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Solar FAQ’s


Solar Basics - I know nothing. Help Very simply, light from the sun contains energy that can be captured with the proper equipment for use in your home. That solar energy can be used to reduce your costs for energy that you have to purchase either from your electric company or your fuel provider. EnerGreen can covert solar energy into electricity to reduce your electric bill or to hot water to reduce the cost to heat your home's hot water supply. Solar electric systems are also referred to as "PV" systems which stands for photovoltaic. Hot water solar systems are usually called simply solar thermal systems. Solar electric systems are more expensive to install than solar thermal but usually result in significantly higher savings. We would be happy to answer further questions you may have so please contact us.
How does a solar system create electricity? The solar panels we would install on your roof create high voltage direct current (DC). The DC solar output is then run by conduit to an inverter which is normally mounted near your main electric circuit breaker panel. This inverter changes the high voltage DC current to 110 volt alternating current to exactly match the electricity provided to you by your utuility.
What happens if my solar system generates more electricity than I'm using? This is likely to happen. Solar energy is generated during the daylight hours which is the time many people are not at home and electrical usage is not as high. The excess solar energy is actually fed back to the utility company through your house service wires and the electric company credits you for the electricity you return at the same rate you pay for electricity you use. Essentially, your electric meter will run backward. We make sure you have the proper meter to allow this to happen.
Are there any incentives to help me with the cost of solar systems? Absolutely. In fact, most people will only pay around 1/3 of the total cost for a solar electric system through a number of tax credits and incentives. The Federal Government has a 30% income tax credit, NY State has a 25% tax credit and NY State also has a utility funded program called NYSERDA which will reimburse owners based on the size of the solar system installed.

Solar Basics - I know nothing. Help

Very simply, light from the sun contains energy that can be captured with the proper equipment for use in your home. That solar energy can be used to reduce your costs for energy that you have to purchase either from your electric company or your fuel provider.

EnerGreen can covert solar energy into electricity to reduce your electric bill or to hot water to reduce the cost to heat your home's hot water supply. Solar electric systems are also referred to as "PV" systems which stands for photovoltaic.

Hot water solar systems are usually called simply solar thermal systems. Solar electric systems are more expensive to install than solar thermal but usually result in significantly higher savings.

We would be happy to answer further questions you may have so please contact us.

How does a solar system create electricity?

The solar panels we would install on your roof create high voltage direct current (DC). The DC solar output is then run by conduit to an inverter which is normally mounted near your main electric circuit breaker panel. This inverter changes the high voltage DC current to 110 volt alternating current to exactly match the electricity provided to you by your utuility.

What happens if my solar system generates more electricity than I'm using?

This is likely to happen. Solar energy is generated during the daylight hours which is the time many people are not at home and electrical usage is not as high. The excess solar energy is actually fed back to the utility company through your house service wires and the electric company credits you for the electricity you return at the same rate you pay for electricity you use. Essentially, your electric meter will run backward. We make sure you have the proper meter to allow this to happen.

Are there any incentives to help me with the cost of solar systems?

Absolutely. In fact, most people will only pay around 1/3 of the total cost for a solar electric system through a number of tax credits and incentives. The Federal Government has a 30% income tax credit, NY State has a 25% tax credit and NY State also has a utility funded program called NYSERDA which will reimburse owners based on the size of the solar system installed.