Solar Options

How Does Solar Work?

There are two primary technologies that can harness the sun’s power and turn it into electricity. The first is the one you’re likely most familiar with – photovoltaics, or PV. These are the panels you’ve seen on rooftops or in fields. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, photons from the sunlight are absorbed by the cells in the panel, which creates an electric field across the layers and causes electricity to flow.

The second technology is concentrating solar power, or CSP. It is used primarily in very large power plants and is not appropriate for residential use. This technology uses mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat, which can then be used to produce electricity.

Can I Install Solar Myself?

Yes. However, there are a number of challenges that a homeowner will face with DIY solar projects.

Most importantly, installing solar through a qualified professional who holds a certification and works with high-quality solar panels, may allow the customer to maximize adoption of a high-quality PV system. The industry-standard certification is awarded through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Our Solar Concierge Program will help you identify trustworthy contractors.

How Much Power Can I Generate With Solar?

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a tool called PVWatts to help you estimate the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected PV energy systems for any address in the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. The tool even allows you to compare solar’s cost to utility bills.

Will I Save Money By Going Solar?

The amount of money you can save with solar depends upon how much electricity you consume, the size of your solar energy system, if you choose to buy or lease your system, and how much power it is able to generate given the direction your roof faces and how much sunlight hits it.

The cost of going solar has dropped every year since 2009, a trend researchers expect to continue. Not only are the prices of panels dropping, so are the costs associated with installation, such as permitting and inspection—also known as “soft costs.”

It should also be noted that energy efficiency upgrades complement solar energy economically. By using Energy Star appliances and other products in your home, you’ll need less solar energy to power your home.

To learn more about your home specifically, please explore our Solar Concierge Program.

Can I Get Financing For Solar?

Consumers have different financial options to select from when deciding to go solar. In general, a purchased solar system can be installed at a lower total cost than a system installed using a solar loan, lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA).

If you prefer to buy your solar energy system, solar loans can lower the up-front costs of the system. In most cases, monthly loan payments are smaller than a typical energy bill, which will help you save money from the start. Solar loans function the same way as home improvement loans, and some jurisdictions will offer subsidized solar energy loans with below-market interest rates, making solar even more affordable. New homeowners can add solar as part of their mortgage with loans available through the Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae, which allow borrowers to include financing for home improvements in the home’s purchase price. Buying a solar energy system makes you eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). In December 2020, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, which provides a 26% tax credit for systems installed in 2020-2022, and 22% for systems installed in 2023. Learn more about the current ITC.

What Are Solar Leases and PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements)

Solar leases and PPAs allow consumers to host solar energy systems that are owned by solar companies and purchase back the electricity generated. Consumers enter into agreements that allow them to have lower electricity bills without monthly loan payments. In many cases, that means putting no money down to go solar. Solar leases entail fixed monthly payments that are calculated using the estimated amount of electricity the system will produce. With a solar PPA, consumers agree to purchase the power generated by the system at a set price per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced. With both of these options, though, you are not entitled to tax benefits since you don’t own the solar energy system.

Navigating the landscape of solar financing can be difficult. The Clean Energy States Alliance released a guide to help homeowners understand their options, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each. Download the guide.

How Can I Find State Incentives And Tax Breaks That Will Help Me Go Solar?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) created the Homeowner's Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics to provide an overview of the federal investment tax credit for those interested in residential solar photovoltaics, or PV. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance. And it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements.

DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy in the United States. It is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. By entering your zip code, DSIRE provides you with a comprehensive list of financial incentives and regulatory policies that apply to your home. Additionally, an experienced local installer should be able to assist you in claiming any state and local incentives, as well as the ITC (Investment Tax Credit).

If you want to learn more about state and federal solar policies regarding incentives and tax breaks, the Solar Power in Your Community Guidebook has a section—Appendix A on page 87—that explains it in detail.

How Will Solar Impact The Resale Value Of My Home?

Buying a solar energy system may or may not increase your home’s value.

For more information on whether a PV system can add value to your home, please visit the PV Value® and/or contact our Solar Concierge team. The PV Value® tool is helpful for both home sellers and homebuyers. It calculates the energy production value for a PV system and is compliant with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and has been endorsed by the Appraisal Institute for the income approach method. Make sure your appraiser uses this tool to get the most accurate estimate of your PV system’s value.

What Is Net Metering And How Could It Impact My Solar Installation?

Net metering is an arrangement between solar energy system owners and utilities in which the system owners are compensated for any excess solar power generation that is exported to the electric grid. This rate structure reimburses customers the full retail rate (or a modified rate) for the excess energy that their PV system produces. Most utilities no longer reimburse at the full retail rate.

Net Metering vs. Distributed Generation

Net Metering and Distributed Generation are rate structures that provide reimbursement guides to how a utility structures the buyback credit for customers who adopt solar as a supplemental source of energy. These policies are implemented in adherence to state and local government.

JEA is a Distributed Generation utility.

