material on a solar cell, a positive and a negative, creating a small electric field. When light falls on the surface of the solar cell, some of the silicon's electrons are knocked free by the photons, the energy that arrives from the sun. The electric field then drives these electrons from negative to positive as a flow of electric current. This current travels through wires in direct current (DC) to the inverter, which then converts it into alternating current (AC), the kind of electricity you use in your home.

Solar cells have fine metal wires on their surface to collect these electrons and convert over 15% of the sun's energy hitting the module directly into electricity. That makes clean, fuel-free, solar electricity for homes directly from sunlight. The solar panels (also called solar modules) are covered in anti-reflective glass and sealed to protect the panels from the atmosphere. As there are no moving parts in solar panels, and only the glass and aluminum frames are exposed to the elements, home solar panels last for decades.

Net metering is a simple concept; power created from your solar system is connected to the electric grid and credited in real time. Any excess power created by the solar system that you are not using, at that moment, is fed back into the power grid. As this excess power is 'back-fed', your meter operates in reverse. Literally your meter spins backward! The power grid is managed by your local utility company and includes everyone connected to it. Any power you don't use is credited back to you and reduces your bill. Currently residential users are not paid should you create more than you ultimately use annually.

Net metering simplifies the solar system design into four major components:

• Solar Modules - The solar modules or solar panels as they are commonly known are the power generating device of the system. Whenever light is present (even on cloudy days) the panels will generate electricity.
• Racking System - This is the permanent support system attached to the structure of a building or to the ground on which the solar panels are fastened.
• Wiring System - This is the electrical set of wiring and disconnect switches between the solar modules and the meter.
• Solar Inverter - This is a power conditioning device which changes the current coming from the solar modules in the form of Direct Current (DC Power) into Alternating Current (AC Power). The inverter is responsible for making the solar system power match synchronously the power coming from the utility.

A typical photovoltaic system consists of solar modules mounted on a roof, wired to a shutoff switch then to your power inverter. The AC power is fed into your central electrical panel and distributed throughout your home. If your home can't use the power it flows back into the grid for your later needs. By using net metering, the grid functions like a large storage battery with no cost or maintenance expense.

• Solar is now cost-effective compared to utility grid electricity
• To eliminate or reduce your electric bill
• To turn your variable energy cost into a fixed cost for decades to come.
• Solar increases the value of property.
• To utilize current incentives such as the Maryland Energy Administration grant program as well as local property tax credits.
• Adds significant value to your property without increasing property taxes.
• Become energy independent for the future.

Do the right thing for the environment and yourself.

Based on your electricity needs and desire to be energy independent, a Kenergy Solar representative will analyze the potential solar panel locations, available sunlight, shading and other factors to tailor a system to your specific application. The ultimate system size decision will be up to you.

No, you can reduce your bill down to almost zero, there are a few dollars that are billed to any customer just to be connected to the grid, but currently you can not be paid for net negative annual usage.

No. A Kenergy Solar grid-connected system uses the local utility grid like a big battery. On sunny days your excess power is fed into the grid giving you credit for future use. At night the power you draw from the utility is balanced against your credits. However, if the customer desires we can install a battery backup system for an additional cost.

A standard grid-connected solar system will not operate when the electric grid is down. Some customers elect to install a hybrid grid-connected/battery back-up solar system that will provide blackout protection for selected critical circuits. The additional cost of the battery back-up system should be weighed against the amount of time per year blackouts occur and the value of having selected circuits available during blackout periods.

South, West and East are all good.

Yes! It is a good idea to make any repairs or re-roof if needed prior to having a PV system installed. If a new roof is needed once the system is in place SunWize can temporarily disconnect, remove, and then reinstall the panels for an hourly rate.

Yes. Because the building insurance policy would also have to replace the PV system in the event of it being damaged, you should notify your insurance company so that it is included under your policy.

The environmental impact and safety risk associated with the manufacture of solar cells is negligible compared with conventional energy sources such as coal, oil and nuclear power. Especially the silicon that is used almost exclusively in the manufacture of solar cells today is completely harmless.

The electricity generated by your system is used directly by your property when it is produced. Any power generated in excess of your home's requirements is sent out to the utility grid, spinning your meter backwards. This establishes an economic credit that is used to buy back the utility's power at night, or any other time that your home's electricity demand is greater than your system's production.

The electricity generated by your system will be used to power any and all devices and appliances plugged into your home's electrical service. Solar systems are not designed to provide power for a single device, e.g. an air conditioner, but go to offset the total sum of your electricity usage.

A good rule of thumb is to allow 100 sq. ft. per every kilowatt (kW) of electricity the system produces. A typical solar electric system for a home will require approximately 300-500 square feet. A typical solar electric system for a business will require approximately 5,000 square feet.

