solarxperts

Great questions to ask when it comes to Battery Storage

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 22:28:30 GMT

When it comes to Solar Storage, here are six great questions to ask

Why is energy storage important?

Electric utility providers are employ public safety power shutoffs to help mitigate loss and conserve energy, as we learned last summer in California due to the heat and wildfires and just this past February in Texas with the freezes. For safety reasons, solar panels installed must also turn off when the grid goes down, which has led many solar-powered homeowners to seek a product that can keep their homes powered during an outage. Batteries provide a happy glimpse into a future in which utilities are less reliant on big power plants in favor of a network of distributed energy resources (known as DERs) across their grid.

How does solar + storage work during an outage?

A microgrid must be established in order to power a home during an outage. A microgrid is a closed system that mimics the power provided by the utility grid. When a grid outage is detected, the microgrid kicks on in just milliseconds (the lights in your home will barely flicker). To preserve the battery to power the most important things in the home like the refrigerators, lighting and pumps. Non-essential appliances like AC units, which use a lot of energy, are usually programmed to turn off during these events. The goal is to create a harmonious system that can last a few hours -- or in the worst case a few weeks -- until grid power is restored.

Does storage benefit the grid?

Every solar power system, regardless of storage, benefits the grid and eases strain on utilities. Storage supercharges that benefit by lessening the load. In the future, utilities are considering ways to interact with the storage customers more actively to provide additional grid stability. This strategy will be key as renewables become more popular.

Is my existing Solar system compatible with Battery Storage?

Yes, Battery Storage is compatible with your current system and can always be added on to provide yourself with backup power.

Why does storage costs so much?

Every home is different. Storage requires an even deeper dive into the anatomy of homes to understand the electrical wiring of the home and how the homeowners use power. Each home requires custom installation as well as robust and reliable hardware and energy management systems. Thankfully, the cost of the equipment itself has fallen dramatically. Similar to solar power, the costs of these custom installations installed by licensed professionals -- are greater than the equipment cost itself.

What’s the value of storage?

Unlike the clear economics of solar panels, the value of solar + storage is spread across additional considerations like grid reliability, utility programs and the emergency needs of the homeowner. So at this time, the value of storage is unique to the homeowner. That said, utility companies are also seeing the benefit of storage to the grid. It’s foreseeable that they will continue to modify their policies to incentivize homeowners to install storage in conjunction with their solar. This can be seen today in California, with utilities offering daily incentives for solar + storage homeowners to use their battery power from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. when utility power is at peak pricing .

For more information on Solar and Battery Backup Systems, visit solarXperts.net today for a free quote!

Where The Most Costly Water Leaks Can Occur In Your Home

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 21:44:51 GMT

Water Leaks

One of the most worrisome situations as a homeowner is when you notice signs of a water leak. You haven’t got a clue as to where it’s coming from or why it’s happening. You think to yourself, “Should I call a contractor to fix it?” Or, do you pretend you didn’t see it, in hopes that it will magically go away? (Which of course, it won’t.) Naturally, homeowners worry about the high cost of fixing water leaks. In some cases, leaks may be easily fixed with a small roof repair, but others cause much more severe damage and need much more work. It’s helpful to know about the most costly water leaks that can occur in your home so you know what to expect when you begin repairs.

Where Do Leaks Tend to Originate?

Your roof is your home’s defense system. It’s built to keep the elements outside – but if you’re noticing signs of water damage, it means there’s a problem. Water leaks tend to come from penetrations in your roof, such as vents or around the flashing. It’s also possible that your shingles have been damaged by severe weather or are beginning to show signs of aging. If they are not coming from a penetration, then the alternative may be because there is no an easy drainage path. Often, the leak may not actually be coming from your roof at all! If it originates from your chimney, you’ll need a qualified mason to address the leak.

Locating water leaks can be tricky because water doesn’t always flow in predictable ways. Often the wet spots on your ceiling are far away from the actual site of the leak; water may be flowing downpipes and through walls before eventually showing itself. The best way to identify the source of your water leak is to call a professional contractor.

