Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will the state really pay more than half of purchase price for a commercial or residential solar electric system?
   
   YES!

2. Are there any tax benefits to having a solar electric system?
   
   YES!
   
   Commercial – 30% tax credit (uncapped) - 5yr accelerated depreciation
   Residential – 30% tax credit (capped at $2,000)
   Click here for more information on available tax benefits and rebates

3. How does a solar electric system generate a constant cash flow?
   
   First of all solar electric system owners no longer pay the utility company for the electricity that their system produces! Additionally, each year the NJBPU helps facilitate the cash sale of an intangible asset called Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC). The best part is that as the price of electricity continues to skyrocket your solar systems payback gets better and better.

4. What is an SREC?
   
   Right now utility companies selling electricity into the NJ market are required to have a percentage of that electricity provided by solar electric systems installed in NJ (SRECs). There is no way for the utility companies to meet this requirement on their own therefore NJBPU allows them to buy SRECs from aggregators and private solar electric system owners.

5. How do I sell my SRECs?
   
   Solar system owners can then sell those SREC’s to the highest bidder either through aggregators or individually via a website designed and run by the NJBPU. At the time of installation Absolutely Energized Solar Electric customers are given the option of having our company aggregate and broker their SRECs for them or our customer’s can sell them on their own via the state trading website.

6. Where can I install a solar electric system?
   
   We can install a solar system on almost any type of roof or ground surface commercial or residentially owned. The only state rebate requirements are that the site have adequate sunlight, and that the property be owned by the same person/business who pays the electric bill.

7. What direction should the solar system face?
   
   Maximum output is obtained when the panels face just East of South but we regularly install systems that face anywhere from due East to due West. The biggest requirement is large amounts of available sunlight. Trees, chimneys, and other shade obstacles can be show stoppers.

8. How will my system hold up to extreme weather conditions?
   
   All of the solar panels that we sell are tested and UL rated to withstand 125mph wind conditions and can withstand the impact of 1” hail stones. Racking designs are then engineered to match local wind and snow requirements. All of our roof systems are mounted using stainless steel and anodized aluminum parts so corrosion is not an issue. – All of the solar panels we sell come with a 25yr power output warranty.

9. How long does it take to install a solar electric system?
   
   The answer varies greatly on the size and complexity of the system but 3-5days for a residential system is a good rule of thumb. Commercial system installations vary more widely. No matter the size or complexity of the installation you can be assured that our teams will maintain a neat, clean and safe job site. The dedicated project manager assigned to your job will make sure that our work crew operates around your schedule and your needs.

10. What happens to a solar electric system when the Utility power goes out?
    
    According to UL listing requirements most solar electric systems must shut down when the utility power drops below (power outage, brown out) or above a pre-set voltage range. Battery backup systems can be used to supply backup power in case of an outage but for a variety of reasons we generally recommend adding a backup generator onto your solar system if power outages are an issue. If outages are of particular concern to you let your salesperson know and he/she will help you better understand your options and the associated benefits that different strategies will bring.

11. Installing solar electric sounds like a good idea but who takes care of all the paperwork?
    
    We take care of all of the paperwork for you! Your salesperson will get the process started and then introduce you to a fulltime customer care person. Our customer care then proactively statuses you and answers any questions that you have along the way. In the background our program manager will work day-in and day-out organizing state rebate approvals, getting township permits and making sure that materials are ready and waiting in time for your installation. A few weeks before the job starts you will be introduced to your dedicated project manager who will run the physical installation. After the installation is complete our team will follow up to ensure that the township, state and utility company requirements have been met completely.
    
    Every person in our company is trained to work around your personal lifestyle and/or the obligations of your company’s customers. Our job is not done until you are completely satisfied!

12. What type of warranties do I get with my system?
    
    Every solar panel that Absolutely Energized Solar sells carries a 25 year manufacturer’s warranty for power output. Anticipating an actual life span of 35 years, all of the mounting equipment that Absolutely Energized Solar uses is made of anodized aluminum and high carbon stainless steel. Our standard mounting designs are made to withstand 100mph winds, and can be made to withstand even greater wind loads if necessary in your area. Because the panels and mounting rails are lightweight and strong, they actually add structural strength to most roofs. Our salesperson will be happy to come out and do a full site-survey of your residential or commercial building to tell you exactly what type of solar system it can hold. Ask one of our salespeople for more information on solar rebates.