Seven Things to Know About Solar

TECHNICAL

Jul 13

If you do not review your electric bill monthly you may have missed the 5.3% rate increase passed in North Carolina this June; however, you probably did not miss the news of sweltering heat in the Northwest. Solar might be at the top of your mind if you are concerned about the rising cost of energy, increased storm-related power outages, or your own impacts to global warming. A lot has changed in recent years and we believe solar is worth a hard look. Solar can be installed on almost any home or commercial building, and batteries now make it a backup power option. We’ve learned a lot over a couple of project installations; here’s a few answers to some regular questions:

1.) Are Solar Tax Credits Still Available?

Yes! There is still a Federal Tax Credit of 26% through 2022 then dropping to 22% through December 2023. A “Credit” means 26% of the installation cost returned to you through a tax refund check for the year installed. For example, a $10,000 install will actually cost $7,400 after your tax refund.

2.) How Much Energy Do I Consume and How Much Carbon Do I Produce?

The average home may consume between 10,000 pounds of CO2 to 14,000 pounds of CO2. If your local power plant uses coal, double those numbers. These numbers reflect your homes carbon footprint. Here is a fun (scary) calculator to compare the impact of your activities: Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

3.) How Much Can I Produce and Reduce?

If you install an 8kW solar system, this means the system will produce roughly 8,000kWh per year (typically more in southern states), and reduce your carbon footprint by over 7,000 pounds of CO2 annually.

4.) How Much Does Solar Cost?

Every house is different, likely minimum $10K and up depending on size and options. It is an investment that pays for itself over a number of years, produces payback after those years, and ALL the time reduces your Carbon footprint. It can operate as an automatic home backup power supply. There is zero-down financing available and the 26% tax credit makes it much easier overall. If you are in North Carolina, we recommend reaching out to Southern Energy Management for a free assessment, quote, and payment options. If you are a Duke Energy customer, you may qualify for an additional rebate up to $4,000.

5.) What Are Backup Batteries?

A battery will store energy you produce. This additional feature then allows you to do three things: 1) use the stored power during evening peak rate times to save money, 2) operate your solar system during a power outage, 3) supply your home during a power outage in the evening. If you monitor your usage wisely you should be able to operate your home or building through long extended storm outages. There are two major players, Tesla Powerwall and Generac PowerCell. Tesla looks beautiful and is a great option for a back-up system during storm-related events. Generac has a little more flexibility and because the battery is 7-10% more efficient than Tesla’s, the Generac makes more sense for daily usage with demand-rate utilities so you can use your battery when your energy provider charges more in the evening. There is some minor cost difference between the two, so you may request a comparison from your solar provider to determine which is best for your specific needs. Here is a more in-depth breakdown: A Simple Overview of Tesla Powerwall VS Generac PWRcell

6.) How Does It Work With My Utility Company?

Your property is still connected to the utility grid. If your property is producing more energy than it is using at any one moment, the extra energy goes first to keep your battery fully charged and then back to the utility line and is credited to your account. If your system is producing less than your use at any one moment the remainder comes in from the utility line. Most states (41) have net-metering regulations. The utility will purchase and sell you energy at the same rate, but at the end of the year they will not pay for more than you used.

7.) If I’m building new, what do I need to plan for if I want to install later?

You’ll need a 3/4” metal conduit with a pull line from your roof / attic to your utility meter. You’ll also need a CAT5 cable from your utility meter location to your internet router location. The Generac System currently requires a cable connection, and ALL other’s work MUCH better with a cable connection, even though some have wireless capability.

Learn more about our homes that have solar installed:

Trott Residence (pictured above)
Tree House (pictured below)

Thought Craft

Seven Things to Know About Solar