How to fit solar into new home construction

Building a new home comes with hundreds of decisions, large and small. What’s the square footage? What material is the exterior? What’s the roofline look like? Throughout the process, homeowners have to pick bedroom sizes, window styles, flooring and appliances. One of the most basic decisions can have the biggest impact over the life of the structure – what will power the home?

Many of today’s new homes are all electric – an approach that takes fossil fuels out of the home energy landscape and creates energy savings. Indoor air quality and safety also benefit from the removal of various fuels from a residence. 

But what supplies the electricity? In most cases, a residential connection to the power grid is one of the first utilities to be brought to a house under construction. So what do you do if you want solar energy or battery storage to be part of your home energy supply? At what point in the construction process can those systems be brought into the planning and design?

Mike Studholme.

This blog will explore how you can bring solar into the early stages of planning your dream home to create a residence that can generate its own energy for the decades ahead. 

So when is the right time to bring solar into the construction conversation? As early as possible, says Mike Studholme, Senior PV and Battery Consultant with mtvSolar.

“Orientation is key. Make sure the roof is going to be oriented properly from the start,” said Studholme. How a new house will sit on the site, what kind of clearance the site has and the pitch of the roof all affect the viability of solar panel systems.

If a builder doesn’t offer a solar package among their services, ask if they have worked with a solar installer they trust. Well-established solar companies like mtvSolar have a track record of working with multiple contracting companies in an area, making the coordination of building and installation much smoother. 

And if a builder doesn’t have “a solar guy,” a homeowner can bring a solar company into the process themselves.

“You can contact us directly and we can talk with your builder, do a design and give them a proposal they can build into the project costs,” said Studholme. 

Solar proposals for a brand new home can come from house plans, with a few added details – what appliances the homeowner expects to have and other electrical demands in the home like an EV charger, heated pool or hot tub.

“We can take a plan set and design a solar array. It can take place very early in the process,” said Mike.

Starting the solar conversation early in a construction project can pay off in multiple ways:

  • Ensuring the home and roof are oriented for maximum solar production
  • Adding solar costs to construction contract for integrated financing
  • Reducing extra costs by incorporating trenching and electrical work into initial build
  • Starting energy production and banking solar credits DURING construction
  • Streamlining permits

Getting a builder and a solar installer talking together with the homeowner early in the process helps everyone – whether solar panels will be part of the main construction process or will be added after the new home is complete. 

“Our production and sales team, builder and homeowner come together on a call where we all agree to a plan. We’ll coordinate with the builder as to when it’s the ideal time for us to come install,” Mike said.

Once the solar plan is in place, construction will follow its normal path, with a few minimal preparations for a future array. A designated “solar conduit chase” from the attic to the electrical room clears the path for solar connections after walls are closed in, for example.

Mike Studholme said as with all solar projects, mtvSolar works with each homeowner to design and install a system that will meet their needs best and fit into their energy budget. For a brand-new home, that personal approach extends to collaborating with contractors all along the way.

“We’re very experienced with how to coordinate with builders,” said Mike. “Communication along the way makes all the difference.”

If you’re wondering, could your dream home power itself? And your vehicles? With the right kind of building site, some forward planning and an experienced solar installer, the answer is likely a sunny Yes!

A system that paid for itself in one storm

Like most solar owners, John Snyder calculated how long it would take for his solar panel array and battery backup system to pay for itself from the initial upfront cost. That calculation prepared he and his wife for a 7-year return on investment. But their solar and battery payoff came much sooner than that. Their 45-panel, 10 kW system was installed by mtvSolar at their Summersville, W.Va. farm in 2011. In June of 2012, a freak derecho storm hit West Virginia, knocking out power to most of the state for 12 days in sweltering temperatures.

“The battery backup system paid for itself in that derecho,” said Snyder. He and his wife watched people lined up at gas stations trying to get gasoline to power their generators to keep refrigerators cool, fans running and supply electricity to essentials.

“We never lost power,” he said. Their solar and battery backup saved two freezers full of expensive meats and specialty products that would have been near impossible to replace. “It paid for itself in one storm,” Snyder said.

Shortly after, Super Storm Sandy knocked power out for another seven days. He and his wife never lost electricity.

Nearly a dozen years later, operating a rare breed chicken farm with multiple coops and pens, the Snyders have an even bigger solar array and slightly different battery backup, all paying for itself in self-generation.

