Solar FAQs

Everything You Need To Know
To Go Solar In Colorado & Oregon

We're Here to Help

Venturing into the solar landscape might feel complex, but Klick Solar is your guiding light. Browse our comprehensive FAQ to find clear answers to all your burning questions.

Still Have Questions?

Financial Solar Questions

While we’re experts in solar, we’re not tax consultants. It’s vital to consult a certified tax expert to understand the Solar ITC’s impact on your unique tax situation. That said, here’s a basic rundown: The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal incentive that allows you to claim 30% of your solar system’s total cost as a tax credit. This could mean significant savings on your federal taxes, often ranging between $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your solar system’s size. But remember, the ITC is a tax credit, not an instant rebate, so it reduces your federal tax liability.

Click here for a more detailed explanation of Solar ITC.

  • Federal: The U.S. government provides a Solar ITC, which covers up to 30% of your system’s cost. You can claim it using Form 5695.
  • Colorado: Denver’s Climate Action Rebate (CARe) may offer up to $4,000 to homeowners with specific heating systems, on top of the Solar ITC. Let our team guide you on eligibility.
  • Oregon: The Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Energy provide cash rebates for qualifying homeowners, and we’ll assist you with applications.

Partially. Your solar system usually eliminates most of your electricity charges. However, you’ll still have to pay for grid services, taxes, and any extra electricity consumption not covered by your solar setup. Each utility company has its own fee structure, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with yours.

Solar system costs can vary, ranging from $12,000 to $65,000, influenced by factors like location, roof characteristics, and energy requirements. On average, expect a cost between $25,000 and $35,000. To get a more tailored estimate, sign up for a free consultation.

Keep in mind that your system will be designed to offset your bill rather than raise it.

Yes! Solar can offer significant savings. Over the past two decades, electricity prices have soared by over 100%. Meanwhile, solar technology has become more affordable. In many cases, monthly solar payments can closely match what you’d pay for traditional electricity. And once your solar system is paid off, your electricity is essentially free!

Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicates that for every dollar saved on electricity, your home’s value could increase by $20. Recent Zillow studies suggest that solar can raise a home’s worth by 4.1%. That’s a $25,000 bump for a $500,000 house.

Definitely! We provide competitive financing options, all of which require no down payment.

Learn more about financing and tax incentives here.

No. Think of it as switching bills rather than adding one. With solar, you’re essentially purchasing electricity instead of renting it from a utility. If your solar system doesn’t cover all your needs, you’ll only be billed for the extra electricity you use.

In the past 20 years, U.S. electricity prices have surged by 103%, averaging a 5% annual increase.

The reasons are multifaceted, including aging grid infrastructure, transition to renewable energy, and fluctuating fuel costs. Read more in this article by CBS News.

Our systems are virtually maintenance-free, using reliable, Tier 1 products. Our panels are designed to remain clean, thanks to DSM’s innovative coatings, so they rarely need cleaning. Plus, our standard package includes a user-friendly monitoring app, ensuring you’re always in the loop.

Policies vary, so you should consult your insurance provider. Most insurers do provide coverage for solar systems, either by increasing your home’s total replacement value or via a specialized solar rider. Either way, we typically don’t see policy costs change much when adding a solar system to your home.

Selling a home with solar is straightforward. You can either transfer the solar loan to the new owner or include the solar system’s cost in your home’s sale price. Once you’ve sold, there’s a $250 fee to transfer the warranties to the new owners.

Solar enthusiasts typically choose from three main routes:

  • Leasing
  • Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
  • Ownership

 

Leases & PPAs:

Downsides:

  • The system is owned by the lease or PPA provider, not you.
  • Monthly payments may increase over time.
  • The provider claims the tax credit.
  • At the end of the lease or PPA term, the company can retrieve their equipment unless you opt for a new agreement.
  • Selling your home with an active lease/PPA can be tricky.

Advantages:

  • Your monthly payments are generally lower than both outright ownership and traditional electricity costs.

 

Ownership Program:

Downsides:

  • Initial costs may slightly exceed traditional electric bills for the first few years.

Advantages:

  • Enjoy a consistent rate throughout the loan period. Once paid off, you enjoy free electricity for the system’s lifespan.
  • Shield yourself from potential electricity price surges.
  • Avail a 30% Tax Credit.
  • Potential to boost your home’s market value in certain regions.

 

For a deeper dive into solar options and their advantages, schedule a free consultation. Our solar specialists are eager to address all your queries.

Environmental Solar Questions

  • Renewable Resource: Solar energy taps into the sun, an endless power source. It stands apart from exhaustible fossil fuels and doesn’t generate greenhouse gases.

  • Space Efficiency: Solar setups can be found on home rooftops, in parking lots, or on unused land, minimizing the encroachment on natural habitats.

  • Conserving Water: Solar generation sips water compared to thirsty fossil fuel power plants which guzzle it for cooling.

  • Breathing Easier: Less dependence on fossil fuels means fewer pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air. This can lead to healthier lungs and cleaner cities.

  • Diminishing Carbon Footprints: Going solar drastically shrinks carbon emissions. Solar electricity is a clean, zero-carbon alternative to the traditional power grid.

  • Combatting Climate Change: Solar systems reduce the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. They help counteract the negative effects of fossil fuel use.

  • Responsible Production: Our solar panels are crafted from renewable and recyclable materials, such as silicon, glass, and aluminum. The manufacturing industry is leaning into eco-conscious practices to reduce its footprint.

  • Promoting Energy Self-sufficiency: Harnessing solar power minimizes the need for energy sourced from potentially hazardous methods like oil drilling or mining. By being energy independent, you’re choosing a safer, greener alternative.

