WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - Solar Power Company & Solar Panel ... · types of inverters o˚ered by most...
Transcript of WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - Solar Power Company & Solar Panel ... · types of inverters o˚ered by most...
going solarWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
An introduction to the solar process, cost, and technology.
Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: TECL: 30319
An Alba Energy Solar Consultant will be reaching out to you shortly. Here’s what you can expect:
We’ll begin with a conversation about your energy needs & a look at your electric bill’s 12
month history.
Based on your usage and satellite imagery of
your home, our engineering team will assemble a custom
system design & cost-savings analysis to
show you how much you’ll save with solar.
Your Solar Consultant will set a time with you
to review your solar plan and answer all
your questions.
We’re Alba Energy, and we’re thrilled that you’re taking a huge step towards energy ownership, monthly
electricity savings, and a cleaner planet.
it’s nice to meet you!
how does solar work?
Your solar panels capture the sun’s rays and produce
DC power.
1 3Any excess energy
is sent to the electric grid for use when you need it.
2Your solar inverters
convert that DC electricity into AC that
powers your home and appliances.
5Once qualified, you
will receive credits on your bill for the solar energy you produce
each month.
4The grid and your utility
company act as your backup on cloudy days or at night
ensuring seamless delivery of electricity to your home.
what should you look for in solar technology?
MONOCRYSTALLINE VS POLYCRYSTALLINE
The di�erence between mono and poly panels comes down to quality of silicon, and thus panel e�ciency.
Monocrystalline panels are a purer silicon, and can be identified by their uniform, consistent coloring. Monocrystalline panels have a higher e�ciency, and are better for optimizing space.
Polycrystalline panels are often blue in appear-ance and o�er a lower grade silicone. They are less e�cient in converting sunlight, and so more panels are required to achieve the same e�ciency as a monocrystalline system. The panels are cheaper, though, and so this could be a good option for someone with an excess of space.
What is panel e�ciency refers to the percentage of sunlight that is successfully converted to AC energy.
PANELS INVERTERS
what should you look for in
solar technology?
The percentage of sunlight that is successfully converted by the panels. Higher e�ciency panels mean fewer panels are needed to cover energy needs.
STRING INVERTERS VS MICROINVERTERS
Inverters are the most important part of the system, as they convert the DC energy to AC energy. High quality panels with a low quality inverter system ultimately means a low e�ciency system. There are two common types of inverters o�ered by most solar companies.
DC
AC
To home & meter
Microinverters
DC
AC
To home & meter
String Inverters
String inverters carry the DC energy through the conduit to a central converter. They treat groups of panels as a single panel, so if any one panel experiences shading or any issues, it cuts the e�ciency of all panels in the group.
Microinverters convert the energy of each panel individually and operate at a lower voltage. They optimize the e�ciency of every panel regardless of shading or any issues with one particular panel.
WHAT IS PANEL EFFICIENCY?
MONITORING YOUR SYSTEMMany solar inverter systems will o�er a tablet/phone app that allows you to monitor your system production to see how each panel is performing at various times in the day.
Year of
Free Power
what happens to your utility bill? When you go solar, you’re still connected to your utility
company and the grid. The excess energy you create with your solar panels is sent to the grid so your home can remain powered at night and on low-production days without needing to have expensive home batteries in your house.
Your new bill will reflect the total amount of energy your household consumed over the course of the month, as well as what that would
normally cost with traditional energy.
The bill will then reflect the amount of solar your system produced.
By subtracting your produced energy from your total consumption, your bill will reflect your net consumption and
your net total bill.
On months where you under-produce based on your needs, you
may have a small utility bill.
On months where you over-produce based on your needs, you may have
a credit in dollars or in kWh produced that will roll over to next month.
what are my options for going solar?
Decreased dependency on utility company
Increases home value by adding an asset to your home & decreasing your utility bill
Fixed cost of power
Monthly savings on electricity
Reduces your home’s carbon footprint
Transfers to new homeowner through sale of home
25-year manufacturer’s warranty
You’ll pay a monthly loan payment until the system is paid o�
SOLAR OWNERSHIP POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (PPA)
Decreased dependency on utility company
Increases home value by decreasing your utility bill
Fixed cost of power
Monthly savings on electricity
Reduces your home’s carbon footprint
Transferable to new homeowner upon sale of home
25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty
You’ll pay a fixed rate for electricity per kWh with a low, fixed rate of inflation over time
Homeowners have two options in going solar: ownership, or a Power Purchase Agreement. Let’s look at the similarities and di�erences.
SOLD
paying for solar Most people who go solar pay $0 upfront and choose to finance their system so they experience a low, fixed cost of energy rather than paying for the whole system upfront.
Monthly payment plan over 12 or 20 years
SOLAR OWNERSHIP
POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (PPA)
Upfront cost: $0
Financed amount: $0
Monthly payment: Your electric usage x your electricity rate
When you decide to own your system, you’re eligible to receive rebates from your utility company, the federal government, AND a free year of power from us to help with the overall cost of your system.
When you decide to go solar with a PPA, you’ll pay nothing upfront. You’ll simply pay for your system as you use the power you need.
Utility electric rate with an
average increase of
4% each yearPPA electric rate with a
fixed increase of 1.9% each
year
Upfront cost: $0
Financed amount: Your total system cost, minus utility rebates, a 30% Investment Tax Credit, and a Free Year of Power from Alba Energy
Monthly payment: based on your payment plan
(The money you’re saving with your
solar PPA)
Your solar
payment plan
Escalating utility rates - the money
you’re saving by owning your solar system.
how does solar help you save money?
No doubt, you’ve noticed your annual increases in your electric bill year after year. This occurs as supply of fossil fuels declines, while the demand for electricity keeps rising. Since 2006, Americans have seen a 30% increase in electricity rates with no sign of slowing down.
SOLAR PAYMENT
SAVINGS FROM SOLAR
ESCA
LATI
NG
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TILI
TY P
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ESYEARS
*Based on average usage at the time of system install. Should your electric usage increase dramatically, your solar system
may no longer cover most or all of your energy needs.
RISING ELECTRIC RATES OVER TIME
When you own your solar system, you’ll add value to your overall home value, so when you sell your
home, you’re able to gain back the value of your system and your energy costs. Your solar payment
will cover most or all of your electric usage.* As utility prices continue to rise year after year, your locked in
solar payment will protect you from the rising rates.
ENERGY OWNERSHIP
With a PPA, you pay no money out of pocket and pay less per kWh from day one. Your fixed cost of energy
will have a lower inflation rate than your utility company, o�ering escalating savings over time.
SOLAR PPA
what solar option is right for you?
easy transfer and $4 per watt & Ron Dean
You’re a good candidate for owning your solar if:
You’re a good candidate for a solar PPA if:
You plan to live in your home more than 3 years
You are eligible for all incentives
You are able to take out a loan or you have the funds to invest
You are ineligible for the solar Investment Tax Credit
You plan to move in 1-3 years
You don’t want to take out a loan
Should you own your solar or go with a PPA? Both options have benefits depending on your current situation and longtime plans. But best of all, no matter what, we have an ideal solar solution for you.
NABCEPcertified engineering
team
how to pick a good solar contractor
In-house team from consultants to
installers
A great online reputation and real customers referralseasy transfer and $4 per
watt & Ron Dean
Going solar should be a breeze. It’s a solar company’s job to do all the legwork. That means once you decide to go solar, you sit back while we handle the permitting and logistics. When we’re ready to install, we’ll call you to set a date that works for you. And, we’ll start and finish your install all in one day.
No pushy salespeople, just a
low-key, consultative and
informative approach to solar