For 10 months of the year, their electric bill is around $5.

Back when the couple started looking for a solar contractor, there were very few choices in West Virginia. He found a number for mtvSolar and called to see if the Berkeley Springs company would travel to Summersville, several hours away, to install a system. A salesman said yes, drove down to see their farm and talk about the possibilities.

Snyder said one thing in particular made an impression on him.

He and his wife had started thinking about a combination of solar panels and wind, thinking one of their fields would be a good candidate for a windmill. The mtvSolar salesman didn’t recommend it. The location would have required a 150-ft. mast and the equipment would have been expensive to repair if anything malfunctioned.

“He could have said, ‘Okay, we’ll sell it to you’ but he didn’t,” Snyder said. That honest approach impressed him, and kicked off a long customer relationship, including added solar panels and battery upgrades.

“We have recommended mtvSolar to anyone who’s looking at solar,” said Snyder.

Homegrown energy — solar farms in the spotlight

Utility-sized solar projects – from solar farms to community solar – are gaining traction in the Mid-Atlantic region. For some communities, there is still some wrangling at the local level about how to fit projects into their unique settings. Solar farms in Virginia have some counties concerned about their traditional farm legacies alongside larger-scale solar energy technology. Concerns have sometimes been fueled by misinformation about the impacts of ground-mount solar arrays on farms, crops, the power grid and even the weather itself.

Renewable energy advocates know that large fields of solar panels can be jarring for people who are used to seeing open fields, cows graze there or hay growing. But there is plenty of proof that agriculture and solar generation can work well together – boosting local energy production, lowering fossil fuel dependency and even raising farmers’ bottom line with lease revenue.

In counties that prize their farm heritage and the traditional look of their countryside dotted with barns and grain silos, some proposals for solar farms have met with opposition and even with changes in their zoning. Their argument — that solar panels will replace farm fields meant for crops and animals — doesn’t have to be the case and misses some of the big benefits of solar farms and agrivoltaics (solar and farming together on the same land).

Many projects in the Mid-Atlantic region are small solar farms to be a good fit for farmland. With careful planning to construct the ground-mount arrays responsibly, a farmer can harness the value of their land to create renewable energy and boost their farm revenue for decades, depending on their lease agreements.

One of the growing opportunities for placing solar farms is in areas that simply aren’t suitable for crop farming because of soil characteristics. Old strip mines, industrial lots, brownfields and degraded land can be ideal places for large arrays of solar panels, putting abandoned or problematic property to practical use.  

“Several independent estimates suggest the country could power itself with roughly the acreage currently dedicated to land most everyone would agree is already degraded. And up to 39 percent could be met by putting panels on roofs. ‘We have tremendous opportunity on rooftops, on parking lots, on other areas like that,’ says Garrett Nilsen, the deputy director for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office,” the NYTimes reported in a September 2022 article about the siting of solar farms.

All of these options will be needed to meet targets for shifting America’s energy policy toward renewables. As power demands continue to rise and the electric grid is stretched to meet that demand, solar farms will fill an important role — putting open land to use to generate electricity without polluting that land.

The U.S. Department of Energy is investing in studies to develop the best ways for solar farms and agriculture to work together, seeing the synergy between the two as a promising path for meeting America’s clean energy goals while supporting farms and farming communities.

Build the ultimate backup system

Be ready for anything.

The world’s full of uncertainties. From monster storms to surprise grid hacks, you deserve power on demand. Forget scrambling in the dark – mtvSolar builds ultimate backup systems, crafted for your peace of mind.

No outages, no worries:

  • Stay grid-connected: Enjoy solar power with seamless backup during dips and blackouts.
  • Go fully off-grid: Ditch the grid entirely and embrace independent energy freedom.
  • Fuel for all seasons: An auto-start propane generator can kick in when sunlight is limited and the batteries need a boost, only sipping fuel as needed.
  • Control without being online: We design systems that thrive even without internet reliance.
  • Tailored to you: We craft the perfect backup solution for your needs and budget.

Don’t wait for the lights to go out. Embrace your power today.

Get a free consultation and secure your bright future with Mountain View Solar.

