Topps Talk: Episode 5- Knowing When Solar for Home Installation is Right 

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[00:03] Host: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Topps Talk.

[00:07] Host: I’m your host, and today we’re going to be talking about knowing when solar is right for you.

[00:12] Host: We have a special guest with us today, Mike, our senior solar consultant.

[00:17] Host: Mike, thank you so much for joining us today.

[00:20] Mike: Thanks for having me.

[00:22] Host: So Mike, this is a question we get all the time – how do people know if solar is right for them?

[00:27] Mike: That’s a great question. There are several factors that determine if solar makes sense for a homeowner.

[00:33] Mike: It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we always do a personalized assessment.

[00:39] Mike: But there are some key indicators that can help people determine if they should explore solar further.

[00:45] Host: What would you say is the most important factor to consider?

[00:51] Mike: I’d say the first thing to look at is your electricity usage and your current utility bill.

[00:57] Mike: Solar tends to make the most financial sense for homes with higher electricity consumption.

[01:03] Mike: In Arizona, we often see the best returns for customers who have monthly bills over $150.

[01:09] Mike: But even with moderate usage, solar can still be beneficial depending on other factors.

[01:15] Host: What about the home itself? Are there physical requirements?

[01:21] Mike: Absolutely. The roof is a major consideration – both its condition and orientation.

[01:27] Mike: Ideally, you want a roof that’s in good condition with at least 10-15 years of life left.

[01:33] Mike: South-facing roof sections are optimal in the northern hemisphere, but east and west can work well too.

[01:39] Mike: And you need enough unshaded roof space to accommodate the system size you need.

[01:45] Host: What if someone has an older roof? Should they wait to go solar?

[01:51] Mike: If your roof needs to be replaced within the next few years, it’s usually best to do that first.

[01:57] Mike: Otherwise, you’d need to remove and reinstall the solar panels when you replace the roof, which adds cost.

[02:03] Mike: That said, some homeowners coordinate both projects to happen simultaneously, which can work well.

[02:09] Host: What about shading? How does that impact solar viability?

[02:15] Mike: Shading is definitely a factor. Significant shade from trees, neighboring buildings, or other obstructions can reduce production.

[02:21] Mike: Modern solar technology has improved in handling partial shading, but it’s still not ideal.

[02:27] Mike: During our site assessments, we use specialized tools to measure potential shading throughout the year.

[02:33] Mike: Sometimes strategic tree trimming can make a big difference in making solar viable.

[02:39] Host: Let’s talk about the financial aspects. How do people know if solar makes financial sense?

[02:45] Mike: This is where it gets interesting. Solar is an investment, and we need to look at the return on that investment.

[02:51] Mike: We analyze current electricity costs, projected utility rate increases, and the cost of the solar system.

[02:57] Mike: The federal tax credit currently offers 26% off the system cost, which significantly improves the economics.

[03:03] Mike: We calculate the payback period – how long it takes for energy savings to equal the investment.

[03:09] Host: What’s a typical payback period in Arizona?

[03:15] Mike: In Arizona, we typically see payback periods of 7-10 years, which is quite good compared to many other states.

[03:21] Mike: After that point, you’re essentially generating free electricity for the remaining life of the system.

[03:27] Mike: And since solar panels typically last 25-30 years, that’s a lot of free electricity.

[03:33] Host: What about financing options? Do people need to pay upfront?

[03:39] Mike: Not at all. While cash purchase offers the best long-term returns, most of our customers finance their systems.

[03:45] Mike: Solar loans are designed so that your monthly payment is often less than what you were paying the utility.

[03:51] Mike: This means you can go solar with no money down and still save money from month one.

[03:57] Mike: We also offer leases, though ownership generally provides better financial benefits.

[04:03] Host: How long should someone plan to stay in their home for solar to make sense?

[04:09] Mike: That’s a great question. Ideally, you’d want to stay in your home for at least 5-7 years to realize significant benefits.

