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It’s no secret that solar panels can yield plenty of benefits including the ability to save you money, but what about home insurance coverage? If you’re wondering whether solar panels are or aren’t included in your policy, the short answer is yes. However, it all depends on the situation. The experts at Solar Bear Houston will teach you how solar panels are covered under home insurance.

What Counts Under Home Insurance Coverage

Like with many legal documents and agreements, your home insurance policy may only include your solar panels under certain conditions. Thankfully, these conditions are not difficult to comprehend and follow. The important thing is that you reach out to your home insurance company as soon as you get your panels installed so you can start reaping the benefits. Other than that, it really just comes down to how you install them and the type of damage that may occur.

Proper Installation

Most solar panels are directly attached to the roof of your property, in which case you’ve already accomplished the first step in receiving coverage. If the panels aren’t attached to your roof, like if you were to opt-in for ground installation, then there’s a good chance your home insurance company will deny you coverage. Ground installation for solar panels isn’t highly recommended anyway since it’s more difficult for them to be in direct view of the sun which is essential for them to work effectively.

Types of Damages

Most home insurance companies will only take care of what they refer to as “covered perils” which include certain damages like that from fire and hail. Wear and tear usually isn’t covered since that’s a natural occurrence that happens over time. Some damages from more extreme weather conditions such as flooding and earthquakes may require the purchase of additional policies under your current insurance plan, but are still possible.

Possible damages covered under home insurance involve:

• Fire
• Hail
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Water
• Falling objects
• Lightning strikes
• Ice or snow

To be completely sure of what is covered by your insurance, it’s best to contact your insurance company and ask directly.

Why You Need a Licensed and Insured Contractor

During the installation process, it’s possible to experience roof damage especially if you hire unlicensed workers or attempt self-installation. If this happens, your insurance will likely not cover the damages. You can avoid these types of damages altogether by hiring licensed, certified, and insured professionals who are skilled and experienced in solar panel installation and are more likely to have the appropriate equipment to get the job done swiftly and accurately. Finding such a company with qualified contractors is as easy as looking up solar panel companies near you and scoping out their credentials. You can also give them a call to test their customer service before you commit.

The Best Solar Panel Company Near You

Looking for the best solar panel company for quality products and impeccable service? Solar Bear Houston is staffed by qualified contractors to ensure guaranteed satisfaction with every installation. Call Solar Bear Houston today for a free estimate!

Many people think that once you install a solar panel system and a solar battery, they will be completely independent of the grid. This isn’t necessarily true! Having a battery and solar panels connected to the grid is the most beneficial option for homeowners that are switching to solar, though being independent of the grid can be great for those that live outside of a utility’s service area.

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando explains why it is beneficial to invest in a solar battery even if you aren’t completely off the grid!

What is the Difference Between Off-Grid and Grid-Tied Solar Systems?

Off-grid solar panel systems allow you to be completely self-reliant in terms of power generation and you will be wholly responsible for your energy needs and won’t rely on your local utility company for any power.

You can combine your off-grid solar panels with a battery or generator to store energy on rainy days or at night. But if there are multiple days of bad weather, your panels won’t be producing energy to power your home. As a result, you likely won’t have stored backup power to lean on either. 

You can also use backup power solutions like a battery with a grid-tied solar panel system, but if you are dealing with bad weather, grid-tied panels allow you to source energy from the grid if you need to.

Remember, in the city of Orlando, your solar panels must be connected to the grid, and you may be eligible to take advantage of net metering.

A backup battery is still beneficial for those connected to the grid. Keep reading to learn why!

Why are Batteries Beneficial?

Solar batteries are designed to capture excess electricity so if there is a cloudy day where your panels aren’t producing enough energy to power your home, you’ll still have power.

Not all batteries are created equal. Ideally, you want to choose a battery that can sufficiently store enough energy to meet your energy demands, as well as stay reliable if your local grid goes down from a power outage.

Lithium-ion batteries are typically what we recommend because they have a long lifespan, maximize your power usage, and help offset total energy costs.

Though they may have a higher initial cost than say, a generator, they rarely need maintenance or repair work.

Top Benefits of Batteries for Grid-Tied Solar Systems

Here are some of our favorite reasons to have a battery connected to a grid-tied solar panel system:

Time of Use

Grid-tied solar systems allow you to choose whether you want to source power from your panels, the backup battery, or the grid. Consider your time of use to maximize your system’s financial benefits.

For example, we recommend sourcing power from your panels during the day when the sun is shining at its brightest. But when the sun is down, you can source your energy from the battery or the grid to power your home at night. 

Or, if energy rates are quite high, you can source energy from your backup battery instead of the grid. Having the option to source energy from your battery rather than the grid gives you greater solar freedom and financial benefits.

Net Metering

Net metering is only available to those who have a grid-tied solar system. Why? Well, since off-grid solar panels are independent of the grid, it is impossible to earn energy credits through a local net metering program.

If you live in a sunny region like Central Florida, your panels will likely produce more energy than your home requires. You can still store some of the excess energy in your solar battery but sending that remaining excess energy to the grid allows you to earn credits.

