The sun radiates a massive amount of energy, in the form of photons, which hit the Earth and provide us with light and warmth. The sun is by far the largest energy resource we have access to on Earth (3,850,000 EJ/year), big enough to meet all of humanity's energy needs forever, and it's renewable! For a sense of scale, humans use around 600 EJ of energy per year, meaning the sun provides Earth with enough energy in about one hour to power humanity for a year.
Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics, turn solar energy into electricity for human use. When the sun is shining, solar panels allow photons in, which knock electrons lose and create a flow of DC electricity. This DC electricity is channeled to an inverter, which converts it to AC electricity, the type used to power electronics in your home. If your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, the excess is fed onto the grid for others to use.
Solar systems generally produce less electricity during winter months because the sun is at a lower angle and there are less daylight hours. After a big snowstorm, solar panels will not produce electricity at all if they are covered with snow. However your system is designed with winter darkness and snow cover in mind, and solar panels have darkly colored, slick glass surfaces that shed snow quickly. Additionally, solar panels actually perform more efficiently at lower temperatures, when the heat doesn't strain their electronics.
Solar systems are very reliable and require little maintenance because they have no moving parts. Standard warranties for solar modules guarantee a lifecycle of 20 to 25 years, but depending on their quality, they can survive for 30 plus years. Solar panels don't die as they get old, instead their production diminishes. For example, after about 20 years, the output drops to about 80% of nominal. Inverters, another component of a solar system, have lifetimes of around 20 years, with warranties lasting between 5 and 10 years.
Installation and Maintenance
When the winning installers complete their final quotes you will see a detailed list of their proposed equipment. We require our installers to only use Tier 1 equipment. Your solar analyst will be there to answer any questions along the way!
We can design a custom system for your home within 24 hours, and have installers bid on it within the next 72 hours. From there it is up to you to schedule a visit for the installer to check out your roof and once you give the go ahead, installation will only take a day or two. The whole process can be completed in 2 or 3 weeks.
Every installer on the Own My Solar platform must pass through a rigorous vetting process before they can bid on any solar projects. Own My Solar evaluates potential installers on over a dozen different criteria, including past customer testimonials, publicly available reviews, years in business, number of installations completed, current workers comp and liability insurance, valid contractor licensing, equipment used, warranties offered, and more. With Own My Solar, you can be sure that you will get a high-quality, professional company.
Almost nothing. Due to the glass surface of solar panels, they are self-cleaning by rain and wind (except in rare cases). In addition, your warranty ensures an energy output, meaning if your energy production dips below the set amount, the installer will come back and fix your panels free of charge.
Solar energy is cheap. It depends on your electricity usage and the solar resource at your house, but the average solar electricity rate nationwide is equal to the average utility electricity rates - at about 12 cents/kWh. After taking into account all of the incentives and rebates, solar power from your own system is usually way cheaper than utility electricity.
Yes. In general the larger the system installed, the cheaper the price will be in terms of dollars per watt ($/W). So businesses that have larger energy usage can potentially save huge amounts of money by going solar. We will analyze factors like your company's energy usage, building structure, roof space and roof pitch to see if solar would be a beneficial choice for you.
Yes. Solar loans are becoming more common for homes and businesses, as lending institutions realize that owning solar is a great investment. With a $0 down loan, solar system owners can save money from day one and have positive cash flows throughout the lifetime of their system.
Studies have shown that homeowners with a solar system are finding selling their homes for an extra $15,000 on average. We strongly advocate for buying your solar system. For homeowners that leased a solar system or agreed to a PPA, selling their home can become much more difficult, because the buyer either must commit to the rest of the monthly payments, or the homeowner must buy out the remaining contract.
Incentives and Rebates
The driving force behind the expansion of solar is the 26% Federal Investment Tax Credit (FITC), which gives buyers 26% of their system's cost back including installation. This credit applies for both residential and commercial projects, but it won't last forever. In addition, many states and municipalities have additional incentives to encourage solar, such as SRECs, which you can find in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) or here.
