GOING SOLAR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have questions about going solar? Well we’re here to help. Below is a list of the going solar frequently asked questions we receive the most about solar, available incentives, and how solar impacts a home.

Have a question not listed below? We would love to hear from you.

General Solar Questions

  • We stand behind your entire system, including power production. If you experience issues with your system within up to 40 years of purchase, we will fix the issue, hassle free.

    Our warranty last up to 40 years on panel power, production, and service, 25 years on microinverters, 20 years on racking, while our monitoring hardware carries a 10 year warranty.

  • Not all solar is created equal. Starting point efficiency ratings, the rate at which panels degrade and over how long, scope of warranty, quality of materials, etc. all effect the price and value of a system.

    Pro tip, remember to ask these six questions when considering solar:

    • What materials are used in the construction of the module?

    • What is the module’s nameplate power rating?

    • What is the efficiency rating of the module?

    • What is the maximum annual degradation rate of the module?

    • How long is the module warranty and what does it cover?

    • Does the company behind the module invest in sustainability and social responsibility initiatives?

  • Put simply, when photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel, and multiple panels (modules) can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels you can deploy, the more energy you can expect to generate.

  • Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows homeowners who generate their own electricity using solar panels to feed the excess electricity they produce back into the grid. When your solar system produces more electricity than your home uses, the surplus energy is sent to the utility grid, and you receive credits on your electricity bill.

    These credits can be used to offset the electricity you draw from the grid when your solar system isn't producing enough power, such as during the night or on cloudy days. Essentially, net metering allows you to "store" the excess energy you produce during peak sunlight hours and use it later, providing significant savings on your utility bills.

    In many states, including Massachusetts, net metering policies are in place to encourage the adoption of solar energy by making it more financially attractive for homeowners. The specific rates and rules can vary, so it's important to check the net metering policies with your local utility provider.

General Battery Storage Questions

  • The first step is to determine your goals for energy generation when the grid goes down.

    SUNLIGHT BACKUP
    For example, an Enphase Sunlight Backup system with IQ8 Series Microinverters keeps essential appliances running during a grid outage without the need to install a battery. This makes Sunlight Backup systems ideal for homeowners who want basic daytime protection from grid outages while reducing their initial investment.

    PARTIAL HOME BACKUP
    The Enphase partial home backup solution, also known as essential loads backup, provides all-day backup for essential loads (that you identify such as a stove, refrigerator, microwave, internet, computers, etc.) using IQ8 Series Microinverters and at least one IQ Battery 3 or 3T.

    WHOLE HOME BACKUP
    As the name suggests, the Enphase whole home backup battery storage solution provides all-day backup using IQ8 Series Microinverters and IQ Batteries. The system must have at least 10 kWh of IQ Batteries installed. Depending on the IQ Battery sizing, the system will be able to sustain off-grid operation for extended periods of time. This use case supports backing up all the loads in the home. Note that the batteries must be sized correctly to supply the loads.

  • Yes, all Enphase batteries come with a 10 year warranty with an option to purchase another 5 years.

  • The Enphase storage system manages many energy resources - including solar, storage, load, grid, and a generator to work together as a system with IQ batteries.

    When an Enphase storage system is connected to the grid, the system works as a traditional grid-tied system. During a grid failure or an outage, the Enphase System Controller detects the outage. It then seamlessly transitions the home energy system from the grid to a backup operation mode with the help of the IQ Batteries.

    The IQ Batteries depending on the time of day provides backup power to loads and helps form a micro-grid by providing reference voltage and frequency during grid outage or failure.

    When the grid comes back, several hours or days later, the System Controller senses the grid and reconnects the Enphase system back to the grid.

  • The Enphase IQ Battery comes with a 10-year, or 4,000 cycle (which ever comes first), warranty. Enphase guarantees that the battery will maintain at least 70 percent of its capacity to hold a charge during that time period.