[04:15] Mike: However, solar also adds value to your home if you decide to sell sooner.

[04:21] Mike: Studies have shown that homes with owned solar systems sell for more than comparable homes without solar.

[04:27] Mike: And in Arizona’s hot real estate market, solar is increasingly becoming a selling point.

[04:33] Host: Are there any other factors people should consider?

[04:39] Mike: Definitely. Your future plans for electricity usage are important to consider.

[04:45] Mike: If you’re planning to add an electric vehicle, a pool, or expand your home, your electricity needs will increase.

[04:51] Mike: We can design systems that account for these future needs.

[04:57] Mike: Also, if you’re in an HOA, you’ll want to check their solar policies, though in Arizona, HOAs can’t prohibit solar.

[05:03] Host: What about battery storage? Is that right for everyone?

[05:09] Mike: Battery storage is becoming more popular, but it’s not necessary for everyone.

[05:15] Mike: If you live in an area with frequent power outages or if your utility doesn’t offer net metering, batteries make more sense.

[05:21] Mike: They also make sense if your utility has time-of-use rates with expensive evening electricity.

[05:27] Mike: We can help customers determine if adding battery storage is right for their specific situation.

[05:33] Host: Are there any types of homes where solar just doesn’t make sense?

[05:39] Mike: There are some situations where we might advise against solar, at least for now.

[05:45] Mike: If your roof is heavily shaded throughout the day and tree removal isn’t an option, solar may not be efficient.

[05:51] Mike: If your electricity usage is extremely low, the investment might take longer to recoup.

[05:57] Mike: And if your roof needs major repairs, that should be addressed first.

[06:03] Mike: We’re always honest with customers about whether solar makes sense for them.

[06:09] Host: I appreciate that transparency. What’s the first step someone should take if they’re interested in solar?

[06:15] Mike: The first step is to get a professional assessment. At Solar Topps, we offer free consultations.

[06:21] Mike: We’ll look at your electricity usage, evaluate your roof using satellite imagery, and discuss your goals.

[06:27] Mike: We can then provide a customized proposal that shows exactly what a solar system would look like for your home.

[06:33] Mike: This includes system size, placement, cost, financing options, and projected savings.

[06:39] Host: And there’s no obligation with these consultations, right?

[06:45] Mike: Absolutely no obligation. We believe in educating homeowners so they can make informed decisions.

[06:51] Mike: Even if someone decides solar isn’t right for them right now, they’ll have accurate information for the future.

[06:57] Mike: And we’re always available to reassess if their situation changes.

[07:03] Host: What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about solar?

[07:09] Mike: I’d say it’s worth exploring. The consultation is free, and you might be surprised by the benefits.

[07:15] Mike: With rising utility rates, solar is becoming more advantageous every year.

[07:21] Mike: And beyond the financial aspects, there’s the satisfaction of generating your own clean energy.

[07:27] Mike: Many of our customers tell us they love watching their solar monitoring app and seeing their production.

[07:33] Host: That’s great. Any final thoughts on knowing when solar is right for you?

[07:39] Mike: I’d just emphasize that it’s a personal decision based on your specific circumstances.

[07:45] Mike: What works for your neighbor might not work for you, and vice versa.

[07:51] Mike: That’s why we take a consultative approach rather than a one-size-fits-all sales pitch.

[07:57] Mike: Solar is a long-term relationship, and we want to make sure it’s right for each customer.

[08:03] Host: Mike, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today.

[08:09] Mike: My pleasure. Happy to help people understand when solar makes sense for them.

[08:15] Host: And thank you all for watching this episode of Topps Talk.

[08:21] Host: If you’re considering solar for your home, we hope this gives you a better understanding of what to consider.

[08:27] Host: Remember, at Solar Topps, we’re committed to helping you make the right energy decisions.

[08:33] Host: Be sure to like and subscribe for more episodes, and we’ll see you next time.

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