We get asked this question a lot, given that solar panels (aka “modules”) require intensive energy and other resources to manufacture. A subset of environmentalists question how clean and green solar actually is. In fact, Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Ellensburg) asked this question during recent testimony over the proposed solar bill HB 1048 that is working its way through the Washington...
We get asked various versions of this question: Can you break out what each solar component costs from my price? How much of a solar project is labor? If I did some the work for myself could I save myself a lot of money? And so on… Every job is a little different, but here are some averages. [caption id="attachment_1468" align="alignnone" width="578"] Component costs as a...
It really will. When your PV system makes more power than your home uses, your electrical service meter reverses — you can watch it go backward. This is called “net metering,” and you can sell the extra power back to the utility at retail rates. If you’re “off-grid,” this doesn't apply, since you’re not hooked up to a utility, but it’s...
Absolutely. The Pacific Northwest’s long summer days were made for solar. Thanks to all that sunlight and utility net metering programs, we can build energy credits in the summer months and work off of them in the shoulder months. Solar panels also operate more efficiently in our cooler summer weather, which means more power than hotter climates, not less. Solar energy...
What will happen to my solar panels during the next wind storm? The good news is that in the northwest we have a generally temperate climate. While we feel like we have high winds, our wind speeds just don’t compare to other places where solar is deployed. In fact, in most places in Washington our building codes require 85mph as a...
A&R Solar places a real focus on our customers. Most companies advertise with claims like this one. At A&R Solar we like to back up our claims, so we called up our customers and asked them one simple question “on a scale of 0-10 (10 being that you would refer us) how likely are you to refer A&R solar to...
The basic scientific definition of solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the sun. More commonly we think of solar energy as the collection devices we use to collect the sun’s energy namely solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors, and passively designed solar buildings. How Much of the Sun’s Energy Reaches Earth? According to research by Stanford University, twice as much...
We do not use subcontractors to deliver our solar installations, day laborers, or temporary help. Our installers are our employees. One of our core values is “balance.” We want our employees to feel taken care of so they can take care of you. We offer them retirement, health care, vacation, training, maternity and paternity leave, and many other benefits. We...
As easy a question as that sounds (and as often as I get that question), there is no easy answer. I would need one or more irradiance sensors, the temperature of the modules, their wiring configuration in the array and down to the inverter, the equipment specs and on and on. The easiest way for me to tell you would be...
Once you've made the decision to install solar energy on your home the process is just getting started. Typically our crew is only on site for about 2-4 days depending on the size and complexity of your particular project. Even though the physical installation time is short, there is often weeks of design, permitting, and paperwork processes we go through to...