Solar Education Station
Client Quote
"My experience with Meridian was great. Hunter answered all of our questions (and we had tons of them) and was very patient with us. It's a lot of money for us to spend and we had to get really comfortable with just about everything before we were willing to commit. Install went exactly as it was explained to us and we have been thrilled with our system. We have recorded a larger reduction in our electricity usage than we expected."
S. Nuccitelli
Did You Know
In the year 2007, a total of 3,436 megawatts of PV modules were manufactured, worldwide.
FAQ's
Why go solar?
How much electricity do I use?
How much solar energy will I produce?
What happens if I produce more electricity than I consume?
Do I need to get a battery backup for my solar system?
Will my solar system run if there is a black out or brown out?
Will a solar system fit on my roof?
How efficient are photovoltaic solar panels?
Will the solar system be damaged by bad weather?
How often does a solar system need to be serviced?
What kind of warranty does a solar system have?
How much will it cost to get a solar system installed?
Why should I buy a system now rather than later?
Is solar cost effective?
What is the payback period?
Will my home insurance rate go up?
What is the biggest disadvantage of solar energy?
Why go solar?
As you may already know since you’ve made it this far, there are many great reasons to go solar:
- Solar reduces your electricity bills and eventually will pay for itself.
- Going solar means you are hedging against the rising cost of electricity. On average, electricity prices have been going up 5% every year.
- Going solar means you are producing your own electricity. It’s like having a clean power plant on your roof.
- Solar is good for the planet because it helps curb the effects of global warming. Solar helps reduce green house gases by offsetting fossil fuel-based electricity production such as coal and natural gas power plants.
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How much electricity do I use?
You can figure out your electricity consumption by looking at your previous monthly electricity bills. Look for the amount of kilowatt hours consumed. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average electric consumption of a residence in Texas is 1,136 kWh per month.
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How much solar energy will I produce?
There are many variables to consider for accurate estimation. These include the pitch and orientation of the roof, as well as the total system size of the solar array. A south-facing roof is the ideal location to put a solar system but you can also have a system on a east and west-facing roof. As a rule of thumb, a 1000-watt system will produce about 110 kWh a month. The employees at Meridian Solar are experienced at producing very accurate solar energy harvest estimations.
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What happens if I produce more electricity than I consume?
Typically, that surplus energy is fed into the electricity grid. Depending on your electric utility, your meter may run backwards, crediting you with the electricity produced. This is called net metering.
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Do I need to get a battery backup for my solar system?
If the solar system is grid-tied, then you do not need battery back up. When no electricity is being produced from the solar system, electricity will be drawn from the grid. A battery backup is only necessary if you want to have power during a black out or brown out or if you are not connected to an electricity grid.
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Will my solar system run if there is a black out or brown out?
Unfortunately, your solar system will not provide electricity to your house during a black out or brown out if it is grid-tied with no battery back up. The inverters are designed to shutoff during black outs and brown outs for safety reasons.
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Will a solar system fit on my roof?
This depends how much roof space you have as well as the system size of the array. As a rule of thumb, a 1000 watt solar system will cover 100 square feet.
Solar systems can be installed on any kind of roof, including composite shingles, clay tiles, flat roofs and standing metal seams. There is also the option to install a solar system on a top-of-pole mount, or even on the ground. Meridian Solar has even designed and installed solar systems on custom awnings. See our project portfolio for some examples of our installations.
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How efficient are photovoltaic solar panels?
Currently, the efficiency of a solar panel can range between 12-18%. The greater the efficiency, the less space it needs to produce the same amount of electricity compared to the electric production of a panel with a lower efficiency. But at the end of the day, a watt is still a watt, regardless of the solar panel’s efficiency.
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Will the solar system be damaged by bad weather?
The racking system and solar panels are designed to withstand up to 100 mph winds. Solar panels are also designed to withstand 1-inch hail. In over a decade of installations, we’ve seen minimal damage due to bad weather.
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How often does a solar system need to be serviced?
Once a solar system is installed, there is minimal maintenance. A solar system can run for 30 years without any major servicing, so operating costs are very minimal.
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What kind of warranty does a solar system have?
Most solar modules are covered by a 25-year power warranty. The racking system and inverters are typically covered under a 10-year warranty. Meridian Solar also has a 5-year installation warranty. Overall, you are well-covered.
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How much will it cost to get a solar system installed?
This is dependent on many factors. Some important aspects to keep in mind include how much electricity you use, and how much of that electricity you want to offset.
There are also several financial incentives that may apply to you. These include federal incentives as well as utility rebate programs. Meridian Solar can determine an accurate price estimate of your custom solar system based on your needs and budget.
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Why should I buy a system now rather than later?
The current photovoltaic market is quite volatile due to varying supply and increasing demand. This means prices may increase or decrease in the near future in varying degrees. It is true that the cost of solar technology has been trending down, and will probably decrease in the long run. But there are many financial incentives available now and there is no guarantee they will still be available in the future.
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Is solar cost effective?
Very much so! If you look at solar as an investment, a solar system has low risk with a high return over the 30-year lifetime.
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What is the payback period?
The payback period will vary depending on your electrical rate schedule, your electricity usage, the cost of your installation and the amount of financial incentives received. Typically, payback periods range from 8-15 years.
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Will my home insurance rate go up?
Typically, rates do not go up but it depends on your insurance company. You will need to consult your home insurance agent to ensure that the value of the array is included into the cost of your home.
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What is the biggest disadvantage of solar energy?
The initial upfront cost can be high but, as mentioned before, the electricity savings from the system will be recuperated in the long run.
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