What is a Kilowatt Hour (kWh)??

A Kilowatt Hour is the measurement your utility uses when referencing a unit of power consumed. Electric bills are based on the number of kWh’s consumed in a monthly period.

What kind of solar panel maintenance is required?

Photovoltaic (PV) panels require very little maintenance, as there are no moving parts that could potentially breakdown. Generally, a semi-annual cleaning is suggested, and in some instances, a good rainstorm can be enough to clean them.

How will installing solar panels affect my roof?

Prior to installing solar panels, the roof’s integrity is always evaluated by our roofing specialists. If there is a potential problem with your roof, they will bring it to your attention and discuss what options are available. Solar installation requires minimal roof penetration, so the potential for leakage is low. Our work is guaranteed, so if there is a problem of leakage associated with the solar panel install, it will be resolved at no cost to you. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

How am I billed once I get solar?

Once you are enrolled in the utility’s net metering program, you will be billed monthly and annually. The monthly bill will require payment for the non-energy items, such as taxes and fees related to energy distribution. It will display the energy surplus and consumption per month, however payment isn’t made on this portion until the annual bill, or “Yearly True-Up”. If you consumed more energy than you generated, then you will need to pay the difference. If, however, you generated more energy than you consumed, you will have the option to rollover the credit to the following 12-month period, or have your utility issue you a check.

What is a Yearly True-Up?

While participating in Net Energy Metering with your local utility, you will notice each month’s statement will show either a credit or deficit of electricity. This is normal. In the summer months, your solar system will produce more power than you consume, thus depositing credits to your account. In the winter months, you will most likely pull more credits from the utility than you produce to cover your needs. This system will be reconciled on a yearly basis called a True Up. The true up is like the balancing of a ledger. Many customers will see a credit on their account at the end of each year. This means your solar system produced more electricity than you consumed, and the utility will offer to purchase this excess from you. We always recommend customers decline this offer and have the credits roll over to the following year. Rarely, customers will significantly increase their electricity consumption the year after going solar, thus resulting in a negative true up. Your utility would then send you a bill for the power you consumed over what your solar system produced.

What are TOU rates?

Time-of-use is a rate plan in which rates vary according to the time of day, season, and day type (weekday or weekend/holiday). Higher rates are charged during the peak demand hours and lower rates during off-peak (low) demand hours. Rates are also typically higher in summer months than in winter months. This rate structure provides price signals to energy users to shift energy use from peak hours to off-peak hours.

Effective October 1, 2022, SCE restructured their TOU rates to include a baseline allocation. If this allocation is exceeded, the rates dramatically increase.