FAQs And Resources from a leader in the industry.
Q: How much does a residential PV system cost?
A: In general, the bigger and more complex the system, the more it will cost. PV systems with batteries cost about 30% more than systems without batteries. Grid power is reliable so most people get an on-grid PV system without batteries. For example, a home in Southern California Edison territory consumes $250 per month utility electricity. A 3.23 kilowatt PV system with a 300 square feet PV array will save on average $150 per month. This PV system will cost $11,560 and save over $128,000 in electricity during its 25-year power warranty. A larger PV system will cost more but will produce more energy and save you more money. Call SES and get a free quotation for a PV system designed to meet your needs.
Q: How much money will a solar electrical system save me?
A: A properly designed and well installed PV system can save you over 50% and up to 100% on your electric bill. Send SES a copy of your electric bill and get a free estimate.
Q: What is a solar electrical system?
A: A solar electrical system is a clean, quiet, long-lasting generator with no moving parts that produces electricity from sunlight – even on cloudy days. A solar electrical system is also known as a photovoltaic or PV system (photo = light; voltaic = electric power). A PV system literally spins your electric meter backwards to give you free solar electricity during the day and also at night thanks to net metering.
Q: How does a PV system work?
A: The main parts of a PV system are solar modules and inverter. Solar modules are made with solar cells encapsulated in tempered glass and framed with rigid aluminum. Solar modules are assembled into panels called the solar array. Solar arrays are fastened to metal racks that are fastened to your roof or to the ground. The solar cells are solid-state semiconductors made of silicon and trace amounts of phosphorous and boron. Sunlight strikes the solar cells causing electrons in the cells to move in one direction producing direct current (DC). The electrons then flow through wires that connect the cells. Many solar cells are connected together to produce the voltage and current needed to power the inverter. The inverter is a solid-state electronic device that converts solar generated direct current into alternating current (AC) to power your electrical equipment and appliances.
Q: What is net metering and how does it work with a PV system?
A: Net energy metering (NEM) is a special billing arrangement that provides credit to utility customers with PV systems for the full retail value of the electricity that their PV system generates. Your utility meter keeps track of how much electricity you consume how much excess electricity your PV system generates that is sent back into the utility grid. You pay your utility only for the net amount of electricity used. During the day, your PV system can produce more electricity than you use. The excess power automatically goes through the electric meter into the utility grid spinning the meter backwards to credit your account. The new digital meters electronically measure electric current flow in both directions. Excess solar production is carried over from one month to the next on an annual basis. Net metering optimizes your solar investment rate of return and allows you to install a PV that can zero-out your annual electric bill.
