Residential Solar FAQ

You have solar questions, we have solar answers.

Is solar power worth it in Connecticut?

Absolutely, yes! With the Federal Tax Incentives, utility incentives, and no increase In local property taxes, solar panels make a lot of sense for Eversource and UI Energy customers in Connecticut.

Will solar panels increase the value of my home?

As the appeal of renewable energy grows, so does the positive impact on the value of your home. For more information, refer to this study Zillow has done regarding the benefits of going solar.

Will I still need to pay my utility bill?

Unfortunately yes, but it will be much less than what you are used to paying — especially during the summer when you use the most power in your home.

What if my home’s solar array makes more power than I need?

In the chance that you make enough energy to cover your home’s needs, you can “sell” your energy back to your utility provider. You can read more about Connecticut’s Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program.

Does Santa Solar offer a lease program?

No, we do not.

How do you determine what type of solar array I need for my home?

A lot of factors are taken into consideration when we recommend a solar system for your home; tree coverage and the condition of your roof being the two most common ones.

In terms of designing the array for your home, Santa Solar uses aerial drones and lidar technology to determine the placement of the panels and how much energy you can expect to make with your array.

Do you remove trees that would potentially block the panels from producing energy?

No, we do not. But, in the case that you do need trees removed, we will let you know which ones need to be removed.

Do you offer roof replacement?

We do not offer roof replacement. Santa Solar will do a full inspection of your roof to determine if a solar system can safely be installed on it. We will generally recommend that your roof be replaced if it is 10 years old or older.

How do I figure out how much energy I will need?

With your help and permission, we’ll go over your average usage through your utility company and determine what size system will be the best for you.

How many solar panels will I need?

Because every Santa Solar system is custom designed for your home, we have no way of knowing how many panels you will need, or where they will be installed on your roof until our team inspects your home and area.

Will solar panels damage my roof or cause leaking?

Santa Solar’s team uses an innovative aluminum rail system that helps distribute the weight of the panels, which have also gotten a lot lighter over time, on your roof. This allows for less screwing into your roof, and all screw points are sealed.

Additionally, the system we install on your roof is designed to withstand the powerful winter and summer storms we have been experiencing in Connecticut and keep water and moisture out for the life of your solar system.

Will I see any difference between solar power and power coming from my utility company?

No. The power you get from either source will run your lights, appliances, etc. identically.

Does the weather affect the amount of energy my solar system produces?

Sunlight is the main source of solar energy, so you will produce the most on the sunniest days. But, with that being said, you can still produce solar energy on a cloudy day. In fact, the only time we can guarantee that your solar system is not producing energy is at night, when your house needs the least amount of energy.

What should I do about snow on my solar panels?

Snow is a barrier that blocks the sun from reaching the panels to generate power. Santa Solar recommends you remove the snow from the panels.

What should I do if my solar panels are dirty?

Dirt and debris can keep your panels from working optimally. Santa Solar recommends using a hose or power washer to keep your solar panels clean.

What should I do if my solar panels are damaged in a storm, accident, etc.?

Contact us right away so we can assess the situation and help your insurance company remedy the situation and get you back up and running as soon as possible.

Will my solar panels work when the power goes out?

No. Because you still rely on grid power to power your home when your panels are not producing power. As a safety precaution, our solar system turns off in these instances so that technicians working to restore power don’t get hurt.