FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Need to Know About Solar

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Solar panels collect energy from the sun's rays and convert it into usable electricity for your home. Any excess power generated by your solar system, and not used by the home, is sent back out to the grid through your meter.

- Leverage the power of the sun to save money on your electricity bill

- Avoid rising utility costs

- Own your own electric production providing energy security

- Join the growing community of green homeowners, reducing their carbon footprint

Savings are specific to each individual home and dependent on current consumption, available space for panels, and solar access. Incentives may be available in your state that help reduce the cost to go solar, and ultimately, increase your return on the overall investment over time. It is important to review your eligibility for financial incentives with your tax advisor. We are happy to create a custom proposal for your home that includes estimated savings over the life of the system!

No, solar is not free. Our team of Solar Consultants are committed to reviewing your current energy consumption and pairing you with a financing option that fits your budget AND saves you money. PlugPV offers a range of financing options including loans, leases, and power purchase agreements to meet a wide range of homeowner needs and financial situations. Our goal is to pair you with an available financing option that optimizes your savings!

The installation itself typically takes a single day, but as with any construction project, it will always depend on the size and complexity of your individual system. It’s important to note that the installation is just one part of your solar journey. Throughout your project, our teams are hard at work behind the scenes navigating the design, engineering, permits, and approvals needed to get your installation on the calendar, and to ensure we have the proper inspections and approvals to turn your new system on after installation. Our Solar Consultants and Project Managers are committed to keeping you informed along the way!

Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, so on cloudy days they will produce less electricity. System performance is impacted by a number of factors including tilt (if your roof is more steep or flat),  orientation (the direction the panels face on the roof), and available sunlight (how much shade hits the panels - either from trees or obstructions like chimneys or vent pipes). Panels will continue to work on cloudy days, but will have a lower output. Believe it or not, solar panels perform very well on clear, cool days! All of these factors are taken into consideration when we determine how many panels are needed to meet your energy needs. 

None! An old adage states “that which moves, will break”. Fortunately for solar customers, solar panels are fixed in place with no moving parts! Additionally, PlugPV incorporates anticipated system losses from things like inclement weather, soiling, voltage drop, and others into your custom proposal. That means there is no need to climb up on the roof and remove snow, pollen, or other debris. While there are no routine maintenance requirements for your PlugPV energy system, we recognize that systems can experience needs for troubleshooting or service over time. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! PlugPV maintains a fleet of qualified service technicians to service your system if the need arises.

Yes, we do! At PlugPV, we are committed to serving a diverse range of customers. We offer Spanish-speaking services from team members across the organization to ensure all our customers feel comfortable and fully informed throughout their solar journey. If you prefer to communicate in Spanish, just let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Yes, solar installations require permits from local authorities. PlugPV takes care of the entire permitting process, including submitting applications and coordinating with local inspectors.

After installation, your system will be inspected and connected to the grid (if applicable). We’ll provide you with all the information you need to monitor and maintain your system. PlugPV also offers ongoing support and maintenance to keep your system running at its best.

How Solar Works and What to Expect​​

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Most residential solar installations, including those that PlugPV installs, are grid-tied systems. This means your home will remain connected to the utility grid. If your solar system overproduces during high sunlight periods, excess production goes back to the grid and, in most cases, you will receive a credit on your bill. During times of low solar production (during the night, cloudy or rainy days, winter) your home will pull energy from the grid to power your home. 

The solar energy your system produces offsets the energy you need to pay for from the utility grid. A sudden high utility bill is typically a result of a change in your consumption habits (purchased an EV, heat pump, or other high-use item) or, there is an issue with the performance of your solar system. Our service team can help troubleshoot so please reach out!

It is important to recognize that your monitoring app relies on wireless communication to accurately display the performance data of your system. If your internet is out or the communication gateway is interrupted, it may appear as your panels are not performing. Your panels may appear darker or black to signify low or no production during the overnight hours or during inclement weather where sunlight is sparse. 

Yes! PlugPV installs Enphase Microinverters on all residential systems. Prior to and after installation our team will walk you through how to download and activate your account with Enphase Enlighten. With this application you will be able to monitor the performance of your system and view trends over time. Learn more here: Enphase Homeowners

There are a number of factors that impact the performance of your system and variations in performance are expected throughout the day. Environmental factors, such as cloud coverage or precipitation may reduce the performance of your solar installation temporarily. More obvious obstructions such as fallen leaves or debris will also reduce production of the system. It is important to keep in mind that PlugPV has adjusted the production estimates for your system to account for average losses due to things like inclement weather, low sun availability, and panel soiling over time. If you continue to experience reduced performance, even on clear days, our customer service team is here to help! 

Absolutely! Our Service team is here to help answer any questions you may have about the performance of your system and, to make sure you are comfortable navigating through the Enphase monitoring application contact us by phone at (518) 948-5316 or email at [email protected]

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any additional questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact PlugPV. Our team is here to provide expert guidance and support, ensuring you have all the information you need to make the best energy decisions for your home or business.