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How Does Solar Work?

The sun doesn’t just provide warmth and light – it’s also a source of energy.

Solar energy (or solar power) is the energy we generate from sunlight. Through a process known as the photovoltaic effect, we can convert energy from the sun’s rays into electricity that can power our TVs, refrigerators, lights and other appliances.

The photovoltaic effect is what makes solar possible. To generate solar energy for your home or office, you need a solar power system.

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Is Solar Right for My Home?

A 2017 study suggests that solar homes sell for 3.74% more than comparable non-solar homes. That comes out to about $15,000 more on average for homes evaluated in the study.

Solar is a major selling point, so long as the homeowner owns the solar system. Leased systems are a different story, as the home buyer must agree to take on the contract and lease payments from the solar installer.

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Why FL Solar Now?

All Phase Solar is a division of All Phase Construction USA, a Certified General and Roofing Contractor who has also brought on Solar Scott as a partner to help with the Solar Division growth, education and implementation.

Learning the Basics of Solar Power

To generate your own energy, you need a complete solar power system. The essential components:

  • Solar panels, to capture energy from the sun
  • An inverter, to convert that energy to a format that can power your appliances
  • Racking, the foundation on which you mount your system

You also need a method to store the energy generated by the panels. If you have access to power lines, this doesn’t require additional equipment. It can simply be fed into the utility grid and used later.

But if you are off the grid, you’ll need additional parts:

These are connected by smaller components like wiring, fuses, and disconnects.

You can also add equipment to monitor your system’s output online, which helps troubleshoot any issues with shading or defective equipment.

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The sun pays our electricity …who pays yours?

Considering Solar?
Here are Some Common Questions

Here are some common questions asked  and pro’s and Con’s)

Here are some reasons why you might choose solar over another source of power:

  • Renewable: Sunlight is an infinite resource. It’s not like oil, which we remove from the Earth and spend when we use it. The sun’s rays can be harvested for energy over and over again without depleting the source.
  • Lower Electric Bills: As a replacement for grid-tied properties (anywhere with access to power lines), solar power costs just a fraction of what you pay the utility company each month. Solar power has the ability to eliminate a customer’s electric usage.
  • Remote power: If you live in a remote location, it may be too expensive or impossible to run power lines to your house. Solar power systems generate energy when you can’t hook into the power grid.
  • Improve Property Value: Homes equipped with solar systems sell for 3.74% more than equivalent homes without solar. Solar homes sell for $14,329 more on average. Read more about how solar impacts property values. Off-grid solar also enables you to buy affordable undeveloped property in rural areas.

Here are some drawbacks to consider before going solar:

  • High up-front cost: Even small systems cost a few thousand dollars, and full-scale systems for a family home can reach a 5-figure price tag. Though it pays for itself in the long run, it can be prohibitively expensive to get started.
  • Weather Dependent: Shade, snow and other obstacles reduce the output of your solar panels. If your panels don’t get a lot of sun, they won’t work as efficiently as advertised. You can buy equipment designed to mitigate this, but it costs more.
  • Takes up space: Solar panels are over 3 feet wide and 6-7 feet tall depending on configuration. An average residential system might contain a few dozen panels. They take up a lot of space on your property, so you need to make sure you have somewhere to put them.
  • Storage is expensive: Batteries are by far the most expensive part of a solar system. If you need them to store power (either off the grid or as backup for your grid-tied system), that will eat into your return on investment. They should be used out of necessity, or to provide peace of mind in areas with unreliable power.

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How to Choose a Solar Installer

Licensing and insurance coverage should be verified first. In Florida, a Certified General Contractor is the highest available license available, followed by a Solar license if the company is not a Certified General Contractor. Both still require an electrician to do the connections. A roofing background is not required, but should be desired. You want to know that if there is ever a leak in the future, who is responsible for it? General Contractors who are also Roofing contractors should be able to provide one warranty for the entire system including any and all penetrations made, as well as all electrical connections. Professional solar installers charge a wide range of rates based on a number of factors. The #1 factor driving the cost of installation is the availability of qualified installers in the region. Most solar companies subcontract their installs, with several qualified installers competing for the same business. It is best to have a company that is qualified to install solar with a roofing background because of the complexities with the south Florida building codes.

As a benchmark, we find that most reputable solar installers charge $1.25 to $1.75 per watt of solar for their labor, depending on the type of roof.

On a 5kW system, you should expect to pay $6,250 to $8,750 for a professional solar installer’s services. (This fee is just for labor—it does not include the cost of equipment.)

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What Do Our Clients Say About Us?

All Phase Solar is a division of All Phase Construction USA, a Certified General and Roofing Contractor who has also brought on Solar Scott as a partner to help with the Solar Division growth, education and implementation. All Phase Solar The #1 Solar Energy Company serving South Florida and the surrounding areas.

Ready to Get Rid of Your Power Bill?

All Phase Solar is a division of All Phase Construction USA, a Certified General and Roofing Contractor who has also brought on Solar Scott as a partner to help with the Solar Division growth, education and implementation. All Phase Solar The #1 Solar Energy Company serving South Florida and the surrounding areas.