Commercial Solar Energy FAQ

1. How will switching to solar power benefit my business?

• Saves money - From day one, solar power removes a portion of your electricity usage from the grid and your electric bill. In fact, a solar power system is most productive during the day and during seasons when usage is at its highest, so it's removing the most power from the grid just when your power company is charging its highest rate.
• Locks in power costs - There are many different factors from legislative and regulatory changes and restrictions to global price pressures on fossil fuels that have the potential to affect the price of your utility's electricity. When you invest in a solar power installation, you take a portion of your electricity usage away from the utility and bring it under your own control. Because maintenance of a solar power system is minimal, the future cost of your electricity is virtually the cost of your initial installation. You can relax knowing your power costs are behind you, independent of changes impacting the rest of the world.
• Makes good business sense - Depending on physical conditions, utility prices, and tax and other incentives and rebates available at your location, a solar system may fully recoup its cost in as little as 4 years. Since systems are known to last 40+ years, you will be reaping pure savings for years to come.
• Improves public relations - Environmentally conscious neighbors are looked upon as good neighbors, and that can be priceless. By adding solar as a power source, you are helping conserve energy for everyone. In so doing, you become part of a community environmental solution rather than part of the problem. It's nice to make a smart investment that helps your company; it's even better, when it helps the surrounding community as well.

2. How much does a solar power installation cost?

Solar power systems vary widely in cost. For a rough estimate, the average commercial installation by a qualified installer can range from $5 to $7 per watt depending on the geographical location, size and other conditions -- variables such as whether or not there will be a battery backup system, condition of the existing infrastructure, shade and obstructions, ground or rooftop mount, tracking or stationary mount, etc. Economies of scale also make a significant difference so that a large 500kW system, for example, is able to be installed for much less per watt than a small 10kW system like might be used for a home or small office building.

Eclipse Solar can help you analyze your site. Get started today by entering an information request to have a specialist contact you.

3. What is the process Eclipse Solar will follow from sales visit to final grant receipt?

Eclipse Solar's customer process is a complete turnkey system meaning that there is really no action or utility interface needed by you to make your solar system operational. Below is an outline of a typical solar evaluation and installation:

Preliminary evaluation and estimate

1. After contacting us we will ask you a few brief questions to see what your ideas are and ask you for information such as name, address, phone number.
2. We will ask you to send us a copy of your utility bill so we can size a solar system to meet your needs.
3. We will then take a look at your business on a satellite image to get a very broad idea of whether your business qualifies for the installation of a solar system and from the satellite image estimate the size of the solar array that might fit on the roof.
4. We will provide you with a ballpark cost of the estimated system to insure that the cost you had in mind agrees with the vision you had of a solar array on your business.

Detailed evaluation and firm quote

1. If the preliminary evaluation meets with your expectations and you want a detailed quote, we will make an appointment to visit your business to take roof measurements, evaluate shading if any, look for obstacles that might have a negative impact on your system and to evaluate the adequacy of you electrical system to handle a solar array.
2. During this visit, we will explain how the solar system operates, and what kind of payback period you can expect.
3. We will work up a customized solar system plan using the products that will best suit your needs. We will provide you with a detailed quote within a couple of days that will tell you exactly what we will install and exactly what the price will be. There will be no surprise add-ons.
4. We will answer any questions you have at this point.

Pre-installation activities

1. Once you give us the go ahead, we will visit again to complete the necessary paperwork to get the ball rolling with your local utility and with the state grant program. Depending upon the state and the utility company involved, this step could take anywhere from two weeks to 12 weeks. If you choose, we can proceed with your project while the grant is being approved. In most cases, there will be no questions associated with your grant submittal.
2. We obtain permission from your utility company to connect your solar system to the local power grid.
3. There may be a small deposit required at this point or a fee for the application depending upon your state. The fees range anywhere from $100 to $300.
4. Once the grant is approved, we will place an order for your product. A deposit of 70% of the system cost is required at this point. The product could take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to be delivered.
5. We will also apply for any local electrical or building permits required by your community.

Installation

1. When we receive your product, our project manager will contact you to arrange the installation schedule. We will require access to your home and the electrical panel during the installation process. We will also decide, with you, the best location to install the inverter and determine whether we are able to hook you up for Internet monitoring of your system. This usually requires that you have a router on the computer system in your home.
2. The installation of the solar panels on your roof will typically take two weeks or less from start to finish.

Post Installation

1. When the installation is complete, we will call for an electrical inspection by your local electrical inspector.
2. When the electrical inspector approves the installation, your utility company will most likely have to install new metering to insure that you are set up to receive credit for the power you generate back into the grid. This could take as long as two weeks.
3. We will complete all of the paperwork necessary for your utility interconnection and grant completion submittal at this time
4. Final payment will also be due at this time.
5. If you choose to have Eclipse Solar manage your Renewable Energy Certificates, there will be a few documents to be completed for that.

That's it. As you can see, we will guide you through the complete process.