Net metering tracks the net amount of electricity you use from your utility minus the amount of electricity your system puts back on the grid. When your solar system produces more power than you use, the excess electricity goes back onto the grid and your electricity meter spins backwards to give credit for the electricity you produced. At the end of the month you are only charged for the net amount of electricity you took from the grid.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits represent 1 MWh (1000 kWh) of energy produced from a certified and registered solar system. In some states, utility electricity producers are required to produce a certain portion of their energy portfolio through renewable sources. Instead of producing that electricity themselves, they will buy SRECs from solar system owners like you, to show "they" produced renewable energy. Typical home solar systems produce 6 or 7 SRECs per year, adding thousands ($$$) in value over a system's lifetime.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) is the new Massachusetts solar incentive program. Similar to a feed-in tariff, SMART gives extra compensation for solar production, on top of the value of net metering. For instance, if your electricity costs 21 cents/kWh, the SMART program gives you an extra 10 cents/kWh (example rate), so that every kWh your solar system produces is worth 31 cents. Note: your actual incentive rate is determined by factors including your utility provider, system size, and system characteristics.
My Lightspeed Estimate
Your LightSpeed Estimate was designed by a highly trained NRGTree solar analyst using state of the art technology. Your estimate, while highly accurate, can and may vary depending on several site specific details that may not become evident until physical inspection. As such, the LightSpeed Estimate should be viewed as a great starting point on your solar journey!
Using detailed satellite imagery and LIDAR measurements, your analyst was able to measure your roof planes and complete a detailed shading analysis. This process allows the analyst to design a system custom suited to your property.
At the LightSpeed stage of the solar process, your analyst used “Tier 1” solar equipment. While the actual manufacturers may vary by installer, you can rest assured that we are using only the best of the best. For a sample list click here.
In your instant estimate we have much less information about your home and energy usage. We assume that your roof has the space and solar resource to offset 90% of your electricity usage, but in actuality due to shading, size and tilt, it may be much worse, lowering your savings. In the LightSpeed estimate we use advanced software to model your home and solar resource and then look at your electrical bill to give you the best possible solar system for your specific situation.
While we keep aesthetics in mind, your analyst has designed the system to maximize energy generation and incentive production. This may explain why we used the front of your house versus the back. Our analyst will be happy to walk you through any design concerns or requests either via email or phone.
Yes. If your yard has lots of sunlight we can design a ground system for you. Or if you have a separate standing structure we can put solar panels there as well. Keep in mind projects like these can be more difficult to wire to your electrical box and therefore may have extra costs. Contact us if you'd like a custom solution.
We assume that your utility electricity price will increase at a rate of 3% per year, based on historical trends. The amount you see is the average monthly savings over 30 years, during which your utility bill will heavily increase.
No. The savings shown are assuming a discount rate of 0%. If you would like to see the net present value of your project contact us and we will send you more detailed financial information.
