FAQ
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Defender Home Services
At Defender Home Services, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with clear and transparent information about solar energy and roofing services. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. The solar cells within the panels absorb photons from sunlight, which release electrons and generate an electric current. This current is initially in direct current (DC) form, but it is converted into alternating current (AC) power by an inverter, making it usable in your home. Any excess electricity generated by your system can be sent back to the grid, earning you credits through a process known as Net Metering.
Net metering is a program that allows homeowners with solar systems to send excess electricity back to the grid in exchange for credits. When your solar system produces more power than your home uses, the surplus energy is credited to your account, reducing your electricity bill during times when your system isn’t producing, such as at night or on cloudy days.
The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a significant tax incentive for homeowners who install solar energy systems. The ITC allows you to deduct a percentage of the total cost of your solar installation from your federal taxes, making it more affordable to go solar.
An SREC is a certificate issued for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity your solar system generates. In states like Connecticut and New York, homeowners can sell these certificates to utilities or other buyers, generating additional revenue for their solar investment.
Residents of Connecticut who install solar systems may qualify for the Eversource Incentive. This incentive helps reduce the upfront cost of installing solar panels, supporting the state's efforts to promote clean energy solutions.
The cost of a solar system depends on various factors, including the size of your home, your energy usage, and the quality of the panels you select. On average, solar installations range between $10,000 and $25,000, before any available incentives or rebates.
• Solar Lease: You lease the solar system and pay a fixed monthly fee to use the electricity it generates.
• Solar PPA: You pay for the electricity your solar system generates at a fixed rate, typically lower than your current utility rates.
• Solar Loan: You finance the solar system with a loan, and once the loan is paid off, you fully own the solar panels.
• Solar PPA: You pay for the electricity your solar system generates at a fixed rate, typically lower than your current utility rates.
• Solar Loan: You finance the solar system with a loan, and once the loan is paid off, you fully own the solar panels.
On average, the installation process typically takes 1-3 days. However, from consultation to installation, the entire process can take several weeks due to the permitting, system design, and coordination with your utility provider.
Solar panels generally last between 25 to 30 years, with many systems continuing to operate efficiently well beyond that timeframe. The inverter, which converts DC electricity to AC, usually needs to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
A solar inverter is an essential component that converts the DC electricity generated by your solar panels into AC electricity, which powers your home.
If you have a grid-tied system, your solar panels will stop producing power during a power outage for safety reasons. However, if you have a solar plus storage system with a battery (such as the Tesla Powerwall), you can still use power stored in the battery during an outage.
Solar panels are mounted on your roof using a secure racking system. Depending on your roof type, we may use different mounting methods, such as roof mounts, flat roof mounts, or ground mounts.
In Connecticut and many other states, the installation of solar panels is exempt from property tax increases. This means that installing solar panels will not increase the assessed value of your home for tax purposes.
Solar panels offer a strong ROI by lowering your electricity bills. Homeowners typically see a return on investment within 5 to 10 years, and after that, your solar system continues to generate free electricity for the remainder of its lifespan.
There are many reasons to go solar, including:
• Lower electricity bills
• Increase in property value
• Reduce your carbon footprint and support clean energy
• Financial incentives, such as tax credits and rebates
• Lower electricity bills
• Increase in property value
• Reduce your carbon footprint and support clean energy
• Financial incentives, such as tax credits and rebates
If you own your solar system, it can increase the value of your home. If you have a solar lease or PPA, you’ll need to transfer the agreement to the new homeowner or allow them to buy out the contract.
Yes! Most of our solar systems come with monitoring software, allowing you to track your system’s performance and ensure it’s working efficiently.
We design your solar system based on your home’s electricity consumption. We assess your energy usage, roof size, orientation, and shading to create a system that meets or exceeds your energy needs.
Microinverters convert DC electricity to AC electricity at each individual solar panel. This increases the overall efficiency of your system, especially if parts of your roof are shaded or facing different directions.
Yes, it’s a good idea to add your solar system to your homeowners insurance policy. This ensures your system is covered in the event of damage, theft, or other issues.
At Defender Home Services, we help you take advantage of various local and federal incentives:
• New York Solar Incentives
• Connecticut Solar Incentives
• Federal Tax Credit
• Local Utility Rebate Programs
• New York Solar Incentives
• Connecticut Solar Incentives
• Federal Tax Credit
• Local Utility Rebate Programs
Get Started Today
Ready to start your solar journey? We offer free, no-obligation quotes to help you explore your solar options. Reach out to us for a consultation today!