Solar FAQs

• Does solar really work in Washington – isn’t it too cloudy here?

  

  Solar works in all parts of Washington. Anytime there is daylight, the photovoltaic (PV) panels will produce electricity with more power produced on sunny days than on cloudy ones. Because we experience very long hours of daylight and sunny weather in summer, power output in July is about six times greater than in December. And Net Metering (one for one credit of KWH) allows excess electricity from summer sunshine to be “banked” to reduce subsequent electric bills. Rain and snow help keep the modules clean for less maintenance and higher production. Solar systems operate more efficiently in our cooler temperatures than the warmer temps of places like Arizona.

• What is the right size solar system for me?

  

  When designing a residential or commercial solar system for you in Washington State, we look at several key factors. First is usable roof space. We take into account setbacks required by law, stay away from shaded areas, and avoid chimneys and skylights. Second, we design the system so that the array’s electrical output per year does not significantly exceed your annual electricity usage, determined from your electricity bill. The third is your budget.

  We design options to be both affordable and cost-effective over the long haul. We partner with credit unions that offer a zero-down low-interest solar loan. Each module is approximately 66” by 40” and takes up about 20 square feet, so about 800 square feet of roof space is needed for a 40-module array.

  We measure system size in KW (kilowatts). Each solar panel has a wattage rating. Multiply the panel’s number of watts by the total number of panels to get the system size [example: If each solar panel is 300 watts, then a 40 module array is a 12 KW or 1200 watt size solar system]. Whether your project is residential or a large commercial operation, our electricians in Washington State will tailor the size to meet your goals.

• What factors affect the power output of a solar system?

  

  The following factors determine the power output of each solar panel in the system.

  Azimuth – describes whether the roof faces south, east, or west. South or southwest is best. We measure azimuth in degrees with 180 degrees as due south, and east is 90 degrees, west is 270 degrees.

  Tilt – denotes the pitch or angle of the roof.

  Location – the longitude and latitude determine average weather, affecting typical solar resources over an average year.

  Shading – we measure how much the solar resource is affected by trees, buildings, wires, etc., that shade the roof.

  Wattage – each solar panel is flash tested at the factory to determine the nameplate rating in watts. In general, most of the panels we install today are in the range of 395 to 420 watts each for 60 cell panels.

  With these inputs, sophisticated software extrapolates the annual output in kWh for an average year for your specific site.

• What happens when there is a power outage?

  

  During a power outage, the solar energy system automatically shuts down unless you have battery backup—a required safety feature to protect utility workers working on the power lines.

  A solar energy system is not a source of backup power. A grid-tied solar energy system requires the presence of the grid or battery energy storage system to function during a power outage.

• I’m not sure how long I will live here. What happens if I want to sell my house a few years after I go solar?

  

  First, your house will be more appealing to a buyer because solar will always have a lower electric bill than a comparable house without solar. Second, if you are receiving a Washington State RESIP Production Incentive, those payments will go to the subsequent owner – they will need to register with the WSU Energy Program. Payments will have the same end date as if you kept the house. The new owner will benefit from Net Metering. You will already have received the federal income tax credit, so you’ve already earned back that portion of your upfront cost. Last, if you received a loan to pay for solar, you need to pay off the loan. A solar array adds more value to your home than it costs. The best thing to do is to leave the solar on the house rather than try to take it with you.

• Do you offer a referral program if I send friends to you?

  

  We offer a referral program for residential solar systems in Washington State. It is $100 per kW, up to $500. So, if you refer a friend and they buy a 7kW system from us, we will give you $500.

• Can you help with financing?

  

  Yes. We recommend working directly with a statewide credit union. Contact the experts at PSCCU (Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union) for any residential or commercial project. You can fill out the loan application online. Our Washington State team of electricians will provide you with all the technical details about the system. Upon your approval, they can send your down payment directly to us. Secure online signatures are part of our online processing.

• What maintenance is required for solar?

  

  One of the best things about a solar array is its low maintenance. Please, check out our blog on maintaining your solar panel equipment for more details. When you go solar with us, we will provide instructions in your Owners Manual (soft brush and water work best). We strongly recommend annual cleaning near the end of pollen season, usually in May, when you notice green sticky pollen on the surface, depending on how well the rain has cleaned your panels. You want your system to perform best during the sunny summer months. Use your online monitoring system to see the power output of each meeting to make sure there are no problems. NWES offers an annual maintenance package for $1000/year in which we will come out to your place twice a year to clean the solar panels and inspect the system, or we can clean your modules “a la carte.” Just contact us to schedule this service with our maintenance team.