If you’ve ever considered making the switch to solar energy for your home, the first question you’ll likely ask is whether or not you can afford the change. Though the process may seem involved and the price tag may seem high, going solar might actually end up being easier than you think. As you think about the possibility of installing solar panels in your home and whether you can afford it, make sure you’re staying informed and asking the right questions to ensure a successful, eco-friendly transition.

When does going solar make sense?

Before you start to crunch the numbers, it’s crucial to ask when going solar makes sense for you and your home. Currently, the price of going solar has continued to decrease, however, should more and more homeowners take advantage of these low prices, the cost will naturally rise. It’s important to stay on top of the market if you find yourself seriously interested in going solar. In the previous year, the average solar system for a residential property cost about $17,880, before subtracting any savings benefits a homeowner may claim. However, biting the bullet now might be worth it in the long run. As electricity cost percentages continue to rise each year, the amount you could save during the lifetime of your solar system can average to over a thousand dollars a year.

It’s also important to be aware of the solar incentives your state might offer for making this change to your home. Such incentives differ depending on your state, so take the time to research any returns your state may offer and you’ll be surprised how much you may be able to save. Apart from this, there is also a federal tax credit you can receive until the end of 2021 for making energy efficient upgrades which includes solar panel installation. With these incentives in mind, making the switch to solar energy for your home is likely a decision you’ll want to make over the next 2 years. If you’re wondering how your current budget could possibly afford a change like this within such a short time, there are plenty of financing options that will allow you to achieve this goal.

What are my financing options?

There are a number of financing options you can look into in order to afford going solar. If you’re unfamiliar with the different financing choices available to you, below are a few examples of the most common ways a homeowner can pay for their system.

Solar Loan

If you’re hoping to own your solar system outright, a solar loan is a great option. Solar loan payments tend to be smaller per month than the typical household energy bill, and usually have low interest rates. Most solar loan options are not labelled as such, and can fall into a variety of different categories. These types of loans range from home equity, to a secure solar loan that you can finance through an installation company. If you’ve been debating taking out a home equity loan to fund any larger home upgrades you have planned, now is a great time to research and learn about home equity loans and what they can do for you.

Solar Lease

Apart from the various solar loan options outlined above, you can also try solar leasing. While some homeowners prefer this option as opposed to buying, leasing does mean that you would be forgoing your federal tax credit incentive that you would receive should you buy the system on your own. However, some leasing companies do offer maintenance and equipment assistance as a part of the deal. If you are seriously considering solar leasing vs. buying, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

What to keep in mind

Now more than ever you may find that you’re spending more and more time inside your home along with the rest of the population, so it’s natural to wonder how your increased hours at home might be affecting your energy bill. Though it’s most likely not feasible to make the switch to solar right away, it might be in your best interest to start putting the plans for an installation in motion. Keep in mind that most solar installation processes take on average 2 months to complete, planning period included. What it really comes down to is how much you estimate you’ll save on a monthly basis by making this change. If you are on the fence about financing a project like this, you can always consider an unsecured personal loan as another affordable option as well. Essentially, there are a variety of solar loans to look into, so don’t limit your options. Utilize an online solar savings calculator to get a quick estimate on if the change will be worth it in the long run for you and your home.

Aside from the savings and timing factor, you should also keep in mind the environmental impact. As your energy usage increases, so will your carbon footprint. If you’re looking to lessen the influence your home has on the planet, keep tabs on your energy usage during this time. Utilizing solar energy is both sustainable and efficient, and it’s a great way to achieve the goal of having a more eco-friendly home.

As you consider the financial aspects of installing solar in your home, don’t forget to explore your options and research the incentives. Don’t force this change if the timing doesn’t feel right, or if you’re hesitant about the financing process. Put the proper plans in place and empower yourself with the information needed to set your home up for success. With the many financing options available to you, it might be worthwhile to set up a call with a local lender to see how much of the process can be discussed remotely and put into action.

About Mountain View Solar

Mountain View Solar is your local West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania solar and energy efficiency contractor. Our primary products include solar energy systems and battery backup. In addition, our trained team of professionals can discuss efficiency upgrades that in combination with solar can not only reduce your carbon footprint, but substantially increase the overall ROI for your solar energy system. We can even recommend trusted contractors for your appliance upgrades.

mtvSolar has always been a leader in green energy initiatives. We started our journey as premier builders of energy efficient homes before making the shift into renewable power generation. We take energy efficiency and green energy initiatives very seriously and will help maximize the impact of your new solar installation.

Contact us today for a free, zero-pressure consultation customized for your home.

With the advances in battery technology putting them in the news frequently, some people have gotten the impression that a battery system is a required part of a solar energy solution. This is not the case at all. In fact, solar power systems without a battery are the most common type. This may leave you wondering if you will have power at night, or whether you can take advantage of the extra power that your solar panels generate.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how the different systems store the power that you generate so that it doesn’t go to waste. After a brief introduction to how the solar storage options work, we’ll take a deeper look at the non-battery option to answer any questions you may have about running a solar power system without one.

How Excess Solar Energy is Stored

There are two ways that you can store the excess energy that your panels generate so that you can use it later. The battery enabled solution is the first and most obvious. The second option is tying into the grid, known as “grid-tied”. In this case you aren’t storing the power yourself, you are being credited for it by the utility company. Let’s take a look at the two solutions.

How Battery Backup Solar Energy Systems Work

Solar energy systems with a battery installed operate similarly to the way your laptop does. If your laptop is plugged in when you are using it, then it can draw power from the outlet. Since you do not use all of the power that comes from the wall, any excess power goes into your laptop’s battery. This way, when you are disconnected from the wall outlet, your laptop still has power.

A solar battery is the same way. Like your laptop battery, it is a chemical storage device. It stores excess power generated by your solar panels and should you have a power outage and become disconnected from the power grid, your solar battery will kick in and allow you to continue powering your home.

