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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhy should I install a solar system? Why should I install a solar system?
Solar Thermal or Solar Electric ?A thermal system simply heats water, capturing 60% to 80% of the sun’s energy. An electric system uses complex photovoltaic silicon wafers to transform some of the sun’s energy into electric current, typically capturing only 12% to 18% of the sun’s energy. In an equal amount of area on your roof, thermal panels will harvest roughly four times as much energy as electric panels. Thermal systems typically cost a lot less than electric systems. If you are concerned about the pay-back time, the cost of your system, your monthly energy savings, or the energy produced per square foot on your roof, thermal is the logical choice! The average solar hot water heating system by Capitol Solar Energy produces as much energy per day as an 11 KW PV system, for less than a third of the cost. In fact, industrial-size solar energy plants use solar thermal technology to produce electricity, as it makes more sense on a financial level. Why should I choose to work with Capitol Solar?Capitol Solar has over 28 years of experience in the solar industry. We have seen the whole industry go through many cycles. We have had many opportunities to observe all types of systems since the early 80s. Unfortunately some systems being sold today do not reflect lessons learned. We have designed unique systems that maximize efficiency, reliability and durability for our customers. With very little overhead for offices or marketing, our systems are very competitively priced and our innovative systems are designed to optimize the return on your investment. Solar equipment manufacturers provide warranties of 10 years for solar panels and 3 to10 years for pumps and controls. We provide a one year warranty on all installation labor and workmanship. We’re committed to forging long-term relationships that last long after the warranties expire. We provide lifetime complimentary telephone assistance for all of our systems. What financial incentives are currently available in the state of Colorado?Colorado residents and businesses can benefit from both Federal and State financial incentives: (1) the new Federal Energy Bill provides a 30% federal tax credit for solar thermal systems installed on homes and businesses (there's no longer a $2,000 cap for residences and no cap for businesses). (2) Colorado's Amendment 37 (A37) calls for many of the state's utilities to provide financial incentives in the form of cash rebates for solar electric systems, making these almost competitive with thermal systems. The Governor's Energy Office launched the first state-wide Solar Thermal rebate
program last April. This program gives a $3,000 solar hot water rebate, this is in addition
to the 30% Federal tax credit. This program is funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act so will not be likely to repeat with this substantial level of incentive. Where Can I get more information on the Federal Tax Credit?SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association has produced a tax manual which you can obtain from this link: http://www.seia.org/manualdownload.php How long will it take for a solar energy system to pay for itself?A solar energy thermal system will usually pay for itself with energy savings (and with any available installation rebates or tax credits) within the first quarter to half of its estimated lifespan. The actual length of time will depend on the type and size of the system. Generally speaking, a commercial system will pay for itself in less time than a residential system, and solar thermal (hot water) will pay for itself in less time than a photovoltaic (solar electricity) system. And a full solar thermal system, heating the water and the space, will pay for itself faster than just thermal hot water. Previous customers have shown us before and after data which points to a pay-off ranging from 8 to 18 years. Many factors go into calculating this figure, and we would need to look at your specific home, energy bills, and a specific system. We cannot guarantee a pay-back timeframe but will guarantee it’s better than a PV system in most sitiuations. Also, solar systems increase the resale value of your home. The National Real-estate Association of America estimates that a home gains $1,000 in value when you reduce its operating cost by $100. The Colorado Real-Estate association estimates that a home gains $2,000 for every $100 operating costs reduction. A home heated by propane would save about $2,000 per year, this is about a seven year What does an average solar system cost?For a residential domestic hot water system (Two 40-sq ft Solene panels, 80 gallons of solar storage, low-maintenance drain-back system) installed in the front range, the incentives look as follows: System price $9,500, estimated permit and engineering costs $400, federal tax credit up to -$2,970, State GEO incentive -$3,000 Net Price $3,930 A larger commercial rebate up to $15,000 is also available. What changes would be necessary to run solar thermal in my home?Solar Panels are usually installed on your existing roof, while a storage tank is installed in your basement or utility room. These installations are usually done without any notable changes to your house. Would I need to use different appliances?No, our solar systems interact with your existing appliances, hot water heater, furnace, boiler, etc. In fact, solar heat can lessen inefficiency issues of older appliances. Can my system Freeze?No, we install only drain-back systems. These systems automatically let the water drain out of the panels with the simple effect of gravity. The hot water is kept