What is photovoltaic's, (PV) or solar electricity?
Photovoltaics is the process where semiconducting materials such as silicon (PV cells) convert sunlight directly into electricity.

What size solar electric system do I need?
AzSolarGuys will design your solar electric system to best meet your electrical needs and budget. A number of factors are taken into consideration including the amount of electricity you use, when you use that electricity, and the size and orientation of your roof area. Prior to our first visit we will ask you to provide two years worth of electrical bills and we will evaluate your roof area via a satellite mapping program. With this information, we will be able to address the majority of your questions on our first visit.

Can I sell back the energy I make to the utility company?
We will set you up on a "net-metering" program which allows you to bank energy credits based on excess electricity that your system generates. These credits expire at the end of the year and you do not receive any monetary value for unused credits. We take this into consideration when designing your system so you will not be placed in this situation. Our experience and SunPowers's accurate modeling programs will ensure proper sizing.

What kind of tax incentives are available?
Currently there is a 30% Federal tax credit based on the net cost of the system and there is no cap on that amount. Arizona also allows a one time tax credit of $1,000.00. In addition, there is no sales tax for solar powered products that we install!

What type of utility rebates are available?
SRP and APS offer up to $3 per watt. The rebate is based on performance of the panels so it is crucial to install the systems correctly taking into consideration shade factors, proper tilt and azimuth angles. We strive to achieve 100% of the available rebate in our installations.

What kind of payback can I expect from my system?
Payback depends on many different factors including cost of electricity, energy usage, time of day usage, size of PV system. In general, these systems will pay for them selves in 10-11 years. A solar electrical system protects you from future rate increases and allows you to lock in your utility rates for the next 30+ years. We typically design systems to lower your monthly electric bill, not totally eliminate it.

How much power will my system produce?
A 1,000-watt system (1kW) with good sun exposure and southern orientation will produce about 135 kWh per month, on average in our region. A 2kW system will produce twice as much. If, for example you wanted to produce 50% of your electricity from solar power and your electric utility bill shows that you use an average of 1,000 kWh per month, you would need a 3.7kW PV array to do the job. (50% of 1,000 kWh = 500 kWh, and 500 kWh divided by 135 kWh = 3.7kW). Here is a link to a solar power estimator: http://www.pvwatts.org

Do I have enough sunlight for my PV system to work?
A photovoltaic system needs full exposure to the sun's rays for most of the day. Shade will impact the performance of the solar panels. Again, our site assessment and recommendations will take these factors into consideration. Arizona has tremendous amount of light energy available and is the best place in the USA for solar power.

Will cold weather affect my PV system?
Cold weather will not negatively affect the performance. Even on the coldest day, there is plenty of light energy.

Will hail damage my panels?
PV panels use high strength tempered glass that is extremely strong, and are designed to withstand impacts by 1" hail. In the unlikely event that they are damaged, most homeowners insurance will cover weather related damages.

Could a windstorm blow a panel off the roof?
Pre-engineered racks, mounting, and anchoring systems are engineered to withstand at least 110 mph wind.

How long will my solar panels last?
SunPower solar panels have a 25 year warranty. PV panels have been around for over thirty years and are still working just fine, so they should last much longer. Over time, the output of the solar panel gradually decreases. This decrease in output is outlined in your warranty.

How long does it take to install the system?

For a typical residential system, it can take between three and five days to install the PV panels and the additional equipment. It can take an additional 7-10 business days for the utility company to verify that the installation has passed all inspections and energize it to make it operational.

Do I need permission from my HOA (Home Owners Association)?
If you belong to an HOA you need to get permission for the installation. In Arizona, HOA's cannot restrict solar energy devices and this is dictated by Arizona Revised Statute Section 33-439 which essentially prohibits any HOA from unduly restricting the installation of solar energy devices. If you encounter any problems with your HOA, please let us know and we can provide the documentation that will get positive results.

What kind of maintenance does my pv system require?
These systems require little to no maintenance. There are no moving parts in a solar power system so there is nothing to go wrong. Basically, make sure the modules are clear of bird droppings and dirt and trees aren't shading the system. Also, make sure the system is putting out its proper power during the year by logging onto the SunPower monitoring program that we install on every installation. The monitoring program will indicate your systems performance and will also indicate any problems.

Does my roof have to face south?
Solar panels produce the most electric when oriented in a southward facing direction, however they can generate power facing east and west, just not as much. Our site assessment will take this into consideration and options will be discussed at the time of our consultation.

How much roof space does the system need? class="normal-text">Typically, you need 90 square feet of roof or ground space for every 1,000 watts of rated capacity. For example, a 3,000 watt (3kW) system would require 270 sf.

I have a tile roof, can I still install PV?
We can install PV on any type of roof, asphalt shingle, tile, metal and flat roofs. We do recommend that if you asphalt roof is in need of replacement that you do that first prior to installing the PV arrays.

How much does the average solar electric (PV) system cost?
The price of a solar electric (PV) system depends on numerous factors, including your electrical usage, your roofs orientation to the sun, the amount of roof space available for panel placement. Please use our solar calculator located at : http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme ("solar electric system calculator")

I am interested in purchasing a solar electric system here in Phoenix, how do I get started?
Please fill out the form (link to our residential sales evaluation form) and we will respond quickly to you. We will review and analyze your current monthly electricity usage and bills, we will talk about your needs based upon your budget and how much savings you would like to receive from solar power, we will visit your home or business, determine structural qualifications, placement, etc., and then we make a system recommendation. It's that simple!

Give us a call at 602 687 7948 or e-mail us and we will spend some time with you and set up a feasibility study. We are located right off the I-17 and Thunderbird road in Phoenix, AZ where we have a complete solar electric system stem installed and operating.