Tag: Residential Solar | NextGen Electric

Are Your Solar Panels Ready For Winter?

July 23, 2018November 30, 2016 by Next Gen

Whether you’re in the market for solar installation or you’ve already invested, it’s important to understand the necessary maintenance for your panels. Luckily, solar panels don’t have any moving parts so there really isn’t much maintenance that is required. However, to gain the maximum potential and keep the highest quality of your system, you definitely should have them inspected a few times a year to ensure their efficiency. Inspections should entail removing any dirt or debris from the system as well as snow. It’s also important to review the panels to ensure no damage has occurred.

If you’re inspecting your panels yourself, always be sure to keep your safety in mind. If your panels are too high up on the roof to see very well from the ground, use caution with ladders and be sure to ask a friend to help provide support…moral and safety support!

Next Gen Electric offers solar panel maintenance services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to become a VIP customer with added bonuses including regular ongoing maintenance inspections. This is a better choice if you want a more thorough cleaning.

During our solar panel maintenance service, we get a lot of questions about cold weather and panel efficiency. We’ve compiled the top 3 questions here:

How Will My Solar Panels Do In Winter?

Solar panels work with light and not heat. That means that when the cold weather hits, your panels aren’t affected. In fact, they actually perform better in cooler temperatures.

Will My Solar Panels Produce Electricity When It’s Cloudy?

It may not seem like it, but even when it’s cloudy outside, there is still light. That’s all your solar panel needs. During winter, the days are drastically shorter, so that does affect how much electricity is produced vs. during the summer. However, panels trap any incoming light from all angles allowing your system to be efficient even on wintery cloudy days.

What If It Snows?

A professional installer will ensure that your solar panels are in the best position to get the maximum amount of sunlight possible. Typically, your system will be installed facing the south or southwest. Since the panels are smooth and generate a slight temperature change (warmer than snowfall), snow doesn’t stick to them like it would to your home’s shingles. It generally melts or slides away quickly and easily on its own.

What If It Snows…A LOT?

This can be common, especially for our clients in the Pacific Northwest! Blizzards can offer up some heavy now accumulation resulting in piles of snow on your roof and panels. Please consider hiring a professional when concerned about snow removal from your roof and panels. That way, you won’t have the added headache and cost of broken or damages panels.

Be sure to give Next Gen Electric a call when it comes to your solar panel maintenance. We’ll be happy to answer questions over the phone or come out to your site for a FREE consult. We want to make sure that your system (weather we installed it or not) is successful and working properly for you.

Are You Eligible?

July 23, 2018September 28, 2016 by Next Gen

Solar adoption is taking flight thanks to the price of solar panels plummeting. This enables homeowners and businesses to save more money by controlling their own electricity costs instead of being at the mercy of rising utility rates.

We’ve shared before about the top motivators to switch to solar but for most, the federal incentive is where it’s at! Thanks to the Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit, homeowners can help themselves to a 30% incentive.

The Best Part?

This incentive is now good through December 31, 2019!

A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of taxes owed. For example, a typical solar array with Next Gen will cost around $13,000 for a 4 kilowatt installation. In this example, the homeowner would benefit from the federal tax credit and reduce their taxes by $3,900. Yes, please!

This incentive is super easy to take advantage of. Like with any good deal, you much do your research to ensure that you’re eligible and how to claim your credit.

REMEMBER:

We know solar, not taxes! The information provided below may not be appropriate for your situation. Be sure to consult a tax professional before filling your tax credit to ensure you meet the requirements.

Eligibility

To qualify for the 30% Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit, you must meet the following requirements:

Have A System Installation Date On Or Before December 31, 2019
Panels Are On A Residential Location In The U.S.
The Solar Panel System Is New Or Being Used For The First Time
You Own The Panels (Not Leased)

Your Next Gen team is happy to help with any questions you may have. We know that going solar is a big decision and a large financial decision. That’s why we want to make sure that you are fully educated on how much your specific situation will cost and how much money you can expect to stay in your pocket. For a free Solar Site Evaluation, visit our website or call our office to get scheduled today: 208.765.WIRE.

For current information on incentives, including incentive-specific contact information, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency website at www.dsireusa.org.

Keeping Organized On The Go

July 23, 2018August 11, 2016 by Next Gen

Between the office, paperwork, and appointments, there are a lot of things to juggle while on the job. One of the most important aspects of Next Gen’s organization starts with our work vehicles.

You may think of a commercial vehicle as transportation from place to place, but it’s actually a key element of success. Electrical contractors are constantly on the go and many of us work right out of our vehicles. A work van is one of the biggest financial investments and ensuring that it is well organized has massive benefits.

