FAQ’s
General
Warranty
Maintenance
Economics
Q. How solar lowers your electric bill?
A. This is a simple math equation. Solar technology converts the energy absorbed by the sun into electricity that can be used in your home. This is the same energy that your Utility company is providing you. The difference is that the energy from your solar technology is being delivered to you at a fraction of the cost the Utility company charges you and is not subject to rate increases. Therefore, by fixing your energy costs that come from solar, you are able to spend less on the same energy that you would be using in the future from the Utility, which is presumably at a higher rate. The longer your solar system operates, the more you save.
Q. How does the tax credit for solar work?
A. Disclaimer: It’s always important to discuss tax matters with your tax professional, which we are not. With that being said, we’d like to briefly explain the Solar Federal Tax Credit. Unlike a tax deduction, which lowers your taxable income and the tax rate used to calculate your tax, the tax credit reduces the amount of taxes you owe. The key to claiming the tax credit is “owning” the system when it is originally installed and for a period of years thereafter. This credit is based on a percentage of your total gross system cost. In 2021 and 2022, this will be 26%, in 2023 it will be reduced to 22%, and is currently expected to drop off in 2024 for residential customers, however, businesses will still receive 10%. Different plans and options, whether purchasing, financing, or leasing will impact your ability to claim the tax credit. To learn more about your options, please feel free to contact our team and go over the best option for you.
Q. How to choose the right partner?
A.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right solar partner. Here are some of the main considerations that many of our customers made:
A local company tends to outperform larger, national companies. This is true both in regards to quality of components and the cost of the system. Moreover, as a local provider, if an issue arises the customer’s are able to speak with someone and have a technician out to the property within a few short hours compared to a few days. Minimizing downtime is key to ensuring potential savings are not lost.
Furthermore, the solar system will come with warranties, guaranties and promises that are expected to last anywhere between 10 – 25 years or more once your system is installed. It’s important to choose someone that will be there when it matters the most – today, tomorrow and a decade from now.
Moreover, it is important to know the background of the company. Are they a roofing company, electrical company or marketing company, that also happens to be doing solar? Finding a true engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm, like T&K Electric, that specializes specifically in solar installations. Make sure you know who is going to install your system, and if an issue arises, who will service it. As a true EPC, our employees do all of the work, not subcontractors. We receive countless calls weekly from homeowners that went solar with other company’s but now have no one to assist them troubleshoot their system and ensure they are able to save using solar.
Q. How much should a solar system cost?
A. There are many factors to consider when evaluating how much a system should cost – the size of your home, the amount of sunlight your property receives, the amount of energy you use or want to begin using in the near future. Therefore, to help make an apples-to-apples comparison, it is best to evaluate your system based on its cost per watt. That means how much money you are spending overall based on the system size. For instance, if you are spending $25,000 on a 10,000 watt (or 10 kW) system, your cost per watt is $2.50 ($25,000 divided by 10,000). Although the cost per watt can also vary depending on the system components, modifications, or upgrades involved, a basic solar installation using premium products is typically between $2 – $4 per watt. If you find yourself paying more than this, it does not mean that you are being overcharged, as each install is unique, but it is certainly worth looking at the proposal in depth to ensure nothing was overlooked. We are happy to assist you in going through any of this documentation. If you haven’t already, it is best to get an accurate idea of your true system cost by speaking with one of our dedicated consultants, who are always standing by ready to assist.
Q. What are your license number(s)?
A. We service both Arizona and Nevada and our license numbers are as follows,
AZ: ROC # 319779, 328218, 327213, 335914, 326957
NV: License #0091836 – Bid Limit: $245,000
Q. Can I monitor my solar system online?
A. Yes. Currently all systems installed by our company come with online monitoring. So, you can monitor 24×7 using your PC, laptop or your mobile device. Note Viable Wi-Fi internet connection is required to monitor the system and has to be provided by you. If you do not have Wi-Fi connection, there are other options available.
Q. Would my solar system still function if my monitoring is interrupted or if I don’t have an internet connection?
A. Yes the system will still work absent of monitoring. In the case of malfunctioning wi-fi and or internet access, T&K Electric's efforts to diagnose the problem and guarantee production are compromised.
Q. What is your workmanship warranty?
A. T&K Electric offers 25-year parts & labor warranty.
Q. How long is the warranty of the panels?
A. T&K Electric sells only premium components with industry standard 25 year warranties.
Q. What if my panels are underproducing?
A. We will remotely monitor your array and remedy any production shortfall outside of our stated production guarantee.
Q. What if my inverter breaks after 2 years?
A. Enphase micro inverters ship with 25 year warranties. In the case of a defect within the warranty period, T&K Electric will replace at no charge to you.