This is important because if days or weeks pass where your panels aren’t producing enough and you don’t want to use all your stored power, you can source energy from the grid at a discounted rate since you are part of a net metering program.

Offset Power Costs

Some of the most innovative grid-tied solar panel systems offer the option of connecting your panels to the grid when energy rates are low. You can even program the system to do so automatically when energy rates hit a certain point. You can also do it yourself when you want to take advantage of lower costs.

By routinely connecting to the grid, you can help offset your overall energy costs. Ultimately, having a grid-tied solar system gives you more energy independence!

Choose Solar Bear Orlando

If you are ready to make the switch to solar power and take advantage of net metering and all the great benefits of solar power, call our team at Solar Bear Orlando! We can help you determine your energy needs and what size system you will need to gain greater energy independence by powering your home with the sun!

Call us for a quote today; (727) 471-7442!

Adding solar panels to your home is an excellent way to gain energy independence while reducing your carbon footprint. But what happens when birds and other critters move in unexpectedly? We know that these critters enjoy nesting in places safe from the elements but how will that affect your solar panels? Solar Bear of Tampa swoops in with some frequently asked questions when it comes to the birds and the p’s (panels, that is).

Do solar panels attract birds?

Yes, for several reasons. Birds tend to nest under panels because they provide warmth and shelter for their young. Additionally, the surface of a solar panel can often attract birds because of its reflective quality, similar to that of a window.

Will birds damage solar panels?

Most solar panel systems have a space between the panels and rooftop to allow for ventilation and wiring. This space also serves as a shelter for birds and other small creatures against the elements. As birds build nests in this space, they may leave droppings, broken eggs, and nest materials underneath. When these accumulate, they block the airflow needed to prevent solar panels from overheating. Add to this an unpleasant smell from those raw materials and you’ve got quite a mess. Bird droppings aren’t just found under solar panels; they may collect on top of them too. It’s important to clean this off immediately as it could hinder the panel’s efficiency.

How can I protect my solar panels from birds?

There are several options for protecting panels from birds and other critters. Materials like wire mesh, roof spikes, plastic predators, and regular solar panel maintenance can dissuade animals from landing near or nesting under panels.

Do solar panels benefit birds?

Believe it or not, they just may. Over two-thirds of the United States’ electricity comes from nonrenewable resources like coal, natural gas, and oil. These materials combust to release pollution that eventually traps a blanket of heat in the atmosphere. This leads to climate change, which has forced many species of birds to find new places to live and feed. Using solar energy reduces carbon emissions that affect birds and other animals.

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Nope, it’s just a great solar panel system. Contact Solar Bear of Tampa to request a free estimate for your home today. 

You want to go all-in on energy efficiency with an electric vehicle (EV) and solar panels, but you’re not sure how many solar panels you need in order to charge your EV at home. If you don’t want to rely on public charging stations which could cost you significantly more than just investing in your own solar panels, the experts at Solar Bear Dallas can show you how to set up your house for the most optimal EV experience.

Kilowatt Usage and Electric Vehicles

Your EV needs kilowatts, or kWh, but what does that mean when it comes to the finer details? On average, a typical EV needs around 10 kWh for every 40 miles of range. Of course, each vehicle is slightly different in the same way that various gas-powered vehicles come with comparable mileage ratings.

EV Model	kWh Needed for 40 Miles
Nissan Leaf	12
Chevrolet Volt	11.6
Hyundai Kona	11.2
Tesla Model Y	10.4
Hyundai IONIQ 5	10

The Perfect Solar Panel Setup

Now that you have an idea of how much kWh you need in order to charge your EV, how do solar panels come into play? An average solar panel can give you around 1.75 kWh a day, so if you need roughly 10 kWh to charge your EV, that would be about 6 solar panels. If you drive more than 40 miles a day on average, a better recommendation would be 10 solar panels to ensure a longer range on a single charge.

Tallying Up the Savings

Gas vehicle owners use an average of 450 gallons of gasoline a year which can equal roughly $1,575 with the recent increase in fuel prices. Switching over to an EV will be cheaper than buying gas no matter how you charge it, but you can squeeze out even more savings with an at-home solar panel setup. You could charge your EV off grid power, but that can cost you up to 40 cents per kWh depending on your exact location. For comparison, it only takes around 11 cents or less to generate a kWh with a solar panel. Although public chargers are becoming more available by the year, relying solely on those stations to charge your vehicle could cost you almost as much as gas.

How to Equip Your Home with Solar Panels

Because of the dangers that come with walking around on the roof, it’s always best to leave solar installation to the professionals. Even if you manage to hook it up yourself, it takes specific knowledge and skills to connect those panels to your EV charging setup. To ensure the cleanest, hassle-free installation, contact your local solar panel contractors for the job.

Let Solar Bear Dallas Hook You Up!

If you’re ready to get into the all-electric and energy-efficient lifestyle, Solar Bear Dallas is the place to go for all of your solar panel needs! We have the best contractors on staff to handle any task including setting up your home for EV charging. Call us today to receive a free estimate!