FAQ

Once our broker is on site, the customer will know within a few days if the property is suitable for solar. After we find the right installer there is a process of 3-6 months of engineering, permitting, rebate application, etc. All this work is being done by the solar company under SolarKal’s supervision. The installation itself takes a couple of weeks and then a utility representative will come on site and commission the system.

Yes. When installing a solar energy system the customer receives a smart meter that is connected both the solar system and the grid. When the sun is shining the building will withdraw power from the solar system and if the solar system is producing more than the building consumes the meter will go backwards earning the customer credits. At night, when the building uses power, it will use the grid as usual and will use the credits it earned during the day.

Just like other building improvements, a solar energy system is a long-term asset, with long-term payoffs. If you have a short lease (less than 3-5 years) then solar is not for you. If you have a long-term lease and plan to stay in the building for a long time, then it will depend on the following factors: do you have roof rights in your leasing contracts and will your landlord be cooperative? For the landlord, it is worthwhile to give you permission and to get a free improvement for the building that increases the property’s value. SolarKal can help you find a solution, even if you don’t own the building.

There is a solar energy system being installed in the US every 4 minutes. It’s a proven product with very low maintenance and no moving parts. Additionally, as part of the financed solution all operations and maintenance (O&M) is covered. Besides, if you do a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you pay only for the energy the system produces so if anything goes wrong, you don’t pay anything and the solar company will rush to fix the system.

The solar energy system is completely ballasted, meaning there are no holes being drilled in your roof during installation. In fact, the panels block the UV lights that are the #1 reason for roof degradation so in fact you are extending the life of your roof. In case there is a roof leak in the roof, you will call you roofer as you would do otherwise. All roofers know how to work with solar energy systems.

Solar panels are getting cheaper and more efficient every year. However, silicon solar panels have a peak technical efficiency that we are approaching, meaning many of the efficiency gains have already been achieved. Additionally, the economics of solar are in a unique position right now, as solar prices have fallen considerably but federal and state incentives are still high. If you can save 50% of your energy bill and lock in prices for 20 years, why wouldn’t you do so?

For customers with large energy loads, a 5% energy offset through solar can still net tens of thousands USD in savings annually. You should look at the absolute figure when considering switching to solar.

The customer has a few exit points at no cost. After the broker’s agreement is signed the customer can decide not to move forward after looking at the different quotes. The customer also has the option to cancel at no cost up until the engineering process starts. If the customer decides to cancel before the solar system is installed he/she will have to cover the engineering expense. Once the solar system is completed, there is no option to cancel. Just like any other construction project, once you finish building the project, you can’t undo the facility.

If the customer owns the system, a solar energy system will most likely appreciate the value of the property, and the customer generally will sell it with the building. If you are under a PPA or lease, you will have the option to either pass the contract to the new owner or buy the system.