Plan now to grab Maryland energy storage tax credits for 2024

Maryland’s Energy tax credits for residential energy storage projects (think battery systems) were so popular in 2023 that the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) stopped taking tax credit applications in August, anticipating the state would run out of designated funds well before the end of the year. Maryland’s lawmakers had agreed to set aside $750,000 in the 2023 tax year. Once the money was given out in tax credit certificates, that was it for the year.

The MEA was authorized to give out tax credits for 30% of the cost of an energy storage system — up to $5,000 in tax credits for a system installed in a residential property, and up to $150,000 for a system installed in a commercial property.

For many homeowners and businesses, these credits offered a big incentive to add energy storage components for a variety of reasons — to weather power outages, offset peak demand charges and establish energy stability for themselves.

The popularity of the tax credits this calendar year are a preview of 2024. Under Maryland law, the new year will replenish the Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit fund back to its annual level of $750,000. That means homeowners and businesses can start adding energy storage and battery systems, and tap into the new pool of credits for 2024. The fund is set to run through the end of 2024, as long as the money holds out.

Maryland customers thinking of adding a battery storage system to tie into your solar panels should act early in 2024 to grab the state tax incentives while they last. mtvSolar is proud to serve customers all over Maryland and has the battery expertise to talk you through your options. Call us at 540-686-2052 to find out more.

We tested out the new Smart Load controller for you

This week, we put the SolarEdge Smart Home load controller to the test! Our team trained with SolarEdge on site to install the controller in one of our own homes — letting us see how this new component can fit into residential settings and work with existing solar components. We liked what we saw!

Take control of your home energy like never before!

The SolarEdge Smart Load Controller is a game-changer. It gives homeowners an easy way to manage what gets power during an outage, and for how long. Here’s what else:

  • Maximize your solar self-consumption: Use more of the clean energy your panels produce, reducing your reliance on the grid and saving you money.
  • Extend your backup battery power: Prioritize essential appliances during outages, keeping your lights on and your family comfortable.
  • Schedule and control your heavy hitters: Run appliances like pool pumps, air conditioners, and electric vehicle chargers on your own terms, using smart scheduling and remote control. ‍
  • Track your energy in real-time: Monitor your solar production, consumption, and savings with the user-friendly mySolarEdge app.

Our field-tests of the controller, with company reps and our top electricians working side by side, gave us a real-life look at whether this new component is suitable for our customers. The answer — it is.

The SolarEdge Smart Load Controller is available NOW from mtvSolar! Want to know more? Let’s chat!  

Call us now at 540-686-2052.

What happens if your solar company doesn’t come through?

The rising popularity of renewable energy has attracted new companies to the solar energy industry. Unfortunately, not all of them stick around or have the experience to navigate system malfunctions. We’ve heard from a growing number of people who need help getting their solar components up and running, or back online after a glitch. At mtvSolar, we have the expertise and experience to do just that.

If your solar installer went out of business, abandoned you, or left you with an incomplete or defective system, it can be daunting to know where to turn for help with such a major investment. After all, you chose to go solar to get results — lower electric bills, cleaner energy and power resiliency during unexpected events. You can’t get those if your system is down or unfinished.

We understand that having a solar installation go wrong can be a stressful and frustrating experience. With over 14 years of experience, we’re committed to providing our customers with the best possible solar experience — whether we installed their systems or were called in later.

We’re here for you, even if your installer isn’t.

Call us to assess your system and its performance, and let you know what options you have.

We can help you with the following:

-Completing unfinished installations: We can pick up where your original installer left off and complete the job to the highest standards.

-Repairing defective systems: If your system is not working properly, we can diagnose and repair the problem.

-Providing ongoing maintenance and support: Our team of experts will service your system to keep it running smoothly for years to come.

We know that choosing a solar installer is a big decision, and we want to assure you that we are here for you every step of the way. We’re committed to making sure that you have a positive solar experience!

Call or text us at 304-258-4733, option 1 or email support@mtvsolar.com

Staying Prepared for the Unexpected with Solar and Batteries

In today’s world, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. From hurricanes and wildfires to snowstorms and ice storms, these events can cause widespread damage and power outages. While we can’t always control the weather, we can take steps to prepare for its impacts.  Winter weather can cause power outages in a number of ways, including:

  • Ice and snow: Ice and snow can weigh down power lines, causing them to break or sag. This can lead to outages for both individual homes and entire neighborhoods. Ice can also bring tree branches and whole trees down across power lines.
  • High winds: High winds can also damage power lines, causing them to break or become entangled. This can lead to widespread outages, especially in areas with a lot of trees.
  • Freezing temperatures: Freezing temperatures can cause power stations to be overloaded.