How Grid-Tie Solar Energy Systems Work

Tying your solar array into the grid works in a similar fashion. In this setup, the power coming from your solar panels will power your house. If there is not enough solar energy coming in, you will fall back to using power from the grid. So far, this is exactly the same as a battery-powered setup. The difference here is that if you produce more electricity than you need, that power is pumped into the grid instead of a battery in your home.

With this type of system, you are not using excess power to charge a battery, but rather you are sending the power company that extra power and they actually credit you for that excess power through a process called net metering.

About Net Metering

The concept of net metering may be a little more confusing than the concept of using a battery to store excess power. You may be wondering how the credits are counted, how they are used, or what rules and regulations may apply to net metering. In this section, we’ll take a look at net metering in more detail and answer those questions for you.

How It Works

The average homeowner uses more electricity in the morning and in the evening than they do in the afternoon. Solar panels generate more power in the afternoon than they do in the morning and in the evening. This creates a discrepancy in your power supply if you are using a solar power system. Thankfully, in areas where net metering is allowed, you can pump that extra electricity back into the electrical grid. The electric company then sells that electricity to someone else and gives you credit for it.

Most states allow for net metering, although the rules that they have in place differ. Some put a limit on the capacity that you can use for net metering. Other states don’t strictly have net metering, but rather some other form of compensation for excess power generated. This usually means that you will get credited with a smaller percentage of what you generate rather than being credited for the full amount. However, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania offer full net metering, so that is not a concern if you are in the mtvSolar service area.

How It Saves You Money

So now that you have your credits, how do they work? A common misconception is that you will be paid money for the extra electricity that you generate. This is not the case, credits are always applied toward your electric bill. While it is possible that you’ll generate enough electricity that you can have an electric bill of nearly $0, it is not possible that you’ll have a negative electric bill. That is to say, you’ll never receive a check from the electric company for the power that you’ve given them. This is why mtvSolar will ensure that your system is not over-sized for your home’s consumption.

It’s pretty straightforward how your system can build up credits during the day and then use those credits at night so that you do not get billed for electricity that came from your solar array. The benefits of net metering really go beyond that though, when you have a larger solar power installation. The discrepancy between power generation and power usage doesn’t just happen on a day to day basis. You also generate more power in the summer than you do in the winter. By storing up the power generated in the summer in the form of credits, you can enjoy winter with significantly reduced power bills even though your solar panels aren’t putting out as much power.

Getting the right System

A good solar installer will be able to tell you exactly how big your solar power installation needs to be in order to offset the usage of your household while still being able to put excess power into the grid. They’ll be able to give you an estimate of how your solar panels, and the net metering associated with them, will perform throughout the year.

Mountain View Solar has a team of such highly skilled consultants waiting to answer your questions and get you on the path to energy self-sufficiency. Whether you are looking for a grid-tied system for net metering possibilities or a battery-powered solution to provide you with more freedom from the grid, we can help. Please contact us today to schedule a zero-pressure consultation.

Winter Weather Has Arrived

December is here and so are threats of snow and ice storms. These past few years have been quite energetic for many parts of the Mid-Atlantic area; and frozen precipitation does much more than make the roads hazardous for driving. It is rather easy for the traditional electric grid with its overhead power lines to experience outages due to downed lines when the winter weather contains freezing rain and ice, or high winds. If mobility remains difficult due to snowy road conditions, outages can extend from hours to days. This is especially true if you live in sparsely-populated parts of the area, where it often takes longer to fix all the grid problems that can occur over many miles of wires.

No one likes to be without electricity at any time of year, but especially during winter. We all like to have our Internet communications, lighting, and other infrastructure that electricity can provide. Additionally, many heating systems require electricity, even if fueled by natural gas or fuel oil. Families sometimes invest in a generator in order to handle these needs for a brief time, but listening to it run and consume fuel all day long can be annoying. For a solution that can assist in the longer term, it makes sense to deploy a grid-tied solar electricity array, including a reliable battery back-up as part of the system.

Why Grid-Tied Battery Back-Up is Useful in Winter

The Mid-Atlantic states have the dubious honor of receiving the brunt of both hurricanes in the summer and fall as well as substantial winter storms. One of the best ways to gain energy independence is through a grid-tied solar electricity system with a battery back-up.

With a correctly-configured solar power system, your solar panels will keep a battery unit charged and ready. These batteries vary, but larger units can maintain your important devices powered indefinitely. The best part is that when a battery back-up system is installed with solar panels, the battery starts charging as soon as light can reach the panels without the need for a generator, even during the winter. You may want to remove some snow from them at times, but generally, you’ll be back to producing electricity and maintaining your household very quickly.

The expenses can rack up quickly when you experience a home power interruption: food goes bad in the freezer or fridge, and you may run into issues of pipes freezing or other costly problems. Maintaining uninterrupted power via a solar electricity system with battery back-up can allow you to be comfortable even if you have to spend a few snowy days off the roads. This is why having a self sustaining battery backup will not just save you inconvenience and annoyance; it will actually save you time and money that would otherwise be spent on generator fuel, re-buying spoiled food, or getting a professional to repair the frozen pipes. Having a battery back-up makes you independent from electrical grid problems and the stress that comes with it.

Grid-Tied with Battery Back-Up = Best of Both Worlds

While a battery back-up makes you independent during an outage, hybrid solar energy systems are also capable of net-metering during calm weather conditions. Your battery back-up provides you independence when the electric company is experiencing an outage, but the grid-tie element of the system provides you excellent value and payback during regular everyday conditions.

A grid-tied system allows you to use your own solar electricity “first.” If you have used all the electricity being produced by your solar panels, you still are able to use the traditional power grid, such as on cloudy days or days when you need a lot of electricity. It creates a flexible system that never “runs out” of energy. You can start with a small solar array and you have the flexibility to add panels and other components if you determine that you want more free energy, all while still getting everything you need in “extra energy” from the grid.

At the same time, the process of net-metering allows you to actually bank energy to the grid when you have more available than you are using. Consider, for instance, a great sunny day when it is temperate outside; on days like this, if you aren’t using large appliances such as HVAC, you might be generating more electricity than you are using. This electricity flows back into the electricity grid and actually builds an energy credit on your bill, and you get that power back for free when you need it, such as at night.