4. What product brand does Eclipse Solar specify?

Eclipse is an independent company. We are technology and equipment neutral, meaning that we are not tied to any particular manufacturer and can select the product that is exactly right for you.

5. How long will the system last?

Solar power systems have no moving parts so they are virtually maintenance free, and the components have been tested under the harshest conditions. You can expect your system to last anywhere from 30 to 50 years without requiring major repairs.

6. What is the warranty on your installation?

We guarantee your solar panels for 25 years, your power inverter for 10 years, and our workmanship for 5 years.

7. Is it possible to supply all of my power needs with a solar system?

In many cases, it is possible to replace all or nearly all of your required electrical power with a solar system. The main determining factor is whether you have enough space with sufficient hours of sun exposure. Eclipse Solar professionals can analyze your site to determine how much of your power needs can be handled by a solar system and what system type and design would be best for you.

8. How big of a system do I need?

If you are serious about installing solar power system for your business, you need to have professionals do an evaluation of your site. There are many considerations, and there's no substitute for experience when designing a system that will be right for you. Also, solar rebate programs are capped at a certain dollar amount, and the states limit the size of a system that is eligible for net metering. Those considerations aside, the following calculations give you a rough idea of the size system you will need strictly from a power capacity standpoint.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a solar power calculator for estimating the amount of electrical power a PV system will produce per month based on weather and other conditions in geographical locations around the country.

• First figure your desired monthly kilowatt capacity. The easiest way is to average the total monthly kilowatt usage stated on your monthly electric bills and multiply the average by the percentage of power you wish to replace.
• Next, go to a website called PV Watts and select the "PVWatts Version 1 Calculator" link. When the United States map appears, select the state and then a site close to you. You will see an entry field called "DC Rating (kW)." With the required monthly kilowatts that you calculated from your monthly bills, replace the default number with a rough approximate DC Rating equal to about 1 kW for each 100 kWhs of required monthly kilowatts.
• Press the calculate button at the bottom and view the monthly calculations in the results to see whether the system would deliver enough power. If it's too little or too much, go back and adjust the number of kWs in the DC Rating field until it's about right.
• The DC Rating is the sum of the nameplate DC ratings on the PV modules (solar panels). The nameplate DC rating is always higher than the actual DC wattage produced because they are rated under ideal laboratory conditions, but the PVWatts Calculator takes that into account.
• Use the "Help" button on the calculator to find out more about the parameters used and how you can adjust them to better suit your site.

As a very rough estimate of physical size, the square footage for solar panels is approximately 0.1 sq. ft. per DC Rated Watt, so a system with a 10 kW DC rating would require about 1,000 sq. ft.

9. Will the PV solar panels be hot to touch?

Yes, but not any hotter than any other black plastic surface that is outside exposed to the sun. In fact, because they're mounted in a raised rack, they create an umbrella effect shading your roof and keeping it cooler, as well as shading your home from harmful UV rays.

10. Do I need to clean the panels?

Most of the time, rain will wash the panels clean. However, dirt, bird droppings, leaves, and debris clinging to your solar panels will block sunlight and degrade your panels' efficiency, so periodic cleaning may be necessary. Review the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning, but generally you can clean them the same way you clean glass. Remove reachable leaves, sticks and other hard debris that might scratch the surface, then spray them with a hose to dislodge dirt. After removing hard debris, mop with a plastic mounted sponge mop, water, and soap if needed-and rinse again with the hose.

11. How will weather affect my solar power system?

Cloudy weather can reduce power output by 20 to 30%. Snow cover can block it completely; however, the dark color of the solar panels helps accelerate snow melt. In the summer, high temperatures can also degrade the efficiency of the solar cells which work optimally at around 70° F. These and other weather factors are taken into account when designing your system.

12. Will I still need power from my electric company?

That depends on the type of system that you have (Off-Grid or Grid-Tie) and the system's capacity. If there is sufficient space and sun exposure for an Off-Grid system, you will be able to be completely independent of an electrical company with such a system. Solar power generated from photovoltaic cells in your panels will be stored in a large battery which will distribute uninterrupted power to your facility around the clock.

Most systems, however, are the Grid-Tie type. In such systems, solar and grid power work together in an integrated system to decrease your energy costs much like the electric and gasoline engines do in a hybrid automobile. Power from the grid and power from your system carry your electrical load seamlessly with grid power taking over as needed.

Eclipse Solar professionals can analyze your energy needs and help you determine which system will work best for you. Get started today by entering an information request here to have a specialist call you.

13. What way should my roof face for a roof mount?

Ideally, your roof should be facing true south if you're in the northern hemisphere. Fixed panels on a roof facing within 40° of true south will still experience 90% or better production. Roofs facing east or west can also provide a good mounting orientation as long as other regional and site specific factors are favorable.

14. Do I have to mount the panels on my roof?

No. They don't even have to be mounted on the building itself. They can be mounted on the ground or even on a pole equipped for tracking or adjustments.

