HOW MUCH DOES A SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM COST?

For an average home, the initial price will be about $17,950. Then, after receiving the IRS 30% tax credit, the final cost will be $12,565. That price includes everything-equipment, labor, approval fees, etc. For larger systems, obviously the price is somewhat higher.


DOES A SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM PAY FOR ITSELF?

Yes, always. That is because the electricity is totally free. The only cost is for the system itself. I always say that you will either pay yourself for the system, or you will continue to pay the electric company for theirs. The time that it takes to have the system paid for depends on several factors. First, the initial cost. Second, the price that your electric company presently charges for the electricity. Third, how much the electric company will charge in the future (usually a yearly average increase of 4%). Fourth, whether or not you can take advantage of government incentives.


ARE THERE GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS?

Yes. 1. For all taxpaying entities, including homeowners and businesses, the IRS offers a 30% income tax credit. That will run out starting at the end of 2019. After that the 30% amount starts to decline. 2. For businesses, there is an additional benefit which allows for 85% of the cost of the system to be depreciated over just a 5 year period. 3. For rural businesses (any that are located in the countryside or within a town of 50,000 residents or less) the USDA has grant funds that will pay for up to 25% of the cost of the installed system.


WILL MY SYSTEM INCREASE THE VALUE OF MY HOUSE OR BUSINESS BUILDING?

Probably. The studies done on this topic mostly come from the western states, primarily California. Those show that homes and businesses that have solar panels increase the sales price by at least the original cost of the system.


WILL THE SYSTEM RAISE MY PROPERTY TAXES?

In some states-yes. In other states no. Call your county tax office.


WILL A SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM INCREASE MY INSURANCE COST?

In most instances, a little. But some insurance providers do not raise the insurance cost at all.


WILL THE SYSTEM DAMAGE MY ROOF?

First, we usually have a structural inspection for your roof prior to installation. But, the system will not damage the roof.


WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE?

There is almost no maintenance required for a roof-mounted solar panel system. We do recommend that about once per year, you spray the panels with a hose to remove any dust that may have not fallen off on its own. For ground-mounted systems, the same thing applies along with making sure no grass or weeds have grown up that may be blocking the bottom of the panels.


WHAT WARRANTIES ARE THERE FOR SOLAR?

The panels themselves all have at least a 10
year full equipment guarantee. Also, they all have a production warranty that says for the first 15 years of service, the panels will provide at least 90% of the original rated electricity and for 10 more years (total of 25 the production guarantee is 80% of the original rate.


How LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR AN INSTALLATION?

The installation itself, weather permitting, is usually about 3 days. However, the time it takes the power company and any government code departments to approve the system can take 1 week or more.


WHAT IS NET METERING?

That is the name for the laws in each state (or even a few lesser governments) that determine how much electricity the power company is required to receive into their grid and how much they have to pay for that electricity.


IF MY ELECTRIC COMPANY HAS A POWER OUTAGE, DOES MY SYSTEM CONTINE TO PROVIDE ME WITH ELECTRICITY?

Usually no. We almost always connect your system into the power grid of your local power company. They keep track of how much electricity your system makes and gives you credit for it according to the Net Metering law of your area. That is called a "grid-tied system" and is by far the most common way of directing your system's electricity. It is also the least expensive way to handle the electricity. However, sometimes, you may, for various reasons want to be "off the grid". It that case, in order for you to have electricity from your panels when the panels are not providing any power, we have to design your system so that the electricity goes into batteries that store the electricity.


WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER WENTZ SOLAR AS MY SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM PROVIDER?

Because we offer the best price and service in the industry.


DOES WENTZ SOLAR REPRESENT JUST ONE SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURER?

No. that allows us to provide the best product and price.


DOES WENTZ SOLAR CHARGE FOR AN INSPECTION OR ESTIMATE?

No. Totally free.