Frequently Asked Questions

M2M Energy understands that Solar Technology is still relatively new to the general population. Some may have questions or concerns pertaining to the advent of solar integration to their home so we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions to help facilitate these inquiries. Please refer to the resources page for glossary of terms as needed. As always, if you still have any questions please feel free to contact us at any time via email.

1. How does a Solar System work?

2. What components are in a Solar System?

3. What types of Solar Systems are there?

4. Will Solar work on my house?

5. Where can I mount my Solar Panels?

6. How are Solar Panels mounted?

7. How much will it cost?

8. What size do I need?

9. Do I need a battery backup system?

10. What are and how much are Solar Incentives/Rebates/SREC's?

11. How long does the Solar System last?

12. What are the warranties?

13. Will extreme weather affect the panels?

 

 

1. How does a Solar System work?

Inside a solar panel you have thin wafers made of two different silicons, one with boron (positively charged) and the other with phosphorus (negatively charged). Each of these plates or silicons have conductors or thin wires that are sandwiched between the plates. Sunlight emits particles of photons down to earth which bombards the silicon/phosphorus plate, causing the electrons to disperse. Since the silicon/boron plate draws electrons to it, the electrons move from the silicon/phosphorus plate (negative) to the silicon/boron plate (positive). As the sun's photons break off more electrons, electricity (DC) is generated.

From the solar panel, the electricity is carried along conductors or wires down to an inverter. Your home is supplied with AC electricity so this inverter converts the DC electric from the solar panels to AC electric for your home. After this conversion, the AC electricity is carried along conductors or wires to an electronic component called a disconnect (which acts like a light switch) before it reaches your AC panel or main breaker panel.

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2. What components are in a Solar System?

Typical Grid-Tie System

Solar Panels --> Mounting System --> (DC) Disconnect --> Inverter --> (AC) Disconnect

Typical Grid-Tie System with Batteries

Solar Panels --> Mounting System --> Charge Controller --> Battery --> (DC) Disconnect --> Inverter --> (AC) Disconnect

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3. What types of Solar Systems are there?

Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Converts energy from the sun into electricity to power your home.

Solar Thermal Systems: Converts energy from the sun to heat water for your home or pool.

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4. Will Solar work on my house?

Solar will work virtually anywhere but these key factors need to be kept in mind in order to achieve optimal utilization of irradiance.

Southern Exposure:

Whether its on the roof or ground, you will need a generally south facing sky - although east and west facing locations will work, in order to achieve optimal performance of your solar system it is recommended to have your panels face south.

Shading:

Does a tree or adjacent building cast a shadow over your roof or proposed ground location? Shade is a major impedance on solar collection as the conductors inside the panels that connect the solar cells together CANNOT be shaded. Located at the ends of the panels, if these areas are shaded then this will cause a substantial drop in production over your entire system even though the shade constitutes as 10% of one panel. We use the latest in shade and sun analysis equipment to ensure that the proposed location will not be affected by any shade.

Location:

A major factor is available space. Some roofs may not be solar friendly as some may have several peaks and valleys that make it only possible for a small amount of solar panels while other roofs are simple rectangular shapes that can accommodate a large amount of panels. For available ground space, if this was the original intent chances are there is ample room to install a practical solar system but when on the ground the determining factor will be the distance from the panels to the main breaker panel or meter as this will drive the cost of the installation up as well.

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5. Where can I mount my Solar Panels?

There are several locations (if available) that solar panels can be mounted.

Sloped Roof / Ground Mounted / Flat Rooftop / Wall Mounted / Parking Lot Canopies

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6. How are Solar Panels mounted?

