Solar panels are designed to last for 25 to 30 years. One crucial factor is the quality and brand of the solar panels. Higher-end panels often come with longer warranties and are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. Investing in reputable brands can significantly extend the lifespan of your solar panels. Another factor is the maintenance and care given to the panels. Regular cleaning and inspection can help identify and address any issues before they cause significant damage. Ensure your system’s longevity by choosing a trusted solar installer like A.M. Sun Solar. Here is more information about solar panel durability.

The average-size home in the U.S. needs between 15 and 22 400-watt solar panels to replace other energy sources. But, the answer is different for everyone, depending on several variables such as: the number of sunlight hours your house experiences and your energy requirements and goals. If you want to replace traditional energy sources, you would likely require more solar panels than if you want to just reduce your electricity bill. Available roof space is another significant factor. The size and orientation of your roof will impact the number of solar panels you can install. If you have limited roof space, you may need to consider more efficient panels or explore alternative installation options like ground-mounted systems.Add some content to your accordion item here.

Keeping solar panels clean and free from any obstructions will increase their efficiency. Leaves, branches, dirt, dust, pollen, and bird-droppings can prevent panels from getting optimum sunlight. Dirty panels can decrease your solar system’s energy yields by up to 25%. Panels should be maintained and cleaned once a year. To learn more about how to clean your solar system, read this link.

A solar battery will back up essential loads for up to six hours. Essential loads refers to your refrigerator, router, key lights, and plugs. This allows you to have fresh food, maintain internet connection, charge devices, etc… For extended outages, the battery will recharge by solar generation during the day and you can use the battery while it is recharging. You’ll enter night time with a full charge and begin recharging again the next day. Here’s more information about solar backup batteries.

A solar battery is an essential component of a solar system as it stores the excess electricity generated by the solar panels for later use. In general, solar batteries last between five and fifteen years. Tesla batteries are warrantied for 10 years where the batteries will be rated at 70% of capacity or better. Less expensive lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan (5 to 8 years) than lithium-ion batteries which can last 10 to 15 years. While proper installation and maintenance are crucial for the longevity of your solar battery, it’s also important to monitor and manage its life expectancy. A.M.Sun Solar offers extensive solar battery warranties. Read more about this topic here.

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A typical system costs between $15,000 and $25,000. You can buy, lease, or purchase power from a system. Cash is best. You get the best return, and you avoid high interest rates. Check out all the benefits of paying cash for solar. If paying cash isn’t an option, then we recommend getting a loan. Often a loan is less costly than your monthly utility expenses! We have more financing options than any other local solar company. Our experts at A.M. Sun Solar can help you decide the best route to take. More solar financing details can be found here.

An Energy Service Agreement (ESA) is a contractual arrangement between an energy service company (ESCO) and a customer that outlines the terms and conditions for improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of a building or facility. These agreements provide a comprehensive approach to managing energy consumption, reducing operating costs, and meeting environmental goals. Through an ESA, the ESCO takes on the responsibility of implementing energy-saving measures and guarantees a reduction in energy consumption and associated costs. ESAs offer numerous benefits. One of the main advantages is the potential for significant cost savings. By implementing energy-saving measures and technologies, customers can reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility bills. An ESA allows customers to have a solar system, for example, installed with zero upfront money spent. Learn more about ESAs here.

If your solar energy system generates more power than your home or business needs, depending on the setting on your battery, it will export back the excess energy to the grid. Your utility company may provide you with bill credits for the kiloWatts you export.

The total time it takes to reach system activation is three to six months. We begin with a one-on-one consultation with our friendly solar experts. Because your home is unique, we will design a custom solar system just for you. We will show you all the financing options and tax credit information available. Then, we take care of the permitting, installation, and inspection process. Click here for the detailed rundown of the steps to go solar.

Should you consider a battery for your solar energy system? The answer is always—Yes! With a backup battery, you won’t have to rely on PG&E for energy during peak usage hours. You won’t be negatively impacted by solar mandates and other regulations. You’ll also be covered if there’s a power outage or other emergency. Want more detailed information about solar batteries, which one is best for you, and how they work, click here.

Solar panels can significantly reduce or even eliminate a homeowner’s monthly electricity bills. This can be a major selling point for buyers who are looking to save money on their energy expenses. Additionally, having solar panels installed can make your home more attractive in the real estate market. Homebuyers are actively seeking homes with sustainable features. Furthermore, the presence of solar panels can increase the overall value of the home. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for higher prices compared to similar homes without them.

If you use more power than the system is making you’ll buy it from your electric utility company. There will be a true-up at the end of each year for any extra power you purchased at market rates from your local utility company.

Yes! Installing a home solar and battery system is worth it for most homeowners. While the initial cost of installing solar panels can be high, the long-term benefits and cost savings are undeniable. Over the lifespan of your system, you could see thousands of dollars in savings. By generating your own electricity from the sun, you become less reliant on the traditional power grid. This means that you can significantly lower or even eliminate your electricity bills altogether. Imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your monthly expenses will be more predictable and stable. Contact us today for your free solar proposal.

The size and efficiency of your solar system play a crucial role in determining your savings. A larger system, capable of generating more electricity, will result in greater monthly savings. Your location is another significant factor. The amount of sunlight your area receives directly impacts the amount of energy your solar system can generate. San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties enjoy abundant sunshine and are ideal for solar production. Lastly, your energy usage patterns play a vital role in determining your savings. The more electricity you consume, the more you will save by going solar.

At A.M. Sun Solar, we stand behind our work with a 12-year workmanship warranty. For our clients with online monitoring, we may be alerted in the event of a system failure, allowing our in-house warranty specialist to respond quickly, getting to work on a solution to the problem. A.M. Sun Solar is the highest rated solar company on the Central Coast for customer service and recognized in the July 2023 issue of Solar Power World as the top solar installer on the Central Coast!

NEM 3.0 is the third version of California’s rooftop solar rules, also known as “Net Energy Metering.” It was adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and took effect on April 15, 2023. Moving forward, it is now called the Solar Billing Plan.

Under NEM 3.0, solar users will receive credit rates from utility companies for the extra energy they share with the grid. The compensation for that extra energy will be about $0.05/kWh. Additionally, NEM 3.0 solar users will be placed on a rate plan with higher evening electricity rates, which will make the payback period for a solar investment about 10 years.

Adding a battery to new and existing systems will benefit you and make your payback period less. In an attempt to reduce demand on the grid during peak hours, NEM 3.0 strongly incentivizes adding battery storage to new and existing systems. Under NEM 3.0, homeowners should store power generated during the day and draw on it in the evening instead of the grid..

The new rules will not affect NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 solar users until their lock-in period expires, unless they add more panels. The lock-in period, also known as grandfathering, is 20 years after the utility turned on their solar system.

Yes, If you have multiple meters on your property, you can qualify for N.E.M A which grandfathers you in at a higher rate of compensation for the extra energy that is shared with the grid.

Existing solar users who want to increase their system can size up to 10% or 1kW.

Yes, existing solar users can add a battery at any time without affecting their lock-in status.

If you are a NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0 customer and you sell your home, the new owner will take over the remainder of your lock-in period.

Each month, billing will include: Charges for the energy used from the electric grid (when your solar isn’t generating as much as you are using, for example, at night) Bill credits for excess energy generated from your solar system and sent to the grid (when more solar energy is generated than needed during the day)*PGE

The CPUC’s decision does affect community choice energy providers, but some may choose to give their customers a higher credit. The decision does not affect locally governed utilities.