The location of your home, the direction of your roof, and the shade all play a role in if your home is well-suited for solar. Our well-experienced team is always ready and committed to offering comprehensive guidance.
Net metering is the arrangement that allows individuals who generate their own power to send excess energy back to the grid and receive discounted electricity when their solar is not producing (when the sun is down).
A solar system can be installed within a day. However, the time it takes to acquire permits with your local government and utility company varies. Also, if your property requires certain upgrades it may extend the full length of the solar project. From signing your contract to finalizing your permission to operate paperwork, Powersmith Solar installations are some of the fastest in the industry at less than 30 days on average.
Permission to operate is written authorization from your utility company to connect your solar panel system to the grid and allow you to turn your system ON.
Depending on the complexity of your project, design timelines can vary. Most designs can be completed in 24 to 72 hours but some may take up to a week.
During the site survey, our install partner technician will go to your home to take pictures of your roof, utility meters, and main electrical panel. If you have a tile roof, the Surveyor may inspect underneath some tiles to determine the quality of the roof under the tiles. Some cities or towns require us to gather information about the spacing of your rafters, so in some cases, we may need to access your attic.
The amount of panels you will require is dependent on your home energy usage patterns. Powersmith will analyze your electric bill to know how many kilowatt hours your home uses to determine your ideal system size.
If you need to add more panels later on, our energy experts will assess the feasibility of an add-on system and give you a custom quote for the cost of that system. Simply contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.
Solar panels generally last between 25-35 years. They are extremely durable and can withstand snow, rain, wind, and hail. They require little maintenance.
Tier one solar panels undergo a series of testing from multiple third parties before earning the designation as one of the industry-leading panels. Powersmith only offers top-of-the-line equipment and can guarantee that any panel installed on your home will be a universally agreed-upon tier-one panel.
A power optimizer allows every panel in your solar system to operate independently. This means if one panel stops working, the rest of the solar system will still function just fine.
If you experience any issues with the functionality of your solar system, please contact us immediately. Most of our partners provide 30-year solar insurance that ensures your system operates and performs optimally.
A battery system can back up any electrical appliance in your home. We recommend backing up the most important appliances in your home like your refrigerator, stove, water heater, or heating and air conditioning unit.
A no-backup battery storage option is designed for clients in some markets to maximize savings with the utility company by “selling” or exporting excess energy produced by the solar system back to the grid during peak times. With the no-backup option, only a small amount of power will be stored at any given time and the battery is not designed to be used in the event of a power outage.
Back-up battery options will do all that the no-backup options are capable of with the additional benefit of storing larger amounts of electricity to power essential appliances in your home even if the electricity is out. With that said, the difference between partial and whole home backup is the number of appliances that will be available to use in the event of a power outage.
Powersmith is proud to offer industry-leading battery storage solutions. We offer a wide range of battery brands including Enphase, Tesla Powerwalls 2’s and Franklin batteries, SolArc and SolarEdge that allows you to store and sell power produced by your solar system back to the utility grid during times when energy credits are the most valuable, leading to maximum savings with solar.
Tax Credit
If you choose an ownership option, you will be eligible to receive up to 30% of the value of the system as a tax credit from the federal government.
Please note that while you may be eligible for the tax credit, your ability to claim the tax credit is entirely dependent on your individual tax situation. Powersmith does not give tax advice and cannot guarantee your ability to claim the tax credit. We recommend contacting your tax professional for advice on if you would be able to claim the tax credit.
Powersmith does not require HOA approval to proceed with your project. In most of the markets we operate in, there are laws preventing HOAs from having a significant impact on your ability to go solar.
While this is the case, it may be in your best interest to follow the local rules and regulations of your homeowner’s association to avoid any unnecessary fines, fees or simply avoid upsetting the neighbors.
Please note that while you may be eligible for the tax credit, your ability to claim the tax credit is entirely dependent on your individual tax situation. Powersmith does not give tax advice and cannot guarantee your ability to claim the tax credit. We recommend contacting your tax professional for advice on if you would be able to claim the tax credit.
If you have received proof of HOA approval, please send it to servicedesk@powersmithsolar.com as soon as possible.
In nearly all areas that Powersmith operates in, there are laws preventing HOAs from significantly impacting your ability to go solar. If you are denied by your HOA, please contact your Powersmith energy expert for more information to help overturn that decision.
Alternatively, we may be able to adjust your system design to meet the requirements of your HOA.
Powersmith partners with leading manufacturers and installers to ensure that we offer an industry-leading performance guarantee with every solar system.
Please note that while you may be eligible for the tax credit, your ability to claim the tax credit is entirely dependent on your individual tax situation. Powersmith does not give tax advice and cannot guarantee your ability to claim the tax credit. We recommend contacting your tax professional for advice on if you would be able to claim the tax credit.
In the event that our install partners make incisions into your roof to install the solar panels, they offer a full 10-year roof warranty following the installation of the system. They also completely cover any damage to your roof or home.
Powersmith install partners pledge to offer a 60-Day installation timeline guarantee for qualifying projects. If your project qualifies, we will commit to installing your solar system within 60 days from final design approval.
