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A go to source for information about solar in Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Carlisle, & and all of central PA!
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Net Metering
Many people hear the term, but figuring out exactly what it means can be a challenge. Net metering is a physical and digital process, and it describes the relationship your solar system has with your local utility. Grid-tied solar (which is practically all residential and commercial solar systems) means that your system will send power back to the “grid” during the day and pull from the grid at night. The smart meter on the side of your house tracks all of this and provides a real-time reading of your usage. During the day, it will likely go “backwards” as you’re sending more than you’re using. Any extra electricity not used by the home during a billing period is kept in a “power bank” or credits on your bill than can be carried over into months where electricity usage is higher, or system delivery is lower. You may also cash out your bank/credits after a certain period of time.
This is all to say that you will always get credit for everything your system produces. And your bill will show you the “net” results of your metered power!
I Don’t Want Holes In My Roof!
Sorry to break it to you, but your roof already has about 1000 holes in it from nails and screws for the shingles or metal you’ve on there now. I take pride in offering the newest and most reliable roof mounting hardware. Hardware that is backed by a 25-year waterproof guarantee directly from the manufacturer. If that isn’t enough, installation is warrantied for workmanship for 25 years, an upper edge against our competition. (Workmanship Warranty= “We guarantee to install this equipment correctly and to the manufacturers specs and if we don’t, then the damage is covered by us.”) New mounting hardware makes solar possible on shingle, metal, TPO, tile, and slate roof types.
Some homeowners and businesses have ample property space for a ground mount system. In this case, decision makers may opt for either ground or roof. In cases where homes are not optimally positioned or have lots of surrounding foliage yet sit on a vast property with open space, ground mount is likely the best option. This is on a case-by-case basis. I will make a recommendation based on the system’s efficiency if multiple options are at play. Ground mounts are placed under higher scrutiny by local government ordinances, and they may not be permitted in certain municipalities (for—in my opinion— very unsubstantiated reasons!)
$0 Out-of-Pocket?
Residential solar can be obtained for “$0 out-of-pocket”. This is strange to most people’s ears, but it’s true. For home improvement projects, there is an implied deposit that a contractor requests or needs before moving forward. The reality for solar is there is no down payment required for installation or permitting, and the bill for solar (which is less than your current electric bill) starts only after you are able to turn on your system and produce electricity. There is no lump sum due at any period (before, during, or after), just a new monthly bill that protects you from uncertainty in electricity prices, political policy changes, or supply & demand issues. I like to use the term “bill swap”. This is also easily swappable to a new homeowner in the event of a move.
People are doing this because it protects their bill from lots of uncontrollable economic issues and rises in electricity costs, and it costs nothing extra for them to do so. Electric bills are a very large, if not the largest, bill for most homeowners. Our other large bills, like a mortgage or car payment, are fixed. You will know how much you pay. Electricity is not that way, yet we just accept its variability despite its size. Solar is the only option that can truly lock down the price you pay and turn it into a fixed expense.
When your car insurance raises its rate, you shop for competitors. When Netflix ups its subscription fee, you switch to Hulu. When your electricity provider wants a rate increase you…have to accept it. Lack of competition in local utilities creates a fear of being “trapped”. Solar is the one true competitor to such a thing.
We also tend to “gamble” with the future. Whether it be a political event or recent rate increase, we tend to use this to sway our perceptions of what the future will bring (recent rate increase= no increase for the next few years). This is known as “Gambler’s fallacy” and is inaccurate in predicting future events. Independent events will not predict future outcomes. Most people did not expect the price of electricity to double in 6 months in 2022. Then, they REALLY did not expect it to continue to rise after that. As it stands in 2024, most companies are requesting another 10%.
My Roof Is Getting Rather Old, I Think I’ll Pass On Going Solar For Now
What a crazy statement! Lucky for you, I have the special ability to bundle the cost of a new roof with a solar system. Yes, I can proudly offer in-house contracting for both a new roof and solar system install. There are two benefits of this:
1.) Because we are one company doing both jobs, we rely on one profit margin for the entire project. We can lay a new roof at a cost so low you’d have Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor raising his eyebrows!
2.) The cost of your new roof can be bundled with the cost of going solar. One bill, bundled, and still nothing out-of-pocket.
Homeowners also have the option of paying outright for the new roof. And with the price offered, there’s no one serving a better deal. Our new roofs come with a 25 warranty. We can offer architectural shingle, metal, and standing seam roof types.
What Do I Do Next?
I’m glad you’ve decided to take the next step. What is that next step?
A free consultation based on the specifics of your property and electricity usage.
Consultations are free- I would never charge you anything for my time.
Get started with the button below.