(480) 940-1201
EVERYTHING TOPPS
Our Customers
Opportunities
Contact Us

Most Frequently Asked

This is a simple math equation. Solar technology converts the energy absorbed by the sun into electricity that can be used in your home. This is the same energy that your Utility company is providing you. The difference is that the energy from your solar technology is being delivered to you at a fraction of the cost the Utility company charges you and is not subject to rate increases. Therefore, by fixing your energy costs that come from solar, you are able to spend less on the same energy that you would be using in the future from the Utility, which is presumably at a higher rate. The longer your solar system operates, the more money you can potentially be saving.
Disclaimer: We are not tax professionals, and it’s always important to discuss all tax matters with one who is reliable and trustworthy. With our knowledge and expertise of the solar industry, let’s briefly explore the Solar Federal Tax Credit. Unlike a tax deduction, which lowers your taxable income and the rate used to calculate your tax, the tax credit reduces the amount of taxes you owe. The key to claiming the tax credit is “owning” the system when it is originally installed, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2034. This credit is based on a percentage of your total gross system cost. In August 2022, Congress passed an extension of the tax credit, raising it to 30% for the installation if it occurs between 2022 – 2032. It will decrease to 26% for systems installed in 2033 and to 22% for systems installed in 2034. Although the tax credit is set to expire in 2035, businesses will still receive a 10% credit for manufacturing products made of steel, iron, and components that are produced here in the U.S. Whether you are purchasing, financing, or leasing your system, these options will impact your ability to claim the tax credit. To learn more, feel free to contact Solar Topps and we will assist in finding the best option for you.

As with all technologies, you get what you pay for. When it comes to solar, reliable production in varying weather conditions is the most important consideration. Lower-tier, inferior panels, inverters or energy storage systems have a higher likelihood of continuous failure or underperformance that negates any meaningful savings. That’s why Solar Topps only uses premium products that prioritize performance.

We choose monocrystalline solar panels that rank among the industry’s best in terms of power rating, power tolerance, efficiency and temperature coefficient; all factors that impact how well a panel performs. We prefer to use micro-inverters, that provide panel-level performance, over traditional, string inverters that are prone to lower power production and longer downtimes if an issue were to arise. Ultimately, we choose to work with industry-respected and renowned manufacturers who focus on providing the best customer experience helping you save more when it matters the most. Contact us to see how we optimize system capabilities within your budget.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right solar partner. Here are some of the main considerations that many of our customers made:

A local company tends to outperform larger, national companies. This is true both in regards to quality of components and the cost of the system. Moreover, as a local provider, if an issue arises the customer’s are able to speak with someone and have a technician out to the property within a few short hours compared to a few days. Minimizing downtime is key to ensuring potential savings are not lost. Solar Topps is proud to be a nationally-respected and locally-recognized solar industry leader.

Furthermore, the solar system will come with warranties, guaranties and promises that are expected to last anywhere between 10 – 25 years or more once your system is installed. It’s important to choose someone that will be there when it matters the most – today, tomorrow and a decade from now. Solar Topps has been operating since 2009, consistently delivering the best value in solar installations for homes and businesses.

Moreover, it is important to know the background of the company. Are they a roofing company, electrical company or marketing company, that also happens to be doing solar? Finding a true engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm, like Solar Topps, that specializes specifically in solar installations. Make sure you know who is going to install your system, and if an issue arises, who will service it. As a true EPC, our employees do all of the work, not subcontractors. We receive countless calls weekly from homeowners that went solar with other company’s but now have no one to assist them troubleshoot their system and ensure they are able to save using solar.

