FAQ's

Q: What is a solar electric system?
A: A solar electric system consists of three main parts: the
photovoltaic modules, which produce DC electricity during the daylight
hours, an inverter that converts the DC electricity to AC electricity,
and an optional battery storage to store the solar electricity incase
of a power outage.

Q: As a home or business connected to the grid, does solar electricity
make sense for me?
A: With net metering now available in Hawaii and the substantial
state and federal tax credit incentives available for solar
applications 50 kW or less, grid-connected solar electric systems are
an attractive investment for a homeowner or small businesses and a
way to offset the high and rising cost of utility power.

Q: Under net metering, what happens when we generate more power than
we're using?
A: Surplus electricity is fed back into the utility grid for others
to use. Your electric meter spins backwards to credit you for all the
kilowatt-hours sent into the electric grid. You are billed for the
difference between the power supplied to you and the surplus power
generated by your grid-connected PV system.

Q: Will I be able to use my solar electric system during periods of
cloudy, rainy weather?
A: While there is a reduction of power produced from your PV system
during overcast weather, watts are still produced from your system.

Q: What happens if utility power goes off?
A: Standard grid-connected system without batteries will not supply
backup power in the event of a utility outage even during daylight
hours. If the grid goes down your system will go down. However, for an
additional cost (roughly 30%) a battery bank can be added which will
provide power to a number of critical load circuits in the event of a
power outage.

Q: How long do photovoltaic modules last?
A: Most PV modules have warranties of 25 or more years. While a small
decrease in output power over time is normal for PV modules (less than
1 percent per year), solar electric modules will produce power for
decades. No material is lost from the solar cells or modules and there
are no moving parts.

Q: How much would a net metered grid-connected PV system cost?
A: Several solar electric installation companies can offer you
pre-designed, packaged systems ranging in price from about $10,000 to
$90,000 depending on your energy needs. For example, an average 3kW
system would cost you approximately $28,500. This system would then
qualify for a combined federal/state tax credit of $7,000. It would
also offset approximately $160 per month in energy costs; and if the
monthly payment on financing the cost of the system is the same or
less then the avoided energy cost ($160) then you would be saving
money from day one.

For an accurate quotation, please refer to the list of solar suppliers
and installers located on our website