Residential and commercial building owners alike applaud the value of having grid-tied solar in combination with battery back-up. If a business needs to maintain constant power to the critical systems such as data servers, a battery back-up allows uninterrupted power even if you no longer have sunshine or a functional grid power. On the better days, however, companies truly appreciate the flexibility of being able to use more or less energy than their solar panels generate, without worrying that their array isn’t the perfect size for the consistent needs.

Hire a Qualified Contractor for Your Battery Installation

As you can imagine, making sure you have quality components, the right kind of battery system, and the right amount of solar for your needs can be a tricky calculation. Making sure that energy flows uninterrupted in conditions like winter-storm outages is also a process that requires training and skill. It’s valuable, for that reason, to work with experienced and certified PV installers and battery experts who can help you get exactly what you need from your system. They can help you achieve your goals while maximizing the flexibility and independence you can exercise in your energy situation.

Mountain View Solar employs qualified, experienced installers, so we are a great choice for your project. mtvSolar has more battery experience in the mid-Atlantic region than any other contractor, having frequently installed batteries since 2009. Don’t delay – the storms are coming.

Tesla was not the first manufacturer of electric cars, but the Elon Musk owned company has certainly instigated a revolution in the industry. Tesla created innovation and interest that has driven the electric vehicle market to new heights. Now, Elon and crew have their sights set on bringing battery power to another market, your home.

Like their popular cars, the Tesla PowerWall is not the first residential-use home battery but it is certainly a major entrant into the field and will no doubt do for solar power what the Model S did for electric cars. In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at the Tesla PowerWall. We’ll look at what it is, what it does, and most importantly, why you should care.

What is the Tesla PowerWall?

The Tesla PowerWall is basically a lithium-ion battery for your home. It allows you to store power that can then be used in the case of a power outage or, for solar owners, to store excess power produced by the panels. Although not specifically tied to solar as a technology, one can easily see how the PowerWall works very nicely with a solar installation. Moving the world away from fossil fuels is clearly a large motivating factor for Elon in the creation of the technology. When it was announced he said, “Our goal is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy. It sounds crazy, but we want to change the entire energy infrastructure of the world to zero carbon.”

How does it Work?

One of the biggest problems facing electric cars was the lack of a battery powerful enough to provide a meaningful range to the vehicle. A car that has to be charged at every stop isn’t very practical. Tesla’s engineers, in the course of creating one of the most popular and performance brands of electric vehicles, became very good at creating highly efficient lithium-ion batteries.

The Tesla PowerWall builds on the expertise and technology of Tesla’s engineers to produce a lithium-ion battery that is small enough to reside neatly out of the way in your home, but powerful enough to provide meaningful electricity when you need it. Usually paired with a solar panel installation, the battery stores up excess power while your panels are getting lots of sunlight and allows you to use that power at night when they are getting none, especially during a power outage.

What Benefits does PowerWall provide?

Many people operate solar installations without a battery. Batteries are not a necessary component of a grid-tied solar installation. So what benefits does it provide that will make your solar installation an even better deal?

Nullifies Power Outages

With net metering, you can “sell” excess electricity from your solar panels back to the power company. This means that even when they are not producing power, they are saving you money. However, using the power company as a sort of virtual battery does you no good when the power goes out. A PowerWall will allow you to save up your own power. Not only does this mean that you’ll be sitting pretty with the lights on while everyone else is in the dark, but it also allows you to further reduce your dependency on the electric company.

Protects Against Loss of Net Metering

We just touched on this already, but it bears repeating as its own benefit. Currently, many state governments require power companies to participate in net metering programs. Like many politically motivated things, we don’t know what the future may hold. Although chances of net metering disappearing any time soon are very low, having a PowerWall to store your excess electricity instead of relying on the power company to do so for you is a surefire way to maximize self consumption of solar energy, even if tides turn and net metering goes away.

Increases Property Value

Residential batteries are a property improvement and like any improvement, they will improve the value of your property. Solar panels, and the batteries that can make them useful during power outages, are especially beneficial improvements to make to your home because they directly add actual monetary value to the property. Many improvements are attractive and will make people want to pay more. Very few actually bring cost savings to the owners the way that a complete solar installation that can store its own power does.

More Environmentally Friendly

As we learn more about the effects of global warming, many people feel compelled to do their part to help reduce the impact we humans have on the environment. We mentioned Elon’s quote about wanting to rid the world of carbon-based power earlier. If you share Elon’s goal, then a PowerWall is a great step that you can take as an individual to reduce your carbon footprint even further than solar power alone can. While net metering is great, at night your property is still operating from fossil fuels. But with a PowerWall and self consumption, your use of fossil fuels is greatly diminished or even eliminated.

Does it qualify for the Federal income tax credit?

If installed alongside a solar array, then yes the battery also qualifies for the Federal tax credit. Currently sitting at 30% for 2019 and dropping to 26% in 2020, the investment tax credit is a major incentive to go solar with battery storage. In addition, the state of Maryland has a battery storage tax credit, which directly lowers your state taxes for the battery itself. You can claim both of these in Maryland.

About Mountain View Solar

Like Elon, we are believers in the green energy revolution. We believe that solar power is not only a way to help do our part to save the planet, but also a truly great alternative to being completely dependent on the power grid. It is for that reason that we became solar installers. Our experts are on hand to help you deploy the best solar installation for your particular needs. It is how we do our part to help reduce the world’s consumption of carbon fuels and its dependence on third-party energy providers. If you would like a free, zero pressure consultation for solar and/or battery installation, please contact us today and one of our professional consultants will be glad to answer any questions you may have. mtvSolar’s inventory is stocked with PowerWalls ready for installation today!

With a growing trend toward cleaner and more efficient uses of energy, investing in solar is a great way to increase your property’s value. Solar energy is joining such upgrade trends as kitchen and bath renovations as selling points for homes. Standard grid-tied solar is a smart investment when it comes to saving money now and to securing a higher asking price later. Here are some helpful tips for making a solar investment work for you:

Obtain Pearl Home Solar Certification

Once you decide to go solar, consider obtaining a Pearl Solar Certification. Certification serves as official documentation attesting to a status or level of achievement in home efficiency. Pearl is a national firm that provides third-party certification for high-performing homes. The certification focuses on improvements that make homes healthy, comfortable, resilient, and energy-efficient.