Most Costly Water Leaks

How much a water leak will cost you depends on the extent of the damage. How much damage did the leak cause within your home? How damaged is your roof?

More damage is always going to mean higher repair costs. Often, water leaks occurring in two-story homes or three-deckers are the most costly, because the water can travel through the walls and cause damage throughout the home. A severely damaged roof may need significant repairs, or in some cases, it needs to be replaced. Every water leak is different, and there will be varying labor and repair costs.

Repair or Replace

If your roof has only small amounts of damage, a repair may be quick, simple, and inexpensive. However, not all leaks are repairable. If your roof is old or severely damaged, a roof replacement may be in order. It’s important to remember that even problems that look small may be hiding a lot of damage. The danger in this hidden damage is that homeowners will often decide to repair the roof instead of replacing it , c reating a temporary solution for a much bigger problem. The only way to know for sure how much work your roof will need and what the process will cost you is to talk to a certified roofing contractor. Don’t ignore leaks – contact solarXperts today. Our contractors will work with you to find the best solution for your roof.

Extreme Weather vs Solar Panels

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:35:35 GMT

Panels have been tested to withstand the elements

Does extreme weather worry you in regards to solar panel installation and have kept you from investing in a solar energy system? You actually have a lot less to worry about than you think.

Solar panels are designed and developed to withstand not only hurricanes and winds of up to 160 MPH, but to also disintegrate golf ball sized hail stones projected at the panels at a speed equivalent to a Major League Baseball pitcher’s fastball of 95 MPH.

Second to flooding, most damage caused by hurricanes is due to the high winds that accompany the storm. Additionally, the wind doesn’t have the courtesy to blow from just one direction; as the eye of the hurricane passes, the winds switch direction. The wind can cause damage in distinct ways. For example, a large number of solar panel installations are on roofs; the panels stand slightly above the roof’s surface, creating an issue with uplift. Uplift is a force caused by wind blowing between the roof and the panels.

Systems are designed to withstand uplift forces by securing panels to the roof beams with large lag bolts. As long as the roof itself was properly built and maintained, there is little chance of solar panels tearing the roof off your house due to uplift or other wind forces.

Solar manufacturers include a certification that the panels can withstand winds equivalent of a Category 4 hurricanes, which have average winds speeds of 130 to 156 mph

When the homeowner had an individual inverter for their system, power to the home was restored as soon as the owner plugged into the inverter.

Bottom line, don’t let worries about hurricane-force winds keep you from taking advantage of reliable and sustainable solar energy. Solar panels have passed not only factory testing but survived in some of the worst storms the US has seen in the past five years. If solar energy systems survived the latest extreme weather in functional order, there is little for you to worry about in your neck of the woods.

Picking the right roof color

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 21:02:42 GMT

Classic & Timeless Roof Colors

Question: How do I pick a roof color that’s considered to be ‘classic’ or ‘timeless’?

Answer: “Classic” and “timeless” are words you hear a lot when it comes to design. Classic design stands the test of time and does not appear “dated” – creating a look that is timeless.

Classic Roof Colors

The opposite of classic is trendy. Creating a classic home exterior design means that the look of your home is timeless and doesn’t look outdated once a trend has come and gone. Now you may assume that this means a white house, black shutters, and a red front door – it can, but it doesn’t have to mean that. Navy, heather gray, forest green, almond, and creamy yellow could all be considered colors that have stood the test of time and are solid colors to bring into your palette.

And “classic” doesn’t mean boring either.

Dated vs Timeless

You know that feeling when you go into a home and you know with certainty that the kitchen was designed in the mid-’70s? While the kitchen may still be functional, it’s probably one of the first things you would want to update.

But then there are those homes that have a feeling of timelessness, in both their interior and exterior design and décor and you can’t quite pinpoint when it was built or decorated.

So when it comes to selecting a roof color that’s timeless you should choose something that you can see liking 10 years from now. A roofing manufacturer typically designs shingle colors to go with the trends, not to be the trends.

It may be hard to predict the future, but try to focus on colors that stand the test of time and bring a sense of calmness vs. chaos. Classic design is understated, not fussy. Choose a palette that belongs in the current and potential future exterior surroundings, not against them.