  • Yes! Enphase has designed and developed their storage systems to be extremely safe. Batteries used in Encharge™ batteries are based on LFP chemistry (also known as lithium iron phosphate), which is amongst the safest solutions available in the market for residential battery applications. Enphase storage systems are AC-coupled solutions, which are inherently safer than high-voltage DC products.

  • Unfortunately the answer is, it depends. The main factors driving the cost for solar battery backup are:

    • How much baseline energy you consume.

    • Would like to backup only essential loads and if so, for how long.

    • Would you like to back up your entire home and if so, for how long.

  • Yes! The Enphase IQ Battery housing is NEMA type 3R and can be installed indoors or outdoors.

    Always follow local standards, choose a well-ventilated location where the ambient temperature and humidity are within -15° C to 55° C (5° F to 131° F) and 5% to 100% RH, non-condensing, preferably out of direct sunlight. The optimum ambient temperature range for installation location is 0º C to 30º C (32º F to 86º F).

Financial and Incentive Questions

  • The cost of installing solar panels varies depending on the size of the system, the type of panels used, installation labor, and any additional equipment needed. Residential solar panel installations in MA can range from $18,000 for average systems to $35,000 for large systems before incentives and rebates.

  • Savings from solar energy depend on factors such as local electricity rates, the amount of sunlight your location receives, and the size of your solar system. Typically, homeowners can save between $60,000 to $100,000 over 25 years. Solar incentives and net metering policies can significantly enhance savings.

  • Massachusetts offers several incentives and rebates to encourage the adoption of solar energy, making it more affordable for homeowners. Some of the key incentives and rebates available in Massachusetts include:

    Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC):

    Homeowners can claim 30% of the total cost of their solar system as a tax credit on their federal taxes. This credit applies to both residential and commercial solar installations and is a significant financial incentive.

    Massachusetts Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit:

    This state tax credit allows homeowners to claim up to 15% of the cost of their solar system, with a maximum credit of $1,000. This credit is applied to your Massachusetts state income taxes.

    Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs):

    Homeowners can earn RECs for the solar energy their system produces. These certificates can be sold providing additional income. The value of RECs varies based on market demand, but they can enhance the financial return of a solar installation.

  • When it comes to solar financing, we have a unique perspective. Our goal is to help facilitate the transition from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy by providing an excellent, honest, and transparent experience. We always put our partners first and would never veer from our Pillars of Success, principles we live and breathe by.

    Aligning with conventional solar financing institutions just doesn't sit right with us. Why? On the surface, these loans look great for consumers. Who wouldn't want a low interest rate loan? The problem we have is that in order for consumers to receive low interest rates, conventional solar companies pay "dealer fees" to their solar financing partners in order to reduce loans from a standard double digit rate, down to a much lower number. These dealer fees can be as high as a whopping 34% of the total cost of the solar pv system. These fees are then passed on to consumers who ultimately pay more for their system.

    At Spectrum Energy, we're not tied to any lending partners. We simply inform our potential partners about adding a clean renewable energy solution to their home and the most cost effective and honest methods to do so.

    Purchase
    The most cost effective and quickest return on investment (ROI) for solar or solar storage is to purchase a system, also referred to as a "cash" sale. This is when individuals use savings to purchase their system rather than use a financing option. By doing so, any additional fees are negated resulting in the lowest possible cost and fastest ROI.

    Finance
    For those individuals who would prefer to finance a portion of or all of their clean energy system, the best place to start is with your local bank, credit union, or mortgage company. More often than not, you will work with local institutions that know you by your first name and have your best interests in mind. You'll know up front what your interest rate is, the term length, etc. There will be no hidden dealer fees associated with your loan which will ultimately provide a lower cost when compared to financing through larger solar financing institutions.

  • Great question. The answer is yes! Enphase batteries quality for:

    • The 30% Federal Tax Credit

    • SMART Battery Adder

    • Connected Solutions Program

How Solar Affects a Home

  • According to Zillow, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more.

  • Great news! Massachusetts’ state sales tax is exempt for renewable energy investments including residential solar.

  • Great news! The answer is no. Adding solar is exempt from a property tax increase for 20 years.