Sloped Timber Roof: Tied into timber structure with panels fastened to a metal rail system

Sloped Metal Seam Roof: Panels fastened to a metal rail system with a non-penetrating clamp on the seam

Flat Roof 1: Tied into timber or steel structure with panels fastened to a metal frame and rail system

Flat Roof 2: Non-penetrating Concrete ballasted frame system

Ground 1:Panels fastened to a metal frame and rail system attached to concrete piers buried in the ground

Ground 2: Panels fastened to a metal frame attached to a metal pipe and concrete pier buried in the ground

Ground 3: Panels fastened to an existing or a newly constructed parking lot canopy system

Wall: Panels fastened to a brick or concrete wall either flush or on a metal frame tilted up

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7. How much will it cost?

Solar Photovoltaic System

The cost of a solar photovoltaic system typically will be priced on the size but may also be based on additional expenses. Traditionally, standard solar photovoltaic systems will cost between $7.00 to $9.00 per watt installed. So if you wanted to install a 4kW system (4,000w) it would run between $28,000 to $36,000.

Some of the additional expenses that projects may run into are; ground mounted systems situated a distance away from the house, roof needs structural modifications, battery system, multiple pole mounted dual axis trackers, newly installed parking lot canopies, etc. In these particular instances along with any other additional expenses, M2M Energy would have to price these projects on a case by case basis for these construction circumstances.

Solar Thermal System

The cost of a solar thermal system will be priced on the size as well. Since a solar thermal system does not necessarily need as many panels or units for the proposed use, solar thermal panels can more than likely go on a roof and/or ground with minimal to zero additional expenses. Solar thermal systems typically cost between $5,000 to $10,000 respective to the size of the proposed use.

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8. What size do I need?

The size of the system depends on some familiar criteria like the available space, shading, southern exposure, budget and annual electric usage. The reason annual electric usage is a factor is because there is a cap for the size of the system where you may only install up the your annual electric usage.

Example 1: If your electric usage is 10,000 kwh per year then you can install up to an 8kw system which produces approx 10,000 kwh per year. Then you can essentially eliminate your electric bill.

Example 2: If your electric usage is 20,000 kwh per year but due to limited space or budget, you can only install up to a 10kw system which produces approx 12,500 kwh per year. Then you can lower your electric bill by 63%.

So to answer this question will be based on the evaluation of your annual usage and location versus your budget.

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9. Do I need a battery backup system?

A battery backup is always a good idea because when night falls your solar system will not generate any electricity so a battery backup system will store this excess energy generated during the day for use at night. Although this method allows you to store and use as you need electricity, there have been improvements made to the solar industry that now gives the consumer a superior option, Net-Metering. While a battery backup system can easily add $10,000 or more to your system, Net-Metering allows you to use your utility provider as the backup system.

During the sunlight hours your solar system will generate electricity and any excess electricity will be fed back to the utility-grid where you will have a credit with your utility company as this bi-directional meter will spin backwards. During night hours with no solar production and as you continue to use electricity, you are supplied with electric from the utility-grid which will consume the production you had during the sunlight hours. This back and forth relationship should result in a $0.00 bill at the end of the year provided you installed a solar system that covered your annual usage.

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10. How much are Solar Incentives/Rebates/SREC's?

The rebates and incentives currently available are continuously changing so to know what the current rates are you will need to visit the following web sites in order to find up to the minute rates and rebate availability.

www.dsireusa.org | www.njcep.com | http://markets.flettexchange.com/njsrec

Although M2M Energy is dedicated to keeping this web site fully up to date, it is always a good idea to double check the current rates and availability with the above web sites. As of October 2009 the current rebates and incentives are as follows:

 

Residential:

Commercial:

(One SREC = 1000kWh generated from your solar system)

Solar Thermal:

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11. How long does the Solar System last?

With minimal maintenance and care, Solar Photovoltaic Systems will last well over 30 years.

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12. What are the warranties?

Solar Photovoltaic Panels: 20-25 year warranty from manufacturer

Inverter: 5-10 year warranty from manufacturer

Labor: 5 year warranty from installer

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13. Will extreme weather affect the panels?

Solar panels are manufactured to withstand winds in the area of 125mph or more as well as 1 inch hail.  As with any other home improvement it is recommended to add a solar system to your home owner’s insurance.

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