Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable
A Consumer’s Guide
Get Your Power from the Sun
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Background
What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Are incentives available to help reduce the cost? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Investing in a PV system
Why should you buy a PV system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Is your home or business a good place for a PV system? . . . . . . . . . .5
How big should your PV system be, and what features
should it have? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
How much will you save with your PV system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
How much does a PV system cost? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
How can you finance the cost of your PV system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Selecting a PV provider
Who sells and installs PV systems? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
How do you choose among PV providers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
How do you choose among competing bids? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Is the lowest price the “best deal”? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Before connecting a PV system to the grid
What should you know about permits? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
What should you know about insurance? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
How do you get an interconnection agreement? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
How do you get a net-metering agreement? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
What should you know about utility and inspection sign-off? . . . .16
What should you know about warranties? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Getting help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Contents
Cover photo: This PV system, integrated into an awning over the
back porch of a home in California, generates electricity while
shading the family's outdoo