You spent a lot of money on your tile roof. And now you want solar panels. Obviously, you want to make sure that your new roof will not leak. The process for installing solar panels on your tile roof sounds scary until you understand some of the realities of how your roof is installed and how far solar mounting products …
Pentair Superflo VS Pool Pump Updated With New Automation Options
The Pentair Superflo VS is being re-released with some new automation functionality. We previously recommended against this pump for a couple of reasons, primarily due to the analog automation options and 1.5 HP rating. The new automation options make it a good choice under certain circumstances. We have always recommended “oversizing” variable speed pumps so you can get the advantages …
Putting Battery Backup Capacity into Perspective
Grid-interactive solar panels cease to operate when the sun goes down. They also shut down when there is a utility outage. That is unless you have batteries. It’s a common misconception that solar panels can directly power your home during the day if the power company has a grid failure. Except in very limited circumstances, this is not the case. …
Whole Home Solar Backup vs Critical Load Backup
Most clients who install solar panels just do grid-interactive systems that offset utility electricity usage. The solar panels cease to function during a power outage. This is (by far) the most cost-effective way to install and use solar panels in Florida, and the reason for the explosion of solar panel installations worldwide. However, there is obviously a desire for backup …
Photovoltaic System Variability by Month and Year
In the industry, we make fairly broad generalizations about how much you will save with solar panels. We can’t tell you what your electric bill will be because we can’t control your energy use. Your choices have a lot to do with how much electricity you need. But we can tell you how much energy your solar energy system should …
Naples, FL Home Get REC Alpha Solar Panels
We recently finished a solar panel installation in Naples, FL using all-black REC Alpha 360W Solar Panels. These are really sleek looking and have great performance and warranty as well. At 360W each, these panels are highly efficient for a 60-cell sized panel. Usually, you need to go to a larger 72-cell panel to get that kind of performance. But …
Solar Panel Efficiency Is Overrated
I tell people all the time… don’t get so wrapped up on solar panel efficiency. I get it – you want the best. The most efficient solar panel on earth sounds exactly what you are looking for. But is it in your best interest? The current leader for panels that are commonly available in the efficiency race is likely Sunpower. …
What Does A Net Zero FPL Utility Bill Look Like?
Have you ever wanted to know what it would be like to eliminate your electric bill? How exactly does that look? Well, let’s just cut to the chase: We installed solar panels for this client in April. Immediately we wiped out their electric bill for May, June, and July. They also have 727 kilowatt-hours of electricity “in the …
Solar Panel Service After The Sale – Buy Local!
Our prospective clients agonize over their choices when searching for a solar electricity system. What’s the right solar panel, the right inverter, the right mounting system? Who is the best installer? Who is the fastest? How big is the company? Ok, fine… all valid points perhaps. But time and time again we see people make the incredible choice to hire …
How To Install A Generator With Existing Solar Panels
This article is intended for our colleagues who install whole-home generators in Southwest Florida. Licensed electricians often don’t realize they are creating a hazardous situation that could severely damage equipment. Warranties for generators or solar inverters can be voided by failing to take into account important factors. We have seen this time and time again, so we wanted to point …
The Solar Microinverter vs. Power Optimizer Reliability Debate
When considering options for a solar photovoltaic system, reliability is an obvious factor. Most clients first ask about solar panel reliability. However, solar panels are very reliable, and rarely the source of failure in a solar energy system. The number one source of failure and service issues is the electronics in the system, not the solar panels. In this article, …
Comparing Batteries to Generators
When hurricane season comes around there is always a renewed interest in solar panels and batteries. Clients wonder if they should consider solar power instead of a whole home generator. But how do batteries compare to generators? Notice how I didn’t title this “Compare Solar Panels to Generators.” That’s because people conflate solar power and batteries. You don’t necessarily need one …
Opinion: Photovoltaic Module Warranty Lunacy
Some people get really hung up on warranties. I get it – peace of mind, especially when buying an expensive and unfamiliar product, has value. But what is a solar module warranty really worth? Many industries have seen warranty wars take off. Automobiles, Appliances, Air Conditioners… all of these products are costly and highly competitive. They are also hard for …
Should I Buy A 60-Cell or 72-Cell Solar Panel?
There is a bit of a myth out there that 60-cell solar panels are made for residential installations and 72-cell are for industrial and utility-scale use. There are pros and cons of using each for typical home solar panel installations, but the lines are really blurry. Your local marketplace has a lot to do with it, as does the supply …
The Importance of Solar Roof Attachments
I find it very strange that solar photovoltaic system proposals and contracts often leave out one of the most important things. How are you attaching them to the roof? It seems like an obvious thing, but clients rarely ask and salespeople rarely bring it up. Yet this is a critical aspect of a solar energy system installation. There are many …
Your Roof Is Not Good For Solar Panels
Well, maybe not YOUR roof, but you would be surprised at how many people we have to let down. Not every roof is great for solar panels. This can be a big disappointment to homeowners. Believe me – we are equally disappointed in knowing that we have an eager client’s goal that we cannot fulfill. There are several things that …
Coronavirus Response Information
Florida Solar Design Group wants to let our customers know how we are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will provide up to date information regarding our operating schedule, precautions, and procedures for servicing clients. July 13, 2020 This will be our last COVID-19 update unless something changes drastically. We are taking all reasonable and recommended precautions. We are …
Solar Panel Shading Analysis | How We Do It
Sometimes there are obstructions shading the location where solar panels are going to be installed. It is critical to evaluate shading over the course of the days of the year and hours of the day. Back in the “old days,” we used some industry-specific manual tools and paper charts. We could accurately evaluate the shade location on a given day …
Proper Conduit Penetration Flashings on Tile Roofs for Solar Panels
Oftentimes the work a “competitor” does leaves me shaking my head (SMH). We received a call from a super nice lady in Naples, FL who purchased a solar photovoltaic system from and out of town contractor. That was the first mistake she made, given that people who come from hours away rarely support clients after the sale and installation. The …