FAQ
What happens if my system produces more energy than I need? What happens to the excess energy?
The excess energy flows back to your energy provider and actually spins your meter backwards. This process is called Net Metering. Whether you use the energy your system produces or not, you make money!
How much sun does a solar electric system need to generate power?
On average, Pennsylvania has as many sunny days as does the state of Florida.
What happens if the power goes out from a storm, or rolling blackout?
In this case your solar system will automatically turn off, and when the power comes back on, your system will turn itself back on automatically.
Are the rebates/ incentives guaranteed?
All State cash incentives are guaranteed, or your deposit is refunded.
How much do I need to invest to own a solar electric system?
After you receive all the rebates and incentives, the total cost of the system will range between $10,000 and $30,000. The electricity produced will provide you the equivalent of an annual tax free rate of return of about 8%.
How long will my solar module last?
Solar modules which are used by Helios Solar have performance warranties of 20 or 25 years. They are expected to last at least 30 years or more.
What information do I need handy when calling Helios Solar Power? If we are going to properly assess your solar opportunity, having certain items available makes assessment very easy. First and foremost, having an electric bill handy helps us to size the system. We try to match your annual consumption to the output of the system we recommend for you. If you also have an idea of the south facing area you think would be best for your opportunity that is very helpful as well. For the first call, that’s it!
How does solar power work? A solar panel is a series of small photovoltaic cells that generate about .5 volts in series, similar to a battery powered flashlight. These cells add their voltage to produce DC (Direct Current) electricity. From there, the DC electricity is converted into usable AC (Alternating Current) energy by the inverter. This power is fed directly into your service panel, or directly into the grid. You receive credit for the electricity used and it therefore reduces your bill. Very simple!
What is roof orientation? Roof orientation is the direction the roof is facing. Ideally, the roof is facing directly south, or 180°. This is also called the azimuth. This results in optimum exposure during all months of the year.
What are design factors? Design factors include shading, the angle of the roof (ideally 34° for this latitude), the azimuth of the roof (orientation to 180° south), the shading factors of trees and other obstructions on the panels.
What is the difference between kilowatt (kW) and a Kilowatt Hour (kWh). A kilowatt is a measure of power at any one given time. If you were to measure the power produced for one instant, that would be a kW rating of the system. A system is rated by the kW size. An example of this would be a 10 kW system. A kWh is a rating of energy. It is what your appliances, lights and other things that use power in your home or business.
System Sizing: What is it based on and how do you calculate it? We size systems based on what your current or planned consumption of energy will be. This is why we request a copy of your electric bill for evaluation. Typically on the last page of the bill, it will have the annual kWh usage. This is how we size the system. A house that uses 13,000 kWh annually will typically require a 10 kW system.
What if I don’t have a roof facing to the south? We specialize in ground mounted systems. A ground mount is a series of poles either pile driven, encased in cement or screwed into the ground with a series of rails set across them to support solar panels. We then dig a trench to your house to hook up to your electrical panel. This is a great option for larger scale projects or for people with east/west facing roofs.
Maintenance? This is the best part of solar. There is little to no maintenance on the panels. The rain cleans them off and, because there are no moving parts, there is nothing to fix!
What does “turnkey” mean? Turn key means that we do everything. We take care of all applications, paperwork and installation of the system. We come, you have solar. That is the extent of what you are required to do.
Will the system produce on a cloudy day? The system does produce on cloudy days. Production is affected, but you will still be producing.
What does “grid tied” mean? The best part of solar is that you don’t need any batteries to run your house at night because you are “grid tied” or hooked up to the lines coming into your house at all times.