Energy FAQs Answered | Your Energy Pros

1. Is my home suitable for solar?
Several factors influence how well your home can accommodate solar energy, such as its location, roof angle, the amount of daily shade it receives, and its age. We’re here to help you assess whether solar is a viable option for your home right now. Using our proprietary solar design technology, we’ll conduct a tailored analysis to evaluate your energy requirements.
2. How do I compare solar quotes?
Comparing multiple quotes from different solar installers can be challenging. Each installer might use different assumptions and metrics when presenting equipment and financing options. Plus, the lowest quote doesn’t always offer the best long-term value.

We simplify the process by providing a clear, side-by-side comparison of your quotes. This ensures you fully understand the costs, benefits, and value of each option. Already have some quotes? We’ll help you evaluate them with an unbiased comparison, making it easier to choose the right solution for your needs.
3. How many solar panels does my home require?
Each home is unique, so determining the right number of solar panels involves considering a few important factors:

What is your energy usage? Review your electric bills to understand your annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). During your complimentary solar consultation, we’ll analyze this in detail to calculate the power your solar panels should generate.
What’s the climate in your area? The amount of sunshine your location receives plays a significant role in how many panels you'll need.
How much sunlight does your roof get? Factors like shading, the orientation of your roof, and any design preferences can influence the size of your solar system.
At Your Energy Pros, we utilize cutting-edge solar design technology to develop tailored systems that optimize energy production efficiently and effectively compared to manual methods.
4. Why do you need my historical electricity usage?
Your electricity usage history plays a vital role in designing a solar system that's perfectly tailored to your home's energy needs. Since energy consumption varies from household to household and shifts with the seasons, reviewing a full year of electricity bills allows us to create a system that fits your unique requirements.
By analyzing 12 months of data, we gain a comprehensive understanding of your energy usage patterns throughout the year. This seasonal perspective ensures that your solar system is optimized to provide reliable energy year-round, no matter the fluctuations in demand
5. How do you customize my solar system?
Our approach to customizing your home solar system is tailored to meet your unique needs, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your energy usage, roof space, and design preferences. Here's how we do it:

Analyze your energy usage: We begin by reviewing your historical electricity consumption to design a system that delivers the optimal power output based on your typical usage.
Evaluate your roof: Using satellite imagery, we assess your roof's layout to determine how many panels can fit on each section, focusing on maximizing efficiency with south-facing planes.
Conduct a Site Survey: To validate our measurements and design, we perform an on-site visit to inspect your roof and main electrical panel.
Finalize the design: Once the details are confirmed, we share the final system design with you, ensuring complete transparency about its appearance and projected energy production.
Provide equipment details: You'll receive comprehensive information on the selected equipment for your installation, so you know exactly what to expect.
6. What will change after I go solar?
Once you make the switch to solar, you'll hardly notice any difference in how your home functions. Your lights, appliances, televisions, and everything else that relies on electricity will continue to work just as they always have.
The standout change you'll experience is a significant drop in your monthly utility bills. The amount of energy you'll need to purchase from your utility company depends on the size of your solar system and your household's electricity usage. Keep in mind that weather and seasonal shifts may cause some variation in your utility costs from month to month.
7. Are there incentives for going solar?
Yes, currently the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) offers a 30% reduction on the purchase price of a complete solar energy system, making it more affordable. Additionally, businesses can take advantage of the Federal and State Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS). This allows them to depreciate the full cost of the solar energy system over a defined period, recovering the capitalized expense through annual deductions.
8. Will solar panels increase the value of my home?
Just like any upgrade, installing a home solar system can boost your property value and make it more attractive to prospective buyers. According to a 2024 Zillow Data Study, homes with solar panels typically sell for 6.8% more than those without them.
(Source: https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/solar-home-value-report)
9. How long does the installation take?
Installing a solar system on your roof can often be completed in just one day. However, several weeks of preparation are typically required beforehand to ensure a smooth installation process. The installation company will usually handle the preparatory steps for you, keeping you informed throughout. Here’s what to expect:

Site survey: A team will inspect your roof, attic, and electrical panel.
Custom design: Your solar system design will be finalized.
Permits and approvals: The installation company will apply for necessary permits and approvals, including neighborhood-specific requirements like HOA documentation.
Installation day:
The crew will introduce themselves, explain their work plan, and review the system design and equipment layout with you.
They’ll install the solar panels and wiring, along with any energy storage systems and other necessary electrical components.
Once the work is complete, the crew will tidy up your property to leave it just as they found it. The installation company will then provide a detailed walkthrough of your new solar system, ensuring you understand how it operates.
10. I’m part of an HOA. What should I know?
Since every homeowner’s association (HOA) operates differently, it’s essential to check with yours regarding their solar approval process. Inform your project coordinator about any HOA requirements—they’ll handle as much of the paperwork as they can, simplifying the process for you.
11. Should I buy or lease a solar system?
Many people prefer to own their solar equipment outright, which can be achieved by paying cash, obtaining a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), or financing through a solar loan.

A lot of different institutions offer solar loans, including local and national banks, specialty financing companies, manufacturers, and credit unions. To choose the best solar loan, we recommend comparing options from a few financing providers. Look for ones with low upfront fees, even if that means higher interest rates - it will lead to better long-term savings, especially if you end up paying off your loan early (which most homeowners do).
Ownership comes with full control of your solar production and access to incentives, such as the federal solar tax credit, which goes directly to you. However, as the owner, you are responsible for any repairs or maintenance not covered by the system's warranty.

Alternatively, leasing a solar system or opting for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) involves a fixed monthly payment. The leasing or PPA company retains ownership of the system and typically provides free monitoring and maintenance throughout the lease or agreement term. A key benefit of this option is that if the system requires repairs, the leasing company will handle them at no additional cost.

