Going Solar Is Simpler Than You Think

Once you have made the decision to reduce you energy cost and get off the power utilities’ price increase roller-coaster… Solarida will make the process to go solar simple.

You may be wondering, “how does solar power work?” Glad you asked! It’s a good place to start when you’re thinking about how to go solar, because even though Solarida takes care of everything from permitting to installation and flipping the on-switch, we want you to feel comfortable every step of the way. Understanding how solar works can help.

How does solar power work?

 Solar Panels – how do they work?

Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to direct current electricity (DC electricity). As long as sun rays are hitting your roof, rain or shine, your panels are converting solar radiation into DC electricity. But in order to get the kind of power needed to turn the lights on in your living room, you’ll need an inverter.

Inverter
The inverter is a device that takes the DC electricity produced by your solar panels and turns it into alternating current electricity (AC electricity). It’s typically installed on an exterior wall of your house, or in the garage.

Main Electric Service Panel
Solar electricity from your inverter flows to the electrical panel, and then into to your home where it powers your lights and appliances. Or,

Net Meter
if you generate more solar energy than you use, it flows into the utility grid and you may earn credit from your utility. The net meter measures the amount of electricity you draw from the grid, and how much excess solar electricity you push into it. So when you use less electricity than you make, you get credit from the utility company. Sounds pretty sweet, right?

Solar Power Benefits

Installing solar power in your home is an easy decision when you understand the independence that comes from having your own energy source. Solar power benefits are twofold: You’ll save money and the environment.  A solar power home in Florida generates between 75 and 100% of its own free power, saving you money both now and later as electricity costs increase. And solar energy produces no pollution, helping you reduce your carbon footprint, preserving the earth’s resources for the next generation.

So now that you’re a solar energy expert, the next time somebody asks you, “how does solar power work?” you can tell them how simple it really is. And when you go solar with Solarida, it couldn’t be easier to sit back and start saving on you electricity bill while we take care of everything. So what are you waiting for? Get started with a free estimate now.

Design and Install

After signing your Solarida Agreement and financing agreements, you’re ready for solar installation. Congratulations! You are now part of the renewable energy revolution! The best part? You don’t have to lift a finger because we take care of everything from scheduling to submitting permits, to working with the city, and securing those amazing solar panels to your roof. Naturally you’ll have questions, and we’ll be right there with you answering them every step of the way. Here’s what you can expect:

Site Assessment
A senior technician will visit you in your home to confirm your system design, verify measurements, and adjust for shade and obstructions on your roof. Timing: 3 – 5 days

Design Approval
Following your site evaluation, our solar design experts will make any necessary adjustments and email you for final approval. Timing: 5 – 10 days

Permitting
Once you give the green light we’ll submit your design to the city for permitting. The timing now depends on how quickly local government works and can take up to four weeks. Timing: 2-4 weeks

Installation
After your permit is granted we’ll get to work placing the amazing new solar panels on your roof! Timing: 2-5 days

City/County Inspections
Once the solar panel installation is finished, the city or county will do a final inspection before your system can be connected to the grid. Timing: 1-2 weeks

Utility Interconnection
We’re almost done! We’ll submit your documents to the utility company and they’ll install a net meter allowing Solarida to track how much solar electricity you produce and use. Timing: 2-4 weeks

Power Up and Start Saving
When the utility company grants Permission to Operate, that means you’re free to flip the switch and start generating clean, affordable, money-saving energy right from your roof. Congratulations, you’re now enjoying renewable clean energy!

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

What are the economic benefits of going solar in Florida?

Solar savings in Florida are driven by the ample sunshine across the state. Aside from saving money on your monthly electric bill, there are other key incentives that help solar ownership in Florida make sense: 1) the 30% federal tax credit 2) Utility-specific rebates, and 3) hurricane preparedness.

First, the federal government offers a 30% Incentive Tax Credit (ITC) which is available in all 50 states*. This credit, which is equal to 30% of your system cost, is applied to the federal taxes you owe each year, thereby lowering the net cost of your solar system, and has been extended to last until at least 2020. The ITC is a great benefit of going solar: money that you would otherwise pay in taxes can now be used to own your solar system sooner. It is important to note that you can only reap the benefits of the federal ITC if you own your system directly – it is not available to homeowners who opt for a third-party ownership model, such as a Solar Lease or Power Purchase Agreement. With Solarida, you own your system and you get all of the economic benefits of going solar in Florida.

Secondly, certain utilities in Florida provide upfront cash rebates to homeowners purchasing their solar systems. This means that in addition to saving money on a monthly basis and recouping the federal tax credit, you could receive a check at the point of purchase for you to spend anyway you’d like.

Finally, generating some or all of your own power can give you peace of mind knowing you can recover from a hurricane quicker than waiting for the power to be restored by your local utility.

*Solarida does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

How much will I save by getting a solar installation in Florida?

Your utility bill can drop significantly when you begin to generate your own power with a solar system. How much you can save will depend on the size of your system, your electricity usage, your current utility rates, and other factors. Our team and partners can design a system for you using some of the industry’s most accurate remote assessment and design tools, and can present you with a system customized specifically for your home to give you a sense of your expected solar savings.