This certification is highly regarded among industry professionals for several reasons:

1. Pearl is the only private certification firm to sponsor the Home Performance program with ENERGY STAR.

2. Other partnerships include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Building Performance Institute, the National Association of Realtors, the Appraisal Institute, and Efficiency First.

Obtaining a Pearl Home Solar Certification is a relatively easy process. Interested homeowners can take a pre-qualification survey that saves both them and Pearl time in evaluating eligibility. The survey typically includes the following types of questions:

• When the home was built
• The type of heating fuel in use
• Whether the home has a solar panel system
• Whether the home was built to a higher standard, like ENERGY STAR or HERS Index Score

Pearl’s primary focus are several key areas of the home, such as:

• The building shell
• Heating and cooling
• Electric baseload
• Home management
• Any current use of solar

Pearl Certification hasn’t reached all 50 states, however, the certification is available in the Mountain View Solar service area of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Mountain View Solar will include a Pearl certification upon request with new solar installations.

Having official documentation of your home as an energy-efficient place of comfort is attractive to homebuyers. Your Pearl Home Certification includes a letter for an appraiser that explains the tangible value of solar. The letter, along with the certification, gives you an advantage over non-certified homes. With proper marketing, homes with Pearl Certification can add 5 percent or more to a home’s sale price.

Include Solar in Your Home Upgrade Plans

Pearl anticipates certifying 10 percent of the U.S. housing stock by 2030. The need for certified homes points to the growing demand for more energy-efficient homes. Two studies by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that buyers will pay a premium for solar homes.

The studies discovered that homebuyers throughout the country are willing to pay a premium of about $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar system. The studies also found that homes with solar panels sold faster than those without them.

What exactly is driving the demand? There are several key reasons for the growing interest in solar homeownership:

1. Lower monthly costs‚Once a solar system is in place, harnessing the energy is free. Combining solar with electric (vs gas appliances) is an option and can result in costs savings with monthly electric bills. Overall, saving money is one of the top attractive benefits for purchasing a solar home.

2. Solar energy is clean energy‚Many homebuyers shop for solar homes in order to avoid homes dependent upon fossil fuels. Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all fossil fuels that have negative impacts on humans and the environment. Fossil fuels emit harmful toxins before and during burning. Solar energy is not only clean, but it is healthier for humans and safe for the environment.

3. A solar system is an investment‚Purchasing the right home is an important decision and an investment in itself. While the average homeowner lives in the same home an average of 13 years, life is unpredictable. A job transfer or other changes may result in a need to relocate. Homebuyers who understand the current trends regarding solar know their purchase will pay off when it comes time to sell.

Roll solar into your mortgage or home equity line of credit

Considering refinancing your home or in the market for a new home? If so, it’s a great time to roll the cost of a new solar installation into the loan, making it cash positive on day 1. If refinancing isn’t in the cards, perhaps a home equity line of credit is. Borrowing against your own home equity to install a solar is a great way to boost the value of your home.

About Mountain View Solar

At Moutain View Solar, we provide superior solar service and installation throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Since 2009, we’ve helped both residential and commercial customers discover the savings and value of solar energy.

Learn more about our zero down financing by speaking with one of our friendly staff members today. There is no pressure and we offer free estimates to help guide your decision. From assistance choosing the right system for your needs to obtaining Pearl Solar Certification, our team can help you throughout the process.

A kitchen or bath remodel is a given when it comes to upgrading your home for the market. Consider adding solar to your list of upgrades in order to increase value and to reach potential buyers. Not only will you attract more buyers, but you will also save money‚and help the environment‚until the right buyer comes along.

Mountain View Solar invites you to complete a free online estimate form. It is the easy first step to learning more about how solar can benefit you. Owning property like a house is a big responsibility. Reducing monthly costs by going solar can leave you with a better budget for other important needs. Additionally, when the time comes to sell your home, you’ll be glad you invested in an energy-efficient system home buyers want.

Whether you are looking to save on your monthly energy bill, help the environment, invest in your property, or all three, contact us. Let us help you discover why solar is an attractive option for a more comfortable and healthier home. You’ll find the Mountain View Solar team helpful and knowledgeable. Explore your options today by reaching out for your free estimate. There’s no pressure or obligation.

Going solar is possible, affordable, and a smart investment. Increase your property value by contacting Mountain View Solar today.

Although solar panels can pay for themselves in the long run, they are not a tiny investment. They cost quite a bit of money to install, so it is normal for people who are considering a solar installation to worry about what effects the weather may have on their new investment. Of course, the usual concerns, such as how well solar works on overcast days, in the rain, or in the snow, are on the front of most people’s minds. We’ll answer those questions briefly in this post. Others are concerned about more dangerous weather. What will happen if your new solar installation is hit by a hail storm, or worse, hurricane-force winds? What about tropical storms? Just how much wind is needed before your solar panels are destroyed? We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the answer, so let’s dive right in and take a look at how solar panels are built to withstand the elements.

Hurricanes

Aside from tornadoes, which pretty much destroy everything they make contact with but nothing else, hurricanes are the most severe weather threat that we tend to face. A direct hit from a powerful hurricane can pummel an entire city, reducing entire houses to rubble as it does. Obviously, if your house is rubble, your solar panels aren’t going to be in very good shape. Although at that point, the solar panels are the least of your concern. Let’s talk about less severe hits from hurricanes, which can still down trees and cause lots of other damage. What will they do to your solar panels?

Although high winds are one of the biggest threats to your panels, the panels are engineered to withstand those winds. In reality, so long as your roof survives the hurricane the solar panels attached to them should as well. A similar situation exists for panels that are installed on the ground. There is no roof to use as a metric, but if a roof where there and would survive then the panels likely will as well.

