Isn’t solar expensive?  Can I finance?

Going solar in the past has always been a sizeable investment that would eventually pay for itself over time.  However, what we recognized at Smart Solar is that not everybody could initially afford the upfront cost to get solar installed in the first place. Working with great financing companies from around the United States, we can get you approved instantly to finance the installation of solar without having to put any money down and start saving on your monthly bills immediately.  In our mind this is the smartest way to go solar if you can’t afford the initial investment.

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How long do solar panels last?

What you’re probably wondering is how long your system will produce energy.We warranty our installation for 20 years, but most solar installations will last well into the 40-year range if properly maintained.

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How do solar panels work?

Once sunlight reaches your solar panels they produce direct current electricity. We install a component called a micro inverter that converts the direct current into alternating current which is fed into your home’s existing electrical system. This is what your home or business runs on. The electricity is then either consumed by your home or fed back out to the utility grid to help offset consumption elsewhere. This process is called net metering, and your energy company will record the energy you pump into the grid during sun hours, and energy you consume from the grid during the evening.

 

I have a 2,500 SQ FT house. How many solar panels do I need?

We get this question a lot. The size of your home has little to do with how much energy you use. We design solar PV system around your annual energy consumption. If you can give us actual monthly kWh consumption for one year, we can tell you exactly how many solar panels you need as a starting point.

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Will my solar panels work during a power outage?

No. Grid tied solar systems are required to shut down in the event of a power outage. This is a safety precaution put in place to protect utility personnel who might be working in your area from the threat of electrocution.

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Does solar only work when the sun is shining?

It’s a common misconception that solar arrays only function in direct sunlight.  While they naturally collect more light energy when there’s more of it available, they’re also fully capable of harvesting ambient light, even on cloudy days.  What’s more, solar panels actually function more efficiently in cool weather.

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What’s the federal tax credit I keep hearing about?  Does Iowa have a tax credit?

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a dollar for dollar reduction in your income tax liability, based on your out of pocket investment. The current federal tax credit is 26% of your system cost, while the Iowa State Tax Credit is 13%, meaning 39% of your solar system cost will be returned to you next tax season!

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Do solar panels add value to the house?

Yes!  According to a recent study by the Berkeley National Lab installing solar panels significantly increases your property’s value.  As the cost of solar panels continue to increase and tax incentives start to diminish, the cost of solar will continue to increase in the future.  Houses on the market that already own a solar system will increase by an average of $30,000 with a system because of the benefit of not having an electricity bill for the new homebuyer.