Solar Rebates FAQs

FAQs

How much do solar panels cost?

For a Solar PV system tied to the electrical grid, cost is generally figured on a per watt basis. A solar array, in today's market, will cost between $6.50 and $8 per watt completely installed. Larger systems cost less per watt than smaller systems. A small, residential, 3,000 watt system would be around $24,000 before taxes. This system would produce approximately 3,800 Kilowatt Hours (KWH) power annually. Assuming a home uses 10,000 KWH a year, this level of power production would offset 38% of the usage. Be sure to get current installed cost estimates since pricing varies as the cost of the equipment, i.e. solar panels, fluctuates.

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What size system do I need to power my house?

For an existing home or building the first step is to review the last 12 months of electric bills. The square footage of a home or building is not necessarily related to energy usage, which is why it is important to review the bills. For new construction or renovations, schematics can be reviewed and energy load modeled by an independent consultant. With this information, solar array size is calculated and energy production estimated.

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What happens during an electric outage?

Unless battery storage is installed, your solar array will disconnect and not provide power.

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What happens on cloudy days?

The solar array will produce electricity even on a cloudy day, but at a lower level than a clear sunny day.

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What happens at night?

It depends on the type of system you have installed. Solar arrays do not produce energy at night. With a simple grid-tied system - you draw energy from the traditional electrical grid at night. With an off-grid system, your batteries provide stored power at night.

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Will a PV system produce enough energy to handle all my electricity needs?

It can, but typically it does not unless the home is very energy efficient and/or originally designed for renewable energy. Most homes considered net-zero for energy usage or completely off-grid utilize hybrid systems - Solar PV, Solar Water Heating, and Wind. Most typical installations on existing homes simply offset a portion of energy usage.

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How does net metering work?

The state of Missouri has a form of "Net Metering" in place. The new Missouri law took effect January 1, 2008 and provides credits for the excess energy produced. The homeowner receives a bill for the net energy used each month, i.e. the total energy used, less any energy produced by the solar array. If the solar array produces more energy than the home uses in a given month, the excess is credited to the next month's bill.

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Who can install a solar system on my home?

Right now, there are only a handful of experienced solar installers in the state. There are no licensing requirements or other consumer protections. The homeowner needs to check references, the BBB, and ask about the level of experience of potential installation companies. The Missouri Solar Energy Industry Association (www.moseia.org) has recently formed to help train and certify installers. MOSEIA will provide a list of installers in the future, but consumers will still need to research experience levels and references.

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How does a solar electricity or PV system work?

Photovoltaic panels work by converting some of the energy in sunlight into a clean form of electricity that can be used in our houses. The PV cells consist of a positive and a negative slice of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass. As the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the PV cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted to the silicon but are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon catch these neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed. This reaction gives Direct Current electricity though, and it must be passed through an inverter to be converted into an Alternating Current used in our homes to power any electrical items.

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Where should I put my solar panels?

As installed, the Solar Electric System shall be situated in a location where a minimum of eighty-five percent (85%) of the solar resource is available to the system as verified by the Customer or the Customer’s installer at the time of installation.

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What happens to the rebate if I don't install my system right away?

If full operation is not achieved within six (6) months of acceptance of the rebate application, in order to keep eligibility for the rebate offer, the Customer must file a report with the Company demonstrating substantial project progress and indicating continued interest in the rebate. The six (6)-month report shall include proof of purchase of the majority of the solar electric system components, partial system construction, and building permit if required by the jurisdictional authority. Customers who do not demonstrate substantial progress within six (6) months of receipt of the rebate offer, or achieve full operation within one (1) year of receipt of rebate offer, will be required to reapply for any solar rebate.

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