
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
The sun rises every day. That's why solar power is a completely renewable, reliable and clean energy source. It reduces our reliance on dirty sources of power such as oil, coal and natural gas, which produce harmful emissions affecting our health and environment.
Pvoton have been delivering on a vision to create a planet run by the sun and provide Americans with affordable, reliable and clean energy. Residential solar energy systems represent an investment in the future of the planet, conserving non-renewable energy sources and protecting the environment.
In addition, solar panels and home batteries are becoming more affordable, accessible, resilient and efficient. They provide peace of mind and energy security for households when the power goes out or the next storm strikes. Unlike those from your utility, Pvoton customers pay predictable, affordable rates for 20 to 25 years. With home solar, you get to control your energy future.
A lot of things affect how well-suited your home is for solar, including where your home is, the angle of your roof, how much shade it gets throughout the day, and how old your home is.
Our solar advisors can help you determine if your home is a good fit for solar at the moment. They’ll run a custom analysis of your home with our proprietary solar design technology, Yodaline™ and they’ll get a sense for your energy needs.
Every household is different. When determining the number of solar panels your home needs, consider the following questions:
How much power do I need? Check your electric bills to see how many kilowatt hours (kWhs) you use throughout the year. We’ll go over this with you in detail during your free solar consultation to figure out just how much power your panels will need to produce.
What’s your climate like? The number of panels you need depends on how much sun reaches the ground where you are.
How much direct sun hits your roof? Shading, which direction your roof faces, and any aesthetic preferences you have can impact how big your system needs to be.
At Pvoton, we have proprietary solar design technology called BrightPathâ„¢ to help us create a customized system that maximizes energy production better and faster than if we did it by hand.
Your historical electricity usage allows us to design a custom solar system that is the right size for your home.
Electricity usage varies from person to person and from season to season. That’s why we request a full year of your electricity bills so we can build a system that’s right for you.
Your sales consultant is trained to review a year’s worth of usage data so we can get the full picture. Energy usage can change with the seasons so we look at 12-months of data to best understand your home’s usage patterns and needs.
We customize your home solar system by taking into account your past usage, the available roof space and your design preferences to make sure the system will work for you and your home.
We start with your historical usage and design a solar system that will provide you with the right amount of power based on how much you normally use.
Then we look at your roof via satellite imagery to see how many panels can fit on each roof plane, keeping in mind that south-facing roofs are the best for solar.
We verify our measurements and system design with a site survey,a visit to your home to check the roof and your main electrical panel.
Finally, we reconfirm our final design with you so you know exactly what it will look like and how much electricity you'll receive from solar.
If you want to learn about the efficiency of your panels or review what the equipment will look like for your specific home, talk to your sales consultant.
After you switch to solar, you won’t notice a difference. Your lights, appliances, televisions and everything else that uses electricity will work exactly as they did before.
The one key difference you will notice after switching to solar is in how you pay for your power. You will still receive a monthly bill from your utility company. If you have a monthly bill with Pvoton, you will have two separate bills.
How much energy you end up having to buy from your utility depends on the size of your solar system and how much electricity you're actually using.
Because of weather and seasonal changes, your utility bill will vary from month to month. But you’ll always know exactly what you owe Pvoton for the duration of our agreement.
See where Pvoton currently operates and what solar incentives may be available in your state. The most common solar incentives include state tax credits, net metering and rebates from your local utility. No matter what state you live in, you’ll also be eligible for the federal solar tax credit when you purchase your own solar system.
The great thing about BrightSave Monthly is that any benefits you would get through rebates and tax credits come to you in the form of a lower monthly cost with Pvoton. You can avoid high upfront costs, and we'll take care of the paperwork.
Just like any upgrade, installing a home solar system can increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. A 2019 study showed that, on average, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than homes without solar panels.
(Source: https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/)
From design and installation to a lifetime of service and care, Pvoton pairs you with the perfect person to guide you through it.
Your sales consultant will work with our design team to customize your solar system and find the right payment plan for your needs. Then a project coordinator who is well-versed in your region will manage the rest of the process.
After your system is up and running, our customer care team will be your go-to for any questions or concerns you have.
There are a lot of people behind the scenes to make sure your solar panels are producing as much power from the sun as possible — now and in the future.
Since Pvoton home solar systems are roof-mounted, we do drill holes in the roof to anchor the racking equipment for the panels during installation. All our roof penetrations are made watertight and are guaranteed by a workmanship warranty.
One little known benefit, once the solar panels are on your roof, they can protect the underlying sections from normal weathering and increase its longevity.
Each home is different, and the equipment we install can vary from house to house. In general, here’s what you can expect.
1) Solar panels Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current electricity (DC).
2) Inverter Your inverter tells energy where to flow and converts it into alternating current electricity (AC), so it can be used in your home.
3) Pvoton meter Solar production is measured and monitored by your Pvoton meter so we can make sure your system is producing as much energy as possible.
