Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Power

Solar power works when sunlight hits the surface of a photovoltaic cell, which converts light into electricity. The energy from the sun then travels through wires to a battery where it is stored for later use.

Solar energy is the use of sunlight for generating electricity. The sun provides free energy all year round, which we just need to capture it. There are two main types of solar power generation systems: photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power plants. Photovoltaic panels convert light directly into electricity using semiconductors, while concentrated solar power plants use mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto boilers that produce steam to drive turbines.

Solar panels are extremely efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The efficiency of solar panels depends on several factors such as the size of the panel, how much light hits the panel, and whether the sun is shining directly overhead. If you live in a sunny area, then solar energy may be a great option for powering your home. However, if you live in a cloudy region, then solar power might not be worth the investment.

Photovoltaic cells use the raw material silicon to turn light energy directly into electrical current. Electricity produced by photovoltaic systems is direct current (DC), which is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter before being distributed to homes and businesses.

The solar system will remain with your house once sold and the new owners can work with Sunny Solar Power to continue to monitoring the system's energy production and provide them with the necessary reporrts and answer any questions they may have. Your real estate agent should be sure to include the added value your solar panel system adds to your home when listing it. Additionally, a solar appraisal can give you an accurate estimate of your solar power system's worth.

Unfortunately, not everyone's roof is setup to properly utilize a solar system as there could be problems with roof space, tree shading or orientation to sunlight. Additionally, some folks live in areas where the energy rates wouldn't make sense to go solar, or they don't own their own home. It's likely though, if you own your own home and your energy rates are currently high you could benefit from a solar system and owning your own energy.

We have a team of specialists that can help you with your solar energy needs. We are fast and efficient so we don't compromise quality for speed. Our main goal is to provide our customers with the best products available on the market, all while taking into account their specific requirements and wishes.

Net metered systems allow solar customers to export excess electricity back to the grid at full retail rates. These credits are then credited to your account each month. If you produce less than what you consume, you'll owe money to your utility company. However, if you produce more than you need, you get paid for the extra production. You can also sell any surplus electricity you generate to other utilities or even to the local electric coop.Net metering establishes an annual, not monthly, billing cycle for energy charges and allows solar customers to receive retail value credit for all energy exported to the grid within their 12 month billing cycle. Some solar customers that are grandfathered into their net metering agreement that is available the day they receive permission to operate for 20 years. After those 20 years, they will be defaulted on to the new net metering arrangement that is available during that time. California is one of the few states in the United States with a net metering program, not all states have this critical program that makes solar affordable and accessible.

The average solar panel system requires very little maintenance once they are installed and the only recommended maintenance is to spray water on the panels using a garden hose 3 to 4 times a year. Since the panels have tempered glass, it is important to only apply water in the morning or evening when the surface temperature is not hot. If you live in an area that has a lot of smog, dust, or dirt more frequent cleanings may be suggested.

We can install your solar panels on the roof of your home or on the ground on your property (preferably facing a direction with the best southern exposure). The basic installation procedure includes installing metal rails on your roof, attaching the solar panels to the metal rails and connecting the panels to the solar inverter.

We will work with you to find the right balance between generating enough power and keeping your electricity costs as low as possible. Your Sunny Solar Power expert will conduct an energy audit to determine how much energy your current system is producing and how much you actually need.

While it is true that solar do have what is called a degradation rate, they are well known for being extremely long-lasting and durable. Solar is considered a fantastic long-term investment that offers savings and peace of mind. A Panasonic 330 panel, for example is warrantied to degrade only by .26% per year, meaning that at the end of a 25-year period the panels will still produce over 90% of what they did on the first day of installation.

When a panel is severely damaged, it won't be able to generate any electricity. However, if the damage is minor, then it may still be able to produce enough energy to meet your needs. Solar panels are generally designed to last between 20 and 25 years before they start to lose efficiency. Once this happens, it's best to replace them.

Micro-fracture, also called micro-crack, represents a form of solar cell decay. Silicon used in solar cells is extremely thin, and expands and shrinks as a result of thermal cycles. Solar panels expand during sunlight hours because of warmer temperatures. Problems such as microcracks are typically a result of issues that arise during the production process, shipping, or during the process of installation.

Solar panel maintenance should be performed regularly to ensure maximum performance. Cleaning your solar panels can help increase the life span of the panels and also reduce the amount of energy needed to power them. The general recommendation is every six to twelve months.

Photovoltaic solar panels are typicall not a fire hazard however poorly-installed panels or defective connections such as sensors or the junction box can result in rare incidence of solar panel fires. So a home with properly installed solar panels will not catch fire.

Cash is always the preferred method of paying for your solar system. However, solar leases are an alternative to purchasing a solar panel system outright. Solar leases, which can be obtained through various creditors, allow homeowners to get a solar panel system installed while avoiding the costs associated with ownership. A typical solar lease agreement lasts anywhere from 10 years to 30 years and includes a fixed monthly fee. At the end of the term, the homeowner must either purchase the panels or return them to the installer. If the homeowner chooses to keep the panels, he/she receives a cash rebate equal to the amount paid during the lease period. This means that the homeowner does not need to worry about paying any additional money after the lease ends. However, if the homeowner decides to sell his/her house before the lease expires, there may be issues with returning the panels because the owner may not be able to sell the property until the panels are removed.

Absolutely! We’ve seen firsthand how solar energy changed some of our customers’ lives. But don’t just take it from us. Check out our reviews to hear more from homeowners just like you who decided to go solar. Solar energy is a great way to reduce your electric bills while helping the planet and generating, clean renewable energy.

For Californians going solar in 2024, the federal solar tax credit is a major incentive. You can claim 30% of your entire solar installation cost as a credit on your federal taxes. This credit has been extended under the Inflation Reduction Act and will remain at 30% until 2032, after which it will begin to decrease. Additionally, California offers state-specific incentives, like the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for energy storage systems, which can further reduce your solar installation costs. Be sure to check local utility rebates and programs as well!

If your system is installed and operational during the year you claim, and you own it (outright or financed), you're eligible.

You can roll over unused credit to future tax years. See IRS rollover rules.

There’s no income limit. All taxpayers with sufficient federal tax liability can qualify.

Currently, the credit is set to remain at 30% through 2032. However, a bill passed by the House in May 2025 proposes ending the credit after December 31, 2025. It’s not law yet—but it’s a risk.

Yes! As of 2023, standalone home battery systems qualify for the 30% credit—even if installed separately from solar.

Not for the same property. But if you install solar on multiple homes you own, you may qualify—check with a tax expert.

You can’t use the credit if you don’t owe taxes, but the unused portion will carry forward for up to 5 years.