Why Solar Power Is Worth It

Many homeowners are harnessing the power of the sun and installing home solar systems in NJ. It helps now that there are many incentives available to homeowners to more easily power their homes with free, clean, renewable energy. But you might be asking yourself: is solar power really worth it? In this article, our residential solar team discusses the basics, including why solar power might be the right choice for your home. 

The Cost of Solar Panels

The largest cost you’ll incur with solar panels is the initial installation fee. Depending on the size of your residential solar system, it can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, however there are federal tax incentives you can claim to mitigate this cost – we’ll discuss them more below. 

The payback period, meaning the period of time it usually takes to recoup the solar installation costs, is around six to ten years depending on your home’s energy needs, and we estimate that the average home saves between $50 – $190 a month on their energy bills once their solar system is up and running. 

Is Your Roof Suitable for Solar Panels?

The shape, angle, direction, and size of your roof will be  big determining factors on whether or not you can install a home solar system. While many roofs are suitable for supporting solar panels, if yours isn’t, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a solar system. Many solar technicians install solar panels elsewhere around the homeowner’s property when the roof isn’t suitable. 

Solar Tax Incentives

There is a 30% federal tax credit available to people who install residential solar panels, and many states have other tax incentives and rebates available. You can check this database to see what’s available in your state. This is a big step in the right direction, and we expect the federal and state governments to continue doing more to help homeowners cover installation costs in the future. 

Your Energy Consumption

Solar panels are best for homes that have high energy consumption. A single person living alone in a small house won’t benefit as much from solar panels as a family of five living in a suburban home. If your family uses a lot of energy on a daily basis and you’ve noticed your energy bills continuing to increase, solar panels would be a more energy efficient and cost effective alternative for you. 

If you’d like to talk with one of our professionals about why solar power is worth it, or if you have any questions about the installation process, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your solar needs.  https://greenhouse.solar/

What The Rural Energy For America Program Means For Solar

The U.S. government, through various pieces of legislation and several programs, is incentivizing both homeowners and business owners to use renewable energy. We’ve seen a range of tax credits and other financial incentives rolled out recently, and people across the country are not hesitating to take advantage. One incentivized program in particular is the Rural Energy for America Program, called REAP. In this article, our team of solar panel installers will explain REAP, including who qualifies and how to apply. 

What is the REAP Program?

The REAP is a government program that provides guaranteed grant funding of up to 40% of the value of the project and loan financing for up to 75% of the project value to small, rural businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy systems, or to make energy efficiency improvements. According to REAP, agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment, and for new system loans for agricultural production and processing. 

Who Qualifies for REAP?

Rural small businesses, meaning businesses located in areas with a population of 50,000 residents or fewer, and agricultural producers in both rural and non-rural areas qualify for the funding available through REAP. All applicants must prove they are citizens of the United States, or can prove they are residing legally in the country. Borrowers must prove that the loan funds will stay in the United States.

How to Apply for REAP

To apply for the REAP, visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s website and select your state from the drop-down menu. Once you’ve chosen your state, the appropriate form and accompanying instructions will follow. This website also contains important information about deadlines. 

How Green House Solar Can Help You with REAP

At Green House Solar, we work closely with several REAP specialists and can help you complete the necessary paperwork for the REAP program in New Jersey. The March 2023 deadline is quickly approaching, so we recommend you submit your application as soon as possible. Don’t miss out on this excellent chance to invest in a renewable energy system for your rural business in NJ. 

For more information about the REAP, if you need assistance completing your application, or if you have any other renewable energy questions, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. You could also visit our website to learn more about harnessing solar energy for your home or small business: https://greenhouse.solar/

What documentation do I need when installing solar panels?

If you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system, obtaining the necessary documentation is an important first step. Each year, thousands of homeowners go off the grid and make the switch to solar, but before you can have your solar panels installed, there is certain documentation that needs to be completed. In this article, our experienced solar technicians will explain the permits and the documents you’ll need, and if you have any questions – our team is happy to help. 

Permits and documents: the logistical paperwork required for your solar panel installation

The first step is to contact your county and city government offices and ask what their requirements are. If you’re working with a licensed solar company, then chances are they know the requirements and can help you understand them. It’s worth noting that not all cities require permits.

If your city requires you to obtain a permit, you’ll now need to prepare all the documents for your permit application. These typically include a roof plan, a site plan, a construction plan, an electrical plan, and a location plan, among others. Your solar installer should be familiar with the process and may be able to assist you in submitting your permit application. 

