Q: Does a solar system increase the value of my home?
A: Yes, it does. According to The Appraisal Journal article "Evidence of Rational Market Evaluations for Home Efficiency," for each $1 decrease in your annual energy bill, your property value increases $20. Using this formula, one can estimate that the property value will increase by the net cost (after rebate) of your system.
Q: Is it true that the solar panels don't produce as well in the desert heat?
A: True, solar panels do lose some of the energy they produce on the hot summer days here in Arizona. For that reason, we are very selective with the panels that we use so that you get the best output possible.
Q: Since I have to wait to file my taxes to get the Federal Tax Credit is there an option to where I can finance that portion of the system?
A: We offer a 6 months same as cash which in most cases will cover you until you get your tax money back. Call us today to get more details on this.
Q: How long is the warranty?
A: Arizona Desert Solar warranties all equipment, parts and labor for 10 years. Solar panels carry a 25-year warranty and inverters carry a 10-year warranty.
Q: How big of a system do I need?
A: It depends on how much power you want to produce. It usually boils down to one of the following:
1. Completely cover the load: We would need to review 12 months' worth of bills to more accurately calculate system size.
2. Employ a peak-shaving strategy: We would calculate the system size required to eliminate the most expensive rate tiers on your bill.
Q: What kind of maintenance does my system require?
A: The PV modules should be cleaned at least every 3 months. No other routine maintenance is required. If you suspect a problem, please call us and we will come and perform a thorough inspection. With most of our installs, we also provide monitoring which helps us to look for anything out of the normal.
Q: How much roofspace does a system require?
A: A good rule of thumb is to allow 100 sq. ft. per every kilowatt (kW) of electricity the system produces. A typical solar electric system for a home will require approximately 400-900 sq. ft.
Q: How do you attach the system to my roof?
A: First, it's important to select a contractor who has experience installing solar electric systems, as we do. We use the highest quality racking system on the market today. It's made entirely of anodized aluminum and stainless steel for long life without rusting. The racking system attaches directly to the roof rafters and there are several ways for us to do this, depending on your roof type. One of the more common ways is to use fastening systems integrated into the roofing system with roof jacks. As a licensed roofing contractor, we understand roofing. Rest assured that all of our roof-mounted solar systems meet or exceed the minimum roofing manufacturer's requirements.
Q: What is the payback (ROI)?
A: Payback is immediate. If you finance your solar system, payments are typically less than your former electric bill. A solar system will also add value to your property, reduce your monthly expenses and insulate you from rising energy costs. If you pay cash, you will on average recover 100% of your investment within 5-7 years but as utility rates increase, you could fully recoup your investment in less than 5 years.
Q: What happens if there is a utility power outage?
A: With grid-connected solar electric systems, you will experience loss of power when the utility grid is down. This is intentional: When an electricity outage occurs, there are people working repairing the power lines. If your system stayed active, these workers would risk potential electrocution by live wires.
Q: Is Solar Electricity Cost Effective?
A: Yes. Your solar electric system will supply you with electricity, which will cost you less than the rates you currently pay. During the course of its 30-year lifetime, a solar electric system is a great investment. It is a low-risk, high-return investment that is very competitive with other types of investments like stocks, bonds and real property - and perhaps safer in this economy. Arizona Desert Solar can look at your specific situation and calculate with exact precision the amount of your return on investment and how much you will save during the next 3 decades.
Q: I see that the PV system increases my home's value. Won't that also increase my property taxes?
A: No. In order to promote the use of renewable energy, the state has exempted PV installations from increased property taxes.