FAQ's for going solar in the San Juan Islands

• Does solar work in the San Juan Islands?

  

  Yes! Solar works in all parts of Washington, especially the San Juan Islands due to the rainshadow effect. 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.

• What is the average specific production of solar in the San Juan Islands?

  

  Specific production is a measure of the efficiency of your system based on solar irradiance, tilt and orientation of your panels to the sun, and the system’s efficiency. On average, the residential buildings in the San Juan Islands can expect their solar energy systems to produce 947 kWh per kW installed. This is due to weather patterns west of the Cascade mountain range, old and complex roof shapes, and dense tree coverage across the city.

• What happens when there is a power outage in the San Juan Islands?

  

  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 in Sammamish. 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.

• Do I need a battery backup system in the San Juan Islands?

  

  Battery backup systems are only needed if you experience frequent power outages and want a backup technology that pairs with solar. Living in the Island County its best to take backup power into your hands in case of any prolonged outages. Fortunately we offer several battery energy storage options to meet your backup needs! Note: you cannot get a return on investment for battery backup systems because there is no Time-of-Use rate for electricity in Washington that would allow you to charge the batteries at a cheaper rate of the day and use the stored energy during the more expensive rate of the day.

• Can I charge my plug-in electric vehicle from solar in the San Juan Islands?

  

  Solar energy produced from your solar panels provides energy for all loads in your home. Charging your EV at home is like powering a load such as a TV or electric stove top. The electricity flowing through your home may be from the grid or your solar panels; if it’s during a sunny, cool day and your panels produce power, there’s a good chance your EV is being charged by the energy you create. If it’s in the afternoon or night, that energy charging your car comes from the grid. Excess power generated during the day is credited to the utility, which then is used at night, so you are still offsetting the usage you’d otherwise be paying for by having solar panels.

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

  

  Your house in the San Juan Islands will appeal more to buyers because solar will always have a lower electric bill than a comparable house without solar. The new owner will benefit from Net Metering. You will already have received the federal income tax credit and 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.

• Is there enough sunlight in the San Juan Islands for solar?

  

  Short answer, Yes! Although it rains and is overcast most of the year, solar in the San Juan Islands work for several important reasons. First, we have long summer days, allowing Washington’s solar panel owners to maximize their energy production and credit their bill through the Net Metering incentive. As we build the credit during the long summer days, savings last throughout the darker winter months. Lastly, the solar access in Washington is greater than that of Germany, which in the 1970s led the EU in solar panel installations and boasts of being the first European nation to adopt solar regardless of its average solar access. 

• Are the winter months too dark for solar in the San Juan Islands?

  

  It depends on the home’s location and orientation towards the south since, in the Winter, the sun’s angle is sharper, thus lower on the horizon, which will cause more shading. The situation surrounding homes will also impact the amount of shade on the roof due to trees, hills, or larger buildings. If your house resides in an open space with no surrounding trees or buildings, you can expect to produce solar energy throughout the Winter!