Lastly, what does the proposal really offer? Is it really generating value for you? Take a look at your dollar per watt cost by dividing the total gross cost of your system by the total number of watts. A basic solar installation using premium products is typically between $2 – $3 per watt. Our proposals are designed to pass on the savings to you, so they come in at least 10 – 20% below most others, without compromise. If you haven’t already, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated consultants to go over all of your options and make sure you are getting the best value possible.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating how much a system should cost – the size of your home, the amount of sunlight your property receives, the amount of energy you use or want to begin using in the near future. Therefore, to help make an apples-to-apples comparison, it is best to evaluate your system based on its cost per watt. That means how much money you are spending overall based on the system size. For instance, if you are spending $25,000 on a 10,000 watt (or 10 kW) system, your cost per watt is $2.50 ($25,000 divided by 10,0000). Although the cost per watt can also vary depending on the system components, modifications, or upgrades involved, a basic solar installation using premium products is typically between $2 – $3 per watt. If you find yourself paying more than this, it does not mean that you are being overcharged, as each install is unique, but it is certainly worth looking at the proposal in depth to ensure nothing was overlooked. We are happy to assist you in going through any of this documentation. Solar Topps has been helping customer’s since 2009 get the Best Value in Solar. If you haven’t already, it is best to get an accurate idea of your true system cost by speaking with one of our dedicated consultants, who are always standing by ready to assist.

Warranty

Yes. Currently all systems installed by our company comes with online monitoring. So, you can monitor 24×7 using your PC, laptop or your mobile device. Note Viable Wi-Fi internet connection is required to monitor the system and has to be provided by you. If you do not have Wi-Fi connection, there are other options available.
Yes the system will still work absent of monitoring. In the case of malfunctioning wi-fi and or internet access, ST’s efforts to diagnose the problem and guarantee production are compromised.
Please refer to the terms of your agreement, but we offer workmanship warranties up to 25 years.
Please refer to the terms of your agreement, but we offer solar panels with manufacturer warranties up to 25 years.
As you monitor your system’s production online, if you notice any issues just let us know and we can try and investigate whether or not there is an issue. Any production shortfalls will be addressed as per the terms of your agreement.
All inverters come with manufacturer warranties that range from 10 – 25 years. If any issue arises with your inverter within this period that is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, the manufacturer will assist with getting it resolved. Please refer to your agreement for more specifics.
Please refer to the terms of your agreement, but we offer roof penetration warranties up to 25 years.

Maintenance

Generally solar requires very little maintenance since there are no moving parts. You are responsible however to trim any trees blocking the sunlight or removing sediment from the panels. Please refer to your agreement for any additional obligations you may have.
In most cases, frequent cleaning is not required. Typically annual rainfall will wash the panels but in the case of a dust storm, it is best to wash off thoroughly with a hose.

Installation

a. The best performance is always due South. However, many homes do not have southern exposure so an East/West installation is required & the production is minimally affected. b. The solar meter & other components are located near your electrical service.
Solar Topps does not handle any of the installation processes. The responsibility here falls on the city. However, we are in constant contact with the city officials to ensure we receive the proper approvals to move forward with your installation.
It depends on the state laws where you want to install the solar system. For example, the state of Arizona prohibits HOAs from banning solar installations. They do allow them to rule on certain aspects of your system so long as it does not significantly impact the cost of your system. We are accustomed to working with HOAs and will work with yours to satisfy their requirements.

Going Solar

It’s a combination of your annual electrical usage, available roof space & any restrictive utility rate plans in your area.
This all depends on the number of panels your system has, the orientation of those panels on your roof, and what time of year it is. Each system is designed to offset a certain percentage of your current energy usage over the course of the year. In general, each kilowatt of panels should produce between 1500 – 2000 kWh of electricity per year.
The solar system produces power throughout the year as long as the sun shines. Although we don’t see a wrong time go solar, we feel that waiting for summers might rather delay your process. The process is a little lengthy due to design, engineering, permits, and approvals and on an average it takes 30-120 days to complete the installation process. So, sooner the better.
Our sales engineers will design a solar system that fits your need, free of cost. For more details, you can get in touch with us by filling this form or contacting us via phone.
If you have purchased the solar system, you can expect an increased resale value. Additionally you can opt to move the system to your new home which we can accommodate for a nominal fee. Our lease products transfer seamlessly to the buyer with minimal red tape.
If you have a battery system, this power will first be sent to charge your battery. Once complete, or if you do not have a battery system, depending on your utility, any excess kWh sent back to the grid is credited to your account as a monetary credit. In some cases, net metering is still in use and in that case you are credited by kWh usually at the time it is sent back to the grid to determine its value. In each instance, you should check with your utility company what their policies are.