12. What is a kWh?
A kWh, or kilowatt-hour, is a standard unit of measurement for electricity. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts, and a kilowatt-hour represents the energy needed to operate a 1-kilowatt appliance for one hour.

The energy consumption of an appliance determines how quickly it uses up 1 kWh. For instance, a 500-watt vacuum cleaner will consume 1 kWh in two hours, while the same amount of energy can power a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours.

Your utility company keeps track of the kWh you purchase from them, as well as the kWh you send back to the grid.
13. Will my solar panels work when it is cloudy?
Yes, solar panels can generate electricity in all weather conditions throughout the year, though their performance can fluctuate daily. On cloudy days, a solar system typically operates at 10% to 25% of its full capacity.

When designing your solar system and estimating its production, we factor in the annual sunlight levels specific to your region. This ensures your system is appropriately sized to account for both sunny and cloudy days alike
14. Will my solar panels work in winter?
Yes, your solar system will supply power year-round, though production levels will vary depending on the season. Solar output is highest during summer, thanks to longer daylight hours and steady sunshine. In contrast, winter brings shorter days and more unpredictable weather, leading to reduced solar production.

On snowy days, solar panels usually still generate some electricity. If there's snow sitting on your solar panels, it will significantly reduce their production. But, since most panels are tilted at an angle, snow tends to slide right off (and as a bonus, cleans your panels in the process), meaning the accumulation rarely lasts. Snow generally isn't heavy enough to cause structural issues with your panels.

Rest assured, your system is designed with all seasons in mind, and these seasonal fluctuations are carefully considered when estimating your solar production.
15. What happens during a blackout?
In the event of a power outage, most solar systems are programmed to shut down automatically. This safety measure protects utility workers who might be repairing power lines. As a result, the system will not supply power to your home during the outage but will restart automatically once the grid power is restored.

However, newer solar systems equipped with batteries operate differently. These systems can isolate themselves from the grid (a process called "islanding") during a blackout. In this mode, they continue to generate and store energy from the sun, allowing your home to remain powered.
16. Will trees or shade affect my solar system’s performance?
Yes, shade on your solar panels can reduce their efficiency. When designing your system, we take into account any existing shade on your roof. However, as trees grow or change shape over time, they may create additional shade and lower your system's energy production.

To maintain optimal performance, it’s a good idea to keep your trees trimmed to ensure they don’t obstruct sunlight from reaching your panels.
17. Will my solar system still work well after 25 years?
Yes, your solar panels are designed to generate electricity for many years beyond the 25-year mark. However, their efficiency gradually decreases over time, with an average decline of about 0.5% per year.
When designing solar systems, we take the expected lifespan of the equipment into account and factor this slight performance reduction into our production estimates.

After 25 years, your system should still operate at approximately 88% of its original capacity, continuing to supply your home with clean, renewable energy.
18. What happens if my solar system do not produce enough power?
If your solar panels do not generate enough energy to meet your needs, you will simply purchase additional power from the grid. This is a completely normal aspect of seasonal variations in solar energy production and changes in your energy consumption.
When designing your home solar system, we carefully analyze 12 months of your past electricity usage to ensure the system is tailored to meet your household’s annual energy requirements. This approach helps manage your energy costs over time.

However, unexpected circumstances, such as an unusually hot summer requiring excessive air conditioning use, might lead to increased energy consumption. In such cases, your solar panels will still perform as expected, but you may need to supplement with extra electricity from your local utility, which could result in a slightly higher bill for that month.
19. How do I care for my solar panels?
Solar systems require minimal maintenance, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure optimal performance:

Keep trees trimmed: Ensure nearby trees are trimmed so that sunlight reaches your panels for as much of the day as possible. The more sun, the better the efficiency.
Clean dusty panels: Solar panels are made with durable tempered glass that can endure most weather conditions and typically require minimal cleaning. In many cases, rain naturally takes care of cleaning your panels. However, if you live in a particularly dusty area, it’s a good idea to hire a professional solar cleaning company to clean them periodically.
Attempting to clean the panels yourself is not recommended. Beyond the risks of climbing on your roof, using improper cleaning materials can damage the special coating on the surface of the panels, potentially reducing their efficiency
Handle snow with care: If you experience snowfall, it’s normal for snow to accumulate on your panels. Avoid attempting to clean it yourself, as the snow will slide off naturally when it’s ready. Be cautious about parking in areas where snow might slide off.

These simple steps will help you get the most out of your solar system.
20. Does my home solar system have a warranty?
Yes, all the solar installers we work with provide warranties for your solar system. The equipment used is supported by comprehensive warranties, as our installers select only top-tier products, including solar panels and batteries. These are paired with superior craftsmanship and backed by over 20 years of expertise in residential solar installations, ensuring quality and reliability.
21. How can I prepare for rolling blackouts in my area?
Installing a home solar system paired with a battery backup is an effective way to prepare for rolling blackouts. These outages highlight the importance of having solar power to ensure energy security and peace of mind for your household.

Utility companies are increasingly implementing rolling blackouts—referred to as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)—to minimize risks during severe weather and wildfires. Authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), these measures involve temporarily de-energizing the electric grid to safeguard public safety and maintain grid stability.

Each year, blackouts disrupt power for millions of Californians, though extreme weather and outages are not limited to California. Whether dealing with planned blackouts, winter storms, or hurricanes, traditional fuel-powered generators are often unreliable for emergency energy needs. In contrast, a solar system with battery storage offers a safe and dependable solution, ensuring your home remains powered during an outage.