Guides & articles
Solar EnergySolar Energy Tips
Solar power
Solar that pays its way.
How solar panels, inverters and batteries fit together, and the planning steps that make a system worth installing.
Applications
What we cover
01
Solar fundamentals
Panels, inverters, racking and net metering in plain terms.
02
System sizing
Using utility bills and roof space to estimate a sensible system size.
03
Battery storage
Backup power, time-of-use savings and what batteries cannot do.
04
Roof readiness
Inspecting, repairing or coating a roof before an array is mounted.
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FAQ
Common questions
How big a system do I need?
Start with 12 months of electricity use from your bills, then factor in roof space, orientation and shading. An installer will run a production model.
String inverter or microinverters?
String inverters are simpler and cheaper; microinverters handle partial shading better and monitor each panel. Shading and budget usually decide.
Do I need a battery?
Not to use solar. A battery adds backup power and can help with time-of-use rates, but it adds significant cost.
Should I fix my roof first?
If the roof is near the end of its life, yes. Removing and reinstalling panels later is expensive.
Can a flat commercial roof be coated before solar?
Many are. A properly applied roof coating can restore a sound roof before racking goes on; plan penetrations with the solar installer.
Where do I check incentives?
Check current federal, state and utility programs directly, because amounts and eligibility change.
Ready to protect your project?
Because panels usually stay on a roof for decades, we also cover roof restoration, including commercial roof coatings from ArmorThane applicators.
Solar EnergySolar Energy Tips