Your Solar Questions, Answered.

Have solar questions? We have answers.

Will panel performance degrade over time?

Panel performance does degrade over time due to the aging of the silicon solar cells. Soleeva’s cooling technology slows down the rate of degradation and as a result, we are able to offer our clients a longer panel warranty.

Can I get power during a blackout?
  1. By law (California Title 24 and the National Electrical Code), it’s required that your solar power system (or any system that can provide power to the grid such as solar, wind or generators) is equipped with a method to shut down the alternate source of energy in the event of a “grid” outage. This requirement is called “anti-islanding” and is in place to prevent feeding energy back into the grid during an outage for safety purposes.  Solar systems are capable of producing significant amounts of power that could be harmful to personnel working on grid equipment.
  2. That being said, there is a way to integrate battery systems into your solar system to allow your home to operate “off-grid” during power failures or deliberate utility shutdowns. Battery systems generally add to the cost of your system plus any electrical upgrades for a storage system.  Also recognize that during a power outage event, your usage of power in your home will be restricted to powering lighting, telecom, refrigerator, and simple appliances; any large electrical appliances such as driers, hair dryers, electric ovens, stoves, and air conditioners will drain the battery system almost immediately.
How long will my battery last?

Determining how long your battery will last is dependent upon the side of your battery, how many loads you are using to drain your battery per hour. Say for example you decided to get a 18.9kWh battery and chose to run your refrigerator, router, and lights at the same time. Your battery can last 8-15 hours.

Is it beneficial to have a battery system?

Yes, it is beneficial to have a battery installed with your solar system. A battery allows you to store energy when you are producing more than you need. This additional energy can be used in situations when you aren’t producing as much energy as you are using. This is useful for rainy and cloudy days or during blackouts when you won’t be able to generate power. When getting a battery, we recommend its use for your critical loads such as your refrigerator, lights, and router to ensure they last for as long as is possible.

Why would self-cleaning and self-cooling panels be better than other regular panels?
  1. Dust and bio-films account for the second-highest energy loss in solar panels and lower production by blocking sunlight from reaching the solar cells. Self-cleaning modules clean the accumulated dirt and raise production efficiency. Many people don’t know that soil and algae build up on panels over time, and harden over the surface, thereby reducing production significantly. The chemically engineered self-cleaning technology is coated onto the panels to degrade those compounds, and keep your production high without the need of getting on the roof to clean the panels 2-3 times a year.
  2. Soleeva’s self-cooling technology keeps panel power generation high and lengthens the life of the product. Consistent heat beating down on panels degrade panels more quickly over time, as heat will degrade anything. High heat also reduced the immediate efficiency of the panel as they are not able to harness electrons as well as in cool temperatures. Therefore, it is best to choose the Soleeva Self-Cleaning and Self-Cooling combo panels when making the switch to solar in high-temperature locations.
Should I wait for newer technology?

We would not recommend it. Although there are minor improvements in solar technology, solar efficiency has largely remained unchanged for some time now. The efficiency has reached a plateau. In our opinion, it is better to install solar and begin saving now because the cost of solar systems will start to increase and the benefit of increased efficiency does not outweigh that cost. Energy rates go up 6-10% every year. By making the switch, you won’t have to worry about growing utility bills as the cost of energy from providers like PG&E inevitably begins to increase. Additionally, the 30% federal tax cut for solar installation is set to expire in 2023. With this benefit, you can deduct 30% of the total cost of the system, which can be thousands of dollars saved. This benefit is going to be gone soon, so take advantage now! You will also start to offset your carbon footprint. The sooner you make the switch, the more beneficial it will be for yourself, and many generations to come.

How much will maintenance cost?

Generally, solar systems are designed to run for many years without trouble. Inverter systems will generally need to be updated and replaced after 10 years. We warranty 10 years for the inverters, and you can purchase an additional 10 years at a nominal cost.  Although the systems will run for a long time, they require an upkeep in order to run at peak performance. This maintenance primarily comes in the form of washing the surface of the panels to remove dirt and other grime. To maintain peak performance, most panels on the market require cleanings twice a year. However, Soleeva’s self-cleaning technology works with the moisture in the atmosphere/rain to keep your panels clean for longer. Because of this great technology, Soleeva panels produce more energy and require a fraction of as much cleaning compared to the average panel on the market. This could lead to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the system. Get a quote, and you’ll see how much you’ll save on system maintenance.

Do you recommend using a central inverter, micro-inverters or optimizers? Why?

The answer varies, but the end goal is always the same: to have the most optimal system that is perfect for your system. We do not compromise on quality, and when we provide a recommendation it is dependent upon the complexity of your site’s conditions.

  1. The simple answer is that it depends on the system we are installing, how much potential shading is occurring, budget sensitivity, data reporting, access to internet services, etc. For the most part, we utilize either micro-inverters or central inverters (sometimes called string inverters) with individual solar panel optimizers to keep your system running at its highest potential.
  2. We carefully select our equipment to provide the maximum power generation for your home or business. Each location has unique requirements and we select the best equipment based on what we mentioned above.
  3. At Soleeva, we use SolarEdge string inverters, and Enphase micro-inverters. We also use Sungrow inverters. Inverters do vary as we are always on the hunt for the best possible materials for your system.
Do you offer electric vehicle chargers?

Yes, we do install EV chargers and can adjust your PV design based on your future needs. We do ask the client to purchase the exact charger that they need.

If I have an electric vehicle, how much solar energy is needed to charge it?

The answer is that it depends on the individual’s situation. Things like your EV home charger, type of electric car, and the distance you travel on average all play into how much energy you use. Knowing details like this will allow us to calculate how much you will need. On average a new EV will require 2,000kWh in addition to your current solar system to suffice.

Will you perform a whole house audit and let me know how to reduce all my energy demands?

We offer suggestions if requested to help make your home more efficient before installing solar to help reduce your base electric demand and subsequently reduce the size, and cost, of your solar system.

Do you proactively monitor my system’s performance after installation and notify me if there are any issues?

Yes, we do. You are also able to view your system’s productivity and can call us to double-check if there are issues so we can address them quickly.

Are your panels Soleeva panels? Do you manufacture them?

We design and assemble our panel technology right here in San Jose, California.

How do I access the monitoring platform?

Our system monitoring is easily accessible through an internet portal using your phone, tablet, or personal computer. After your system gets permission to operate, we will send instructions on how you can set up your monitoring.

Does your system include remote panel-level monitoring? Is there an additional cost?

Soleeva offers remote panel-level monitoring for 5 years at no extra charge. However, after 5 years of usage, you will have to pay for an extended reporting if you are using a cell card for data reporting. Additional monitoring can be received from the inverter company at increments of 5 years. Soleeva will remotely monitor your system for the life of your system.

Still have questions?