FAQs
Are panels on my roof at risk during a hurricane?
To meet Florida’s strict wind codes, solar panels must be fastened with a mounting system that anchors the roof sheathing with lag screws into the roof trusses, reinforcing the roof and making it stronger. These solar panels are less susceptible to damage from blowing debris. In some cases, the solar panels and roof below survive better than the non-solar areas after a hurricane. As with any home improvement covered by homeowner’s insurance, should damage occur a claim can be filed to cover necessary repairs.
What maintenance is required?
For grid-tied PV systems with no batteries, the only maintenance required is an occasional cleaning of the dirty panels (which produce less power), with clean panels ensuring maximum performance. Cleaning frequency is a function of how fast they accumulate dirt (known as “soiling” in solar terms). With no moving parts, solar panels do not wear out. For battery back-up systems, an annual battery inspection and test is also recommended. We provide services to clean solar panel arrays and inspect battery systems.
Will my solar power plant make my meter spin backwards?
it depends on your building’s demand at specific times. If your PV system is generating more power than your building is consuming (which happens often), then YES. Your meter will spin backwards proportional to the amount of power being fed back into the grid. If your building’s electrical load is more that the PV power output, then NO. The meter will not spin backwards, but it will be SLOWED proportionally to the power output.
If the electric company's power goes out will I still have power?
Grid-interconnected (or grid-tied) PV systems with no batteries or generator are designed to shut down if the utility power goes out. This is a safety requirement by law to ensure the PV doesn’t back-feed the utility lines and put utility workers at risk. If the PV is designed with battery back-up and/or a generator, then back-up power will be available when utility power goes out.
The holes placed in the roof to mount the panels; will they pose a risk of leaks?
In order to positively mount the panels to the roof, fasteners are necessary. Roof fasteners or penetrations are flashed to ensure a leak-proof installation for decades. You can be certain your installation will be leak-free. We guarantee our workmanship for up to 15 years, so if there is a leak within a foot of any hole, we will fix it for free.
How do I get a price for a solar system for my home?
Making a solar purchase is much different than buying a major kitchen appliance, because each system must be sized specifically for the energy demand. As every house and building is different, multiple factors go into sizing and pricing a system. By having us conduct a solar site survey with energy analysis, you can be confident in having a properly designed and installed system to provide you with reliable energy generated by a renewable source, for decades to come. Call us at 1-833-GFP SOLAR or email us to schedule a consultation today
Will a solar system be enough to power my A/C units?
Yes, and much more. Today’s PV systems are tied into the main building service panel and provide power to the whole house rather than just one appliance. This is much more efficient, because if the AC is not running, the solar power dedicated to it would otherwise be wasted. We are less concerned about “power output” at any given time (as the intensity of the sun varies throughout the day), but more interested in “energy harvest” in a given month, or more specifically, electric utility billing cycle. So rather than getting excited your system is showing 8,000 watts of power at noon, you’ll be happier that you harvested 1,400 kilowatt-hours for the month and got an electric bill totaling $10 instead of $200.