DO I NEED MONEY DOWN FOR MY SOLAR SYSTEM?
Put your wallet away... there is no money down required to go solar with 3E. You just need to have a 650+ credit score and to own your home.
IS MY HOUSE ELIGIBLE FOR SOLAR?
There are several factors to consider when answering this question including:
Home ownership - Do you own your home?
HOA restrictions - Does your HOA allow solar? Are you limited to where panels may be placed on your roof, or can they be anywhere?
Net metering - Does your electric company offer a good net metering program?
Shading - Is your roof fully exposed to the sun or is it shadowed by trees or tall buildings?
If you're uncertain, that's ok. Give us a call and we will assist you.
Net metering is a program of your electric company that allows you to tie your solar system to the grid. This allows you to feed energy to the grid during hours your solar panels are producing and pull energy from the grid at night or when your panels are not producing. A true net metering agreement should have a 1:1 kW ratio which means that 1kW produced by solar = 1 kW consumed from grid. As long as your solar system produces equal to or more energy than you use during non-productive hours, you will not have a power bill or net zero. Check with your local power company to see what is offered for net metering.
Net zero means that you have produced as much energy or more energy than your home used from the grid. This results in a zero dollar power bill.
WHY DOES 3E NEED A COPY OF MY POWER BILL?
To determine the solar system size you would need for your home to net zero, we need to know exactly how much energy your home uses on average throughout the year.
WHAT ARE THE TAX CREDITS OFFERED FOR GOING SOLAR?
The tax credits are as mentioned above - Federal tax credit = 30% of your system value. When you file your taxes next year, let your tax advisor know that you've gone solar so you can cash in on your benefits.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR THE TAX CREDITS?
We always recommend talking to your tax advisor about this, but the tax credits are based on your tax liability (the amount of money you pay into taxes each year).
HOW AM I ALLOWED TO USE THE MONEY FROM MY TAX CREDITS?
Any way you want. We suggest putting them towards your system's cost which will significantly reduce the size and term of your loan, however your tax credits are there for you to do ANYTHING you choose! Pay down a higher interest loan, make other home improvements, you could even buy a new car or go on vacation. Talk to your financial advisor to help determine what is best for you.
DOES IT MATTER WHO I CHOOSE TO GO SOLAR WITH?
Not all solar companies are created equal. Going solar is a very abstract, intangible process and, if you're not working with the right company, can become a downright headache. You want to do extensive research on who you will be working with. Take a look at what their customers have to say. Does the company sell solar ownership or solar leases? Are they willing to put everything in writing? Ask questions. A LOT of questions. The right company will take the time to address all of your questions and concerns regarding your solar system during and long after your system is installed.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SOLAR LEASE AND SOLAR OWNERSHIP?
The main difference is that with solar ownership you actually own your solar system outright. When you own your solar system, there is no lean against your property as there is in the case of a solar lease. You directly receive tax credits that come with your system. In the case of a solar lease, you lease the panels from a company for a pre-determined length of time, usually 20 years, at the end of which you have the option to purchase your now 20 year old system for what they determine is current market value. You do not receive your tax credits- the rights to cash in on those go directly to the solar leasing company. The payments of a lease increase annually just like your power bill. Selling a property with a solar lease attached can prove a very difficult task. You have to find a buyer who is willing to assume that solar lease and will qualify for the lease program.
DOES 3E SELL SOLAR LEASES?
NO. We exclusively sell solar system ownership. This allows you to keep the tax incentives and gives you the advantage of marketing your home as a net zero energy property should you ever decide to move. There is no lean attached to the property from the solar and the solar panels are sold with the home.
WHAT IF MY REAL ESTATE AGENT SAYS ITS A BAD IDEA?
Find out why he or she thinks so. Chances are that they have either had or know someone who has had a terrible experience selling a home with a solar lease attached to the property. As previously mentioned, it can be very difficult to find a buyer for a home with a solar lease attached to the property. This is exactly why at 3E we EXCLUSIVELY deal in solar ownership. Perhaps they have been witness to a solar sale made by a less than upstanding company that has not worked in the customer's favor. Solar is not for everyone and a good company will tell you when it does not benefit your home and budget. It is essential that you purchase solar from a company that does the job proplerly from start to well beyond the install. The reality is consumers are educating themselves more and more these days, and often times when considering buying a home, buyers are asking to see the property's utility history to know what other monthly expenses to anticipate when considering purchasing a property. How does your home look from that perspective? Wouldn't it be that much more attractive as a net zero home? We think so too and and so should your real estate agent!
WILL I STILL HAVE POWER DURING A BLACKOUT?
If you have a battery with your system, yes. Without a battery you will not have power. This is for safety reasons. Because you are still drawing power from the grid (essentially using the grid as your battery; see "What is Net Metering" above), anyone working on the grid would be at risk of serious injury. Ask your sales rep. to include a battery with your solar system and get rid of that noisy generator that costs so much money only to run a few essentials in your home. Batteries qualify for the 30% tax credit also!
WILL I STILL HAVE A POWER BILL?
At 3E we endeavor to design every solar system so that you net zero on your power bill. We estimate your average annual usage based on the last 12 months of your power bill. As long as you don't add more people or new appliances (such as a fancy swimming pool, 2nd deep freezer, add square footage etc.), you should net zero. In the event you do decide to add any more energy cunsumers to your home, simply reach out to us and we can add more panels to your system to get you back to net zero. That said, you will always have a small connection fee to your electric company, typically between $8-$12 per month.
Not all homes allow us to build a system large enough to offset your entire energy bill. In these rare cases, we are limited by useable roof space, HOA restrictions that sometimes limit panel placement to the back of the house, or shading from nearby trees or building. In the event this is the case with your home, your 3E representative will inform you that you cannot net zero and show you what percentage of your electric bill your system will offset.
*Please note that we can trim trees if need be*
HOW LONG BEFORE MY SYSTEM IS INSTALLED?
Install times can vary due to HOA restrictions, permitting, and communications with utility providers. Currently install times vary 3-6 weeks after contracts are signed. After signing up for solar, your solar installer will pull all necessary permits and procure an interconnection agreement with your electric company for your home. We handle everything and keep you informed every step of the way.
DO MY SOLAR PANELS NEED TO BE CLEANED?
Yes. Every week with a soft toothbrush. Haha we kid! Your solar system is a pretty self-sustaining system. The panels are designed with being outside in mind. You absolutely can have your panels cleaned if you want to (ahem, pollen season in the south) but it is not typically necessary as nature can take care of it for you.