Jua hutoa nishati nyingi sana kwa namna ya fotoni ambazo huangukia dunia na kutupa nuru na joto. Jua ni chanzo kikubwa zaidi cha nishati duniani, na kinaweza kutosheleza mahitaji ya binadamu ya nishati kwa muda mrefu. Kwa mfano, kwa mwaka, wanadamu hutumia nishati ya EJ 600, ambayo inamaanisha kwamba jua hutoa nishati ya kutosha kwa saa moja ili kuwezesha wanadamu kwa mwaka mmoja. Paneli za jua, zinazojulikana pia kama photovoltaics, hubadilisha nishati ya jua kuwa umeme kwa ajili ya matumizi ya kibinadamu. Wakati jua linaangaza, paneli za jua huruhusu fotoni kuingia, ambazo hupoteza elektroni na kuunda mtiririko wa umeme wa DC. Mzunguko wa umeme wa DC unaelekezwa kwa inverter, ambayo inageuza umeme wa AC, aina inayotumiwa kuendesha vifaa vya elektroniki nyumbani. Ikiwa paneli zako za jua zinazalisha umeme zaidi ya unavyohitaji, ziada hutolewa kwenye gridi kwa wengine kutumia. Kwa kawaida, mfumo wa jua hutokeza umeme mdogo wakati wa majira ya baridi kali kwa sababu jua liko chini ya mwinuko na kuna saa chache za mchana. Baada ya dhoruba kubwa ya theluji, paneli za jua hazitazalisha umeme kabisa ikiwa zimefunikwa na theluji. Kwa sababu ya hali ya baridi kali, jua na theluji, paneli za jua zina rangi nyeusi, vioo vyenye rangi ya kijivu, na huondoa theluji haraka. Kwa kuongezea, paneli za jua kwa kweli hufanya kazi kwa ufanisi zaidi katika joto la chini, wakati joto halisumbui vifaa vyao vya elektroniki. Mifumo ya jua ni yenye kutegemeka sana na huhitaji matengenezo machache kwa sababu haina sehemu zinazoweza kusonga. Kwa mfano, dhamana ya kawaida ya moduli za jua ni miaka 20-25 na inaweza kutumika kwa zaidi ya miaka 30. Paneli za jua hazikufa zinapokuwa za zamani, badala yake uzalishaji wao hupungua. Kwa mfano, baada ya miaka 20 au zaidi, uzalishaji hupungua hadi asilimia 80 ya thamani ya kawaida. Inverter ni sehemu ya mfumo wa jua na ina maisha ya miaka 20 na dhamana ya miaka 5 hadi 10. Usanidi na Uhifadhi: Wakati wauzaji wa kushinda kukamilisha quotes yao ya mwisho utaona orodha ya kina ya vifaa vyao mapendekezo. Sisi ni kuwa na uwezo wa kuanzisha vifaa vya kiwango cha kwanza tu. Mchambuzi wako wa jua atakuwapo ili kujibu maswali yoyote njiani! Sisi ni uwezo wa kubuni mfumo wa desturi kwa ajili ya nyumba yako ndani ya masaa 24, na kuwa na installers zabuni juu yake ndani ya masaa 72 ijayo. Kuanzia hapo ni juu yako kupanga ziara kwa msanidi programu kuangalia juu ya paa yako na mara moja wewe kutoa kwenda mbele, ufungaji itachukua tu siku moja au mbili. Mchakato wote unaweza kukamilika katika wiki mbili au tatu. Kila msanidi programu kwenye jukwaa la Solar My lazima ipite kupitia mchakato mkali wa ukaguzi kabla ya kuweza kutoa zabuni kwa miradi yoyote ya jua. Solar My Own inathamini wasimamizi wa uwezekano juu ya vigezo kadhaa tofauti, pamoja na ushuhuda wa wateja wa zamani, ukaguzi unaopatikana kwa umma, miaka katika biashara, idadi ya mitambo iliyokamilika, wafanyikazi wa sasa na bima ya dhima, leseni halali ya mkandarasi, vifaa vilivyotumika, dhamana zinazotolewa, na zaidi. Kwa kutumia My Solar, unaweza kuwa na uhakika kwamba utapata kampuni ya ubora wa juu na ya kitaaluma. Karibu hakuna chochote. Kwa sababu ya uso wa kioo