Economics

You can either cash purchase, finance with $0 down payment or lease the solar system.
Yes, we have collaborated with some of the best solar financing companies in the industry to offer a variety of solar financing options that allow homeowner’s to go solar for no upfront cost. Each company, plan and terms provided are unique, so be sure to read the fine print of your financing agreement to understand your obligations.
With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) being signed into law on August 16th, 2022, it extends a list of major incentives to go solar – such as the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which is a dollar-for-dollar ratio of the reduction you pay on your solar system. Those who install a system between 2022 and 2032 will receive a 30% tax credit. It will decrease to 26% for systems installed in 2033 and then to 22% for systems installed in 2034. If you’ve already installed a system in 2022, your tax credit will increase from 22% to 30% if you haven’t already claimed it. This credit only applies to homeowners or businesses who are purchasing their solar panels, not those that are leasing their system. Along with the ITC, Arizona has credits available for those who purchase their solar system, like the Residential Tax Credit, which will pay you up to $1,000 for your system. Other incentives include utility and government rebates for solar installation, a state tax credit that is effectively taxed at the federal level, and a payment for homeowners who have used renewable energy certificates from their utility company. As always, for more information please consult with your tax professional.
Yes, you are able to obtain whatever financing best meets your needs.
No. Only the owner (or lessor) can claim any relevant tax credits and incentives.
It depends on your utility rate plan and your power usage. For example, if your utility company charges you $0.20 per kWh and your solar power kWh costs you $0.05 per kWh. In this case your saving will be $ 0.15 per kWh. So assuming you use 2000 kWh, your net saving would be $300 per month and $3600 a year. This is just for illustrative purposes however. No level of savings can be guaranteed as they are dependent on a variety of factors.
Yes, a credit card can be used to purchase our system but will be assessed a credit card fee.
Yes. Although we are not accounting professionals or provide financial advice, if in 2022 you end up with a larger credit than you have income tax due, you may carry remaining credits over to the following tax year, as long as the ITC is still active. Some restrictions may apply; please consult your tax professional for more information.
This will vary by utility and where you live – some cities and utility companies may offer rebates and incentive programs, but it is in your best interest to contact your local utility to see if there are any incentives currently available that you may qualify for.   Routinely, incentives from your utility company are excluded from income tax returns. This means that any utility rebate for installing a solar system would be reduced from your system cost before calculating the tax credit.
You can purchase your leased system at any time during the lease term. The buyout amount will be based on the type of lease you have selected. Either be a pre-determined amount or fair market value (FMV), whichever is greater. If you reach the end of the agreement, you have the option to extend the lease in 5 year increments, purchase the system at FMV, or upgrade by purchasing or leasing a new system. Lastly, at the end of the lease term you can have us remove the system at no cost to you.
Yes. Appraisers and realtors have confirmed that homes installed with purchased solar systems are in demand and worth more. Because solar customers are able to show substantial savings on power bills, most homeowners are able to sell their home faster and get significantly higher selling prices compared to those that do not have solar.
Yes that is possible with written permission from the owner of the property.
Not with any of our approved lenders. You may be able to arrange that via a 3rd party lender however.
It’s important to review the terms of your specific financing agreement, but typically, there are no prepayment penalties.

Submit Your Questions

    +1

    +1

    Get Real Numbers from a Real Person

    Call 480.940.1201 to get started immediately

      +1

      +1

      Promotion Code Not Valid.