Frequently asked questions.

Common FAQs

  • A home solar system is made up of components that all work together to convert the power of sunlight into usable energy for your lights, appliances and devices.

    1. Solar panels

    Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to direct current electricity (DC electricity). As long as the sun ray’s are making contact with your roof, your panels are converting solar radiation into DC electricity. Even when it’s cloudy, you can still expect your panels to produce 10% to 25% of their normal output. But your electricity isn’t ready just yet. You’ll need an inverter to get the kind of power you need to turn the lights on.

    2. Inverter

    The inverter 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.

    3. 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. If your panels generate more solar energy than you use, the excess power will flow to the utility grid. Even better? You even earn energy credits from your local utility for the power you send.

    4. Energy Meter

    Your meter monitors your system production and sends the information to us through a wireless signal. Since it tracks your energy production 24/7, it will automatically alerts your provider if it detects problems or irregularities. That way, we can make sure your solar system is in the very best shape without you ever having to lift a finger.

    5. Utility meter

    When your system produces more than you need, the excess energy is sold back to your utility and credited to your monthly electric bill. When you need more energy than your solar system can produce, your home will automatically pull the energy from your utility. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.

  • Each home is different, and the equipment we install can vary from house to house. In general, here’s what you can expect.

    1) Solar Panels

    Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current electricity (DC).

    2) Inverter

    Your inverter tells energy where to flow and converts it into alternating current electricity (AC), so it can be used in your home.

    3) Solar Meter

    Solar production is measured and monitored by your meter so we can make sure your system is producing as much energy as possible.

    There are also a few pieces of equipment that you already have at your home that are connected to the solar system.

    4) Main Electrical Panel

    Your electrical panel distributes AC electricity to your entire home. You probably know it by its other name, "Fuse Box."

    5) Utility Meter

    When the sun is shining, you may get all of your energy from solar, but due to things like weather, winter, and nighttime, you will still have to buy some energy the old-fashioned way. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.

  • Benefits:

    Affordable entry into solar energy: Leasing allows you to enjoy all the perks of solar power without the hefty upfront costs. You can start reaping the benefits right away, with a fixed monthly payment that fits your budget.

    Stress-free maintenance: With a solar lease, you can leave the maintenance and repairs to the professionals. The leasing company takes care of the necessary upkeep, giving you peace of mind and ensuring your system operates optimally.

    Immediate savings, guilt-free: Leasing solar panels still allows you to reduce your electricity bills from day one. Embrace the clean, renewable energy without compromising your budget or the environment.

    Considerations:

    No upfront ownership, but still saving: While leasing doesn't grant you ownership, the immediate savings on your electricity bills are undeniable. You'll experience the financial benefits of solar energy without the initial investment.

    Limited control, boundless rewards: Since the system is owned by the leasing company, you may have limited control over equipment changes. But remember, you're contributing to a greener future and reaping the benefits of clean energy without the maintenance hassle.

  • Benefits:

    Enjoy long-term financial gains: By purchasing solar panels, you're making an investment that pays off over time. Imagine significantly reducing or even eliminating your electricity bills for the next 25 to 30 years. It's like having your own personal money-saving powerhouse on your rooftop!

    Boost your property value: Installing solar panels adds value to your property. It's an attractive feature that potential buyers appreciate, making your home more marketable and potentially fetching a higher selling price when the time comes.

    Tap into lucrative incentives: Owning your solar panels opens up a world of financial incentives. From federal tax credits to state rebates and exciting net metering programs, there are numerous opportunities to save money and accelerate your return on investment.

    Customize to your heart's content: Purchasing solar panels allows you to tailor the system to your specific needs and aesthetic preferences. You get to choose the panel type, brand, and installation method, ensuring a setup that aligns perfectly with your vision.

    Considerations:

    Upfront investment: Purchasing solar panels does require an initial investment, but think of it as a wise long-term decision. The savings generated over the life of the system far outweigh the upfront costs.

    Responsible ownership: As the proud owner, you'll be responsible for maintaining and occasionally repairing your solar system. However, modern panels are designed to be low-maintenance, meaning you'll enjoy hassle-free benefits for years to come.

  • Think of it as energy surge pricing. Time-of-use (TOU) rates are electricity rates in which utilities charge for both how much and when you use energy. Under these rates, energy tends to cost more during peak demand times, such as late afternoon and evening when demand is highest.

    Solar batteries help manage TOU rates by optimizing your battery’s charge and discharge behavior to offset power when it is most expensive.

  • Net metering means that your utility will keep track of the solar power that you send into the grid when you are producing more than you’re using. In some months, you may run a credit for this extra power while in others you will need to use these credits to use grid power to meet the energy demands of your home.