wa paneli za jua, zinajisafisha na mvua na upepo ( isipokuwa katika visa vichache). Kwa kuongezea, dhamana yako inahakikisha pato la nishati, ikimaanisha kwamba ikiwa uzalishaji wako wa nishati unapungua chini ya kiasi kilichowekwa, msanidi utarudi na kurekebisha paneli zako bila malipo. Nishati ya jua ni ya bei nafuu. Inategemea matumizi yako ya umeme na rasilimali ya jua nyumbani kwako, lakini kiwango cha wastani cha umeme wa jua nchini kote ni sawa na viwango vya wastani vya umeme wa huduma - karibu 12 cents kwa kWh. Baada ya kuzingatia kila aina ya faida na hasara, nishati ya jua kutoka kwa mfumo wako mwenyewe ni rahisi zaidi kuliko umeme wa huduma. Ndio, nina hakika. Kwa ujumla, mfumo mkubwa zaidi umewekwa, bei itakuwa ya bei nafuu kwa dola kwa watt ($ W). Kampuni ambazo zinatumia nishati nyingi zinaweza kuokoa pesa nyingi kwa kutumia nishati ya jua. Tutachambua mambo kama vile matumizi ya nishati ya kampuni yako, muundo wa jengo, nafasi ya paa na mwinuko wa paa ili kuona kama jua litakuwa chaguo zuri kwako. Ndio, nina hakika. Mikopo ya jua inazidi kuwa ya kawaida kwa nyumba na biashara, kwani taasisi za kukopesha zinatambua kuwa kumiliki jua ni uwekezaji mkubwa. Kwa mkopo wa $ 0 chini, wamiliki wa mfumo wa jua wanaweza kuokoa pesa kutoka siku ya kwanza na kuwa na mtiririko mzuri wa fedha katika maisha yote ya mfumo wao. Utafiti unaonyesha kuwa wamiliki wa nyumba na mfumo wa jua wanauza nyumba zao kwa $ 15,000 kwa wastani. Tunapendekeza sana kununua mfumo wako wa jua. Kwa wamiliki wa nyumba ambao wameajiri mfumo wa jua au wamekubaliana na PPA, kuuza nyumba yao inaweza kuwa ngumu zaidi, kwa sababu mnunuzi lazima ahakikishie malipo ya kila mwezi, au mmiliki wa nyumba lazima anunue mkataba uliobaki. Kwa mujibu wa ripoti hiyo, serikali ya Marekani imetoa mkopo wa kodi ya uwekezaji wa serikali ya Marekani (FITC) wa asilimia 26 kwa ajili ya kuimarisha nishati ya jua, ambayo inatoa watumiaji asilimia 26 ya gharama ya mfumo wao, ikiwa ni pamoja na ufungaji. Mikopo hii inatumika kwa miradi ya makazi na kibiashara, lakini haitadumu milele. Serikali za nchi nyingi zinatoa msukumo wa kuendeleza nishati ya jua, kama vile SRECs, ambayo unaweza kupata katika Database ya Msukumo wa Jimbo kwa Renewables na Ufanisi (DSIRE). Mipimo ya Net inaweka kiwango cha umeme unaotumia kutoka kwa huduma yako, minus kiasi cha umeme mfumo wako unarudisha kwenye gridi. Wakati mfumo wako wa jua unazalisha nguvu zaidi kuliko unavyotumia, umeme uliozidi unarudi kwenye gridi na mita yako ya umeme inazunguka nyuma ili kutoa mikopo kwa umeme uliotengenezwa. Mwishoni mwa mwezi, unatozwa tu kwa kiasi cha umeme uliochukua kutoka kwa gridi. Nishati ya nishati ya jua ya upya inawakilisha 1 MWh (1000 kWh) ya nishati inayotokana na mfumo wa jua uliothibitishwa na kusajiliwa. Katika baadhi ya majimbo, watengenezaji wa umeme wa huduma zinahitajika kuzalisha sehemu fulani ya kwingineko yao ya nishati kupitia vyanzo vya mbadala. Badala ya kuzalisha umeme wenyewe, watanunua SRECs kutoka kwa wamiliki wa mfumo wa jua kama wewe, kuonyesha "wanazalisha" nishati mbadala. Mifumo ya kawaida ya jua ya nyumbani inazalisha SRECs 6 au 7 kwa mwaka, ikiongeza maelfu ya thamani katika