JEA adopts a rate structure that is known as Distributed Generation which reimburses customers an avoided cost rate. This rate is determined to be an equitable reimbursement for customers committing to adopt solar so that JEA is still able to maintain a utility grade infrastructure for those customers in the event their system’s energy production does not sufficiently power the home for sustainable periods of time.

In addition, JEA’s avoided cost rate is known as the avoidable fuel cost. In the Distributed Generation Policy, JEA reimburse customers the cost JEA is saved (fuel cost) when the customer produces their own energy. This avoided cost has been evaluated to save JEA (who generates, transmits, and distributes energy) the fuel it would cost to distribute that energy to the customer, which is only one-third of what it takes for the utility to produce energy for the customer.

What Credit Score Does JEA Give for Power Sent Back to the JEA Grid?

JEA reimburses a customer the avoided cost (fuel rate) for the excess energy that their system sends back to the electric grid. This cost is a variable monthly rate that can be found on the monthly fuel rate table. In congruence with JEA’s billing, the applicable monthly rate will correspond with the “Reading Date” on a customer’s monthly bill.

Can I Go Solar Without Changing The Aesthetics Of My Home?

Yes! Building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, allows homeowners to alter the appearance of their solar panels so they match their surroundings. SETO has funded projects that commercialized technology enabling homeowners to add a graphical layer to their solar panels so they blend in with the roof. Learn more about BIPV.

We also offer the JEA SolarSmart program that enables JEA residential customers to show their support for renewable energy without installing solar panels.

I Have Heard A Lot About Solar Plus Storage. What Is That And Do I Need It?

Storage refers to energy storage, most often in the form of batteries. Installing energy storage with a solar system can help utilize the power generated when it’s needed most, regardless of whether it’s sunny outside at the time. Storage allows you to save that energy and use it later in the day, like when you turn the heat on at night or run the dishwasher after dinner or even if the power goes out. Learn more about storing solar energy.

Is Solar Safe?

Absolutely! All solar panels meet international inspection and testing standards, and a qualified installer will install them to meet local building, fire, and electrical codes. Also, your solar energy system will undergo a thorough inspection from a certified electrician as part of the installation process.

A working PV panel has a strong encapsulant that prevents chemicals from leaching, similar to how defroster elements are sealed in a car windshield. Occasionally, a solar panel may break due to weather or other events. According to the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Technology Collaboration Program, any lead and cadmium exposure from broken solar panels in residential, commercial, and utility-scale systems would be below the acceptable limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for soil, air, and groundwater.

What Are The Environmental Benefits of Solar?

Using solar power instead of conventional forms of energy reduces the amount of carbon and other pollutants that are emitted into the environment. Reducing the amount of carbon in our atmosphere translates into less pollution and cleaner air and water.

What Should I Do If I Believe A Solar Company Is Misrepresenting Itself Or Its Products?

No one should feel they are being taken advantage of while pursuing clean energy. At the federal level, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission to report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. At the state level, laws vary depending on where you live. You can contact one of the consumer protection offices within your state or territory to see how they can help, too.

Will I Still Have Power on the Days My Roof Doesn’t Get Enough Sunlight?

Yes, the power will be coming from JEA’s electric grid and/or a battery backup (if you purchased a battery with your PV system). If the PV system does not produce sufficient energy to power the home and the energy storage is depleted, the power will be pulled from JEA's grid.

What Happens During An Extended Period Of Time Without Sunlight?

During extended periods of time without or with reduced sunlight, JEA’s electric grid will support the electrical needs of the home and if an energy storage battery is available, it will supply your home with energy in congruence with power from the grid. Energy storage conditions will vary with each customer.

Is It Possible To Run Out Of Energy Storage (Battery)?

Yes. Energy storage has limited capacity and once it has maximized its charge, energy produced by the PV system will power the home, and any excess energy will be sent to the JEA electric grid and a photovoltaic (PV) credit will be added to the homeowners JEA bill.

Can My Energy Storage Sufficiently Supply My Home With Enough Energy To Be Independent From The Utility?

Yes and no. Most batteries (independently) do not have the capacity to sufficiently supply a home with enough energy to be independent of grid power for extended periods of time. Most single family homes would need multiple batteries to sufficiently power home independent from grid for any length of time.

How Long Can My Home Last On Energy Storage?

Many of the industry’s most common energy storage systems and comparable to generators. They only power the most critical home appliances for a limited duration (few hours with full charge depending on a customer’s specific home and system settings).

Does PV Solar Panel Installation Come With Battery Storage?

No. Battery storage is an upgrade service that can be included with a PV solar panel installation at an additional cost. The battery storage can be beneficial to provide energy at times when the sun is not available to energize the PV solar panel.

Is There A Cost For Participating In The Solar Concierge Program?

No, there is not a cost to the homeowner to participate in the Solar Concierge Program

What Happens If I Install PV Panels And It's Not As Beneficial As I Expected?

It is important to do proper research to determine if solar PV panels are a good decision for you. If you have excess trees or shading from adjacent structures you will want to identify those challenges and rectify prior to installing a solar PV panel. Before deciding if PV is a good choice for you I would recommend visiting the JEA Solar Concierge Marketplace to talk with a solar advisor.