But what about flying debris? High winds aren’t the only threat that hurricanes pose. What if rocks or a garden gnome is sent hurtling into your made-of-glass solar panels, will they break? It’s possible. But it isn’t particularly likely. Flying garden gnomes aren’t a regular threat, but in some areas hail is. Solar panel standards require a degree of resistance to being pelted by golf ball-sized chunks of ice. The same engineering that helps to protect your panels from hail helps to protect them from hurricane-induced garden gnomes. Also, if you were wondering if hail is a threat to solar panels, then you now have the answer.

In fact, solar will likely leave you better off than your neighbors should a hurricane hit. After hurricane Irma, not only did most of the solar panels survive the storm, but they allowed for homeowners who had batteries to have power while everyone else was waiting on the electric company to come and fix the downed lines. The storm also kept some of the traffic lights working. You might notice while driving down the road that some traffic lights in your area are powered, at least partly, by solar as well.

What about less dangerous weather?

We’ve found that once you mention one sort of weather, people will inevitably ask about how other conditions may affect their solar panels as well. So we are going to quickly go over some of the other conditions that you may have some concerns about now that your fears of the most inclement weather have been largely put to rest.

Dirt

Over time, dirt and pollen can accumulate on anything. Certainly, these things will block the efficiency of your panels, right? Yes. Dirt and pollen will take a negligible amount of power from your output. This loss of power is taken into account when your panels are installed. Because panels are installed at an angle, they will self-wash when the next rain occurs. Unless you live in an area that is heavily prone to soiling or have your panels installed at a nearly flat angle, it will cost more to have someone clean them than the negligible amount you would lose in power while you wait for the next storm.

Rain and Clouds

Clouds, and the rain that often comes with them, can block out some of the light from the sun. Like dirt, this can decrease the efficiency of your solar panels. On very overcast or rainy days, you may see a greater loss of output than you would from everyday dirt accumulation. A reduction of output is not the same as a complete lack of output, however. Like dirt, Mountain View Solar will take into account the weather patterns that are common to your location when putting together an estimate.

Snow and Ice

If you’ve seen your roof covered in snow, then you must surely be thinking that it blocks out all of the sunlight. Well, no. It does block out a significant amount of sun, but some sun still does get through, so solar panels produce at least a little bit of energy. More importantly, solar panels retain heat very well. So that little bit of sun will help them melt the snow faster. This is similar to how snow on a driveway melts before snow on the ground. Again, the angle of the panels helps them prevent snow from accumulating. Snow on the ground also helps to reflect light back up to the panels, which actually helps them produce more electricity if they themselves are clear.

Conclusion

Your solar panels may be damaged by severe weather, but only under conditions that will result in significant damage to the rest of the house as well. While that is not a desirable outcome, the point is that solar panels are not as fragile as people think they are and will withstand quite a beating from mother nature.

The good news is that if you are in our service area, we don’t usually get hit by severe weather like hurricanes, so it isn’t something you’ll likely have to worry about anyway. If you have any other concerns about the durability or efficiency of solar panels, we invite you to contact us and talk to one of our experts today.

We are immensely grateful for those who bravely respond to our emergencies. When a fire breaks out in your home or business, time is of the essence and the safety of everyone on the scene is imperative. Solar photo-voltaic panels, while great for the environment, can place firefighters in great danger, depending on how the system is designed. However, thanks to the latest developments in solar technology, systems like that of SolarEdge are the safest solar energy systems ever deployed. The automatic rapid shutdown feature helps to ease the minds of and protect first responders while speed is of the essence. Mountain View Solar understands the importance of mandatory rapid shutdown solar energy systems for protecting firefighters. This is why we deploy only the safest technology with properly trained in-house employees doing the installation.

Out with the old, In with the new

Historically, solar electric systems were of a lower voltage variety, but still dangerous. These 150vdc nominal systems could still severely injure or kill a first responder. There were no safety systems to allow shutting off the energy supply quickly and safely. Many of these older systems are still in operation today.

As solar systems got larger, the voltages went ever higher. The standard on residential systems now is 600v, with 1000v or even 1500v being found on commercial installations. Thankfully, as these higher voltages started being deployed, the National Electric Code, or NEC, was updated to include language for a rapid disconnect function. The NEC 2014 functionality permits the energy coming from the array to be completely shut off from the ground, however it does not require the array itself to be de-energized internally. NEC 2017 includes language requiring module level rapid shutdown, meaning that the entire array is also rendered electrically inert.

A technology that has always been rapid shutdown compliant are micro-inverters and optimizers. These systems have what are called module-level power electronics, or MLPE, that enable control of the energy coming out of each individual panel (or pair of panels). Not only does this allow higher levels of energy harvest and shade mitigation, the MLPE also permits NEC 2017 level rapid shutdown compliance.

There are thousands of older systems still in operation. Currently, there is no way for a firefighter to know what kind of system they are facing until they arrive and look for a rapid shutdown. Systems equipped with rapid shutdown are clearly labeled so that the first responder can expect a certain result when they flip the switch. Modern systems with MLPE will de-energize every panel even if the utility meter is simply pulled. Fire departments are starting to implement training programs so that firefighters can know what to expect, but this has been slow to be implemented across the nation, mainly because of a lack of awareness.

It is possible to retrofit older systems with MLPE to enable them to be NEC 2017 compliant. Older systems can be made NEC 2014 compliant with the addition of a rapid shutdown controller and remote switch.

Firefighters and Solar on the Roof

It’s fairly rare that modern properly installed solar energy systems actually cause fires. There are numerous internal safety systems that cause the entire array to shut down should a fault be detected long before ignition. Generally speaking, another source starts the fire and then the solar energy system catches fire as the building burns.

One action firefighters may take in fighting a structure fire is ventilating the building. To do so, they cut holes in the roof. When they first arrive at the scene, it is often difficult for them to assess the roof from the ground. Once they step onto the roof of a burning structure, they face great danger of the roof collapsing and, should solar be present and/or on fire, danger of interaction with the still electrically charged panels.

