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1. What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system? 2. Why consider buying a PV System? 3. What is a good site for PV? 4. How much does a PV system cost? 5. Are there any incentives or rebates available? 6. Are there any tax credits? 7. Are there any financing programs available? 8. What should the size of a PV system be? 9. What is net metering? 10. How much mounting space is needed? 11. What do the terms watts, kilowatts, and kilowatt-hours represent? 12. What can be done to make a solar electric system provide more electricity? 13. What’s the difference between AC and DC? 14. Are PV systems expensive? 15. Are there any special features to consider? 16. Where can I get more information? |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Brothers Electric & Solar
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1. What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system? A solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) system uses the sun’s energy to make electricity. PV technology produces direct current (DC) by collecting electrons freed by the interaction between sunlight and the semiconductor materials in a PV cell. 2. Why consider buying a PV System? - A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity purchased from the utility. - A PV system will save you money on your electricity bill and act as a hedge against future price increases. - The electricity generated by a PV system is clean, renewable, and reliable. - A PV system helps the community by reducing electricity demand and provides additional electricity for the grid when the system generates more electricity than is used during the day, when demand is highest. |
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3. What is a good site for PV? A good site should have a clear, unobstructed access to the sun from 10-3pm. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade the site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west may be acceptable. 4. How much does a PV system cost? Although many factors affect the cost, an average PV system currently cost from $8-$12 a watt, including installation, or about $20,000 for an average 2000 watt system before rebates. 5. Are there any incentives or rebates available? Please check are links page for DSIRE.com for Washington 6. Are there any tax credits? The federal government offers up to $2,000 in tax incentives for residential customers who install new PV systems thru 2008. 7. Are there any financing programs available? A home PV system can be financed through a mortgage loan that includes a primary mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan. If mortgage financing is not available, other sources such as a conventional bank loans should be considered. Money made from production could pay interest. |
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8. What should the size of a PV system be? The size of a PV system can be matched to the electricity needs of the home. The average household uses about 9,000 kilowatt-hours per year. A system with a capacity of 1 kilowatt can produce about 1,400-1,600 kilo-watt hours per year in western Washington. 9. What is net metering? If a PV system is sized larger than the average electricity needs, the system will generate more electricity than used. When this occurs, customers will benefit from net metering. Net metering allows customers to “bank” surplus electricity the system generates on the electric grid. For example, excess electricity might be generated during the day when the system produces more electricity than is used. During this time, the meter runs backwards to record the amount of electricity the system has banked onto the grid. Later, an equal amount of electricity can be used without incurring a cost. If more power is generated than is used in any 12-month period, Utility companies will pay residential customers full retail rate for any excess power produced. |
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13. What’s the difference between AC and DC? Alternating current (AC) is used by lights, electrical appliances, and machines in the U. S. The voltage of this electricity is constantly alternating. PV systems, however, produce direct current (DC), which has a constant voltage. This electricity has to be converted to AC by electronic equipment called an inverter in order for it to be used by standard electrical devices. 14. Are PV systems expensive? When purchasing a PV system, you are effectively buying electricity for the next 20 years or more up front, avoiding future electricity price volatility. Solar electricity is also a premium grade of electricity because it is generated without giving off any pollutants. This makes it more valuable and more expensive than standard electricity from the utility. 15. Are there any special features to consider? An inverter is needed to change the direct current (DC) from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) to power your electrical devices and to be compatible with the electric grid. 16. Where can I get more information? Check out our Links page |