Electricity Costs Continue to Soar Every Year!

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:04:30 GMT

Now is the time to lock in your rates with Solar

If you're considering whether going solar is a worthwhile financial move for your home, there are essentially two factors that you should look at:

The costs associated with Solar Power.
The utility rates you pay for electricity from the grid.

Going solar makes economic sense when solar electricity costs less than grid electricity!

Utility Rates Continue To Soar Every Year. Retail residential electricity rates (the amount you pay per kilowatt-hour, or ¢/kWh) have risen across the nation about 15% over the last 10 years. In some places, like the Bay Area in California, even more so.

Electricity is a volatile market with many factors affecting the rate. The general consensus is that, like many recent years, electricity rates are getting higher for end users in 2020. Here's why.

Electricity prices generally reflect the cost to build, finance, maintain, and operate power plants and the electricity grid (the complex system of power transmission and distribution lines). Some for-profit utilities also include a financial return for owners and shareholders in their electricity prices.

The electricity transmission and distribution systems that deliver electricity have maintenance costs, which include repairing damage to the systems from accidents or extreme weather conditions.

Electricity demand is just as high as ever. The global demand rose 4% last year and is expected to keep going up.

As of January 2020, the average price per kilowatt hour in the U.S. was 13.32 cents. However, the price range from state-to-state was huge and the annual increase was across the board!

This trend is unlikely to be disrupted in the future: natural gas prices are only likely to increase, and as they do electricity rates will rise.

Are you financially prepared to pay more and more for your electricity as time goes on? A lot of homeowners are getting sick and tired of lining the pockets of those evil utility companies!

Going Solar Can Protect You From Rising Costs!

As for solar, it is clear that costs are coming down. Rooftop solar panels are now more affordable and accessible than ever. This is why more and more households are having solar energy systems installed: going solar is a great way to reduce or completely eliminate your power bills.

If you purchase a solar energy system for your home, all of the solar electricity that your system produces will be "free" once the system has paid itself off (which will take approximately 5-10 years, depending on where you live). If you purchase your system with a solar loan, you could start saving money from the very first day that your system produces power!

If you have net metering, your utility company will give you a credit for electricity that you send into the grid. This means that on some months you might even have a negative electricity usage on your bill. Your utility provider will CREDIT YOU!

A lot of people in the United States regularly have electricity bills that are hundreds of dollars a month. If you’re one of those people, adding solar panels to your house and seeing your net electricity usage drop to zero (or even negative) on your utility bill is a pretty amazing thing!

Adding Solar Panels to your home is the best way to protect yourself from soaring utility rates.

Call solarXperts at 833-699-7378 Call solarXperts at 833-699-7378 Call solarXperts at 833-699-7378 Call solarXperts at 833-699-7378 to set up your no cost analysis with a professional solar consultant. You can also request a free quote or send us an email via our contact page located here: solarXperts.net

Flip off your Electric Company and make them CREDIT YOU instead!

Introducing the Total Protection™ Roofing System

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 21:12:05 GMT

The Total Protection Roofing System by Owens Corning. Six steps to a lifetime of protection.

1.

WeatherLock® Flex Flexible Self-Sealing Ice & Water Barrier provides excellent roof deck protection against water infiltration resulting from the freeze/thaw cycle, wind-driven rains and normal water flow around eaves, rakes, valleys, vents, chimneys and skylights.

Engineered for asphalt shingles, wood shakes and quarry slate roof assemblies, WeatherLock® Flex also offers:

High performance – Flexible and pliable poly surface and modified asphalt combine to adhere around irregular shapes, inside corners and at sharp angles, even in cold-weather applications to 40ºF
Added protection – Acts as a waterproof barrier in the most vulnerable sections of the roof, such as valleys and other roof penetrations, to create a second line of defense. For optimal protection, apply to entire roof deck on 2:12 to 4:12 pitch roofs*
Aggressive self-adhesive – Exceeds adhesion performance requirements to help prevent water migration
Slip-resistant surface – For excellent traction and safe installation
Seals tight around nails – Modified asphalt construction for a tight seal around nails to prevent water penetration

2.