Working with the best solar installers in Florida, Solarida offers its customers a better, simpler way to go solar and save money on utility bills.

How hard is it to switch to solar?

It’s easy to switch to solar! We will get your solar system up and running as quickly as possible so that you can start saving money and using clean energy. Inside your home, you won’t experience any changes – there’s no need to change appliances or make any other alterations. Outside your home, your Solarida Installer will obtain all building permits and design your system to meet your local building codes. Your Installer will arrange the electrical, building and utility inspections and be on-site to make sure that everything is up to code.

Our mission at Solarida is to make it as easy as possible for you to go solar today!

How does solar energy work?

At a high level, energy from the sun is collected by the solar panels on your roof and converted into electricity. This electricity from the panels, which are made up of photovoltaic cells, is in “direct current” (DC) form, which needs to be converted into “alternating current” (AC) electricity that you currently use in your home. This AC/DC conversion is made by a component called an inverter, which is included with your system. The inverter then channels the usable electricity into your existing power meter, and it can then be used to power your home. When your system generates energy in excess of your home’s needs, that extra power is sent back into the grid (a process called “net metering”) which in turn lowers the cost of your utility bill. Clean energy + savings!

Since the amount of power your solar system generates is a direct result of sunlight, it will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy, and will not produce any energy at night. Your home will continue to be connected to your local utility grid, so that you can automatically begin to draw power from the grid whenever you need it. You won’t experience any power interruptions; the switch between solar system power and the utility grid happens seamlessly, with nothing to do on your end.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has an Energy 101: Solar video you can watch to learn more about the conversion from sunlight to electricity.

Will solar work on my home?

We hope so, and it’s easy to find out. Simply enter your information here, and we will give you a call to get your solar journey started. Our customer-focused Installers can quickly evaluate your home’s suitability for solar by examining satellite photos of your property, with no cost to understand if solar is right for you.

What is the cost of solar panels?

The cost of a solar power system will vary depending on its size, location, your roof layout and other factors, but rooftop solar systems typically cost between $15,000 and $50,000, with the average being about $30,000 for a 6.5kW (6,500 watts) system. To get a better understanding of how large of a system you’ll need, sign up today for a free estimate of your solar savings.

What maintenance is required?

Solar energy systems are durable and built to withstand the wear & tear of outdoor conditions. Your system will operate best when it is clean and in direct sunlight, so periodic rinsing is recommended. Seasonal inspections and trimming nearby trees will ensure your system is delivering optimal energy production. In case you encounter any issues with your system’s performance, Solarida’s Installation Partners include operations & maintenance services, a 20-year warranty on all repairs and defects, and a system performance guarantee with every loan or financing agreement as part of our service to you.

Solar energy systems are also extremely reliable. Solar has proven to be a dependable source of energy for large office buildings, large retailers and governmental agencies, supplying large quantities of energy. Some of the largest organizations in the world have buildings powered by solar energy, including eBay, Walmart, and the US Air Force. Solarida has incredibly high quality standards and partners with Installers who only use the best equipment – we build your power system to last, and stand by our quality with the system performance guarantee.

When is the best time to go solar?

Now is an ideal time to switch to solar. Solar power can dramatically reduce your utility bill and will protect you from rising utility rates for years to come. In addition, federal, state and local governments are offering generous rebates and incentives to go solar. The federal government offers a 30% tax credit on federal income taxes which has been extended for three years.

Our Installers provide in-depth assistance on all required tax submission forms, which includes identifying all of the potential rebates, acquiring the relevant forms, and preparing the materials for you to sign and submit. We strive to make going solar a hassle-free experience at every stage of the process, including your tax submission.*

*Solarida does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

What are the main benefits of the Solarida Solar Loan?

Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? The Solarida Solar Loan offers the combination of hassle-free system coverage plus the financial rewards of ownership.

  • $0-down
  • Low, fixed interest rate
  • Savings on your utility bill
  • System performance guarantee
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Free maintenance
  • Prepay at any time with no fees
  • Maximized financial returns

You receive the federal, state and local tax incentives instead of a third-party company

With our $0-down Solar Loan, Homeowners realize the maximum economic benefits of solar ownership, as well as a full service offering, including performance and maintenance guarantees. We have included the most attractive benefits of a solar lease, while shifting more of the economics back to you, the Homeowner, through ownership. With no out of pocket cost to buy a solar panel kit, the Solar Loan makes going solar easier than ever before.

What is the process for obtaining a Solar Loan?

At Solarida, we’ve changed the experience of getting a loan. Instead of a time-consuming, paperwork-heavy process with inflexible rules, our loan application process has been described as “simple,” “hassle-free” and “the way it should be.” If you’re a qualified Homeowner, getting a loan has never been easier.

To start your solar journey, simply sign up here or give us a call. We’ll have one of our all-stars bring you up to speed on our offerings, understand your energy needs and get a system designed for you – all at no cost to you.

What could you save with sunshine?

Whether you want more control over your electricity costs or an easy way to join our growing movement to power the world with clean, abundant sunshine, we make going solar a positive experience.