15. Will I notice any difference in the performance of my facility's equipment?

There will be no difference between the electricity from your solar system and electricity from the grid. There is no need to change any of your equipment. All of your electrical equipment will operate the same as it always did with no change in performance.

16. How do solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work?

Solar electric systems capture the sun's energy with photovoltaic (PV) cells that are connected together side by side in flat panels or modules mounted on a roof or open area facing toward the sun. Energy from sunlight striking the top layer of the PV cells, and causes the cells to release electrons. These electrons migrate through the electrical system and back to the cells again, causing a DC electric current in the system-the same type of current produced by a battery. A device called an inverter converts the current from DC to AC to match the kind of current running through a standard electric outlet in your building. Get more information about how solar energy works.

17. What is a Grid-Tie system?

Most systems are of the Grid-Tie type. In such systems, solar and grid power work together in an integrated system to decrease your energy costs, much like the electric and gasoline engines do in a hybrid automobile. Power from the grid and power from your system carry your electrical load seamlessly, with grid power taking over as needed.

18. Does a Grid-Tie system need a battery?

Many Grid-Tie systems do not use batteries to store the electricity. Excess power from your solar panels flows back into the grid coming right off the meter; you will actually see your meter dials turning backwards. This system of subtracting self-produced power directly from the meter is called "net metering" and usually gives you the best value for "selling" your power back to the electric utility. Systems without batteries also need less maintenance and cost less to install.

If, however, you want your system to be partly or fully self sustaining during black-outs and brown outs, a storage battery can be added to carry the load during such periods.

19. What is an Off-Grid system?

An Off-Grid system produces its entire electrical power needs on its own without any connection to electric company power lines. Solar power generated from the photovoltaic cells in your panels is stored in a large battery which will distribute uninterrupted power to your site around the clock. In addition to powering entire structures, these systems are ideal for use in powering water pumps, electric fences and signs. They can be used in remote locations or any location where running power lines is impractical or undesirable.

20. If I have a Grid-Tie system, will I lose power in a black out?

If your system employs a battery backup, you may not experience a power loss. Your system will disconnect from the grid and draw power from the batteries as long as your system's batteries have sufficient charge to carry the load. It all depends on the storage capacity of your system, the duration of the outage, and your electricity draw.

However, many Grid-Tie systems operate without a battery backup because batteries add cost and complexity to the system. In these systems, grid power and power from your solar panels work together to carry the electrical load. Excess power flows back through your meter subtracting from your usage. Because both the utility and your solar power system are sharing your facility's wiring, your system will shut off automatically whenever the grid loses power to prevent stray current from going out to the grid where it could cause injury or damage.

21. What commercial solar energy financing options are available?

• Tax credits and rebates - In addition to tax incentives offered by state and local governments, the new U.S. business energy tax credit covers 30% of the cost of a commercial solar electric system. Alternatively, businesses may elect to receive a 30% federal grant. In some cases, the combined savings on rebates from government and utility companies can pay for over 60% of your system installation. Check The Database of State Incentives (DSIRE) for rebates available in your area.
• The maze of incentives can be confusing. Fortunately, Eclipse Solar keeps up to date on tax incentives, rebates and credits, and will discuss your site's qualifying factors as part of the initial proposal.
• Traditional financing - Bank financing can be a smart way to leverage your investment so you get the benefits of solar with a minimum initial cash outlay. Solar power systems have been around long enough that banks recognize them as good investments. We work with you and your bank to show how the loan will result in a net increase to cash flow as a result of power cost savings.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)s - A PPA is an innovative financing structure that allows you to realize cost savings with a solar power system immediately with absolutely no upfront investment. Under a PPA, a third-party investor owns your system and bears all of the installation and maintenance costs. In return, they get all of the tax benefits, and they sell you the electricity from the system at a lower agreed-upon rate than your power company.

22. What are Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)s?

As a solar power generator you are producing power from a renewable energy source -- the sun - which benefits the nation by reducing our reliance on non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. State governments quantify those benefits in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC). One megawatt hour of energy from a renewable source generator equals one REC.

The RECs are part of an incentive program enacted by many states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, to encourage the development of renewable source energy suppliers. You can learn more about the Portfolio Standard and RECs in your state by clicking on the link to your state above and looking under "Rules, Regulations, and Policies". Under this program, each state enacted Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)s which set the minimum percentage of a utility company's power that must be produced from renewable sources. Because there is not enough renewable source suppliers from which the utility companies can buy power directly, they are allowed to buy RECs on the wholesale electricity market to make up the difference needed to satisfy state requirements.

Although there is a ready market for RECs, in reality it is difficult for small producers to sell their RECs outright on the open market because generation can't be registered in units less than one REC. Therefore, most small producers sell their RECs through aggregators who combine the kilowatts hours of many small producers and register and sell these as RECs for a commission on the wholesale market. Eclipse Solar is a registered aggregator of Renewable Energy Certificates. We are capable of selling your RECs in other than your home state which may yield a higher price. We can also make arrangements for long term contracts to fix the value of your RECs.