| What are the advantages of solar? |
It's clean -- no greenhouse gasses or other pollutants are produced. It's renewable, as long as the sun keeps shining. It reduces our country's dependence of foreign fuels. Solar modules have a 25 year warranty, and will likely still be producing energy long after the warranty period, up to a 40 year life span. HelioSage’s solar energy systems create distributed energy generation. Utilities struggle to transport power over expensive transmission lines to the end consumer. Solar also produces power at peak periods, such as midday hours when the electricity grid is most often under the greatest strain and peak demand charges are highest.
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| What kind of maintenance do the panels need? |
Almost none, but HelioSage includes the cost of all maintenance, such as cleaning, in our PPA.
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| What is the life expectancy of a solar panel? |
Between 35-40 years, usually with a 20-25 year warranty.
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| When panels wear out, do they die a slow or a sudden death? |
Solar panels die a very slow death, losing about 20% of their efficiency for the first 40 years - then they all but cease to function.
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| How does a solar energy system produce electricity? |
A solar energy system uses the sun as a source of fuel. When a photon from the sun contacts the solar cell, an electron is emitted from the cell. This electron is then fed into an electrical circuit. The flow of these electrons induces a DC (direct current) electrical current. Since virtually all equipment and appliances run on AC (alternating current) electrical power, the DC electricity must pass through an inverter, which converts the power from DC to AC.
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| What are the parts of a solar energy system? |
An array of solar modules (panels) capture and convert the sun's rays into direct current (DC) electricity. One or more inverters then convert the DC to alternating current (AC) power. Each inverter requires a transformer, often integrated into the inverter. For each inverter, the system must have two high voltage disconnects: one for the DC side - between the panels and the inverter - and one for the AC side - between the inverter and the grid. The modules are mounted on racking, with no axis tracking, single axis tracking or dual axis tracking. And finally wiring and balance of system components. An additional sub-panel may be necessary depending on the size of the system. If net metering exists in your state, then HelioSage may replace your existing meter with a 'net' meter. An additional meter that will read the power output of the solar array will be installed between the inverter and your electrical box.
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| Will installation of a solar energy system cause my roof to leak? |
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No. Flat roof installations require minimal penetrations, and an assessment of roof viability is conducted prior to any installation.
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| Will HelioSage's solar energy system interfere with roof maintenance or replacement? |
HelioSage requires that a roof have at least 10 years of useful life left, otherwise, the roof should be replaced. Our systems actually help protect your roof and prevent the need for maintenance. Systems have a lifespan in the 35-40-year range, usually with a 20-year warranty.
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| Will my roof need reinforcement? |
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Roof reinforcements are expensive. Therefore roofs must be able to handle the additional weight of the HelioSage solar energy system as is. An engineering review will determine whether or not your roof has sufficient reserve load capacity to support an array - usually no more than an additonal 6-7 pounds per square foot.
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| What’s the size and weight of a PV panel? |
They vary, but most are around 3' x 6' and weigh about 40lbs.
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| How should panels be positioned on rooftops? |
The ideal roof slope is 35°. For no-axis tracking systems, the panels should be angled a little west of south (194° or further west).
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| How often does HelioSage send a bill? |
HelioSage sends a monthly bill for all solar energy produced by our system.
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| What determines the kilowatt per hour output of a solar energy system? |
The efficiency of the solar panels and the size of the system dictate the number of kilowatt hours produced. "Thick film" panels usually convert between 12-16% of the sun's energy into electricity, and a 100 kilowatt system produces between 100,000 and 150,000 kilowatt hours per year depending on the solar radiation of the location. Other factors that influence the output are: weather (direct sunlight versus diffuse cloudy light), shading, the season, temperature of the panels (the hotter the panels the less efficient), and cleanliness of the panels.
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| How will I know how much my system is producing? |
Your HelioSage authorized solar energy system will come with web-based monitoring tools that can be viewed by registered users, from any computer with access to the internet.
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| What is axis tracking? |
Solar energy systems are either fixed-tilt (locked at a certain angle) or have tracking (move to optimize the angle the sun.) A single axis tracking system allows the modules to track the sun from sunrise to sunset. A dual axis tracking system also tracks the sun during different seasons. Tracking systems are 20-50% more productive than fixed-tilt systems.
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| Do I have to worry about maintenance of a HelioSage solar energy system? |
No. Solar modules require very little maintenance beyond cleaning and annual diagnostics, all of which is covered by HelioSage. The expected life span of inverters is about 10 years, and the warranty period is 5 - 10 years. Again, HelioSage Energy is responsible for replacing the inverter, and this is covered in our PPA.
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| In which states is solar economically viable? |
HelioSage tracks the level and types of incentives, the solar radiation, and the cost of energy in all states. States are introducing new incentive programs all the time and other programs decline over time, so it is hard to pinpoint exactly which states are economically viable at any given moment. But, CA, NJ, MA, HI, OR, CT, MD, and others have strong programs for commercial solar installations.
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| Can HelioSage Energy help finance my solar energy system? |
HelioSage Energy does not sell solar energy systems. We sell solar electricity. We take the issue of financing a solar energy system completely out of the equation for our clients. HelioSage owns the system, operates the system and maintains the system. All our client has to do is pay a monthly electricity bill.
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| What is net metering? Does it mean I can sell electricity to my utility? |
Net metering is when HelioSage produces more solar electricity than you demand or use at any given moment. HelioSage sells this electricity back to the utility, which provides another source of revenue to allow HelioSage to sell you electricity at or below your current rates.
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