The very benefit of solar photo-voltaic panels, that of generating electricity, is what makes them dangerous for firefighters. Locating and shutting down the solar disconnect may or may not stop the solar energy panels from sending power down from the roof, depending on IF the system is equipped with rapid shutdown or not.

As solar technology continues to increase in popularity throughout the United States, efforts to train and educate both home/building owners and firefighters are underway. Both the National Association of State Fire Marshals and the Solar Energy Industries Association continue to publish articles and conduct research about the topic.

The threat to firefighter safety is especially concerning with older solar energy panel systems. Existing systems using older string inverter technology can generate dangerous voltage simply from the white light used to illuminate the fire scene at night!

There is currently no collective data on just how many firefighters have experienced injuries from solar panels while fighting a fire. However, more specialized training is helping new recruits and career firefighters learn what to expect and how to respond to such fires. In some states, fire departments are using structures with solar PV modules for hands-on training.

The Benefits of Rapid Shutdown with SolarEdge

At Mountain View Solar, we recommend SolarEdge based systems for several reasons, one of which is safety. The SolarEdge automatic rapid shutdown feature brings every panel of the entire system to safe voltage levels in less than 30 seconds per NEC 2017 requirements.

The protection provided by SolarEdge systems also applies to installers or those performing maintenance on a roof. When operating in SafeDC mode, each optimizer only puts out one volt of electricity, a low enough voltage to prevent injury. Best of all, these safety features are built-in to the system. There are no mechanical parts to implement, unlike older systems that require a remote controlled switch box.

A fire is a time of great chaos and stress for everyone involved. If you are at home or your business when the fire breaks out, you want to make sure everyone quickly exits the building. Having an automatic rapid shutdown compliant system in place will provide you great peace-of-mind.

Your solar panel system may not be top-of-mind when a fire breaks out. It is a concern, however, to the first responders arriving upon the scene. Knowing that the system is easily shut-down with the flip of a switch or contains the automatic shut-down feature enables firefighters to concentrate on other dangers associated with the fire.

About Mountain View Solar

For more than six years, Mountain View Solar has proudly installed premium SolarEdge systems. We place great value on not only the safety features but also the shade mitigation, power optimizers, and monitoring capabilities. SolarEdge also stands behind their products with standard and extended warranty options.

Professional installation of a SolarEdge system is best left to the experts here at Mountain View Solar. Properly installing your system requires knowledge of fire, electrical, and building codes at all levels‚national, state, and local.

We serve families and businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, including West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Our installers are high-trained and nationally certified for what they do, resulting in quality results for your home or business.

To learn more about Mountain View Solar and receive a free, zero-obligation estimate, contact us today. Whether you are new to solar energy or want to upgrade your existing system, we’re here to help. We keep informed of the latest trends, regulations, and technologies, all in an effort to better serve our customers.

Our employees have family members who are firefighters, so we understand the need for safety and training. Some are paid and some are volunteers but all are incredibly important in our time of need. The solar energy industry and fire departments throughout the nation are to be commended for their dedication to safer technologies and training methods.

Mountain View Solar has been leading the way forward with solar energy and power storage since 2009. We offer zero-down financing for new solar installations. Let’s work together to create a greener world for future generations while protecting those who serve as first responders.

We promise you’ll only experience friendly, professional interaction with our staff and zero pressure.

If you are a home or commercial property owner looking for a way to save on energy bills, while at the same time promoting environmental sustainability, have you considered a solar system?

While most people are quick to praise the eco-friendly aspects of a solar installation, many wonder about the financial consequences of such a decision. Is solar energy truly affordable? Are there any financial incentives to purchase and install solar equipment? What does the return on investment for a solar system look like?

The following 4 points highlight some reasons why many homeowners have decided to go green and switch to solar; not only for the environment’s sake, but for their wallet’s sake too!

1. Falling Costs

Solar systems are becoming more and more cost-effective every year. In 2010 the energy costs for a solar system averaged about$7.24per watt. As of January 2018, the average costs only came out to$3.08per watt; and that’s not including Federal incentives that lower the costs even further!

Contractors are building solar farms with offtake contracts at4 cents per kWh, which is less expensive than the marginal costs of other, more traditional energy sources, such as coal, gas, or nuclear.

What about commercial properties? Studies have shown that the average commercial property owner in the United States could potentially cut energy costs by75% by switching to solar. In fact, “the average commercial property owner paid $1,950 in monthly electric bills before going solar in their operations. They paid just around $500 after installing solar energy systems.”

Clearly, falling costs and long-term savings offer a huge incentive to property owners who are thinking about installing a solar system. However, there are additional financial benefits to making the change.

2. The Solar ITC

The solar investment tax credit, or ITC, was first established in 2006. Since then, the United States has enjoyed 59% compound annual solar growth. What is the solar ITC?

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the ITC is “currently a 30 percent Federal tax credit claimed against the tax liability of residential (Section 25D) and commercial and utility (Section 48) investors in solar energy property.” In other words, this tax credit allows an owner of a solar system to deduct 30% of the cost of installing the system from his or her federal taxes.

While the ITC will still be in effect in years to come, 2019 is the last year when homeowners can claim the full 30% allowed by the credit. Even if you don’t expect your tax burden to be high enough to reap the full benefit of the 30% credit rate, the IRS will allow you to “roll over” the unused remainder of your tax credit to the following year. Because of these factors, many homeowners are considering going solar before the end of the year, to get the most bang for their buck.

3. Financing Options

Some homeowners are understandably concerned with the upfront costs of a solar system installation. For instance, in California the average cost of installation, after the Federal tax credit, would come to $9,415.

However, it should be noted that there are many financing options available for homeowners. Sometimes these involve monthly payments that are actually less than the monthly savings on the energy bill.

Homeowners who want to finance their solar system must first of all decide whether they will buy or lease the installation. Generally, Mountain View Solar recommends buying as the preferred option.

If you decide to move forward with financing your purchase, what are the next steps that you’ll need to take? Similar to taking out a mortgage or using a home equity line of credit, you will basically need to apply for a loan that is either secured by your property or the solar equipment itself. Of course, the loan will come with a specified repayment term and interest rate. mtvSolar has loan partners that make this process easy.