Q. What is my roof warranty?
A. The longer of any existing roof warranty or 10 years.
Q. What happens to my existing roof warranty?
A. We offer 10 year workmanship or match customer’s existing roof warranty, whichever is greater.
Q. How much is the maintenance cost of this system?
A. Generally solar requires very little maintenance since there are no moving parts. You are responsible however to trim any trees blocking the sunlight or removing sediment from the panels.
Q. How often would I have to clean the panels?
A. In most cases, frequent cleaning is not required. Typically annual rainfall will wash the panels but in the case of a dust storm, it is best to wash off thoroughly with a hose and squeegee excess water from the modules.
Q. Where will you install the system & components?
A. The best performance is always due South. However, many homes do not have southern exposure so an East/West installation is required & the production is minimally affected. The solar meter & other components are located near your electrical service.
Q. What about permits and inspection?
A. T&K Electric handles the installation processes including obtaining the proper permits. With the inspection the responsibility here falls on the city or utility. We are in constant contact with the city and utility officials to ensure we receive the proper approvals to move forward with your installation.
Q. I have an HOA. Do I need permission from them to install my system or can they interrupt my installation?
A. It depends on the state laws where you want to install the solar system. For example, the state of Arizona prohibits HOAs from banning solar installations. They do allow them to rule on the design and color of your panels. We are accustomed to working with HOAs and will work with yours to satisfy their requirements.
Q. How is my solar system sized & customized?
A. It’s a combination of your annual electrical usage, available roof space & any restrictive utility rate plans in your area.
Q. How much does a solar system produce in a day?
A. An average solar system produces 16-19 kWh per day. A 1 kWh system produces 1600-2000 kWh a year.
Q. Is it best to install a solar system in the summer when my power bills are the highest?
A. The solar system produces power throughout the year as long as the sun shines. Although we don’t see a "wrong time to go solar", we feel that waiting for summers might rather delay your process. The process is a little lengthy due to design, engineering, permits, and approvals and on an average it takes 30-120 days to complete the installation process. So, sooner the better.
Q. What If I sell my house after the installation?
A. If you have purchased the solar system, you can expect an increased resale value. Additionally you can opt to move the system to your new home which we can accommodate for a nominal fee. Our lease products transfer seamlessly to the buyer with minimal red tape.
Q. What happens to any unused power generated by my system?
A. Depending on your utility, any excess kWh sent back to the grid is credited to your account as a monetary credit. In some cases net metering is still in use and in that case you are credited by kWh usually at the time it is sent back to the grid to determine its value.
Q. What are my purchase options?
A. You can either cash purchase, finance with $0 down payment or lease the solar system.
Q. Does T&K Electric offer financing solutions?
A. Yes, we have collaborated with some of the best solar financing companies in the industry.
Q. What tax incentives are available?
A. There are many incentives to go solar like the Federal Investment Solar Tax Credit (ITC) which is currently 30% of the total system cost (this credit expires in 2035) and you might be eligible for state and other tax incentives(Like $1000 in Arizona), depending on your area. Please consult your tax professional.
Q. Can I get my own financing?
A. Yes, of course.
Q. Can I take a tax credit if I lease the solar system?
A. No, only the owner (lessor) can claim any relevant tax credit.
Q. How much will I save?
A. It depends on your utility rate plan and your power usage. For example, if your utility company charges you $0.20 per kWh and your solar power kWh costs you $0.05 per kWh. In this case your saving will be $ 0.15 per kWh. So assuming you use 2000 kWh, your net saving would be $300 per month and $3600 a year.
Q. Can I purchase the system with my credit card?
A. Yes but you will be charged a 3% surcharge.
Q. Can tax credits be carried forward?
A. Yes. If you are not able to fully utilize your tax credits you may be able to carry the unused portion forward into future years. Some restrictions may apply. Please consult a tax professional for more information.
Q. Do I receive up front utility incentives?
A. This will vary by utility and for the most part no longer exist. It is your best interest to contact the local utility to see if there are any currently available.
Q. Does solar add value to my home?
A. Yes. Appraisers and realtors have confirmed that homes installed with purchased solar systems are in demand and worth more. Because solar customers are able to show substantial savings, most homeowners are able to sell their home faster and get significantly higher selling prices.
Q. Can I purchase a solar system if I don’t own the house?
A. Yes, that is possible with written permission from the owner of the property.
Q. Are there any prepayment penalties from your lenders?
A. No there is never a prepayment penalty