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Do Solar Panels Increase the Chances of a Fire?

We occasionally get questions from our solar customers about the potential of their rooftop solar installations to cause a fire. While earlier solar systems did come with higher risks, a properly engineered and installed modern rooftop solar system poses very little risk of causing a fire.

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses why the risk of fire has lessened so drastically over the years, and what we do to protect your home from the threat of fires.

Can the Solar Panel’s Electrical System Malfunction?

Every electrical device has some level of fire risk, but with the design of modern inverters, there are many levels of protection in place that minimize these risks.

These protections include ground fault, over-temperature, overload, and arc fault protection. Believe it or not, these protective elements on your solar system make them safer than other electrical equipment in your home such as your HVAC.

Further, when we install your solar array, our team at Solar Bear Orlando tests each part of the system its components to check for poor connections, damaged wires, or other issues.

Common causes of solar panel fires include:

• Poorly installed panels
• Defective connections
• Faulty products
• Over-voltage
• Power surges
• Lightning

Any of the above could lead to hot spots within your solar system, which can in turn cause a fire. They can also cause arcs between the ground and the conductor, which is a fire hazard as well. But as stated above, modern high-quality solar panels include protections that make them safer and prevent fires from occurring.

Does the Gap Between the Solar Module and the Roof Increase the Risk of Fire?

While this might seem possible, the risk of heat transfer from the solar module and your roof is quite low. Solar panels absorb energy from the sun that would otherwise be directed to your roof. Our systems are designed to allow for easy airflow between the module and the roof to help keep the space cool.

How to Prevent Solar Panel Fire Risks

Some precautions that you can take when getting your solar system installed are:

Choose Quality Solar Panels and Parts

Yes, you can get low-cost solar panels, but why put your home and family at risk? Low-cost solar panels can malfunction, cause a fire, and lead to higher costs for home repairs in the long run.

Purchase high-quality solar panels that offer long-term warranties in case of a malfunction or issue.

Maintain Your System

All electrical systems need regular maintenance. Check your panels regularly for damage from pests and clear them of any debris such as sticks or leaves. Look out for any holes in their cables that could pose a future electrical hazard.

Avoid DIY Solar

If you want to ensure that your solar array works properly and won’t malfunction, you should avoid DIY solar installation. Solar systems are complex and should only be installed by a trained solar installation expert like our team at Solar Bear Orlando.

Learn More> Why to Avoid DIY Solar Installation

Solar Panels and Firefighters

Though extremely rare, if a solar panel fire were to occur on your property, it is important to alert the responding firefighters that you have live solar panels on your home.

One of the main things that they will do when they arrive is switch off the system and later determine if it was the cause of the fire.

Key Takeaways:

• Solar systems are safe and rarely cause fires.
• Selecting a reputable and experienced solar installation company can ensure that the system is installed correctly and can mitigate the risk of fires.
• System maintenance should be done periodically.
• Don’t try to DIY your installation, you may regret it later.
• If you have a fire, alert the firefighters that you have active solar panels installed.

Install Solar

Installing solar is a safe and reliable way to reduce your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint. However, just like with any electrical system, you must follow the precautions listed above to prevent solar panel fires.

Stay safe. Call our experienced solar technicians at Solar Bear Orlando for all your solar panel needs today; 407-904-7585!

How Much Do Solar Panels Weigh?

When you have solar panels installed on your roof, you don’t want it to remind you of the classic Goldilocks tale. Is the roof strength too weak, too strong, or just right? That’s where Solar Bear Tampa comes in with the hot take on solar panel installation.

In most cases, the weight and size of an individual solar panel is universal and doesn’t offer much variation between brands. The more critical part is the combined weight of the installation and how it will affect your rooftop. Much of the weight attributed to solar panels is actually in the aluminum framing and tempered glass that is used to create the solar panel. Tempered glass is used rather than normal glass as an industry standard to ensure that the panel can combat harsh weather conditions. The panel must withstand the impact of a 1” diameter hailstone traveling at 50 mph.

Before any solar panel installation takes place, the Solar Bear Tampa team will audit your roof through our free estimate to check its condition and if it can take the weight of the installation. Generally, every roof is able to withstand the additional weight of an average size solar panel installation. In most cases, the weight of a solar system includes panels, mounting equipment, racking, wiring and junction boxes that will total around 3-4 pounds per square foot. A roof is designed to accommodate up to 20 pounds per square foot before it becomes stressed, per the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Though if you own an older home and there is a concern that your roof cannot handle the extra weight, an inspection can be done by a structural engineer. This will not only affirm your roof’s strength but also ensure that your warranty will not be voided if panel damage occurs.

Let us design a fairy tale ending that is just right! Solar Bear Tampa is ready to create a thriving quality of life through solar energy for Florida families just like yours. Sign up for a free estimate today or give us a call at (813) 993-4252 for more information.