Your roof is a big investment. Help protect it right from the start against water damage in the attic, which can cause mold growth and rotting deck boards. Deck Defense® High Performance Synthetic Roof Underlayment features a durable construction that works with your shingles to help shield your home from moisture infiltration.

Acts as a non-absorbent, secondary water-shedding barrier
Unique bottom surface coating reduces the chance for tears that cause leaks, as compared to other felt underlayment
Provides roof deck protection from UV exposure for up to 6 months*
Extra wide rolls cover approximately 5 times more than standard #30 felt rolls
Preprinted nailing pattern and overlap lines help speed installation

3.

Owens Corning® Starter Strip Shingle helps save time by eliminating the need to cut shingles to create a starter row. It is packaged two pieces per shingle, 16 shingles per bundle. The continuous sealant ensures an effective seal between the starter and the first course of shingles.

Perforated down the center for easy separation
Easy for one person to position on the roof
For use with any shingle that has an exposure up to 6 inches
Provides a straight edge at the eave and along the rake for a clean look
Convenient as one bundle provides one square of material (105 linear feet of actual coverage)

4.

TruDefinition Duration Shingles are specially formulated to provide dramatic color contrast and dimension to any roof and are available in all the popular colors. Beyond the impressive curb appeal, they also come with the advanced performance of patented SureNail® Technology—a technological breakthrough in roofing.

Engineered fabric reinforcing nail line
Triple layer protection
Tough, thick fastening area
Special nailing flange designed to withstand hurricane force winds

5.

DecoRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles offer a high profile and architectural appeal along with added protection and are specifically designed to complement our Owens Corning® Shingles.

Multi-layer, bull-nosed design for a refined look
Durable construction: Made of a heavyweight laminate with SBS modified asphalt that improves handling even in cold weather
Pre-formed design for simple installation with no need for folding or bending during application
Limited Lifetime Warranty* when installed with Owens Corning® laminate shingles.
110 MPH Wind Resistance Limited Warranty* with standard 2-nail application

6.

VentSure® 4-Foot Strip Heat & Moisture Ridge Vents work with VentSure® intake vents and/or VentSure® InFlow® intake vents to help improve air flow through the attic. They are flexible enough to conform to virtually any roof slope and have a unique baffle design and Weather PROtector® moisture barrier to help provide outstanding performance.

Outstanding performance – net free vent area** of 20 sq. in***. per lineal foot
Unique design – flat baffle improves air flow by keeping leaves, pine needles or similar debris from impacting the performance of the vent
Excellent versatility – patent-pending corrugated ridge design and alignment tabs allow for additional flexibility and strength to accommodate virtually any roof pitch, resulting in a strong uniform ridgeline
Roof durability – proper ventilation helps maximize the performance of the entire roof system

** Net free vent area = area of vents that is open to unrestricted air flow. As a general rule, 1 sq. ft. of net free vent area per 150 sq. ft. of attic space or area to be vented is recommended.

*** This only applies to our 12″ product. Our 10″ and 8″ product only provide 18 sq. in of NVFA.

Top 10 Reasons To Go Solar

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 20:17:37 GMT

Bottom Line

It comes down to Quality, Monitoring and standing by what we promise. In order to be the best, we use the highest quality components, installed by experienced professional installers. All of our solar power systems are rigorously quality-tested before we seek permission from your utility company to turn your system on. Once your system is on, we monitor it 24 hours a day. If it ever breaks or produces less power than we promised it would, we’ll fix it. We’ll even reimburse you for any energy production lost!

Installation

Your installation is handled by professionals, from start to finish. As each solar project is slightly different, we take the time to custom design and calculate the highest yield of energy possible. Our solarXperts are second to none, making your experience worry free.

1. Drastically reduce or even eliminate your electric bills

Whether you’re a homeowner, business, or nonprofit, electricity costs can make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. With a solar panel system, you’ll generate free power for your system’s entire 25+ year lifecycle. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills and you’ll still save a lot of money.

