Solar FAQs & Resources

Solar trade Ally Network FAQs for Customers

Q. Is customer-owned solar better than community-owned solar or vice versa?
A. Community-owned solar pros:

No large upfront cost to the customer.
No insurance or maintenance fees to the customer.
Customer doesn’t have to acquire and manage a solar contractor.
Savings per kWh start immediately.
Customer can cancel anytime.
There is no equipment on the roof of the home.

Customer-owned solar pros:

Customer can take advantage of any available federal tax credits.
Customers feel ownership and pride in displaying a renewable energy source.
Customer can monitor their energy generation and home’s energy consumption.
Increase the value of the home or business.
With the correct inverter or a battery storage system, a PV Solar system can provide backup power during a utility outage.

Q. I’m looking for a solar contractor. Who do you recommend?
A. As a public utility, we cannot recommend one contractor over another. However, we have a Solar Trade Ally list of contractors who have completed our utility rate training. Solar Trade Allies have agreed to provide sales proposals based on utility savings and install projects meeting utility and national electrical code requirements to ensure safety and reliability. We also suggest obtaining quotes from multiple contractors to compare proposals and installation costs. Your local public power utility is available to assist you as a subject matter expert.

Q. Is public power against or for privately-owned solar generation?
A. Public power is pro-customer, and your local utility will assist our customers in accomplishing their renewable energy goals.

Q. Does the utility guarantee the solar installation done by Solar Trade Ally list members?
A. No. The utility does not guarantee any Solar Trade Ally members’ installations.

Is Solar Right For You?

How do I determine how large a solar system I will need?
The size of the system is usually directly proportional to the amount of power you use. As part of the process, a representative from your local electric utility can assist in determining the appropriate size based on site limitations and financial parameters.

Should I use a roof-mounted or ground-mounted system?
It depends. Roof-mounted tends to be less expensive. On the other hand, ground-mounted systems can usually be oriented and tilted to optimize energy production. Through understanding your needs and goals, your local electric utility representative can help present an option that is optimal for you.

Should I act now or should I wait to see if any major advances in technology occur?
Unlike some modern technologies, like silicon chips in computers, for example, PV technology has not been subject to rapid performance gains. PV technology has slowly improved over time; however, there do not seem to be any major advances on the horizon. If favorable conditions exist, it would be prudent to act now rather than wait for technological improvements to come down the pipe.

How many years will a PV system work?
The inverter is usually the first component to break. The typical life-span of an inverter is 15-20 years. On average, a PV system can be expected to last 20-25 years.

Are rebates and tax credits available to help defer the capital costs of installing a PV system?
At this time, there are considerable incentives available for installing PV systems. Consult with your local electric utility representative and your PV system contractor to take advantage of any federal, state or local tax incentives.

If I install a PV system, how much money will I save each year?
There are many variables – including size of the PV system you decide to install, current electric rate your energy provider is charging, weather and amount of sunlight your area receives, orientation of your PV system, and more – when it comes to determining “payback” period. This is a topic you, your local electric utility representative and your prospective PV system contractor should discuss in depth. Information taken from: Energy and Sun: Solar Strategy, Report and Recommendations – NPPD; Solaratlas.com; Ambassadorenergy.com; and sunlightenergy.com.

Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor

How many systems have you installed in the area? (state, county, local)
What will the total cost be from start to finish, including design, permits and construction?
Do you acquire all necessary building and electrical permits and complete all required safety inspections per Nebraska law?
Who is the panel manufacturer?
What is kW (DC) rating per panel?
What parts are covered by warranties?
What is required of the owner to keep the warranties in force?
What actions or in actions will void the warranties?
Can the system be modified in the future without affecting the warranties?
How much will it cost to temporarily remove the system if roof work is needed in the future?
Does the bid include the AC electrical work?
Does the system meet the rapid shutdown code requirements, NEC 690.12?
Who is the battery manufacturer (if applicable) and what are the model and serial numbers? *
What is the battery system kW and usable kWh (if applicable)? *
What is the warranty for the battery system? *
What is required of the owner to keep the battery warranty? *
What actions or in actions will void the battery warranty? *
How are the batteries disposed of at the end of their life? *
Who will be responsible for getting the necessary permits?
Are the permits costs included in the contract price?
Are there any applicable state and federal tax credits or other available incentives?
What are the expected annual operation and maintenance costs?
What is the expected annual and lifetime energy generation based on the home’s orientation, shade, and estimated costs and savings?
What portion of my energy consumption will be offset by the generation from the solar PV system?
What purchase and financing options are available?

* Suggested if system also involves a battery storage component

For a directory of available solar installers, view our Solar Trade Ally Network. (Note: we do not endorse any of these providers.)

Incentives and Loan Programs

How Solar Energy Works

How do photovoltaics (PV) work?
PV technology produces electricity directly from electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with certain semi-conductor materials, such as silicon, applied to a PV panel. Sunlight on PV panels (or modules) produce direct current electricity, which is converted to alternating current by a device called an inverter. The inverter is wired into a main service panel where it feeds the internal power grid of a home or business. (Note: Some PV systems are not connected to the power grid and are designed to serve remote locations.)

What happens on dark, cloudy days?
On cloudy days the solar panels generate much less electricity; the electric energy requirements of the home or business are supplied by the local electric utility grid.

Do I need batteries for my PV system?
Unless back-up power is critical to your lifestyle or business, in the event of a weather-related disaster, for example, you do not need batteries. However, it should be noted that advances in batteries have made them a more viable option than they once were.

What is the difference between PV panels and old-fashioned solar systems I often see in disrepair on some homes?
Old-fashioned, broken solar panels are likely solar hot water panels in many cases date back to the late 1970s. PV technology is completely different and is for the purpose of making electricity, not heating water. PV systems have a 50+ year history of reliable performance.

Could a PV system become “obsolete”?
PV technology is evolving, but slowly. Prices are coming down because the PV industry is expanding as demand grows internationally. As with any investment in technology, floppy discs, for example, there is an element of risk that the market may change drastically. This is not in the foreseeable future for PV systems, however.

Do PV systems work well in the cold?
Yes. In fact, silicon PV systems generate more electric energy when the temperature is lower. However, because of the shorter hours of daylight and lower angles of the sun in winter PV panels, in total, generate less energy than in summer. Also, thin film PV panels may generate less energy when cold.

Are PV systems safe?
Solar panels are a quiet, non-polluting source of electric energy. In and of themselves, they are quite safe unless one were to fall on you. However, like all large electrical devices, PV systems generate electricity and should be treated with care and maintained in most cases by a solar professional. Panels should be installed in accordance with all state and local electrical codes.

What happens during a power outage?
With a grid-connected PV system, the inverter will automatically disconnect itself from the utility grid when there is a power outage. This is to prevent “back feeding” the grid and putting line technicians who are working to restore power in danger. If you have a grid-connected PV system with battery back-up, it will automatically switch to back-up power with little detection. Both these systems will automatically reconnect to the electric grid once power is restored.

Will adverse weather affect a PV system?
Most solar PV installations are designed to withstand nearly all weather conditions. Lightning, winds up to 80 miles per hour, and extreme temperatures and within the typical PV systems tolerance levels; however, those conditions would temporarily reduce the system’s energy production. Large hail and extremely high winds could potentially damage systems. Information taken from: Energy and Sun: Solar Strategy, Report and Recommendations – NPPD; Solaratlas.com; Ambassadorenergy.com; and sunlightenergy.com.

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