What to Know About Going Solar at Home

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for converting to solar?

Converting to solar has a few general guidelines to ensure a simple, positive installation process. 

1. You need to have the right to make alterations to the property. Owning your home is the simplest route, or you need to have a discussion and approval with your landlord. If you own a condo, you would need access or ownership of a section of the building’s roof. 

2. You need the space. Some roofs are simply too small or lack adequate flat, connected space to support a solar installation. You need ample room for the number of panels required to offset your energy usage. 

3. Your roof needs 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day. If your roof is covered by significant shading, a solar installation won’t create enough energy for your household. An ideal roof will be South facing– East and West are also manageable, however North is more difficult to work with. 

If you meet all of these requirements, converting to solar is something to consider!

Additionally, you’ll need to know beforehand your financial plan.  Do you need to liquidate anything? Or do you need a financing option (local credit union/bank, solar installer themselves, etc.)?

I’m worried about paying for solar– what are my options?

Talk to your installer, local financial institution, and/or LEAP (the Local Energy Alliance Program) for help with finding financial discounts you may qualify for. Currently, there are some programs from Dominion Energy for low-income and senior citizens that will discount the installation price of some lower-wattage systems.

What’s the normal timeline for these installation projects? 

Typically, the contractor's side will take 2-5 days for design and engineering, 7-10 days for acquiring city permits, and 1-5 days for installation. After completion, a county inspector will need to see the final product. Permission to operate from the utility company is typically granted 30 days after the inspection. 

All in all, getting your solar panels up and running can take around three months. Installers will normally recommend entering conversations with a decided timeline– do you want to start the process now, or in a few months, or even a year?

How can I avoid a scam? 

A great way to feel out if an installer is reputable is to ask for references. Other homeowners who made the solar conversion should be able to tell you about the process and recommend that particular contractor. When talking to references, ask if the process went smoothly and if communication between them and the installer was fluid and easy.

Here’s a list of other helpful questions to make sure the contractor is right for you: 

1. “Where are you based?” If they’re local, it's easier to get in contact with them. If further away, they’ll likely use a subcontracted crew. Subcontractors are not wholly ‘good’ or ‘bad’-- but it’s important to know what the communication process will look like before getting started on the project. 

2. “How long have you been installing?” Everyone has to start somewhere–  but if experience is important to you, go with someone who’s been around the block. 

3. “What does future maintenance look like?” This is a subtle way to ask if the installer thinks their business will be around to do future maintenance. If they set a plan for addressing project needs years down the line, it's a good sign their business is stable.
   
   

What is ‘net metering’?

This question requires a bit of background– first, solar installations work by creating a ‘mini powerplant’ on your roof. On a sunny day, you’ll likely produce more energy than you actually need to run your house. This ‘extra’ power runs to central infrastructure owned by state-wide companies, like Dominion. (see slide deck for graphic)

By adding power to the grid, you get ‘credits’ from the energy company (not cash). So, on a cloudy day or in the middle of a snow storm (when the sun has seemingly vanished), you can pull power off the main grid for ‘free.’ Typically, Dominion Energy allows you to add 150% of your current usage back to the central grid. Appalachian Power allows you to add 125%. 

The good news? You have a full year to use your electricity ‘credits.’ The bad news? If they aren’t used, the credits simply vanish. You cannot liquidate them. So to ‘make money’ off of your solar installation is impossible (Dominion won’t be sending you a check). BUT your production of power can take money off your power bill, saving you money. 

The most important takeaway is this: it does not pay to create a system that OVER produces power. Make sure your installer can name why and how they are estimating the amount of power you’ll need to avoid paying more for materials you don’t need.

What is the typical lifespan of rooftop solar panels?

Solar installations consistently last as long as their warranty runs– so around 25 years. Make sure to check with your installer about how long the product’s warranty lasts, as well as a construction warranty for the contractor’s work.

When should I consider NOT putting solar on because of my roof age?

If your roof is towards the end of its life, try to replace your roof before installing your solar project. Taking down and re-installing the project can cost around 5-10k (aka– a lot!). However, if your roof is young or middle aged, a solar project can actually protect it from wear and tear, extending its lifespan. 

Can I get tax credits from my solar installation?

Yes! Currently, we have a federal program that returns 30% of the cost of your system through income tax credits (called the “Federal Investment Tax Credit”).  

However, there are currently no statewide tax credit programs. While Charlottesville, Virginia (where we are based) does offer a small local incentive, the primary credit you’ll receive is from the federal government.

What is the maintenance on my solar system?

Typically, panels are not placed on your rooftop where debris could collect, such as directly under tree cover. For other particulates (like pollen or animal droppings), normal natural processes will clear and clean the panels. However, if you have concerns about specific damage, contact your installer for help.

I’m worried about my HOA’s restrictions– what can I do? 

Working with (or around) HOA’s can be tricky– but LEAP recently created a guide to homeowners rights, partially authored through their partnership with a Richmond-based law firm. Typically, there must be language within the HOA’s covenants or declarations regulating solar projects, specifically (as opposed to ‘rooftop decorations,’ etc.). If that restriction isn’t there, you should be within your rights to invest in solar for your home! 

Additionally, Solar United Neighbors recently helped pass state laws that protect homeowners rights to solar installations. If your HOA is trying to move your project to a different part of your roof (or property) that decreases energy production by 10% or increases its installation cost by 5%, it's illegal. More information Here from Solar United Neighbors

What if I want to move later, will I be able to pay off the cost of the project?

Yes! If you’re going to move in the near future, a solar energy system typically adds around 5% to the house's property value. That additional value will normally cover the entire cost of the project. 

When will I make my money back?

That varies– but normally, it takes around 8-14 years to see a return in investment. Normally, buyers see a 6+% return, however the exact timeline depends on the individual circumstances of the project and property location.

I’m a renter– can I still be a part of the clean energy movement?

If you qualify as low-income, yes. Right now, Virginia has Power Purchase Agreements available for low-income communities, where households share a ground mounted solar grid and the respective costs (i.e. a ‘buy-in’ fee). 

Unfortunately for individuals not in the low-income threshold, state-wide energy companies have made it hard to buy into a community system model. Consumers have to pay a ‘premium’ that can skyrocket energy bills. There are some rural cooperatives in lower halves of the state, however your best bet for ‘cleaner energy’ is likely switching to electric heating (instead of natural gas), as opposed to switching to solar.