FAQ’s

  • How does solar work?

    When sunlight hits a solar panel it creates a photovoltaic (PV) effect that loosens electrons and sends DC power to an inverter. The inverter converts the DC power to AC power that can be used by your home. Any excess electricity produced will be sent back to the grid, literally spinning your electric meter backwards and earning you a credit from the utility company. How Solar Works >

  • How reliable is a solar system?

    Solar systems are extremely reliable. They have no moving parts, require little to no maintenance and are expected to produce clean electricity for more than 30 years. They are also designed to withstand extremely punishing environmental forces like golf ball size hail and hurricane force winds. This is exactly why nearly every satellite since 1960 is solar powered.

  • What are the main components of a solar system?

    The main components of a solar system are the solar panels, mounting system and inverter. Please visit How Solar Works for a more detailed description.

  • How does an inverter work?

    Solar panels produce DC power and our homes consume AC power. The inverter converts solar electricity from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) so it can be used to power our homes.

  • Do I need batteries or a generator?

    No. SunLogic installs grid-tied solar systems where the utility grid acts like a giant battery. During the day, any excess electricity produced by your system is sent back to the grid for a credit. After dark, when your energy usage exceeds your production, you simply pull power from the grid like normal.

  • What size system do I need?

    The average home solar system is approximately 4 kW and the net cost varies from $10,000 to $35,000. We will provide you with a free consultation and site analysis to determine the optimal system size to maximize your financial return.

  • Is my home right for solar?

    A solar power system can be installed on almost any type of roof, building structure or ground surface. However, your system will be most productive if is south or southwest facing with little to no shading during peak hours.

  • How much electricity do I use?

    You can determine how much electricity you use by looking at the kilowatthours (kWh) consumed over the last 12 months. You can find this on your monthly electric bills or by calling the utility company.

  • Can my roof support the weight of a solar system?

    The typical solar power system will add approximately 3lbs/ft2 of load to a roof, which can be easily supported by all existing structures. Current construction standards require residential roofs to support at least 10lbs/ft2. We will evaluate the structural integrity of your roof during our free consultation.

  • Will a solar system affect how I use electricity?

    No. SunLogic installs grid-tied solar systems so during the day you will use the electricity produced by your solar system and at night you will pull power from the grid as you do now.

  • What happens if I don’t use the solar electricity produced?

    Any excess electricity produced will be sent back to the grid literally spinning your meter backwards for a credit at the retail rate! You are credited at the high peak rates and buy at lower off-peak rates. With solar, you buy low and sell high!

  • What happens on a cloudy day?

    Your system will continue to produce power, but it is most productive with direct sunlight during peak hours.

  • How long will it take to install a system?

    SunLogic’s experienced installation crew can install a typical home system in 1-2 days. We will work with you to find a convenient time for installation and inspection.

  • Can I really save 45% with rebates and tax credits?

    Yes! The California Solar Initiative (CSI) state rebate and Federal Investment Tax Credit will currently cover 45% of the cost of your solar system. The CSI is a temporary incentive program administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that pays a cash rebate based on the size of your system. The Federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 also provides a tax credit equal to 30% of the systems gross cost, with no cap. However, the CSI rebate decreases about every 6 months so the sooner you act the more you save. Reserve Your Rebate Now - Request a Free Consultation >

  • How do I get the state rebate?

    Included in our services, SunLogic will apply for, track and secure your state rebate through the California Solar Initiative (CSI). We will also credit you for the amount of the state rebate and recover it after installation and inspection. This reduces your upfront cost and aligns our interests.

  • How should I compare bids from different solar installers?

    The best practice is to compare the bids of different installers based on the cost per CEC rated AC kilowatt. To do this, take the installers bid price and divide it by the California Energy Commission (CEC) rated AC kilowatt size of the system being quoted. We show you exactly how to do this during our consultation. Request a Free Consultation >

  • Is solar electricity really more cost-effective than utility power?

    Yes! A SunLogic solar power system, with incentives, will produce electricity at approximately $0.12-$0.17 per kilowatt-hour. This compares to PG&E’s rates that start at $0.11 per kilowatt-hour and quickly climb to $0.44 per kilowatt-hour. Solar also locks in these low rates, so as energy prices rise your savings will continue to grow. PG&E’s electricity rates are expected to double in less than 10 years.

  • What are the financial benefits of a solar power system?

    A SunLogic solar system is a smart investment! If your monthly bill is $85 or more, you will likely save money every month, earn a return of +10% and add lasting value to your home. Visit our Financial Benefits page to learn more.

  • Will a solar system increase the value of my property?

    Yes! According to the Appraisal Journal article by Nevin and Watson, a home’s value will increase by $20,000 for every $1,000 in annual energy savings. For example, a 3 kilowatt system will cost you approximately $13,000 after incentives and add roughly $20,000 to the appraisal value of your home. Visit our Financial Benefits page for specific examples. (Source: http://www.icfi.com/Markets/Community_Development/doc_files/apj1098.pdf)

  • Will a solar system increase my property taxes?

    No. The increase in property value resulting from the solar power system is exempt from property-tax assessments under California Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 73.

  • Does it make sense to finance a solar system?

    Yes! Through SunLogic’s financial partners you can start saving money immediately by financing the full cost of your system with as little as zero down. This is because the cost of your loan (principal and interest) will likely be less than what you are currently paying the utility company. Our affordable financing options make solar a viable option for nearly every homeowner. Affordable Financing Options >

  • Will the utility company really pay me for the electricity produced by my solar system?

    Yes. We will work with your utility company to help you enter into a Net Metering Agreement with Time of Use (TOU) billing. During the day, you will receive a credit at peak retail rates for every excess kWh produced by your system. In the evening, you will be charged the off-peak rate for any electricity you use from the grid. At the end of the year, the utility company will true up your energy bill and only charge you for your "net" usage.

  • Can I completely eliminate my utility bill?

    No, but we can design a solar system that produces nearly as much electricity as you consume, resulting in a utility required minimum charge of $5 per month to maintain a grid connection. However, at SunLogic we prefer to design slightly smaller systems that offset only the most expensive electricity to maximize financial payback.

  • How long will a solar system last?

    Solar power systems are extremely reliable and are expected to produce electricity for 30+ years. This is because they have no moving parts and are made to withstand punishing weather conditions. Most solar panels come with a 25 year warranty direct from the manufacturer.

  • Are there warranties and guarantees?

    Yes. Every SunLogic system includes a full-service 10 year warranty with most major components covered for 25 years.