General
How long is the warranty?
Nova West Solar warranties all equipment, parts and labor for 10 years. Solar panels carry a 25-year warranty and inverters carry a 10-year warranty.
How long does it take to install?
It depends on the size of your system. Typically 3-5 days.
How big of a system do I need?
It depends on how much power you want to produce. It usually boils down to one of the following:
1. Completely cover the load: We would need to review 12 months' worth of bills to more accurately calculate system size.
2. Employ a peak-shaving strategy: We would calculate the system size required to eliminate the most expensive rate tiers on your bill.
What kind of maintenance does the system need?
The PV modules should be cleaned at least every 3 months. No other routine maintenance is required. If you suspect a problem, please call us and we will come and perform a thorough inspection.
Does the system use batteries?
No, because the system does not store electricity. If it produces more power than you use, the meter spins backward. If you consume more than it produces, the meter spins forward. In the summer, your meter will spin backward more often because the system is producing excess energy compared to the winter.
How does having a PV system affect my utility billing?
You enter into what is known as a "Net Metering" contract with your utility company. The company continues to read your meter monthly. However, instead of receiving a monthly bill, you get a statement showing your credits and debits. Your bill is settled annually on your anniversary date and the credits roll over into the following year.
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Residential
I see that the PV system increases my home's value. Won't that also increase my property taxes?
No. In order to promote the use of renewable energy, the state has exempted PV installations from increased property taxes.
How much roof space is needed to power my home?
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 sq. ft.
How do you attach the system to my roof?
First, it's important to select a contractor who has experience installing solar electric systems, as we do. We use the highest quality racking system on the market today. It's made entirely of 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, depending on your roof type. One of the more common ways is to use fastening systems integrated into the roofing system with roof jacks. As a licensed roofing contractor, we understand roofing. Rest assured that all of our roof-mounted solar systems meet or exceed the minimum roofing manufacturer's requirements.
What is the payback?
Payback is immediate. If you finance your solar system, payments are typically less than your former electric bill. A solar system will also add value to your property, reduce your monthly expenses and insulate you from rising energy costs. If you pay cash, you will on average recover 100% of your investment within 5-7 years but as utility rates increase, you could fully recoup your investment in less than 5 years.
What happens if there's a utility power outage?
With grid-connected solar electric systems, you will experience loss of power when the utility grid is down. This is intentional: When an electricity outage occurs, there are people working repairing the power lines. If your system stayed active, these workers would risk potential electrocution by live wires.
How do I compare prices among different solar contractors?
Compare apples to apples. Ask the California Energy Commission (CEC) for its rating of the system that you are having quoted. Then take the final installed price from your quote and divide that by the CEC's rating to get the true cost per kW. Compare that cost among the quotes you receive. Nova West Solar prides itself in offering highly competitive pricing using the best solar panels.
Is solar electricity really cost-effective?
Yes. Your solar electric system will supply you with electricity, which will cost you less than the rates you currently pay. During the course of its 30-year lifetime, a solar electric system is a great investment. It is a low-risk, high-return investment that is very competitive with other types of investments like stocks, bonds and real property - and perhaps safer in this economy. Nova West Solar can look at your specific situation and calculate with exact precision the amount of your return on investment and how much you will save during the next 3 decades.
How does a solar electric system affect the value of my property?
According to The Appraisal Journal article "Evidence of Rational Market Evaluations for Home Efficiency," for each $1 decrease in your annual energy bill, your property value increases $20. Using this formula, one can estimate that the property value will increase by the net cost (after rebate) of your system.
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Commercial
Who does your installations?
All of Nova West Solar's installations are done by our staff of professional solar installers, many of whom are licensed electricians.
Are there special loans for installing commercial solar power?
There are a number of ways to finance a commercial solar power system. These include:
- Property secured loans
- Capital equipment loans
- SAFE-BIDCO energy efficiency loans
- Equipment secured loans
- 3rd-party financing
Property secured loans usually offer the best terms and lowest interest rates. If you are in the process of refinancing a commercial property, you should consider the purchase of a solar power system. Payments on a secured loan are often less than, or similar to, the amount that your business will save in utility bills. Therefore installing solar power could result in immediate positive cash flow.
Capital equipment loans are probably the most common method for financing solar power systems. There are many banks and institutions that grant capital equipment loans. The loan terms depend on your lender and credit rating.SAFE-BIDCO is a state-sponsored loan program. It will give loans to small businesses for energy efficiency upgrades. Solar power qualifies for these loans. The standard term on a SAFE-BIDCO loan is 5 years, with a 4% APR. return to top |
