We know firsthand that installing solar panels in Charlotte, NC is more popular than ever before. If you’re planning to go solar in Charlotte, NC as well, our team here at SHS Pros is here to help you prepare for your project. Below, we’ve outlined the most important questions to ask before starting your installation project and the answers to them, so you feel confident moving forward with your project. As your local expert solar company in Charlotte, NC, we’ve got plenty of experience helping your friends and neighbors get ready for their solar panel installation projects and we’re so glad we can help you too.
10 Questions to Ask Before Installing Solar Panels in Charlotte
Don’t start your project before knowing the answers to these critical questions!
1. Which Solar Panels Are Best?
There are plenty of solar panel brands out there, which can make it hard to decide which ones to install on your home. Two of the top brands are Solaria and SunPower®. When you’re doing a search for “Solaria solar panels vs SunPower®” or even just “Solaria vs SunPower®,” you’ll see a breakdown of the similarities and differences between the brands. Here at SHS Pros, we’re a proud SunPower® Authorized Dealer. As a manufacturer, SunPower® is recognized as the highest-rated solar company in the United States, which is why we feel so confident recommending their products to our customers. We love SunPower® solar panels because they are high-quality panels and they’re available for a price that works with your budget. There are even financing options available to help install solar panels for a wallet-friendly price. It truly doesn’t get better than SunPower® solar panels!
2. Which Solar Panels Are the Most Efficient?
We know there is already the question of “what are the advantages and disadvantages of solar panels.” Once you decide that you do want solar panels, you’ll also need to decide which type of solar panel to install. There are three primary types of residential solar panels:
- Monocrystalline solar panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Thin-film solar panels
Of those three types, monocrystalline panels are the most efficient because of how they’re made. A single crystal of silicon is used to make a monocrystalline panel, which allows electrons to easily flow through the cell. The result is a very efficient panel that helps you maximize solar power. Thanks to that high level of efficiency and the more complicated manufacturing process, monocrystalline panels are also the most expensive type on the market. However, across the board, the cost of residential solar panel systems in Charlotte, NC is on the decline. Polycrystalline panels are not as efficient as monocrystalline panels, but they’re still a great option for many Mecklenburg County homeowners. Thin-film solar panels are the least efficient panel type on the market.
3. Can an EcoFlow Battery Replace a Generator?
If you have a backup generator for your home, you might be wondering if you can replace it with a battery that stores excess energy. Yes, you can! We are proud to install high-quality EcoFlow batteries, which can help you store the extra solar energy your panels produce. Then you can use that stored solar energy when needed, helping to reduce the need for a home generator. Interested in learning more? We recommend watching this helpful video.
4. Are Solar Panels Expensive?
When customers come to us as they begin planning their solar panel installation in Charlotte, one of their first questions is usually about price. There are a number of different factors that play a part in how expensive your project will be, including the following:
- The size of your home
- The amount of solar energy you need to power your home
- The type and brand of the panels you choose
- The cost and complexity of the actual installation
- The pitch of your roof
- The company you hire for solar in Charlotte
However, there are tax credits available to help offset some of the costs of your project. If you complete your solar panel installation project before 2032, you can qualify for a 30% federal tax credit that will help make your project more affordable. If you meet with our team to tell us more about your solar needs, we’d be more than happy to give you a more accurate estimate of how much it may cost to install your solar panel system. Remember, solar panels are an investment for your home and it’s energy consumption.
5. Are Solar Panels Recyclable?
When you’re making a green, sustainable choice for your home, it’s only natural to wonder if solar panels themselves can be recycled. After all, even the highest-quality solar panels will eventually stop working. What happens to them then? The good news is that in most cases, solar panels are recyclable. Since silicon solar modules are made from plastic, glass, and aluminum, it’s not too difficult to recycle those components when your panels no longer work. In most cases, the aluminum frame from your panels can be removed and reused. From there, the glass can be separated from the rest of the panel and reused. Then, thermal processing allows for the evaporation of small plastic components in your panel, which allows the cells to be separated. Finally, the silicon wafers can be melted into reusable slabs. This is just another reason you can feel good about going solar in Charlotte!
6. Why Is Solar Energy a Good Option for My Home?
Sure, solar energy is good for many homeowners, but is it right for you? While everyone’s situation is a bit different, these are a few of the benefits you can expect to enjoy when investing in solar energy for your home:
- It’s a renewable energy source that will never be used up
- Adding solar panels to your house may improve your home’s value
- It can help you save money on electricity costs
- Your panels can generate power even on cloudy days or during rainy weather
- Solar panels don’t require much maintenance
Our team can help to evaluate your home and your roof to help you determine which solar panel system will work best to generate enough solar energy to meet your needs.
7. Which Solar Company Is Best?
We might be biased, but we believe our team here at SHS Pros is made up of the best solar installers in Charlotte, NC. And, our previous customers agree! We’re proud to have a 5.0-star rating on Google, accompanied by plenty of reviews from happy customers. When you choose our team for your solar panel installation project, you can expect to receive exemplary customer service and craftsmanship every step of the way. As one of the leading solar companies in Charlotte, NC, our team brings educational experience and trade expertise to the table so that no detail is overlooked. This gives you the ultimate peace of mind that your project will go smoothly and we’ll be able to answer any questions you have along the way. Don’t take anyone you have bad gut feeling. Getting solar in Charlotte nc should feel like you’re making the right choice.
8. Can Solar Panels Power a Whole Home?
In most cases, yes, your solar panels can generate enough electricity to power your entire home. However, many homeowners will continue using their local electric utility as a backup power source, particularly when we experience several days in a row of bad weather. Here in the Charlotte area, customers who want to offset their bills with solar energy must participate in Duke Energy’s Net Metering Rider. Net metering can help lower your bill, but it won’t eliminate it entirely. When you work with our team, we can explain more about how Duke Energy’s net metering process works and also help determine how much power you need for your home. From there, we can make our best recommendation on how many panels you need to help you reduce reliance on the electric grid.
9. Can Solar Energy Be Stored?
In a word, yes! At some times, your solar panels will produce more energy than you need to power your home. In that case, if you have a battery storage component within your solar panel system, the battery can store the excess energy so you can use it later, such as on a cloudy day or at night. This also helps to protect you against energy grid outages, as you will have excess energy stored in your battery that you can use during stormy weather.
10. Why Is Solar Power Important?
Simply put, solar in Charlotte is a big deal. Energy is a renewable source of power. Because it’s a clean source of energy, it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to protect people, wildlife, and thriving ecosystems. Beyond that, when more homeowners use solar power for their homes, it helps to improve air quality and reduce water use from the production of energy. If making sustainable choices is important to you as a homeowner, making the switch to solar power is one of the best things you can do.
Preparing to Go Solar in Charlotte, NC
We hope that after reading through these critical questions, you feel more prepared for going solar in Charlotte, NC. If you’re thinking “Who are the best residential solar installers near me?” You can trust the SHS Pros for the professionalism and trust you need. Contact us to learn more about home solar panels in Charlotte, NC and to ask any additional questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
