What to ask before you go solar

So you’re thinking about going solar. Smart move. Thousands of solar panels are popping up on roofs across the country. Countless Texans are realizing the impact of powering their daily lives with solar power and seeing the savings in their monthly bills. And just like you each home is different and requires a custom-tailored solution. Your personalized solar system will not only save you money every month, but reduces the amount of carbon and other pollutants that are emitted through traditional forms of energy.

Harness the Sun. Save money. Save the planet. Seems easy enough, and the process to that point is simple if you have the right baseline of knowledge to get the most out of your solar experience. There is a lot on the internet that talks about the benefits of going solar, but not a lot that personalizes the experience to your home.We hope this document helps you fill in those empty blanks that you may have in mind. You deserve transparency, value, results, and answers.

Wells Solar is here to exceed your expectations in all aspects.

Do I have a roof that is ready for solar?

The direction that your roof faces will have an impact on how much sun is collected. This is referred to as the Azimuth angle of your roof and it is the primary factor in determining how much sunshine your panels will receive over the course of each day. Other factors that affect this angle are any objects in the way such as trees or other buildings. Since we live in Texas there’s never a shortage of sun, but good placement will help optimize your system and get you the highest return when you switch to solar. Your roof’s material also affects your system in the long term. Asphalt shingles, metal roofs, clay tiles, rubber and standing seam roofs are all excellent for solar panels. Wells Solar is dedicated to making each install tailored to your roof. Our seasoned professionals take into account all these factors to give you an honest look at your roof’s capability to handle solar. AND, each of our installs comes with a 25 year roof protection warranty.

What type of service and labor warranty come with my system?

This is a VERY important question when buying solar. Most companies will offer a 10 year service and labor warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. These companies often misrepresent the panel manufacturer’s 25 year warranty from the installation contractor. However, this is not good enough. Your home is one investment you’ll want to take care of for decades to come. 10 years is alright, but 25 years is better. You want to make sure you are working with an established local company that has the ability and longevity to honor a 25 year service and labor warranty. It is important that the company you choose has a great reputation and a business model that includes other electrical service work and commercial projects like Wells Solar. We are dedicated to your home’s safety, value, and a top-tier solar experience. You can rest assured your home is being watched over for years to come – quality service and value over the life of your system.

What are the financing options for solar?

Solar lending is designed to make the transition to solar easy. The programs are $0 down and your payments do not start until your system is on and operating, so you are seeing savings from the utility company before you make a payment. You have a lot of different options.

There are 10,12,15 20, and 25 year terms and the interest rates are incredibly low ranging from around 0% to 3.99 %. If you can afford to pay cash that is always an option but it is not necessary with the incredible financing options available.

Wells’ customer service team is available 24/7 to help answer your financial questions. We leave no customer in the dark and keep the lights on with 0 hassle through our solar financing options.

How many installations has the company completed?

You want someone with experience to handle solar on your home. A quick Google search for “bad solar panel install” can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. For that reason we recommend using a company with thousands of installs under their belt. Experience leads to knowledge of how to handle the different circumstances every install can present. And while it is common to see thousands of installs from a company, typically this is across the country. Make sure your installation partner has thousands of installs in YOUR state. Every state has different regulations and rebates for solar. Focus on your specific state shows expertise and will guarantee that your partner has a clear understanding and relationship with your current power company. Wells Solar has over 4,500 solar installations completed across the state of Texas, and we are voted #1 Turnkey Residential Solar Installer.

How long does my installation take?

The actual installation of your project only takes a day or two. This usually depends on the size of your system, the roof’s size, obstacles in the way, trees that may need to be trimmed and a variety of other factors. The longest part of your solar project will be getting the system approved for installation through all of the entities that have a say in changes to your home.

This stage in the installation process takes place after agreements have been signed and your solar system has been designed. Moving your project through utility approval, permitting, and HOA can take up to 6 weeks after the design is completed and has received your approval.

At Wells Solar, we understand that you want to have your panels mounted as soon as possible to rake in the sun and the savings that go with it. We understand that the feeling of waiting can seem like an eternity and our dedicated customer service team is there to update you on the status of your project at any time.

After permitting and installation, one of our three master electricians will visit your home to perform a quality control check. Once we give the go-ahead, your utility company and city will do their inspection and issue permission to operate!

What system size should I choose for the highest savings?

Choosing a solar system’s size is more complex than matching one with your power bill that will produce the same amount of energy as your current electrical usage.

The solar energy consultant first needs to collect the following information:

  • Your home energy usage patterns;
  • The orientation and angle of your roof;
  • The surplus amount of energy you’ll export to the grid; and
  • Which utility you use, how much they charge for electricity, and their net metering rate. This is a utility rate structure that requires your utility to purchase the excess solar energy your solar panels produce at the full retail rate of electricity. This means when your solar energy system produces more electricity than your home needs, the excess power is sent to the power grid. 

This data is necessary when it comes to first determining the ideal system size for your home, and then creating a financial forecast based on that. We recommend steering clear of installers who claim that sizing your system is just a simple calculation.

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You might have more questions.

WE HAVE ANSWERS.

We strive to provide clarity, quality, and value for you. There is a better way of consuming energy in 2021 and we’d like to provide you with answers for your home.
 
Recieve a free energy analysis for your home when you fill out the form from one of our experts. Our consultations are hassle-free, virtual, in-person, and always free. Our goal is to help you understand how solar can offset power bills and provide long term savings for 25+ years.
 

During your consultation, a Wells Solar team member will evaluate your home to determine solar potential. We will request your electricity usage history to recommend the optimal solar system size to meet your home’s needs. They will walk you through rebates, incentives, the installation process, financing options, and answer any questions you have.