An organized work van is the foundation on which a successful business is built. It’s essential to transport the people and tools you need to get the job done. If your vehicle is in disarray, you run the risk of money and equipment loss and you may unintentionally endanger your technicians.

How can an organized van benefit your business?

Safety

A clean organized van keeps everything and everyone safe. Loose tools in the back of your van are dangerous to both you and your equipment. In the event of a sudden stop, unrestrained tools can become dangerous causing damage and possible injury.

Try organizing your equipment with partitions, storage modules, and drawers to keep your van cargo areas neat and safe. I found great deals and smart options at American Van.

Inventory

Organization also helps you manage your supply inventory. When your tools and equipment stay in the same place, it’s easy to know when something should be restocked or replaced. Keep track of everything up-front to avoid the need to re-purchase expensive tools.

In addition to proper organization, it is a good idea to map the contents within your van and clearly label each drawer, shelf, and cabinet to improve inventory management. There are systems out there that are super cool and user friendly. I’ve really enjoyed using Platt In Motion from Platt Tools. Their system allows me to print off bar code labels from their app online. I can track any items purchased from their store and see what inventory is lacking in my supply. However, if you’re looking to keep it simple, just stick a piece of masking tape on each storage unit and record the name. Not only will this aid in organization and inventory, but with labeled equipment, you can save a lot of time in your search for the tools you need and get the job done quicker.

Branding

When a customer sees your work van pull up in front of their home, they instantly form a first impression of your company. Keep your vehicle organized and clean (inside and out) to ensure your first impression is a good one. An organized van signals professionalism and demonstrates that customers can rely on you to get the work done quickly and efficiently.

Ultimately, a well-organized van will save you both time and money. The less time you have to spend on the hunt for the necessary tools for a job will increase the productivity and efficiency of your company. Take time out of your busy schedule to clean and organize your work vehicle. Just 10 minutes a day will help to increase your productivity and security. Don’t be surprised if you also get more work! Word of mouth is the most common and effortless marketing tool you can use. With a clean and organized work vehicle enabling you and your company to be better focused at the great work you do, take notice of more and more customers coming your way.

How To Clean Solar Panels

July 26, 2018April 21, 2016 by Next Gen

Solar panels are generally self-cleaning, but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal, dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. Grime and bird poop doesn’t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect.

Tips for cleaning solar panel glass:

Safety First

Follow the procedure in your manual for shutting down the system before commencing cleaning. For safety reasons, it’s also wise to clean your panels from the ground if possible. A good quality soft brush and a squeegee with a plastic blade on one side and a cloth covered sponge on the other coupled with a long extension can make for the perfect tools allowing you to stay on the ground. Use a hose with a suitable nozzle to allow the stream of water to reach the panels. NOTE: If cleaning your panels from the ground is not possible, do not attempt to access your rooftop unless you have the appropriate safety equipment and training. If you don’t; hire a suitably qualified professional instead.

Time of Day

Clean your panels on an overcast day, early in the morning or in the evening. If the sun is beating down on the panels, any water used can quickly evaporate and dirt will become smeared. Early morning can be a particularly good time for cleaning as dew that has settled on the panels overnight will likely have softened grime; meaning you’ll need to use less water and less energy to clean your solar panels. If the panels are dry, before tackling the modules with water, brush off any loose materials first – this will make cleaning easier and faster.

Materials

Don’t use metal objects or harsh abrasive products for removing caked on materials – scratching the glass on a solar panel can affect its performance as scratches will cast shadows. Avoid using detergents if possible as these may streak the glass of the panel. Use of abrasive powders also risks scratching the panels. Given the nature of good quality solar panel glass, clean water and a little scrubbing with a coarse cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most stubborn grime. Plastic scourers may also be used. If your mains-supplied water is hard (mineral-rich) and rainwater is available; use that as a final rinse; then squeegee dry. If hard water is all you have, just be sure to squeegee well as mineral-laden water can form deposits on glass as it dries.

Dealing with Oily Stains

Oily stains can occur in some installation scenarios, such as if you live near an airport and are under a flight path or if you live adjacent to and downwind of a major roadway frequented by trucks. If oily stains start appearing on your panels; isopropyl alcohol can be used as a spot-cleaning substance..

The final word on solar panel cleaning:

The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies – in most residential installation scenarios, solar panel cleaning just isn’t worth the bother – or the potential danger if accessing your rooftop. Unless dirt is clearly visible or performance is noticeably impacted; simply let nature do the job for you.