How much does a solar system cost?
Total cost depends on the system size, equipment and installation type. Solar-Pipeline will analyze your specific electrical usage and project site to determine the best system size and installation type for your facility. Other factors such as current electric rate schedules, financial incentives, and system financing can affect your overall investment. Our company offers competitively priced systems with the highest level quality service and products.
Are incentives or rebates available for solar?
Yes. Many states and utilities offer a variety of incentives to help offset the initial cost of installing solar power for commercial and public facilities, further increasing your return on investment. In addition, the federal government currently has a 30% Investment Tax Credit which helps to offset a large portion of the upfront system investment. Our team of rebate and interconnection specialists can help you navigate the incentive process from beginning to end. In most cases the only work you will have to do is sign a contract and the rebate paperwork and we take care of the rest. Please see our Incentives page for more information.
Is now a good time to buy a solar system?
There has never been a better time to make the transition to solar power! Solar technology continues to improve and many Federal, State and regional incentives are currently in place that significantly reduces the cost of solar and encourage growth in the industry. However, these won't last forever. By investing in solar now you will help to insulate your business from rapidly increasing energy costs and stabilize them over time.
Is solar electricity cost-effective?
Yes. Imagine the cost benefit of paying a lower electric bill, or no electric bill at all. In many cases we can provide you with a 100% financed solution that will save you money from the very beginning while working towards ownership of a valuable asset. Solar is a low-risk, high return investment that will supply your business with free electricity for years after the system is paid for. We will analyze your specific electric usage and calculate exactly what your return on investment will be and how much you will save over the life of the system.
How long does it take to realize a 100% investment return?
If you finance your system, you may realize net savings as early as the first year. Instead of paying your monthly utility bill, you'll be making loan payments for your solar PV system. You will effectively be paying less for your loan than you currently pay your utility company. Commercial solar systems have a typical payback period of 5-10 years. Your exact payback period will depend on your electrical usage, electric rate schedule, and cost of your system. Also, as utility rates continue to increase, your return on investment will also increase.
What financing options are available for solar power?
There are several ways to finance a commercial solar power system. These include:
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Lease With Buy-Out Options
Other secured loans
There are many benefits of a financed solar solution. Please see our Commercial Financing page or call 949-630-3994 for more detailed information.
Are there special loans for Government or Non-Profit Organizations?
Some states such as California offer higher cash rebates to Government or non-profit organizations who can't utilize the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). In addition, there are a variety of loan options available with low or no interest for these local and state Agencies.
Third-party financing, or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), is another great option for government and non-profit organizations that would like to install solar power but are not able to take advantage of the tax credits or don't have the up front capital. In many cases this type of arrangement can be very beneficial to both parties.
What size system do I need?
Solar-Pipeline experienced Commercial Management and Technical Design Team will work to tailor your solar system to meet your unique energy needs and site specifications. The first part of determining the correct system size will be to conduct an analysis of your specific facility's annual energy usage and specific site conditions.
How long does it take to install the system?
Installation time depends on the size and nature of the system as well as attributes of the system location. Large-scale commercial installations typically take several weeks to months to complete. Systems that have special needs or unique circumstances such as environmental review or special engineering may take longer but our specialized technical design team can help to determine these conditions up front for a more detailed estimation.
What kind of permits do I need to meet local building codes?
Solar systems must be permitted and inspected by local authorities having jurisdiction. Each solar system must also meet local building and national electrical codes. Living Green is committed to ensuring each system we build meets or exceeds these regulations and actually works with other experts to help determine these standards. We are licensed and bonded in each state where we do business and our Design and Project Management Team obtains all the necessary building and electrical permits for the systems we build.
How does Solar help the environment?
Your solar system will reduce the current demand on existing fossil-fuel power plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the fight against climate change. By going solar you will be taking an exemplary leadership role in your community by doing your part to protect the environment from further damage caused by long-established energy sources.
Solar energy systems are endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an effective alternative to prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere by traditional fossil fuel energy sources.
What is net metering?
Net metering is a type of renewable energy incentive that allows the owner of a solar system to receive credit from an electric utility for all, or a portion of, the electricity their system produces. You can think of it as using the benefits of the utilities transmission lines as a "battery-backup" while they receive the benefit of using your excess solar power during peak demand periods.
Will the utility company buy electricity produced by my system?
Yes and no. When you interconnect your solar electric system to the energy grid you enter into a Net Metering Agreement with your utility company. Net metering is a renewable energy incentive that allows the owner of a solar system to receive credit from an electric utility for all, or a portion of, the electricity their system produces. However, in many states where there is not a feed-in tariff available, you will not be paid for any excess credits remaining on your account after the net metering reconciliation cycle is complete (monthly or annually). Most of the time the excess energy produced is either kept by the utility (without payment to the customer) or donated to a non-profit. One of the benefits of having an expert staff to design the size of your system to ensure it produces enough for your facility but does not produce too much. For more information about Net Metering or available incentives including feed-in tariffs.
What happens on a cloudy day?
Solar electric systems cannot produce electricity without sunlight. In cloudy conditions, power output is reduced, and at night when the sun is not available, your system will not produce electricity and your facility will draw electricity from the utility grid. You can think of the grid as a "battery back-up" when the sun isn't shining and your system isn't producing electricity. This is one of the advantages of grid-tied solar systems.
Is solar power realizable enough to power my facility?
Yes. Many of the world's largest companies currently use solar power, in whole or in part, to power their facilities, from large manufacturing plants to retail outlets, universities and research laboratories. Meticulously designed and built to exacting standards, our systems are created to be as maintenance free and reliable as possible. Grid power is still required to power your facility at night.
What is the lifespan of a solar system?
Solar systems can generate power for up to 40+ years. Some of the first solar panels were designed in the late 1950s for applications in space programs. In the 1960's and 1970's the first commercially available solar photo voltaic panels were installed, many of which are still in use today. Once installed, solar power system requires little or no maintenance, and will provide electricity cleanly and quietly for 25 to 40 years. Our systems have up to a 10 year installation warranty and 20-25 year manufacturers warranties on the solar panels.
Do I have the right roof to have solar installed?
A solar power system can be installed on almost any type of roof in good condition. Furthermore, your site might be appropriate for other types of installations such as solar carports ground mounted, or even floating on water Solar-Pipeline will analyze your site to determine the best fit for your needs.
