Solar is not free. However, if you finance or lease the system you can pay $0 down, and swap your electric bill for a lower bill. It is not free, you are swapping your electric bill for a lower one with benefits.

You will always receive a statement from your utility. However, if your solar can cover 100%+ of your home’s power, the utility bill becomes negligible. Most utilities just have a connection charge, which is typically $5-$10 per month.

Pro tip: Make sure the annual power output from the solar matches your yearly energy usage.

Most installers offer 25+ year warranties. This covers all parts and labor. Some installers also have energy production guarentees, and some lease agreements will upgrade your equipment for free. Thankfully, one of the biggest benefits of solar is that it is extremely low maintenance.

Along with 25 year system warranties, installers warranty their installations against any roof damages for 10 years. With this being said, as long as your roof is in good shape, and you choose a professional installer, the odds of a roof leak occuring is <1%. Solar panels make your roof last longer because it protects it from the elements.

*15 year rule - Typically if your roof is 15 years or older, you should replace the roof before installing the panels.

Pro Tip: Make sure that your installer will also cover any additional damage a leak may cause.

Solar usually increases your home’s value. If you own the system, it transfers easily to the new buyer. If you lease, the buyer just assumes the agreement.

Pro Tip: Work with a real estate agent with experience selling homes with solar.

In the past, solar panels were blue, thicker, and had a checkerboard appearance.

Today, almost all solar panels are “monocrystalline”. They are sleeker, low profile, and all black glass. They are almost reflective.

Pro tip: For a truly clean and flawless appearance, ensure your installer runs the conduit (thin metal tube holding the wiring), through your attic. You can also have any conduit running along the siding of your home painted the same color as your siding.

Solar systems come with production guarentees, so you can rest assured knowing that even if it is a cloudy month or year, the installer will reimburse if the system doesn’t perform. Typically this guarantee covers 90% of the initial estimated production.

In addition, even if you use more power than you make in a given month, it balances out over the year, from months where you produce extra. This is what makes net metering so effective, because it allows people to keep their utility bills at $0 even when they don’t produce enough in the winter or in a cloudy month.

Solar is a part of the home, so it is not an additional item to cover. However, it is always good to check with your insurance to make sure that it covers the increased value of the property.

Solar Panels do not make it more difficult to put out a fire, however fireman do have special training for their operating procedure when a home has solar.

1. When a serious fire occurs, firemen typically put holes in the roof to let the heat escape. When a home has solar, they put these holes in the top of siding, or in an area where the panels are not.

2. Many people think that firemen can’t put out a fire unless the solar is turned off. This is a myth. It is false. Firemen will do what it takes to put out a fire whether there is solar on the home or not.

3. Townships all inspect the installation prior to turning it on to ensure the panels were installed under proper fire safety codes.

A serious fire is never a good thing. God forbid if it did occur, solar does not seriously impact the ability to put the fire out.

According to various studies in 2017 & 2018, the chance of a fire occuring due to solar panels is 0.004%. About 1 in 24,000. Any fire that occured was from installer error.

These studies were also done in 2018. Solar systems are even better equipped to prevent fires with more advanced technology.

As long as the system is installed properly, it doesn’t happen.

EMF from a solar panel system is near 0.

The radiation from solar is equivalent to regular wiring and appliances in your home.

It is also LMF (low frequency), which is different than RF (radio frequency), which is what comes from your phone, wifi, or laptop.

Using your phone, having wifi, or even living next to a power line all give off significantly more EMF than a solar system. EMF from solar is next to nothing.

The goal is always to ensure the newest roof possible prior to install, but in the case it needs to be replaced, it can be costly.

The panels need to be taken off and put back on, which typically costs around $3,000-$4,000.

Solar makes roofs last longer, and they are expected to last for 30 years. Most modern roofs are built to last more than 30 years, so as long as your roof is in good shape, this shouldn’t be something you’re worried about for a long time.

Roofing companies are used to solar. Any part of the roof under panels is covered by the solar company for 10 years in case of damage. The rest of the roof is still covered by the roofing company warranty.

A “50-year roof” means the shingles are warrantied for 50 years — solar doesn’t change that. The only way the warranty could be affected is if installation caused damage, which is already covered by the solar company.

Yes, solar panels are over 90% recyclable. The problem is there aren’t enough companies doing it. This is rapidly changing, and as time goes on it is already becoming common practice.

Yes, almost 33% of all air pollution is caused by electricity generation. When you eliminate your homes pull on the grid, you are eliminating 33% of your carbon footprint.

Yes, this can occur. If you live in an area with a lot of birds and squirrels, consider getting “critter guards” with your system. It will make it slightly more expensive, but is worth it for avoiding future headache.

Solar panels are fully warrantied for 25 years, however they will likely last for as long as 40 years. They just won’t perform optimally as they get older.

Solar panels used to be much heavier. But now the thin panels are made mainly from aluminum and an extremely thin layer of glass. They are surprisingly light now, and make very little difference on your roof.