We use the highest quality racking system on the market today made entirely from anodized aluminum and stainless steel for long life without rusting. The racking system attaches directly to the roof rafters and there are several ways for us to do this.

It takes 2-3 days for our qualified installers to install a typical residential system. With rebate paperwork, utility interconnection agreements, permits etc., our turn around time is 4-8 weeks. A commercial solar electric system will depend on the system magnitude, location, and other variables.

An inverter converts the DC (direct current) power produced by solar panels to common household AC (alternating current) power.

Even though your roof gets sun for most of the day, it may or may not be enough to make a solar electric installation cost-effective. On a site evaluation we'd be able to determine this for you. If there is not full access to the sun, year-round, it may take longer for the system to pay for itself, which would decrease the return on your investment. Removing or trimming back some trees around your property can help with better access to the sun.

You will not have any electricity if there is an outage. While we could offer you a storage solution, the cost of batteries combined with their short lifespan and maintenance requirements makes them an unlikely choice for most homeowners. Unless you're in an off-the-grid situation, batteries rarely make sense.

Typically, a solar electric system is not the most efficient or cost effective way to heat a swimming pool. Using solar water heating panels, natural gas or a propane heater would be a more efficient method.

Most solar panels come with a 25 year power output guarantee and are expected to last at least twice that long. The power output guarantee on the solar panels in provided by the manufacturer of the panels and states that at the end of the 25th year, the solar panel will still produce a minimum of 80% of their original power output.

Yes, you can take your solar electric system with you if you move but it's best if you leave it on the original house because it increases the resale value of a home.

Equal to the latitude is best.

No. The panels have a glare resistant tempered glass cover that minimizes reflected light.

It depends on the panel. A single panel has an operating voltage between 20 and 60 volts, depending on the model type. When the solar panels are wired together in high voltage string they have an open circuit voltage between 200 & 500 volts.

According to a study by ICF Consulting, solar can add $20 of home value for every $1 of yearly energy cost savings. For more information about how solar can increase your home's value, visit http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/binaries/wfnews.pdf.

Payback is immediate, if you finance your solar system your payments would typically be less than the electric bill that it replaces. A solar system will also add value to your property, reduce your monthly expenses and protect you from rising energy costs. If you were to pay cash for your system, at today's rates, you will often recover all your investment within the next 7-12 years for home owners and 5-7 for businesses, if not better. However, as rates increase the time it will take to fully recoup your investment will improve.

Yes, there are state rebates in various states but the rebate amounts per watt are always going down. The federal government currently offers a 30% tax credit the first year of purchasing a solar system. For more information about your state rebate program, go to http://www.dsireusa.org/.

The cost for this will depend on your electric usage. The more panels you place on the roof, the more you will be saving in electricity costs.

Kenergy Solar will make it easy to monitor your system performance. Your inverter has an LCD display that provides a readout as to how your system is producing, which makes it simple to compare our estimates to your actual production. We also offer remote monitoring solutions that allow you to view your energy production from the Internet or via wireless extension device.

Net-metering measures the difference between the electricity you buy from your utility company and the electricity you produce with your solar energy system. Any excess electricity produced by your solar energy system spins your existing meter backwards, effectively storing the electricity in the utility grid until it is needed. Your meter then spins forward when it is not producing all the electricity you are currently using and tracks the 'net' difference as you generate electricity and take electricity from the utility grid.

Kenergy Solar takes care of your rebate forms, every step of the way. We will also help you to attain financing for the rebate amounts if needed.

The rebate programs are designed to increase the volume of solar energy deployments. The logic behind this effort lies in the belief that increased volume and experience drives down the costs of solar energy systems over time, making increased subsidies unnecessary. Therefore, it is likely that rebates will only go down over time.

Solar electric systems are designed to withstand most weather conditions. Lightning, wind up to 100 miles per hour, and extreme temperatures are all things your solar system can handle. However, these conditions will temporarily reduce its energy production. When Kenergy Solar designs your solar electric system, we use historical national weather data over the course of many years that provides a reliable approximation of the conditions at your location.

Yes, solar panels are guaranteed to withstand 3/4 inch hail balls at 120 miles per hour.

A steady rain can cut production but is great for cleaning your panels. Of course we prefer it when the sun shines.

Immediately following a snowstorm when the panels are covered the system production will be minimal. However, we place solar systems in the exact spot where sunshine is greatest. The first area to melt will be where the solar panels are located. Plus, the panels are tilted with a surface made of tempered glass allowing snow to easily slide off.

The solar electric system is designed to sustain lightning by being sufficiently grounded under National Electric Code.

With grid-connected solar electric systems, you will experience loss of power when the utility grid is down. This is intentional: when there is an electricity outage, there are people working on the power lines. If your system were allowed to stay active during the outage, the people working would run the risk of being electrocuted by the live wire.