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.

Solar + home batteries for EV charging works well.

“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.

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.

Nothing lasts forever: Solar & energy experts are gearing up for the realities of product lifespan

The industry standard warranty on a photovoltaic panel is typically between 25 and 30 years, according to industry experts. At mtvSolar, we work under warranties that promise our components will last 25 years — but we know they will last much longer. Some solar panels installed in the 1980s are still generating effective power still today! Battery systems have a shorter expected lifespan — and generally have a 10-year warranty. But the real-life use of battery backup systems means they last much longer, too.

“Depending on use, they will last much longer.  Most batteries that we install are for backup, and not cycled daily.  So they’re not going to be worn out in 10 years,” says Lydie Miles-Monaghan, Director of mtvSolar’s Department of Technology & Design. Miles-Monaghan is our company’s battery expert, and tracks new developments in lifespan issues and performance for the products we install.

Our customers take the realities of product lifespan into consideration when planning their solar energy and battery storage systems. How old will they be when the panels need to be replaced? Who will own the home then? What’s the age of the roof that will hold a mounted solar array? Will the roof need to be replaced before the solar panels do? What do we do with solar panels and home battery systems at the end of their life?

As solar energy surges in popularity for residential homes, farms and commercial buildings, our industry continues to refine panel design to make them last longer and perform better. Meanwhile, others in the energy sector are figuring out the best way to reuse and recycle solar PV panels that are out of service. Developing these processes will become more important as the number of panels installed grows exponentially.

At mtvSolar, we collect and store broken or aged-out panels and work with a local recycler to dispose of them. Panels that are still functional but have been removed for one reason or another from a customer’s property are held for our service projects and give-away programs. Some customers will upgrade their panels long before they wear out. These are panels that still have years of effective solar generation left in them, and just need a new home, which we love to find.

Battery systems are relatively new in the residential energy world but are taking hold more widely. No lithium batteries we’ve installed have had to be recycled yet. All lead acid batteries are 100% recycled into new batteries.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energies Technology Office is working with the solar industry to track solar panel lifespan, measure the cost of recycling panels (vs. landfilling them) and develop ways to cut the end-of-life disposal costs in half by 2030.

“As we accelerate deployment of photovoltaic systems, we must also recognize the pressing need to address end-of-life for the materials in a sustainable way,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. “We are committed to ensuring that the recovery, reuse, recycling, and disposal of these systems and their components are accessible, low-cost and have minimal environmental impact.”   

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 70% of the current solar PV systems in the U.S. have been installed since 2017 — a huge jump in deployment that points to a need for recycling and disposal answers down the road. They are funding projects that promise to reveal new materials, new technologies and better manufacturing processes to reduce pollution associated with the making and disposal of panels. DOE Releases Action Plan For Photovoltaic Systems End-Of-Life Management  | Department of Energy

Our approach at mtvSolar at the local level is to use high-quality components that are proven to last, to install panels and their components properly to maximize their function, and to reuse panels by donating them to nonprofits. Our design team right-sizes all solar installations for each customer, so there are no wasted panels and components can function as they are designed for the full length of their warranty and beyond.

Electric vehicles speed up solar return on investment

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to evolve and claim a larger share of the automotive market. Luckily, their rise is in tandem with the increased availability and decreased cost of solar energy generation systems. 

Homeowners and businesses that put solar panels to work for their electric needs see an even bigger return on their solar investment when they drive and charge electric vehicles off their system. 

mtvSolar’s Director of Technology & Design Lydian Miles-Monaghan has been tracking the payback from her EV since October 2022, along with the savings from her property’s solar generation system since 2017.

“I have driven about 7,000 miles in my EV since I got it in October 2022. I’ve used 1,821 kWh for charging, which if I had to pay for it would be $218 or so. But my car has been 100% solar charged and cost me nothing,” she reports.

Seen here, the energy of the sun is directly fueling her car:

The gas version of her Kona gets roughly 32 miles per gallon. At the average cost of $3.30 per gallon, she figures she would have burnt 219 gallons of gas, at a cost of $722.

Getting an EV and charging it on a regular electric grid charger would reduce travel costs to less than a third of the gasoline average, with the added savings of having no oil changes.  In her case, the charging happens off solar-generated electricity, so the power costs nothing extra. 

“The energy of the sun is directly fueling my car,” she notes. “My EV will break-even on the ‘electric premium’ vs regular Kona at around 6 years, then it’s nearly free driving with 4 years of battery warranty left. But EV batteries often go over 200k miles, which is a lot of nearly free miles.”

As for the solar energy system, it has mostly paid for itself already before the EV. Here’s how she breaks it down:

Since 2017:

Not paid utility: $17,100

MD SRECs: $7,302

Tax credits: $11,808

=$36,210 saved in 6 years

Going forward:

Avoided utility cost over next 25 years: ~$90,000

Maryland SRECs ($40 est) : ~$30,000

All assuming MD utility rates do not increase above 0.12c per kWh !

See how the panels and vehicle charging work together in her video: https://youtu.be/KxOoXfgEqrM

With more Federal incentives available to help pay for solar energy upgrades to homes, farms and small businesses, a solar investment now will pay for itself in a shorter time period. The benefits of owning and using renewable energy – the reduction in CO2 emissions and a reliable electric source – keep pace with the financial return and stretch out far beyond the last dollar recouped.  Add an EV to the mix, and ROI drops even further.

Summer heat & storms impact energy planning

Electric companies all over the country are taking stock of their ability to deliver power to customers and key infrastructure through and after severe weather events. Energy resilience — how electric providers can recover from events that disrupt the flow of electricity — is a natioal project and a local priority for our customers.

Summer heat and storms place a predictable strain on electric grids, and one that power companies plan for. Recent heat waves in Texas and across the south have highlighted the extreme energy demands when millions of customers need to cool off, all at the same time.

Potomac Edison, which serves customers in mtvSolar’s service region of western Maryland and West Virginia, says their crews are doing proactive inspections, maintenance and tree clearing to make sure power keeps flowing.

One thing that contributes to preserving the capacity of the power grid is for individual customers to manage their own energy use. Reducing demands for power at home helps the electric company and saves customers money. These steps can be as simple as unplugging appliances that aren’t used continuously and turning a thermostat up a degree or two.

Other tips:

  • Use fans – moving air cools skin faster, resulting in greater comfort on hot days.
  • During sunny weather, close drapes or blinds on windows facing the sun.
  • Use a programmable or smart thermostat to keep temperatures higher when no one is home and reduce the temperature when people are coming home.
  • Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to prevent hot air from sneaking into your home.
  • Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters. Clogged filters force HVAC systems to work harder than necessary.
  • Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours of the day.

Many of our solar customers choose to add battery storage to their solar generation systems to weather power outages when they do happen. Peak solar energy production of summer days can be captured and stored in a home battery system.

When power goes out, the battery system keeps the basics running — well pumps to supply water, refrigerators to keep food from spoiling, alarm and security systems to protect the home and even some home medical devices. These battery systems aren’t noisy and don’t require the fuel that generators do. New technology will soon let electric vehicles (EV) work as an onsite battery that can direct its energy back into the home during outages, too.

Just like major power companies, homeowners and businesses can and should plan how they will stay resilient when unplanned events shut the power off.