Category: Uncategorized

If you are considering switching to solar, you may have heard of net metering. This is a solar energy incentive that gives solar power users who produce excess energy some great benefits. 

Wondering how net metering works? Our team at Solar Bear outlines everything that you need to know. 

What is Net Metering?

Net metering allows solar users who produce excess solar power to send their surplus energy back to the electric grid. When you supply energy to the eclectic grid, your energy meter will run backward until you stop producing more than you use. 

Other customers who use the same utility company will use the extra power that you send to the grid, and you will be compensated for supplying the energy. This credit will help offset your monthly energy bills making it a very enticing incentive. 

Keep in mind, while you can receive utility bill credits for the electricity that your solar panels produce, in most cases you won’t receive a cash payment from your utility for your excess solar electricity. Instead, you will build up energy credits to use during the night or the winter months when solar output is less. 

If you generate more electricity than you use in a year, utility companies in some states will let you carry credits over into the next year, while others will reduce your credits. 

With that in mind, size your solar panel system to be large enough to offset close to 100 percent of your energy needs, but not too large that you produce significantly more than you use. 

Why Does Net Metering Exist? 

Net metering was designed for two purposes:

• To encourage the adoption of solar power throughout the country
• Utilities can benefit from the influx of low or no solar energy into the grid

Solar energy helps balance the cost of purchasing electricity from other less environmentally friendly resources, especially during the summer when electricity is the most expensive. 

What About Going Off the Grid? 

Net metering is like having the utility grid serve as a giant solar battery. If you install an off-grid solar panel system, you won’t receive the benefits of net metering and won’t be able to rely on the grid. Rather, you will need your own batteries to keep the power on when the sun goes down. 

For most solar applications, staying connected to the grid is a good idea. 

Net Metering Reduces Pressure on the Grid 

Residential solar panels provide many benefits to utilities and their customers because ultimately, they help reduce the dress on the grid. Because solar-powered homes aren’t using electricity directly from the grid, there are fewer people drawing power directly from the grid. 

Plus, when excess energy is sent to the grid from your solar system, this takes even more pressure off the utility company. This is especially important now in places where heat waves are becoming more common, and utilities can’t adequately meet energy demands. 

Use Net Metering to Save on Solar 

Net metering is one of the best benefits of installing solar since it allows you to store every unit of excess energy that you produce to be used later from the grid. 

Thanks to net metering, you can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your solar system by offsetting your need to draw electricity from the grid. 

Start Your Solar Journey with Solar Bear 

Ready to harness the power of the sun and send excess energy back to the grid to take advantage of net metering? Call our solar installation professionals at Solar Bear for a solar installation consultation! 

Make your home more efficient by going solar. Call Solar Bear today — 407-904-7585!

While solar panels are relatively low maintenance, at Solar Bear Tampa, we recommend that you get your solar panels cleaned at least once a year. Sure, you can clean your solar panels yourself, but with such pricey hardware on the line, it is best to let the professionals handle the solar panel cleaning. The last thing you want to do is accidentally break or damage your panels in the process of trying to keep them in fighting shape. 

Solar panels do require a bit of cleaning, especially in areas where dust can accumulate on the panels, or in areas where there are lots of birds. Unfortunately, bird droppings are the number one culprit for solar panel grime, and unlike dust, bird droppings won’t just wash away in the next rainstorm. 

If you don’t keep your solar panels clean, the build-up can cost you in terms of your overall savings from solar—in fact, your panels might lose up to 40% efficiency over time if you do not keep them clean. So, we highly recommend adopting the mindset that solar panel cleanings are just one part of your regular solar maintenance needs. 

Here’s what to expect during a professional solar panel cleaning. 

1. Surveying and inspection

Once you set your appointment with a professional solar panel cleaning company, odds are good that they will send out their team to survey your property and make an assessment of your solar panels. They’ll inspect the level of grime on your solar panels and assess what type of cleaning your panels will need. Then they’ll set up a time to come back and perform the cleaning. 

2. The cleaning itself

The cleaning crew will come to your house, approved and safe solar panel cleaning equipment in tow, and will quietly and efficiently scrub down your panels so that you are getting the most bang for your buck. Then they’ll pack up, and you’ll be free to use your solar panels as usual! 

For more questions regarding solar panel cleaning, or about solar power in general, please call us today. 

If you are considering solar for your home or business, you already know that solar power can help you save money on your residential or business energy bill. But how do you know exactly when your new solar panels will pay for themselves? We are always happy to help you with a free estimate from Solar Bear Tampa, but we also like our clients to feel empowered — we’re here to share our knowledge with you. 