safely inside the house when there’s no sunlight. The panels must be hotter than the temperature of the water tank in order for water to be sent to the panels. This is completely automatic, and a system failure would simply leave the water in the tank and the panels empty. For specific applications where the pipes or panels can’t drain back, we also integrate glycol loops in our systems. Glycol is a non-toxic alcohol-based liquid which withstands Colorado winter temperatures without freezing. What happens if it's cloudy or rainy for several days in a row?Your solar thermal system will capture heat on the sunny days, and even on seemingly cloudy days. This energy is stored in the tank, and is often enough to bridge the gap for fully overcast days. If your solar tank is “emptied” of all its usable heat, your regular appliance takes over, and you don't notice any difference inside your home. Can I heat my home with a solar thermal system?Yes, it is usually the most cost effective method for heating your home. This can be done in interface with a regular forced air furnace, or with a boiler for radiant floors or baseboard heat. How long do solar panels last?Solar thermal panels carry 10 year warranties, with life expectancies of 40 to 80 years. They might just outlast your house… Older systems with pressurized oils or glycol may require more maintenance or cause leaks over the decades, and the current tax Credits are a good opportunity to convert your system and increase its life span. How efficient are solar panels? How much energy can they produce per square foot?Solar thermal panels are rated with efficiencies ranging from 50% to 78%, producing about 1000 BTUs per square foot per day - or 290 Watt-Hours per day per square foot. Electric solar panels have efficiencies ranging from 11%-15% and produce about 12 watts per square foot - or 72 Watt-Hours per day per square foot. Also, electric panels typically cost more than thermal panels. For the same financial investment, a thermal system produces 5 times more energy than an electric system. This explains why thermal systems are a superior way to harvest the sun’s energy. If you want ecology to rhyme with economy, thermal panels are the logical choice! How do evacuated tubes compare to regular thermal panels?The SRCC ratings that scientifically compare the two technologies show that evacuated tubes only perform better in extreme conditions, when the air is over 90 degrees colder than the water being heated. In the state of Colorado, this happens less then 10% of time. The other 90% (perhaps 95%) of the time, regular panels offer a better energy performance than evacuated tubes. Evacuated tubes of the past showed significant reliability problems over time. The newer tubes yet need to prove their reliability with the test of time. One thing is clear: evacuated tubes cost almost twice as much as regular thermal panels. Over all, evacuated tubes are less reliable than thermal panels, and their pay-back for regular applications in most Colorado homes are at least twice longer. Evacuated tubes would be a better option for a cabin on a mountain top or in Alaska, or for specific industrial applications which require water temperatures near the boiling point. Can my roof support solar panels?We mount solar panels on all sorts of roofs, from flat to near vertical, from shingles to tile. We attach the panels to supporting beams inside your roof. In 25 years of installation and service, we’ve never had panels damage a roof. Only hurricane force winds capable of lifting the roof itself would be capable of damaging our panel installations. Can solar panels withstand hail?Solar thermal panels are built with high-impact tempered glass. The solar industry standard dictates that panels should be able to withstand 3/4” hail at 60 mph. We have seen panels survive 2” hail. If your solar panels do suffer any hail damage, you can claim the damage on most homeowner's insurance policies. Homeowner insurance typically requires no changes or additional costs to cover your solar system. How can I maximize my solar energy investment?Improvements to your home's lighting, insulation, windows, appliances, etc., can all reduce your energy demand with relatively small investments. When we come to your location, we will be happy to discuss with you the various ways you can green your home, perform an energy impact analysis, or put you in touch with a local energy auditor. What is the maintenance cost of a solar system?Our water drain-back thermal systems are designed for very low maintenance. Over the span of 25 years, to the best of our knowledge, our customers require an average maintenance of less than $50 per year. Thermal systems installed in the early 80s with poor design can be quite costly to maintain. This is why we recommend to our service customers to consider upgrading to a water drain-back system while the federal tax credit is available. Electric systems also typically require very little maintenance, and customers experience an average maintenance cost of less than $50 per year over the long run. Maintenance needs usually occur once every 10 to 20 years. A pump ($100 to $400) or sensor ($25) can require replacement in a thermal system. Electric systems can require replacing AC/DC inverter ($2,500 to $3,500). Can a Homeowner Association or Covenant block the installation of a solar system?No! In the State of Colorado, it is illegal for covenants to forbid you from installing a solar system for aesthetic reasons. This is clearly established by CO House Bill 133 of 1979. No matter what your covenant or Association might say, you have the legal right to install solar panels! We will be glad to provide you with a copy of HB 133 upon request. |
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