Winter weather can also indirectly lead to outages by making it more difficult for power companies to maintain their infrastructure. For example, heavy snow can make it difficult for workers to access damaged lines, and freezing temperatures can make it difficult for crews to repair equipment.

One of the best ways to prepare for power outages is to invest in solar panels and batteries. Solar panels can help you generate your own electricity, even during an outage. Batteries can store this electricity so that you can use it when you need it most.

Benefits of Solar and Batteries

There are many benefits to having solar panels and batteries, including:

  • Reduced reliance on the grid: With solar panels, you can generate your own electricity, which means you’ll be less reliant on the grid. This can save you money on your energy bills and help you avoid power outages.
  • Increased peace of mind: Knowing that you have a backup source of power can give you peace of mind during an outage. You’ll be able to keep your lights on, your food cold, and your medical devices running.
  • Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. By using solar panels, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.

Mountain View Solar: Your Partner in Solar and Battery Storage

If you’re considering investing in solar panels and batteries, Mountain View Solar is a great partner to have. With over 15 years of experience, Mountain View Solar provides proven solar and battery storage solutions. We offer a wide range of products and services, including:

  • Free solar consultations: Mountain View Solar will come to your home and assess your energy needs. We will then work with you to design a custom solar and battery storage system that meets your needs and budget.
  • Expert installation: Our experienced installers will ensure that your solar and battery storage system is installed correctly and safely.
  • Ongoing support: We provide ongoing support to ensure that your solar and battery storage system is working properly.

Additional Tips for Conserving Energy

In addition to having a backup plan, there are a number of things you can do to conserve energy during an outage:

  • Turn off lights and electronics when you’re not using them. This includes things like TVs, computers, and stereos. You can also use smart power strips to automatically turn off devices when they’re not in use.
  • Use natural light whenever possible. Open curtains and blinds during the day to let in sunlight. This will reduce your need for artificial light.
  • Replace traditional light bulbs with LEDs. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
  • Seal up air leaks around your windows and doors. This will help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing the need for power to heat and cool.
  • Stay informed: Monitor weather reports and follow the instructions of local officials.

An Integrated System

Mountain View Solar can integrate your solar panels, battery backup system, and generator into a single system that is intelligently controlled. The system will automatically switch to the generator if your solar panels and battery backup system are not able to provide enough power.  Once the batteries have recharged, the generator will shut down and your home continues to be powered by solar and battery power.  We can also integrate a fully solar/battery/generator interactive system.

Benefits of an Integrated System

There are many benefits to having an integrated solar, battery backup, and generator system, including:

  • 24/7 power: You will have access to power 24/7, even during a long-term outage.
  • Peace of mind: You will have peace of mind knowing that you are prepared for any power outage.
  • Reduced reliance on the grid: You will be less reliant on the grid, which can save you money on your energy bills.

We take care of our customers. And other companies’ customers, too.

The rising popularity of renewable energy has attracted new companies to the solar energy industry. Unfortunately, not all of them stick around or have the experience to navigate system malfunctions. We’ve heard from a growing number of people who need help getting their solar components up and running, or back online after a glitch. At mtvSolar, we have the expertise and experience to do just that.

If your solar installer went out of business, abandoned you, or left you with an incomplete or defective system, mtvSolar can help! We have over 14 years of experience, and we’re committed to providing our customers with the best possible solar experience — whether we installed their systems or were called in later.

We’re here for you, even if your installer isn’t.

We understand that having a solar installation go wrong can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Call us to assess your system and its performance, and let you know what options you have.

We can help you with the following:

-Completing unfinished installations: We can pick up where your original installer left off and complete the job to the highest standards.

-Repairing defective systems: If your system is not working properly, we can diagnose and repair the problem.

-Providing ongoing maintenance and support: Our team of experts will service your system to keep it running smoothly for years to come.

We know that choosing a solar installer is a big decision, and we want to assure you that we are here for you every step of the way. We’re committed to making sure that you have a positive solar experience!

Contact us today!

Email: support@mtvsolar.com

Phone: 304.258.4733, Option 1

Or fill out our SERVICE REQUEST form: Service Request – Mountain View Solar (mtvsolar.com)