  • Specialized Recycling: After their lifecycle, our solar panels are sent to specialized recycling plants, ensuring responsible disposal and reducing environmental impact.

Technical Solar Questions

We proudly use:

Our American-made panels are supported by comprehensive warranties. Dive deeper into details on our products page.

Our solar panels harness sunlight and convert it into electricity. This raw electricity flows to an inverter, typically located beside your home’s meter. The inverter transforms that raw power into usable form of energy for your home. Extra energy produced is sent to your utility company, building up credits. At night, these credits power your home. Think of it like a piggy bank for energy.

Absolutely! While each home varies, many clients achieve 100% power coverage and beyond. For personalized insights, get your free Klick Solar consultation here.

Yes, but you must own the property and the associated roof. The roof shouldn’t be a shared HOA asset.

Our Tier 1 panels are built tough. They’re designed to endure hail up to 1” falling at speeds of 52 mph. If ever a panel gets damaged, usually your homeowner’s insurance covers it. Before installation, consult your insurance provider for clarity.

Our top-tier panels are guaranteed for at least 25 years, but we anticipate they’ll last even longer, offering you years of free energy.

Net metering is a billing mechanism where you can send excess solar energy to the grid and earn credits. Think of it like a two-way meter, tracking energy you use and energy you send back. It’s like a piggy bank, but for energy!

This varies by utility company. Some offer payment, some provide different bill credits, and some might donate your excess. For specifics tailored to your utility, contact Klick Solar for a free consultation.

Unless you have a backup battery, your system remains grid-tied. Thus, if there’s a local power outage, your house will experience it too. A backup generator can be a cost-effective alternative to batteries.

No! While south-facing roofs get optimal sunlight, east and west-facing roofs also perform excellently. North-facing roofs? They’re a bit more challenging.

Typically no. You’d need to convince your landlord. We work directly with property owners.

Enjoy peace of mind with our maintenance-free solar systems, backed by our robust monitoring and warranties.

Damage due to “acts of god” (ie weather) are covered by homeowner’s insurance. Product warranties cover breaks, chips, cracks to the panels that happen as a result of a product being defective.

Shading significantly impacts performance. Sometimes tree trimming helps, but if heavy shading is an issue, solar might not be optimal. Unsure? Schedule a free consultation with Klick Solar.

Our inverters come with a 25-year warranty, but we expect them to function efficiently for 30-35 years.

Yes! Panels produce electricity even under light cloud cover. Extreme overcast might reduce output slightly.

Based out of Colorado and Oregon, we know a thing or two about snow! Our panels are built tough for snowy conditions. And here’s a cool thing – the electricity running through the panels starts melting the snow pretty quickly. Plus, once the sun hits them, their dark color soaks up the heat, helping to melt the snow even faster. Sure, a fresh snowfall might slow things down for a short while, but we’ve got all this factored into your system’s design. So, no worries!

Absolutely. Your energy needs might change, and we’re here to help. Just remember: we install a minimum of six panels at a time.

Definitely! If you’re going electric, let us know during your consultation. We can design your system to accommodate the extra energy needs, even helping with a home charger installation.

Technically – yes. But this can be pretty impractical.

Warranty & Installation Solar Questions

Absolutely! Every product we offer boasts top-tier warranties:

  • 25-Year Workmanship Guarantee
  • 25-Year Product Warranty
  • 25-Year Linear Power Performance Promise
  • 25-Year Inverter Warranty

Indeed! We take pride in being a comprehensive company, managing sales, services, and installations in-house.

Solar companies utilize various models for installations. We believe in in-house installations due to the enhanced control it offers. Here’s a simple comparison:

  • Brokered Third-Party Installation: The solar company acts as a middleman, outsourcing installation to third-party entities. While these third parties are typically vetted, any issues that arise may be more complex due to divided responsibilities.
  • Vertically Integrated Companies: These companies handle everything, from sales to installation. This approach provides more oversight, direct communication, and flexibility.

At the end of the day, when challenges emerge in any construction project, how a company responds is critical. With vertically integrated models, any project concerns are dealt with directly and efficiently.

Getting solar installed involves several phases, but here’s a simplified breakdown:

  1. Document Review & Site Survey: After you’re on board with solar, we handle documentation and conduct a site survey to assess your home’s suitability.
  2. Design & Engineering: Our team uses the survey data to design the perfect solar setup for your home.
  3. Permitting: We handle all the permits, ensuring smooth communication with city authorities, utility providers, and HOAs.
  4. Installation: The big day arrives, and our team gets your system in place.
  5. Final Inspection: We verify the installation meets all regulatory requirements.
  6. PTO (Permission to Operate): Utility providers give the green light, confirming everything is set.
  7. Commissioning: We officially activate your solar system and provide all the information you need to harness the sun’s power.

Generally, we aim for a 2-4 month installation period. However, external factors like city departments and HOAs can impact this timeframe.

Absolutely, as with any construction venture, we need to secure permits from your city, utility provider, and possibly your HOA. It’s worth noting that while we do our best, approval isn’t always guaranteed due to grid capacity limits. 

If you own your roof, legally, your HOA cannot prevent you from installing solar. But if your roof is co-owned or under HOA ownership, they might have a say, especially if the installation affects insurance policies.

Not an issue! Just let us know. If you’re replacing under insurance and your solar is in the policy, the insurance will likely cover our de-installation costs.

Know you need a new roof before going solar? Also not a problem. We’ve partnered with some of the best roofers around and can often wrap the roofing cost in to the project for you at a low interest rate.