2. Earn a great return on your investment

Solar panels aren’t an expense – they’re one of the best ways to invest, with returns rivaling those of more traditional investments like stocks and bonds. Thanks to substantial electricity bill savings, the average American homeowner pays off their solar panel system in seven to eight years and sees an ROI of 20 percent or more.

3. Protect against rising energy costs

One of the most clear cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to hedge utility prices. In the past ten years, residential electricity prices have gone up by an average of three percent annually. By investing in a solar energy system now, you can fix your electricity rate and protect against unpredictable increases in electricity costs. If you’re a business or homeowner with fluctuating cash flow, going solar also helps you better forecast and manage your expenses.

4. Increase your property value

Multiple studies have found that homes equipped with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes. Appraisers are increasingly taking solar installations into consideration as they value homes at the time of a sale, and as homebuyers become more educated about solar, demand for properties equipped with solar panel systems will continue to grow.

5. Boost U.S. energy independence

The sun is a near-infinite source of energy and a key component of achieving energy independence in the United States. By increasing our capacity to generate electricity from the sun, we can also insulate our country from price fluctuations in global energy markets.

6. Create jobs and help your local economy

According to The Solar Foundation, the solar industry adds jobs many times faster than the overall U.S. economy. This growth is expected to continue. Because solar-related jobs tend to be higher paying and cannot be outsourced, they are a significant contributor to the U.S. economy.

7. Protect the environment

Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buildings are responsible for 38 percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S., and going solar can significantly decrease that number. A typical residential solar panel system will eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year—the equivalent of planting over 100 trees annually.

8. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are important components of an organization’s culture and values. They also produce bottom line results. Increasingly, consumers and communities are recognizing and rewarding businesses that choose to operate responsibly. Businesses are finding that “green” credentials are a powerful driver of consumer purchasing decisions, creating goodwill and improving business results.

9. Increase employee morale

Just like consumers, employees have a demonstrated appreciation for their employers’ commitment to operating responsibility. Employees share in the success and contributions of their organizations. Companies that care about their community and environment tend to have lower turnover rates, more engaged employees, and higher levels of morale.

10. Stay competitive

Companies quickly are realizing the social and economic benefits of adopting solar power. As early adopters pull ahead of the competition, many companies are exploring solar power as a way to keep up.

How Solar Works

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 20:14:36 GMT

Sunlight is changed directly into electricity using solar cells.

Light hits the solar panel with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into electrons of direct current (“DC”) electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter. The inverter converts that “DC” power into alternating current or “AC” power. AC power is the kind of electricity that runs your household appliances.

Solar panels absorb the Sun’s energy which generates electricity

The inverter converts the Sun’s FREE DC current into usable AC energy for your home

The utility meter monitors the amount of power you have produced or used

The more solar panels that are combined, the greater the electrical power you can generate for your home

The Science of Solar Energy

Solar cells are small, square-shaped panel semiconductors made from silicon and other conductive materials, manufactured in thin film layers. When sunlight strikes a solar cell, chemical reactions release electrons, generating electric current.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components

PV system components include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV panels; an inverter to covert solar power from direct current (DC) to the alternating current (AC) of the utility grid-connected system; wiring; mounting hardware or a framework: and a solar monitoring system. A PV module arranges individual PV cells, and the modules are grouped together in an array.

Sunlight Requirements for PV Systems

A photovoltaic (PV) system needs unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most of the day to be effective. Shading on the system can significantly reduce energy output. At night or on very cloudy days, when your system is not producing enough to meet the household’s usage needs, the household will consume electricity from the utility grid. The abundance of year-round sunshine makes California one of the best states in the nation for solar energy.

What Is Net Metering

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 18:50:00 GMT

Net metering (also known as  net energy metering  or NEM) is a solar incentive that allows you to store energy in the electric grid. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, that energy is sent to the grid in exchange for credits. Then, at night or other times when your solar panels are underproducing, you pull energy from the grid and use these credits to offset the costs of that energy.

With the right size solar energy system, you can produce enough electricity to match your home’s electricity use for the entire year. However, the amount of electricity your solar panels produce will vary throughout the year. Net metering helps you account for these differences by crediting you for the excess electricity your panels produce so you can use it later.