Solar FAQ

Your Solar System could potentially last for 40-50 years, which is twice as long as your roof.
There are no moving parts in your Solar System, so they won’t wear easily and they are completely silent.
Solar Panels are made with tempered glass, which is similar to the strength of your car’s windshield. (Don’t hit golf balls against them and they should last a lifetime)
There is really no maintenance. You may want to hose your Solar Panels off with water once in a while if you live in a dusty area.

Most Solar Panel manufacturer’s carry a 20-25 year warranty on output performance, which means that they will still be 85-90% efficient after 20-25 years.
Most inverters carry a 10 year workmanship warranty. If the inverter is going to have a problem, it will mostly likely happen within the first few months. If caught earlier enough, the inverter can be repaired within days.
Most Solar Installers will warranty their service/workmanship for 10 years against roof leaks or system repairs. Check with your HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer to make sure that all of the warranties are fully transferable in case you sell your home.
Solar Swimming Pool Heaters last around 20 years and most installers offer a 15 year warranty.

Solar Electric Systems produce electricity from light, not heat. Your solar panels will maximize their efficiency and produce the most electricity when the temperature is moderate and the sun is shining brightly.
Since Solar Panels lose efficiency when they are too hot, installers try to make sure that there is a 3-6 inch ventilation gap between the mounting surface and the solar panels.
Climates that are perfect for solar are generally free from fog, clouds and a marine layer.

Actually, yes. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rotates at the Earth’s equator which is south of the United States. Solar panels work best when facing a southern direction.
It is generally OK to install solar panels flush onto an eastern or western facing roof, but the system will lose approximately 10-20% of it’s efficiency. In this case, it is recommended to tilt-up the Solar Panels so that they face south in the case of a roof that pitches east/west.
The ideal angle that your HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer will mount your Solar Panels depends on your latitude and how your state’s rebates are allocated. Your panels will be most efficient at the exact latitude of your property. Sometimes the state where you live will give you more of a financial incentive to lay the Solar Panels flatter to take advantage of summertime sunlight when the demand to offset the electric grid is greater.
For a Solar Hot Water Heater or Solar Swimming Pool Heater, the direction does not matter as much. These Solar Systems take advantage of the sun’s heat more than the light. These types of Solar Systems work best on a south facing roof, but having an unobstructed, unshaded area is the most important issue.

Yes. Shading from structures such as trees, other buildings and chimneys will cause your Solar Electric System to lose efficiency. The best place for a Solar System is an area that has a clear path to the sun’s rays from morning to evening. The most intense light will be during the hours of 10:00am-2:00pm.
A HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer can perform a shade analysis to tell you if your property has shade issues and how you can best locate your Solar System on your property to avoid the shade.

Solar Panels are approximately 3 feet x 5 feet or 15 square feet. Since the number of panels you require depends on how much electricity you use, the size of the mounting area can only be determined by a HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer. The Solar Professional will also be able to determine which surface area will best optimize your solar system.

The answer to this question is normally NO, but it truly depends on your situation. If you have a Grid-Tied Solar System and there are rarely any blackouts or power outages in your area, then you probably don’t need a battery back-up system. For the rare occasions that power is lost, you might invest in a generator. If you have a Grid-Tied Solar System, your panels will power off if the electric is shut down for any reason.
If you have an Off-the-Grid Solar System, you will need a battery back-up system.
Battery back-up systems are very expensive. They can double the cost of your Solar System because the batteries are large and cumbersome to install. They also require a special inverter system that can manage battery and grid power at the same time.
If you have a family member who requires medical equipment that needs electricity at all times, then a battery system should be seriously considered in the case of an emergency power outage.

That depends on the physical shape that your roof is in, the quality of its construction and the effective age. Solar panels only weigh about 40 pounds each, which is much less than roofing tile. If you are concerned about your roof, ask your HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer to recommend a good roofer to inspect it first.

That depends on who honors your roofing warranty. Most roof warranties have a statement that cancels them if someone punctures the roof or alters the roof in any way. You should call your roofing company and ask if they would honor your warranty after inspecting your solar installer’s work. Most Solar Installers offer a 10 year warranty on the areas of the roof that they work on.

If your spouse will let you!! I’m sure that you could do it yourself, but we don’t recommend it. Installing a solar system is both a science and an art form. Only a HelioNation-Approved Solar Installer will guarantee that your solar system will run properly for years to come.
There are many web sites touting a “Do It Yourself Solar Kit”. Ask yourself why you didn’t purchase and assemble your car yourself. Remember that you get what you pay for.