maisha ya mfumo. Massachusetts Solar Renewable Target (SMART) ni mpango mpya wa msukumo wa jua wa Massachusetts. Kama ilivyo kwa ushuru wa kulisha, SMART hutoa fidia ya ziada kwa uzalishaji wa jua, juu ya thamani ya kipimo cha wavu. Kwa mfano, ikiwa umeme wako unagharimu senti 21 kwa kilowati saa, programu ya SMART inakuwezesha kupata senti 10 za ziada kwa kilowati saa, kwa hivyo kila kilowati saa ambayo mfumo wako wa jua hutengeneza inastahili senti 31. Kumbuka: kiwango chako halisi cha motisha huamuliwa na mambo ikiwa ni pamoja na mtoa huduma wako, ukubwa wa mfumo, na sifa za mfumo. "LightSpeed Estimator ni ""mfano wa umeme wa umeme"" ambao umebuniwa na mtaalamu wa nishati ya jua wa NRG, na unaonyesha jinsi ya kuunda umeme wa umeme wa umeme." Makadirio yako, ingawa ni sahihi sana, yanaweza na yanaweza kutofautiana kulingana na maelezo kadhaa maalum ya tovuti ambayo yanaweza kuwa wazi hadi ukaguzi wa kimwili. Kwa hiyo, Makadirio ya Kasi ya Nuru yapasa kuonwa kuwa mahali pazuri pa kuanza safari yako ya jua! Kwa kutumia picha za satellite na vipimo vya LIDAR, mtaalamu wako aliweza kupima ndege za paa na kukamilisha uchambuzi wa kina wa kivuli. Utaratibu huu inaruhusu mchambuzi kubuni mfumo desturi inafaa kwa mali yako. Katika hatua ya LightSpeed ya mchakato wa jua, mchambuzi wako kutumika <unk>Tier 1<unk> vifaa vya jua. Ingawa bidhaa za bidhaa zinaweza kutofautiana kulingana na mtengenezaji, unaweza kuwa na uhakika kwamba tunatumia bidhaa bora zaidi. Kwa orodha ya sampuli bonyeza hapa. Kwa mfano, kwa mfano, tunapata takwimu za chini zaidi kuhusu matumizi ya nishati ya nyumba yako. Kwa mfano, unaweza kudhani kwamba paa lako lina nafasi na rasilimali ya jua ya kusawazisha 90% ya matumizi yako ya umeme, lakini kwa kweli, kwa sababu ya kivuli, ukubwa na mwinuko, inaweza kuwa mbaya zaidi, kupunguza akiba yako. Katika makadirio ya LightSpeed, tunatumia programu ya hali ya juu kuunda nyumba yako na rasilimali ya jua na kisha kuangalia bili yako ya umeme ili kukupa mfumo bora wa jua kwa hali yako maalum. Wakati sisi kuweka aesthetics katika akili, mchambuzi wako imeundwa mfumo wa kuongeza uzalishaji wa nishati na uzalishaji motisha. Hii inaweza kueleza kwa nini sisi kutumika mbele ya nyumba yako dhidi ya nyuma. Wataalamu wetu watafurahi kukusaidia kupitia wasiwasi wowote wa kubuni au maombi ama kupitia barua pepe au simu. Ndio, nina hakika. Kama shamba lako lina jua nyingi, tunaweza kubuni mfumo wa ardhi kwa ajili yenu. Kama una nyumba ya kujitegemea, unaweza kuweka paneli za jua. Kumbuka kwamba miradi kama hii inaweza kuwa ngumu zaidi kuunganisha kwa sanduku lako la umeme na kwa hivyo inaweza kuwa na gharama za ziada. Wasiliana nasi kama unataka ufumbuzi wa kawaida. Kwa mfano, tunaweza kusema kwamba bei ya umeme ya kampuni yetu itaongezeka kwa kiwango cha asilimia 3 kwa mwaka, kulingana na mwenendo wa kihistoria. Kwa mfano, kwa mfano, unaweza kuokoa kiasi cha pesa kwa kila mwezi kwa miaka 30 na wakati huo huo, gharama za huduma za umma zitaongezeka. La, sivyo. Uokoaji ulioonyeshwa unadhaniwa kuwa kiwango cha discount cha 0%. Kama unataka kuona thamani ya sasa ya mradi wako, wasiliana nasi na tutakutumia maelezo zaidi ya kifedha.