To determine how soon you’ll start to see dollar signs from your solar panels, you’ll want to consider two things: payback period, and yearly ROI. The payback period refers to how long it will take for you to earn back your initial down payment on your solar panels. The annual ROI, or return on investment, calculates your additional profit from your solar panels every single year.

Here’s how to get accurate numbers for each of these calculations so that you can determine how soon your solar panels will start making money for themselves. 

First, you’ll need to know how much you currently spend on your monthly energy bill. You can find this information for the last twelve months by contacting your current utility provider. Use these statements to calculate your average monthly energy spending and write that number down. We’ll use it in a moment. 

Next, you should determine the total cost of your solar energy system. That number will take into account the price of solar panels, installation, hardware needed for installation, permits, and so forth. The best way to get this number is by asking your friends at Solar Bear Tampa for a personalized estimate. Your estimate will also provide the rough amount of electricity in kilowatt hours your solar panels generate. You’ll want to multiply the number of kilowatt hours generated by your solar panels by the cost per kilowatt hour and compare that number to your average monthly energy spending. This will give you the monthly amount saved by using solar. 

Once you have these numbers, you can calculate your payback period for your solar panels, as well as your yearly ROI number. Take the total cost of your solar energy system and divide it by the monthly amount saved by using solar, and that will give you your payback period, as well as your yearly ROI percentage. For instance, if your installed solar panel costs were $20,000 and your yearly benefit was $4,000, your payback period would be 5 years. A typical 5 kW solar PV system can easily see an ROI of 20% in the first year.

If you have just decided to add a solar system to your property, congratulations! Soon you will be harnessing energy from the sun to power up your home. What you may not be ready to decide is whether you should install ground-mounted or roof-mounted solar panels.

Not to worry! Our team at Solar Bear is here to help you decide.

Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar panels so you can make the best decision for your home and energy needs.

Solar Panels

Once you have decided to install solar panels it is time to decide which mounting system is best for your property, living space, energy needs, and budget.

Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Ground-mounted solar panels are installed on a rack structure that is connected to the ground with metal posts. They can be installed in an open area such as your yard or an adjacent field, or even as a carport over a parking lot.

Ground mounts can be installed wherever there are optimal solar conditions and can be a great alternative for homeowners who either don’t have enough roof space or would rather install solar panels elsewhere than the roof.

When installing ground-mounted solar panels, consider the terrain of your property and your long-term plans for your home and land.

Pros of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

• Ground mounts can face any direction, in any location.
• They can be installed at multiple angles for optimal energy production.
• They are easily accessed for maintenance.
• They can be installed as carports in existing parking lots to provide shading, lighting, and protection.

Cons of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels 

• Installation costs can be higher
• Can limit the use of the land
• Can take up large areas
• Easily accessed by unauthorized visitors
• Increased chance of damage from rocks or objects thrown by a lawnmower
• Requires mowing around multiple posts and low clearances
• May need to install a fence, adding to the overall cost.

Roof Mounted Solar Panels

Roof-mounted solar panels are the most common. Racking holds the solar panels in place and is installed directly on your roof. Generally, solar panels can be attached to flat and sloping metal, shingled, or composite roofs.

When installing a roof-mounted solar system, make sure to consider the age and condition of your roof— will it be able to withstand the extra weight of a solar system and any necessary modifications? Also, will installing solar impact your roof’s warranty?

Pros of a Roof Mounted Solar Panels 

• Roof mounts utilize roof space that otherwise isn’t used.
• Installation can be lower compared to ground-mounted systems
• Does not take up land
• Limits access to unauthorized visitors
• Panels can help protect the roof from the elements

Cons of Roof Mounted Solar Panels

• Roof modification and penetration is required to install on shingle roofs
• Could require a new roof depending on the age and condition of your current roof
• You may have to remove solar panels for roof repairs or when installing a new roof
• Adds extra weight to your roof and may require the installation of additional roof support

Bottom Line

Both roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar panel systems are great options to go solar. Ultimately, you will need to select the option the best meets your unique requirements

If you have plenty of unshaded roof space, then a roof mount is a great option—and cheaper. If you have limited roof space but want to take advantage of solar, a ground mount, or solar carport could be a great option for you.

Install Solar with Solar Bear

If you are ready to install a ground-mounted or a roof-mounted solar system, call our pros at Solar Bear! We offer free estimates on solar panel systems across Florida and can help you choose which solar system is best for your Florida property and energy needs.

Go solar with Solar Bear. Schedule a consultation today—407-904-7585!