  • Our partners make it easy to transition your solar lease to the next owner. Typically, if you decide to buy your solar system instead of lease, then the value of your home will increase and you can either use that money to pay off the remaining amount owed or you can just continue to make the payments.

Backup Batteries

  • A battery can be used for backup electricity in the event of a power outage or better control over your power costs.

  • Batteries can back up four breakers. During installation, we will help you decide what to back up. Many customers choose to back up their refrigerator, lights, wifi and a garage door.

    If there is a power outage, your battery will take over sending power to your backed-up breakers within a few seconds and will continue to do so until power is restored or the battery runs out of energy. How long the battery lasts will depend on how much energy you use.

    Your system is designed to supply approximately 8 to 12 hours of backup energy, plus whatever the sun provides during the day. But that can vary based a variety of factors:

    1. Whether the outage happens during the day or at night.

    2. What season it is.

    3. What you’re backing up.

    4. How much energy you use.

    The battery will recharge when the sun comes up, so you will be able to power through multi-day outages should they ever occur.

    Remember, you can always check the charge of your battery to help you plan your usage and make sure you have power through the night.

    If you live in Hawaii, your backup solution may be slightly different. A quad outlet installed near your inverter will allow you to plug in up to four things during an outage if we are unable to back up your breakers directly.

  • A battery is about the size of a water heater and easily mounted on a wall — usually inside your garage or outside of your home. The clearance required for a Brightbox battery and its accompanying components is 6.5’ H x 10’ W.

  • Having a home solar battery service in California will help save money by offsetting high time-of-use (TOU) rates while offering peace of mind when the power goes out. We only work with companies that cover their products with warranties, so maintenance and repairs are covered at no additional charge.

Solar Billing

  • When you go solar, the way that you pay for your power also changes.

    Whether you choose to purchase your solar system or pay monthly, you will still receive a utility bill as you will now receive power from two sources, your solar system and the gird.

    The payment you make to Sunrun, whether upfront or on a monthly basis is for your solar. Your utility bill will then be for any extra power that you need that month that the solar system does not produce. How much energy you end up having to buy from your utility depends on the size of your solar system and how much energy you're actually using. With weather and seasonal changes, your utility bill will vary. For this reason, it helps to think about your energy costs on an annual basis.

  • You still receive a bill from the utility when you have solar because you remain connected to the grid. Even in months where your solar system provides all of the electricity you need, you can expect to pay standard utility connection fees. These fees typically range from $10 a month or less.

    Being connected to the grid is a good thing. It allows you to have power when your are producing less than you need, like on a cloudy day, during the winter or when you're running your air conditioning. It also allows you to take advantage of net metering so your solar power never goes to waste.

  • Utility rate increases are unpredictable, and they’re only expected to get worse. When you replace utility power with solar power, you take control of your costs with a predictable, locked-in rate.

    The more your utility increases its rates, the greater the benefit you can see from solar.

  • When you sign up for a free quote, our in-house Solar Advisors will work with you to determine how much you can expect to save on your monthly energy bill. This relies on factors like your utility, how much electricity you use and how much sunlight your home gets. We’ll only recommend solar if it’s the right fit for your home energy needs and profile.

  • Net metering means that your utility will keep track of the solar power that you send into the grid when you are producing more than you’re using. In some months, you may run a credit for this extra power while in others you will need to buy grid power to meet the energy demands of your home.

  • You receive energy credits from your utility company for power you produce and don't immediately use. Your energy credits count towards any energy you get from the utility.

    Most of the energy your panels produce is used right away. This energy does not appear on your utility bill because it never went to the grid. If you have a battery, the energy that it stores also does not appear on your utility bill.

Environmental Impact

  • There are many different ways that you can measure the positive environmental impact of your home solar system. Here are just a few:

    It takes just 10 months of solar production for a home solar system to offset the carbon emissions associated with its manufacture.

    Over its lifetime, the average solar home will prevent harmful carbon emissions equal to driving 498,778 miles in an average car, which is more than enough to drive to the moon and back.

    When you look at cumulative impact of all 233,000 homes, we have had the same impact as recycling 2.6 trillion pounds of waste, which is like recycling 128 Eiffel Towers.

    As more people like you join the solar movement, the amount of impact we are able to have becomes all the more significant.

  • Going solar means that you have adopted a clean source of electricity for your home. Instead of using power that was generated at a plant using fossil fuels, you get your power from the sun with zero emissions. This home grown power doesn't just help contribute to cleaner air, it also helps take strain off the grid during peak demand periods, which is safer for everyone.

Have Questions?

Reach out with any questions in the form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours or feel free to email us at: info@caenergybrokers.com