Solar Power Blog

Prices for solar have come down so much in the last 8 years since our first solar install back in 2011. We are living in a great day and age where competition and technology have both created an ecosystem of ever evolving cheaper and better technology around every corner. We are located in Missouri and I would definitely say that with some of the cheapest power in the USA we are able to see solar benefit the lives of so many Missourians across the state. 

Starting from the top down, the Sun rays hit the solar panel exciting electrons and protons to move in what they call direct current or "DC." This DC power then typically heads directly to an inverter which converts the DC power to a more usable AC power just like what your home or business uses. Now of course there are few other components involved to get this DC power to the inverter or microinverters, but once the power is being produced it then consumed by your house and any excess power will then flow back onto the utility grid.

1. Size and Time allotted for the utility company to take care of your net metering paperwork, In Missouri currently as of 2019, if you are installing a 10kw or less solar system then the utility company has 30 days to complete the pre-approval process. If your solar system is over 10kw DC rating then the utility company can take up to 90 days. after having the utility approval the majority of AHJ's in our area require that approval letter before we are allowed to apply for the permit. The permitting process past that point can be just a few days or a few weeks. 

2. It is important that your solar installer that is submitting the net metering application cross there T's and dot there I's figuratively speaking. Don't give the utility company any reasons to hang up your net metering application because that could potentially get you kicked to the back of the line, and the more applications that you turn in that are perfect the more the utility company begins to trust your companies name. Your solar installer should be focusing on building good relationships with your utility companies to help move things along quicker. 

3. The utility company can actually tell you that your solar system is to large and reduce the system size that you are applying for. In some very rare cases the solar may back-feed enough power on the grid and if you were say on the end of the utility line in the spring and fall months when you may be more prone to producing more than you are using this would be back feeding the grid, this may cause a voltage rise on the utility lines that are out side of the acceptable parameters. We have personally had this happen to us one time and we had to reduce the system size on the application to stay within that particular utility companies guidelines. It is NEVER wise to install a solar system before you have the approval from the utility company for this very reason.

We have dealt with a lot of utility companies over the years and there are definitely a few that are super fast and there are also a few jurisdictions of Liberty that like to utilize the Full 90 days. 

What type of inverter are you going to use on your future solar install? There are three main types of inverters on the market all with there own sets of strengths and weakness's. First the micro-inverter, then the DC optimized system with a central inverter and then the central inverter also known as a string inverter.

So, you’re interested in making the switch to solar energy, huh? Good choice!

Each version has its own place where it can only make sense to do one or the other. For most people they do in fact have enough space to do a ground mount system. Lets take a look at the benefits of installing a ground mount if you have the ability to.

Lets start off by mentioning that our oldest system was put in back in 2011 and today almost 2018 we have not had any solar hail damage claims to date. Now we have had to pull the panels off the roof of a hail damaged roof for an insurance re-roof type scenario on two separate occasions, but those panels were not damaged at all. 

Honestly I am sure there is someone out there that is telling you that you need to maintenance your solar pv system for x amount per year. Bla Bla Bla, so I would say to that if you want to waste your money go ahead, but there is no real reason to be concerned with that. Yes dirt and pollen can build up on your panels, but the average rain fall that we get in lower Missouri is enough to keep your panels clean.