Frequently Asked Questions

How do solar panels work? 

• Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. That electricity travels to an inverter, where it is converted from DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity, which is usable clean energy for your home. When your solar panels produce more electricity than what your home currently needs, your system will send the excess electricity back through the utility meter and out onto the power grid. If you live in an area with Net Metering, you will receive a credit for all of the excess electricity that you send out onto the grid.  

How many solar panels do I need?  

• It depends on how much electricity your house uses compared to the amount of energy you are able to produce from your panels. In order to determine this, our energy consultants review your previous 12 months of electrical usage, and then use software to estimate how much power your solar panels would generate over the course of a 12-month period. 

After my solar panels are installed, will I still receive an electric bill?   

• In order to avoid an electric bill altogether, you would need to go completely “off grid.” For a number of reasons, it is very uncommon for a homeowner to go completely “off-grid.” As long as you maintain a connection to the grid then you will still receive an electric bill from your local electric company. However, you can drastically reduce your electric bill by installing the right amount of solar panels. 

How much do solar panels cost?  

• The total cost of your solar energy system will vary greatly based on a number of factors including the size of your system, the complexity of the installation, and if you decide to add battery backup to the solar panels. Our company offers a free consultation to review your energy needs, qualify your house, and clearly outline the total system cost, financing options, and any incentives you may qualify for. 

How do I pay for the solar panels? Are there financing options available? 

• Although you can always pay cash for solar panels, most people decide to finance their equipment. Today there are plenty of options to finance solar panels. Most of these options include $0 Down, a fixed rate, and no prepayment penalties. 

How long does it take to recoup my investment? 

• Although most homeowners decide to finance their solar panels, which doesn’t require any upfront investment, some decide to make an initial investment and then recoup that money through their energy savings and Federal, State, and Utility Incentives over a period of time. While making this decision, many homeowners want to know how long it will take to recoup their initial investment. This calculation will vary based on a number of different factors including: your electrical consumption, the cost of electricity, the size and efficiency of your solar energy system, your energy storage capacity, and your eligibility for federal, state, and utility incentives. Most solar energy systems estimate an average Return on Investment (ROI) somewhere between 5 to 15 years. 

Is there a lot of maintenance involved with my solar panels? 

• Solar panels require little to no maintenance. Keeping the panels free of dust and debris is recommended but wind and rain will typically do that naturally. We also recommend tracking your production regularly just to make sure the panels are working and that there are no issues, even if they are unlikely to occur. 

What happens during a power outage? 

• During a power outage your solar panels will automatically turn off unless you add a battery backup system. Without a battery, all standalone solar energy systems are required to turn off for safety reasons and mandatory inverter specifications.  

What happens if I want to sell my house after I’ve installed solar panels? 

• Although it’s possible to remove solar panels and reinstall them on your new house, most people sell their current house with the solar panels. Solar panels can help increase the value of your house and make it more marketable to potential buyers.  

What are the benefits of solar panels?  

• There are many benefits of having a home solar panel system! The main benefit of solar panels is that they can help you save money on your energy bills. Solar energy is free, and since you are generating your own electricity for your home, you will lessen your dependance on the power grid. In addition to this main benefit, solar panels are also an excellent environmentally friendly option for your home and add value to your home as well.  

Do solar panels produce energy on cloudy days? 

• The simple answer is yes! One common misconception about solar panels is that they need direct sunlight in order to produce any power. The reality is that solar panels still work even when the light is partially blocked by cloud cover, as they can use indirect sunlight as well as direct light.  

How much energy do solar panels produce?  

• The amount of energy your home solar panel system is able to produce will depend on the system size, sunlight availability, and the amount of shade on the panels. 

How long do solar panels last? 

• When you choose Bluebird Sky Solar for your solar panel needs, you can ensure you have the highest-quality technology and services. We use only top rated, Tier 1 panels for all of our installations. Our panels come with a 25-year warranty and the panels can last way longer than that!