History shows that on average, a solar installation will usually pay for itself within about 10-12 years. Premium solar panels have a service life of 40 plus years. That means that in the long run you could gain about 30 years’ worth of “free” energy from installing your solar system! Such an investment is certainly worth consideration.

4. Other Financial Factors

There are other financial considerations that may encourage you to take the leap to solar energy.

• Increased property value.If you own your solar system, instead of leasing it, then it will increase the value of your property significantly. In fact, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mandates that appraisers factor solar systems into their estimate of property value. The Federal Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has found that PV [photovoltaic] consistently adds value across a variety of states, housing and PV markets, and home types.

• SRECs.Solar Renewable Energy Certificates are used by certain states, such as Maryland and Pennsylvania, to further incentivize solar installations. Homeowners can sell SRECs through intermediaries in the public energy marketplace. While the value of these has been low for a few years now, they are starting to recover.
• Monthly ROI. One of the biggest reasons for installing a solar system in the first place is the monthly energy bill savings. Those raw savings could range from $44 per month with a smaller system to nearly the total of the years electricity bills combined!
• Insurance coverage. Homeowners insurance companies generally treat solar installations as permanent additions to your house, and recognize them as improvements. The actual cost to add the array to your policy is fairly small.

Choosing a Reputable Installer

The above 4 points demonstrate that solar systems can be both affordable and profitable in the long run. Of course, to reap the maximum benefits from your solar installation, you need to ensure that your installer is reputable, fully qualified, and highly experienced. There are some important questions to ask your contractor before signing a contract.

At Mountain View Solar, we have been installing solar energy systems since 2006, and have become not only one of the largest solar installation companies in the US, but by far West Virginia’s most successful PV integrator. We are committed to enabling homeowners near and far to use solar energy. We want everyone to experience the financial benefits, energy independence, and environmental stewardship that comes with solar installations. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to us at Mountain View Solar today for a free, zero-pressure estimate.

The 30% Federal income tax credit is valid through the end of 2019, and then begins to taper off before eventually disappearing for residential installations. As we’re in the final year to claim the full 30%, thoughts of claiming the solar tax credit inevitably come up more often. The tax code and its system of credits and deductions is a complex maze to navigate. The better you understand it, the more you can claim back from your taxes. For the average American, this can turn into thousands of dollars every year that comes straight back into your pocket.

While claiming dependents and education expenses are two of the most popular tax credit options, there are lucrative alternatives. One of which is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This allows that homeowners who install solar energy systems on their property to get both the long-term return of energy savings and a substantial tax credit to help pay for the system. The following dives into the Solar ITC and how to claim the credit on your taxes.

What Is The Solar ITC?

This investment tax credit reimburses homeowners, as well as commercial property owners, for 30% of the cost of any solar energy system that they get installed on their property, including batteries charged by solar, though 2019. This reimbursement is directly taken out of the customer’s Federal tax liability. To explain this in monetary terms, if you spend $30,000 on a solar energy system for your home, you will get back $9,000 from the Federal ITC.

It is important to note that there is no limit to the credit. In other words, even if a residential property owner finds a way to spend $100,000 on a solar energy system, they could still get 30% of this cost back. However, this type of spending is unlikely as the cost of solar energy systems is dropping rapidly due to their popularity. And it is this same popularity that is to thank for the current existence of the Solar ITC. It is important to note that you can only cancel out up to your Federal tax liability in any given year; thankfully the ITC can be carried forward. More on this later.

Originally, the ITC was established as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The government set its sunset date for December 31, 2007. Congress quickly saw that the ITC spurred the acceptance of solar energy systems and was helping the country make a smooth transition to an economy based on more renewable energy. Because of this, they extended the tax credit’s expiration several times. And while the full 30% credit is still available to homeowners, it will only fully be available through the end of 2019. Then, every year after it will taper down until it fully expires in 2021.

In 2020, the tax credit drops down to 26% for any systems that are installed. In the last year, 2021, new owners of solar energy systems can claim back 22% of their installation costs. In 2022 and onwards, only new commercial solar energy systems will get a tax credit of 10%‚residential owners will not be able to get a tax credit for any new solar system that they install unless congress takes further action.

Finally, there is also a new stipulation in place. In previous years, tax credits would only be given to systems that were operational. The IRS has clarified, however, that homeowners can claim the credit as soon as construction on the new system commences. The only caveat is that the system must be operational by the end of 2023.

How To Claim Your Federal ITC

Perhaps you have already installed your solar energy system. Or maybe you are just thinking about it. Either way, you need to know what comes next. How do you get that 30% of the cost back? Thankfully, the process is not too complicated. You will need to send the IRS an extra form and add some additional information to your 1040. But other than that, the process is as simple as ABC‚literally.

A. Federal ITC Eligibility

Before you go through the process of filing for a credit, it is best to ensure that you are eligible to receive the credit in the first place. There are two key aspects to eligibility. The first is that you own the property that the solar energy system is on. This eligibility extends to any residence that you own, even one that is not listed as your primary residence‚you do need to live in the residence for at least part of the year, however.

The second part of Federal ITC eligibility is ownership of the solar energy system. While there are some state and local solar incentives that do not require ownership of the solar system, for the Federal credit it is necessary. If a lease is signed for the system, the third-party who owns it is the one that will get any credit for the system.

B. Fill Out IRS Form 5695

Form 5695 is dedicated to several different residential energy improvements. Therefore, unless you have made other energy renovations to your home, you will mark all non-solar sections as 0. To fill in the solar lines:

1. Calculate the qualified solar electric property costs. This will be the gross costs of the solar energy system, excluding any rebates that were received.
2. The following lines on the form are dedicated to other energy renovations. As previously noted, if none were made, you can mark these as 0.
3. You will then add these lines together and multiply them by 30%. This will provide you with the tax credit you can claim back.
4. It is important to then work through the calculations on the fourth page of Form 5695’s instructions to see what your tax credit claim limit is. In other words, your tax liability may not be high enough to claim back the full 30%. If this is the case, you can carry over the remaining credit to the following year.
5. You will then enter your tax liability limit onto the form. If the claim is greater than the limit, there is a line to note how much will be carried over into the following year.