Next, your local government may ask you to attend a hearing before issuing your permit for solar panel installation. If this is the case, your solar installer can attend on your behalf and answer questions, such as what your panels will look like, but we also encourage you to attend the meeting as well. 

Solar panel permit approval and interconnection

Once your permit has been approved, your solar installer will pay for and pick up your permit, which needs to be on site during the installation of your solar panels. The permit will include information about which inspections are required during and after installation, and your solar company can help you schedule the necessary inspections. 

Many solar panels draw energy from the grid as a back-up electricity source, so you’ll also need to complete an interconnection agreement, which is between you and your utility company. This agreement notifies the utility company that you’re installing a home solar system and will be connecting it to their energy grid. 

For more information about the documentation needed to install a home solar system, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We’d be happy to walk you through each stage of the solar panel documentation process.

Solar panel system installation: what to expect

If you’re considering installing a solar panel system at home, you may be wondering what happens during the installation process and what you can expect. More people are opting for home solar systems now because they want to break free from conventional energy, reduce their environmental footprint, and lower their monthly energy costs. 

In this article, we’ll discuss each step of the installation process from start to finish. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our team today – they’ll be happy to help.

Step #1: Install Solar Panel Mounts

The first step is installing solar panel mounts. These pieces are affixed to your roof, and then your solar panels are affixed to the mounts. Your solar installer will inspect your roof to determine what type of mounts will work best, and then they’ll place them in the ideal position for maximum sun exposure. While it’s true that solar panels generate energy on cloudy days, you want your solar panels to be in the best position possible to absorb as much sunlight as they can, hency why it’s so important to properly place the mounts. 

Step #2: Install the Solar Panels

Once the mounts are firmly in place, it’s time to attach the solar panels to the mounts. Your solar installer will ensure the panels are properly attached to the mounts and that they’re angled correctly. It’s important that your solar panels are securely affixed to the mounts.

Step #3: Wire the Solar Panels

After your solar panels have been secured to the mounts, you’ll need to install the electrical wiring. Turn off your home’s power supply before this step. 

Step #4: Install Solar Inverter and Consumer Unit

The solar inverter is a crucial part of the home solar system. It converts sunlight into the energy used to power your home. Solar inverters are usually placed near the main solar panel, and we recommend they be kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight. 

The solar inverter will need to be connected to the consumer unit, which is your fuse board, in order to generate electricity. 

Step #5: Start and Test Solar Panels

You’re now ready to turn your power back on and let your solar panels get to work. Once your home solar system is up and running you can install an app on your phone that allows you to monitor your electricity usage in real time.

To learn more about solar power and how our team can install a home solar system for you, please call us today or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar

How long can solar energy be stored -

Are you thinking of transitioning to solar energy for your home or business? More and more people are turning to solar panels because they are becoming more interested in free, clean, completely renewable energy from the sun. Instead of relying on traditional energy, why not invest in a solar system that gives you total control?

Solar panels are consistently generating energy, and when they generate more energy than you’re using, the excess energy is stored in a battery pack. While there are differences in battery types, a standard solar battery can store energy for one to five days.

How is Solar Energy Stored?

For home solar systems, solar energy is stored in batteries. The most common type is a Lithium-Ion battery, and other types include saltwater batteries and lead-acid batteries. Your solar installer will recommend the best batteries for your system, and batteries are useful for storing solar energy during high-production, low-use periods, like on a sunny day while you’re at work. 

The number of solar batteries you’ll need depends on several factors, like the size of your home, how many people live there, and how much energy you all use at various times of the day.

Can I Use a Solar Powered Battery Pack instead of a Generator?

Generators are loud, dirty, wasteful, and very inefficient. They also only provide power for a limited amount of time. On the other hand, solar powered battery packs are environmentally friendly, have a longer life than generators, and emit no noise. 

Additionally, solar powered battery packs don’t require any servicing or maintenance, they come with a 10-year warranty, and they are smart home ready. There’s a misconception that solar panels only work on bright sunny days. However, solar power battery packs make it possible to use solar energy at night and during adverse weather conditions, meaning your home will never be without a steady supply of energy. 

How long will the charge on battery storage last for?

Like all batteries, solar batteries do need to be re-charged from time to time. An average fully-charged solar battery can last anywhere from one to five days, while Tesla batteries can last as long as seven days without a charge. 

Solar batteries have a very long life, lasting on average nearly 20 years. How frequently you need to re-charge your solar batteries depends on several factors, including the make and model, and how frequently you use it. 

To learn more about solar batteries or solar panel installation for your home, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar