Frequently Asked Questions
If there is anything left unanswered, please call 866-450-1012 or contact us so we can help you understand just how easy going solar is!
Solar energy systems are customized solutions designed for your home’s individual needs, which are determined by your energy consumption, home location and characteristics, and your utility’s policies. Contact a Solar Energy Specialist for a free, no-hassle quote to give you a better idea of the price.
It doesn’t have to be completely sunny for your panels to produce electricity. The power supply to your home will fluctuate with the sunshine. In cloudy or overcast weather, your panels can still produce energy in small quantities. (1) (2) (3) Solar panels do not produce power at night, but you may consider adding a battery to offset your nighttime power usage.*
Several factors are considered when determining your home’s suitability for solar. We evaluate the angle of your roof, shading from trees, current power usage in your home, and savings goals, among other things. When all this information is gathered, a Solar Energy Specialist can give you a free quote and preliminary design of the optimal panel configuration for your home.
There are many variables to the amount of power solar panels will produce.
A typical installation can take one to three days, depending on the size and complexity. As soon as your contract is received, your ADT Solar team goes right to work to verify all the details and get our design team finalizing the design requirements. It can take several weeks to align all the details for a successful installation across other entities in your local jurisdiction. Permitting, interconnection with your utility company and local inspections are a big part of the process. After your system installation is complete, additional time will be required for your utility to approve and connect your system to the electrical grid.
In regions with little rain, it may be necessary to spray the panels down with a hose once a year. (4) You may also want to keep trees trimmed to reduce shading.
Net metering means that a utility credits customers for the electricity produced by their solar panels. Participating utility companies issue statement credits for any excess power generated by your panels that is sent back to the grid.** Your utility or electric cooperative may not be required to offer net metering. Net-metering programs vary by state and utility provider. Make sure you ask your Solar Energy Specialist about your specific area.
Your home solar system will automatically shut off if the power goes out. This is to protect utility workers who might be working on power lines during an outage. It is not safe to send power out to the grid where workers are attempting to fix a power outage. You will not have power during this time unless you were to have a battery backup system installed to support some of your home’s electricity needs.1
Disclaimers:
* Power available from the battery varies depending on the loads connected, energy consumption, and battery configuration. You should never rely on your solar system, even if it includes a battery, to power life support or other medical devices.
** Net metering and similar excess or buyback programs vary by location and utility provider and are subject to change. Rates may go up or down and the money you may save, if any, may vary. For more information about rates, contact your power company.
1 Battery will power essential, or critical loads, only. Power available from battery during an outage varies depending on the loads connected, your energy consumption, and battery configuration. Your system, even with a battery, is not intended for use as a primary or back-up source for critical care including life support and other medical equipment.
(1) https://qcells.com/us/get-started/complete-energy-solution/solar-panel-detail?slrPnlId=SRPL211201071450004&look=001
(2) https://qcells.com/us/get-started/complete-energy-solution/solar-panel-detail?slrPnlId=SRPL220817160809064&look=001
(3) https://silfabsolar.com/our-solar-panels/silfab-prime/sil-400-hc/
(4) https://news.energysage.com/solar-panel-maintenance-overview/