It’s worth noting that most tax preparation software packages will complete this form for you.

C. Note The Credit On Form 1040

When you have finished the calculations for your 30% tax credit, you can put the outcome of Form 5695 in the “Residential energy credits” line on your Form 1040.

mtvSolar is here to guide you step-by-step! To learn how you can lower your utility bills with solar power, please contact us now for a free, zero-pressure consultation customized for your home. mtvSolar typically services West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Important Note: Mountain View Solar does not have tax practitioners or accountants on staff. You should consult a licensed tax advisor for detailed information on solar tax credits as they apply to your situation. However, our qualified sales team will be happy to discuss the general tax implications during your consultation.

Original article dated Sept 5, 2018, revised January 23, 2019

Sustainable farming has been growing in popularity for many years now, and solar powered farming is the next major step. Solar on the farm has great potential to reduce or eliminate electricity bills, directly adding to the bottom line. In other cases, an off-grid solar installation can provide power where it’s not feasible to run utility lines. Since costs are no longer prohibitive, now is a great time to consider going solar.

Solar energy costs are decreasing

For years now, there has been a growing trend to utilize renewable energy in many different industries, and agriculture is certainly no exception. The use of renewable energy on the farm dates back centuries, with wind mills for water pumping and water wheels for running processing machines. Now the use of solar power on farms is beginning to become more prevalent. This trend is increasing largely because of the falling costs of solar energy and the many benefits that solar affords a farm running on thin margins.

According to research data from the Solar Energy Industries Association, the solar industry has been growing at a rate of 54% per year. There are now nearly 2 million solar installations in the United States, compared to 1 million in 2016. As a result, solar energy’s share of electrical generation on the U.S. grid is about 20 times greater than it was eight years ago. Even more importantly, installation costs have fallen by over 70% since 2010.

In addition to the drop in solar panel costs, storage of solar energy is also becoming more affordable. In previous years, batteries for storing energy were very expensive, but battery technology advancements and the growth of the lithium-ion battery industry has made this much more affordable as well. The rapid fall in cost is good reason to view solar as both a way to reduce energy bills and to potentially provide remote power on the farm.

Government subsidy programs

Farmers may hesitate to consider solar power because they aren’t sure if they’ll get a positive return on their investment. The initial cost might seem prohibitive, but there are state and federal programs that farmers can take advantage of to subsidize these costs.

For example, farm owners can take advantage of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This federal program provides up to 25% in grants or 75% in loans and grants combined for solar installation costs up to a half million dollars. In addition, there is the federal Investment Tax Credit, which yields a 30% tax credit thru 2019, tapering off over the following years. Last, solar on a commercial farm can benefit from the 100% Advanced Depreciation MACRS deduction.

Solar can be used in many ways on the farm

Solar power can be used for all the essential parts of a farm. It provides energy for livestock structures, including poultry barns, horse stables and large livestock housing. Solar can also be used to power irrigation systems and electric fences so livestock won’t wander off. It’s important to keep livestock out of streams because they erode stream banks and pollute the water. Keeping them out of streams also keeps them clean and dry and prevents foot and leg injuries.

In addition to directly farm related uses, you can install solar panels on the roof of your farmhouse to provide all the energy needs for you and your family. A reputable solar company such as mtvSolar can provide a total solution that allows your home and farm to operate completely free of energy costs. Even if you’re not powered completely independent of the grid, a solar energy system can act as a power backup system for critical loads to prevent untimely or catastrophic system failures that could harm your business. For example, a solar+battery backup system can keep freezers operating and avoid the loss of costly stored product during an extended power outage.

An additional cash crop

As a farmer, you’re concerned with harvesting crops and raising livestock, but you should also consider harvesting sunlight. A farm with its vast areas of land is the ideal type of enterprise to branch into the renewable energy business.

In some states, you may have the option of installing your own solar array on unused land in order to sell energy to the grid, or, if you’re not too far from an electrical substation, you might be able to rent some land to a large-scale commercial solar developer. Land rental to solar developers can bring in up to $1,500 per acre per year.

There are also new technologies being developed that enable farmers to install solar arrays above crops, which could provide a large source of additional income for already productive land. As a cash crop, solar energy can have an advantage over food crops because they’re not dependent on the quality of the soil or weather conditions like rainfall or heat.

Improving the environment and public health

Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of power that is one of humanity’s best hopes to slow climate change. The light of the sun is free and it’s the most abundant energy source available. If we could capture all the energy that the sun shines on the Earth in one hour, it would power the whole world for a year. Also, scientists have been aware for decades that the supply of fossil fuels will not last forever. Where sunlight is concerned, there is no need to worry about depletion.

Most of the electrical power in the United States comes from burning coal and natural gas, which pumps tons of harmful pollutants into the air. As farms and other industries go solar, it reduces the demand for fossil fuels and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s solar power systems are eliminating more than 74 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year. This is equivalent to 1.9 billion trees or taking nearly 16 million vehicles off the road.

Another benefit of solar energy is it reduces air pollution. As renewable energy continues to replace dirty sources of power production, chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and harmful particles will be removed from the air. This will reduce the number of health problems such as bronchitis and cardiovascular disease, and also make rainfall better for crops.

Solar energy systems reduce the need for water in producing electricity. This is important to help areas cope with drought conditions. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, traditional power generating systems use over 4.6 gallons of water per kilowatt-hour, while solar uses only .03 gallons. Less water used for energy means more water available for irrigation.

Improving your farm’s profitability while helping to solve the climate change crisis is a win-win scenario. If you’re interested in learning how your farm can become both more environmentally friendly and more cost-effective with solar power, contact us at mtvSolar now.

We’re West Virginia’s original and most experienced solar installation company with substantial agricultural solar experience. Our zero-pressure sales team will explain all your financial options and supply a free estimate for your farm. mtvSolar services West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.