1. Will solar power work for my home?
2. How long will it take to get the system up and running?
3. How long will my system last?
4. What about maintenance?
5. How much does the system cost?
6. What about sales tax?
7. How much electricity will my system produce?
8. Do solar panels work in cloudy weather?
9. What about my electric utility?
10. What about extreme wind and weather?
11. What happens if there is a blackout and the utility power
goes out?
12. Will the installation undermine the integrity of my roof?
13. Will my solar system make hot water or heat my pool?
14. Is there a risk of leakage into my home?
15. In what direction are solar modules mounted?
16. Does NJ really rebate 70% of the costs of solar
installation to me?
17. What about NY incentive programs?
18. How much will the system add to the value of my home?
19. What is Green Tags or Renewable Energy
Credits (SRECs)?
20. Since the installation of a system will significantly
increase the value of my home, could my taxes go up?
1. Will solar power work for my home?
Solar modules can be installed on almost every type of roofing material.
You’ll need a sunny place on your roof about 120 square feet (10’x12') for
smaller systems and about 500 square feet (10’x30’) for midsized systems and
10'x50' for larger systems.
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2. How long will it take to get the system up and
running?
Typically it takes less than 30 to 45 days from the time you confirm your order to the
time your system is installed and fully-functional.
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3. How long will my system last?
GE solar modules are warranted for 25 years, but are expected to last 35 years or
more. In the unlikely event of a problem,
simply call MAK Tech, a GE authorized dealer and we will come and fix the problem to your
complete satisfaction.
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4. What about maintenance?
There are no moving parts. No fluids to change. Nothing to clean or
replace. Even the batteries in GE SunUPS System are sealed, so there is virtually no
maintenance. However, MAK comes to your home for a solar check-up each year for five years
to confirm that your system is operating optimally. At the end of the five years, you may
enter into an annual service contract with MAK or you can just call our Client Service
Center and our technician will come to your home for an hourly fee.
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5. How much does the system cost?
A GE Sunline Solar Electric Home Power System typically costs from $6,000 to $8,000
for a smaller system, $10,000 - $12,000 for a medium size system and $15,000 to $20,000
for a larger system. Price is dependent on factors such as how much electricity you
and your family use and the size of available roof space. We can design a payment plan to
match your electric bill and the system will be paid for in 7-10 years when including rate
increase. These prices are after the state of New Jersey rebate and are out of pocket cost
to the customer.
After your MAK solar assessment, we will include a firm quotation and cost savings so you
can determine which system is best for you.
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6. What about sales tax?
To promote renewable energy solar electric power systems are exempt from New Jersey
and New York sales tax.
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7. How much electricity will my system produce?
After we complete the Solar Site Assessment, MAKtechnologies will present a
variation of systems that a can generate a small percentage of the electricity you
require, all of it, or anything in between. The size of system may be determined by
your roof size or shading but the rest is up to you.
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8. Do solar panels work in cloudy
weather?
Yes. However, they do produce less electricity. Under a mildly overcast sky,
panels might produce about half as much as they would under bright sunlight. Check out
this NASA-sponsored web site for more information on solar and weather. http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/
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9. What about my electric utility?
GE Energy systems are designed to work with your utility provider (grid-tied
system). You generate your own electricity while still remaining connected to your
utility. Any unused electricity generated by the system during the day is sent
directly to the utility, essentially spinning your meter backwards. It is stored there
until you need it – at night, or on a cloudy, rainy day. Your power meter will
tell you exactly how much electricity you’re generating and how much electricity
you’re using. You’ll know instantly when you are sending power back to be
stored to the utility grid. You’ll be able to manage your household usage like
never before.
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10. What about extreme wind and weather?
GE's mounting system is tested to withstand 125-mph winds, as well as extreme heat,
cold, rain and snow – even one-inch hail at up to 50 mph. The panels are UL Listed
and under warranty for up to 25 years.
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11. What happens if there is a
blackout and the utility power goes out?
GE’s SunUPS System offers battery backup (an optional upgrade) to protect you
from a utility service interruption or blackout, so your electricity will stay on even
when the utility loses power. You’ll have power when your neighbors don’t.
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12. Will the installation undermine the integrity
of my roof?
No – the installation has no effect on the life of the roof and may even extend
it because the solar panels protect it from the wear and tear of the weather.
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13. Will my solar system make hot water or heat
my pool?
No. GE’s systems convert sunlight into electricity to operate lights,
appliances and other electronic devices in your home. Solar hot water and pool heating
panels utilize the heat from the sun and do not generate electricity.
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14. Is there a risk of leakage into my home?
Our professional
installers attach the panel’s hardware directly to your rafters and do not drill into
your roof. In addition, the installation is
under Full Warranty for 5 years.
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15. In what direction are solar
modules mounted?
Ideally facing south. However, solar modules mounted on a west or east-facing
roof still produces more than 90% of the power of a true south roof mounting.
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16. Does NJ really rebate 70% of the costs of solar
installation to me?
Yes. The NJ Clean Energy Program
provides a 70% installation rebate. Even better, MAKtechnologies completely handles the
rebate application process for you, which means we hold the rebate so you don’t have
to. That translates into no outlay of upfront system costs from you!
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17. What about NY incentive programs?
NYS tax credit is approximately 25% of the system cost, up to $3750 maximum.
LIPA rebate is $4.50 per watt. New York City and New York State rebate is
$4.00 per watt. That translates to 50% and 69 % rebates respectively. At present, New
Jersey has the highest rebate in the country. Click here to read more.
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18. How much will the system add
to the value of my home?
As published in the National Appraisal Journal, home value increases $20 for
every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. Example: if you save $849/year on your
electric bill, your home value will increase $849 x $20 = $16,980!
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19. What is Green Tags or
Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)?
Green Tags or Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are an additional subsidy that
pay you after your system is installed. You can post your credits on the New
Jersey Energy Program web site or you can enter into a 5-year contract with Mainstay
Energy. Green Tags pays between $1000 and $5000 over a five year period.
State governments are
requiring utilities to increased levels of renewable energy in their fuel portfolios every
year. Since the utilitites are not building solar arrays and wind farms at neck
breaking speed, they have to pay you to comply with the State of New Jersey's
"Renewable Portfolio Standard Laws."
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20. Since the installation of a system will
significantly increase the value of my home, could my taxes go up?
New York, California and many other states have passed specific laws to ban local
municipalities to include this “capital improvement” on any of the property tax
re-assessments. The good news is that New Jersey is presently considering a similar law.
We have forms that we will include in your owners manual if it should ever come up in your
town or just call us!
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