Our expert team designs a custom solar system tailored to your home, ensuring optimal performance and savings. From securing permits to the professional installation of panels and inverters, we handle everything.
After inspections and grid approval, your system is activated, giving you clean, reliable energy. With real-time monitoring and minimal upkeep, you’ll enjoy lower bills, energy independence, and the satisfaction of making a sustainable choice for your home and family.
Can I cover my electricity usage with a solar PV system?
In short, yes. While it is not always possible, or the most cost effective option, it is usually possible to offset the total usage of a home with solar PV energy. Our education based sales team is experienced at analyzing the specific site conditions of your home or business and will advise on the best solution, custom fit to meet your solar goals.
How does Net Metering work with a solar PV system?
Solar Net Metering can be a little bit different depending on a utility company’s policies, but in general it means that any energy production will be returned to the producer on a credit for credit basis. In solar PV system generation, this usually means that any kWh you produce will be directly redeemable as a kWh credit for future use. For example, if your home uses 7,000 kWh per year and has a solar PV system that produces 7,000 kWh per year, you would be able to reduce your monthly bill from kWh to zero. This does have some caveats, so it is important to have a solar professional advise how a net metering program will work with your utility provider, and how it can affect the ROI on your system.
The Duke energy net metering rate structure was terminated as of July 1st, 2023. New solar systems installed in Duke energy territory, are now eligible for the Bridge rate or TOU rate structure. Each utility company and utility Co-Ops may have different rate structures for purchasing back solar power.
What are AC and DC currents, how do they differ?
There are two major electrical currents used in our modern world, AC and DC. AC stands for Alternating Current, this is the primary form of electricity that is used around the world in building applications. It has two major iterations in single phase (split phase) and three phase. Homes are constructed with single phase AC and larger businesses are constructed using three phase AC. DC stands for Direct Current, this is not commonly used in building applications. It is however used in Solar PV Modules, commonly referred to as solar panels, as well as batteries among other things. Due to the electrical grid and buildings being built to use AC current, any solar output will need to be inverted from DC current to AC current in order to be used in the building, hence the use of an inverter. Check out below to learn about inverters.
What is a solar PV inverter?
As mentioned above, solar modules, commonly referred to as solar panels, produce DC current. Because building applications are constructed using AC current, any solar DC output will need to be inverted to AC before tying into the electrical system of the building. This is where the inverter comes into play. The inverter is essentially the brain of the solar PV system. The two major types of inverters are string inverters and micro inverters. Both are great options depending on the site specifics and the clients solar goals. Check out below to learn about the difference between the two.
What is a string inverter?
A string style inverter is a single unit that will invert all of a solar PV systems DC current to AC current. In a string inverter, the solar modules are typically connected to each other in series strings. The number of solar panels per string will depend on the Wattage of the panels and the voltage of the system. The number of solar strings will depend on the size of the inverter, the system voltage, and the available string inputs in the inverter. These strings are then routed from the solar array to the inverter, which is generally either mounted on the exterior of the building near the meter, or on the inside of the building near the main service panel. At the solar inverter, the DC current of the modules will be inverted to AC current, and then the outgoing AC current will be connected to the main service panel for the building. String inverters will usually house the solar systems monitoring system, and main solar or DC disconnect. Check out below to learn more about monitoring.
What is a micro inverter?
A micro inverter is a unit that works similarly to a string inverter, but instead of one main unit inverting the solar DC current to AC current, there will be multiple units inverting the current. Micro inverters are typically designed to connect with a single solar panel, so there will usually be a micro inverter for every solar panel in a system. In this system type, the micro inverters will be installed right under the solar modules, either mounting to the solar racking, or to the solar modules themselves. Instead of DC solar strings, the solar array will have AC solar strings. The string sizes will be determined by the micro inverters power output levels, and system design specifications.
We’ll work with you to design the perfect solar system for your needs! Whether it’s a simple grid-tied system, one with battery backup, or even off-grid… our team will handle the installation, making sure everything goes smoothly and leave you with a reliable system that gives you peace of mind.