What You Need to Know About the Updated Federal Solar Tax Credit

If you have been waiting to install solar panels, here’s your sign! With the Federal Solar Tax Credit, now is the best time to go solar.

But before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few things that you need to know about the updates to the Federal Solar Tax Credit which has now been extended through 2024. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

History of the Solar Tax Credit

The Solar Tax Credit, also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), began in 2005. It applies to residences, businesses, agricultural businesses, and utilities. There is no cap, so even a multi-million-dollar solar installation can use the credit.

Take note, this is not a tax deduction, rather it is a tax credit. A deduction lowers your taxable income, but a credit is a direct reduction to your tax bill.

Originally, the ITC was meant to expire just two years after it began. But once it started, it never stopped and has now been renewed until 2024.

Up until 2019, the solar tax credit had been 30%, but in 2020, the credit dropped to 26% for residential solar installations. It was scheduled to drop to 22% in 2021, to 10% in 2023, and then be terminated after that.

For commercial and utility solar installs, the plan was meant to follow the same structure, but the 10% credit would remain in effect indefinitely.

Updates to the Solar Credit

As 2020 ended, Congress and the President agreed on a new spending and stimulus bill which included an extension of the ITC for two more years.

What this means:

• The 26% tax credit has been extended through 2022
• The 22% tax credit will kick in on January 1st, 2023
• The 10% tax credit will begin on January 1st, 2024
• The ITC will expire for residential solar installation on December 31st, 2024, unless it is extended again
• Commercial and agricultural solar will follow the same outline, and the 10% credit will continue indefinitely after 2024

This means that if you install a $20,000 residential or commercial solar system before the end of 2022, you will receive a $5200 credit back when you file your taxes.

Who Can Claim the Solar Tax Investment Credit?

Any residence, farm, business, or utility can claim the Federal ITC if they own the solar system that they are installing.

This means that if you are paying for the system upfront or if you are financing it, you own the system and can claim the tax credit. If you are leasing your solar system, you cannot claim the tax credit.

Claiming the Solar Investment Tax Credit

It is simple to claim the Solar Investment Tax Credit. If you file your own taxes, you will need to get Form 5694, but if you are using a tax accountant, you will need to let them know that you installed your solar energy system last year. Also, send them your solar invoice and the total cost of the project. If you forget to tell them, you won’t be able to get the credit!

Before you sign off on your tax return, ask your accountant to outline how much of the credit you received and if any of it will be rolled over to the next year. This can happen if the credit is larger than your total tax owed for the year. For example, if you owe $5000 in taxes, but get an $8000 solar tax credit, $3000 of the credit would be carried over to the next year.

What if I Haven’t Installed Solar Panels Yet?

If you haven’t had a solar system installed yet but have wanted to, what are you waiting for? Get them installed as soon as possible so you can be sure that you receive the maximum solar tax credit. 10% is ok, 22% is good, but 26% is better!

Learn More> What Factors into the Cost of a New Solar System?

Take Advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit

Don’t wait to install your solar panels! Take full advantage of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit by requesting a solar consultation and quote from Solar Bear Orlando. We will help you decide what size system is best for your home or business and will answer any questions that you might have about the ITC.

Ready to get started? Call Solar Bear Orlando today; 407-904-7585!

Solar Power Electrical Requirements 101

Does anyone even read the manual before they start building something? Lucky for you, the Solar Bear team does but it’s also a great idea for owners to have a baseline knowledge of solar systems so they can make informed decisions during the installation process. Today, we’ll take a quick look at solar panel electrical requirements and what they entail. Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!

As you begin a solar system journey, it is critical to consider the rated size, or capacity, of your home’s electrical panel. This is the central area where all circuit breakers will be housed and act as the clearinghouse for all incoming and outgoing power from your panels.

Until about the 1970s, most homes were built with 100 amps electrical panels. Fast forward to the newer and larger builds that required the more powerful 200 amps panels. Because of the significant difference in these panels, electrical code rules limit the size of the solar system that can be installed. If a home needs a larger system than the electrical panel can support, there are a couple of ways to upgrade the panel. During a consultation, the Solar Bear team can identify and recommend all available options for your home.

However, in order to size your system effectively there are some terms that will be helpful to know. Utility companies will bill electricity on a cost per kilowatt hour. A kilowatt hour (kWH) is a unit of measurement that calculates how much energy is used over a period of time. You can find out how many kWh your home uses monthly by looking at your electricity bill. Voltage drop is another term that may be helpful to learn as you install your solar system. This occurs as a current moves through an electrical circuit, causing a small amount of voltage to drop due to its resistance in the wires. Check out our blog post on voltage drop for a more in depth look.

Though there may be a learning curve with things like the 120% rule or reading an electrical wiring diagram, the Solar Bear Tampa team can help from start to finish. Our team prides itself on providing solar energy education and transparency to all clients. Get your free estimate or give us a call at (813) 922-3735 for more information.