There are also a few pieces of equipment that you already have at your home that are connected to the solar system.
4) Main electrical panel Your electrical panel distributes AC electricity to your entire home. You probably know it by its other name, "Fuse Box."
5) Utility meter
When the sun is shining, you may get all of your energy from solar, but due to things like weather, winter and nighttime, you will still have to buy some energy the old-fashioned way. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.
A home solar system is made up of components that all work together to convert the power of sunlight into usable energy for your lights, appliances and devices.
1. Solar panels Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to direct current electricity (DC electricity). As long as the sun ray’s are making contact with your roof, your panels are converting solar radiation into DC electricity. Even when it’s cloudy, you can still expect your panels to produce 10% to 25% of their normal output. But your electricity isn’t ready just yet. You’ll need an inverter to get the kind of power you need to turn the lights on.
2. Inverter The inverter takes the DC electricity produced by your solar panels and turns it into alternating current electricity (AC electricity). It’s typically installed on an exterior wall of your house, or in the garage.
3. Main electric service panel Solar electricity from your inverter flows to the electrical panel, and then into to your home where it powers your lights and appliances. If your panels generate more solar energy than you use, the excess power will flow to the utility grid. Even better? You might even earn energy credits from your local utility for the power you send.
4. Pvoton meter Your Pvoton meter monitors your system production and sends the information to us through a wireless signal. Since it tracks your energy production 24/7, it will automatically alert Pvoton if it detects problems or irregularities. That way, we can make sure your solar system is in the very best shape without you ever having to lift a finger.
5. Utility meter
When your system produces more than you need, the excess energy is sold back to your utility and credited to your monthly electric bill. When you need more energy than your solar system can produce, your home will automatically pull the energy from your utility. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.
Each home is different, and the equipment we install can vary from house to house. In general, here’s what you can expect.
1) Solar Panels Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current electricity (DC).
2) Inverter Your inverter tells energy where to flow and converts it into alternating current electricity (AC), so it can be used in your home.
3) Pvoton Meter Solar production is measured and monitored by your Pvoton meter so we can make sure your system is producing as much energy as possible.
There are also a few pieces of equipment that you already have at your home that are connected to the solar system.
4) Main Electrical Panel Your electrical panel distributes AC electricity to your entire home. You probably know it by its other name, "Fuse Box."
5) Utility Meter
When the sun is shining, you may get all of your energy from solar, but due to things like weather, winter, and nighttime, you will still have to buy some energy the old-fashioned way. Your utility meter measures how much energy comes from and goes to the grid.
During a power outage, Brightbox allows you to backup your kitchen (including the refridgerator), bedroom and bathroom lights, garage door opener and wifi for approximately 8 to 12 hours. When the sun rises again, your solar panels will recharge your Brightbox battery. The most important rooms and appliances in your home will be powered by your home battery until the grid is up and running again.
Depending on the state, a home solar system can cost between $15,000 to $29,000 for system sizes ranging for 4kW to 8kW.* The more power your household uses, the more solar panels you’ll need, which will add to the cost of your solar system.
Sound like a lot? The upfront cost of a solar system doesn’t have to keep you from going solar. Get in touch with a Pvoton solar advisor to see how you can go solar for as low as $0 with our flexible financing options.
*Figures based on national averages: https://www.solar-estimate.org/
Studies have shown that owning home solar panels can significantly increase your property value.* Solar homes in California sell for $20,000 more on average, while solar homes in other states sell for about $15,000 more. With numbers like that, you can likely recoup the cost of your solar system when you sell your home. Not only will you enjoy clean, reliable energy, you’ll know you've made a smart investment.
*Source:https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/selling-sun-price-premium-analysis
The interest on loans for solar panels are only tax deductible if they are secured loans, such as a home equity loan. Ipar Capital is an unsecured loan through one of our trusted loan partners, so the interest on your loan will not be eligible for a tax deduction. However, you’ll be able to purchase a solar system for little to $0 down with the added benefit of low, fixed interest rates. You’ll also still be able to take advantage of incentives like the federal solar tax credit. To learn more, contact one of our solar advisors to see if you qualify.
Once you have solar panels installed on your home, you cannot make a change to your agreement type.
You may have weighed a few different agreement options when you signed up. If you’re reconsidering or need clarity on your options, reach out to your sales consultant or project coordinator.
We understand everyone has different situations and needs. Our experts are well-versed in the benefits associated with our options. We are here to help you figure out what’s best for you.
Not necessarily. Depending on where you live, there may be state regulations that require you to insure the system. When this is the case, we will make sure that you are aware of the regulations but you will be responsible for working with your insurance company.
In states where insurance is not required, we still recommend that you tell your insurance company that you are getting a home solar system. It is likely already covered under your current policy, and may not include any additional fees for coverage.
Pvoton makes it easy to transfer your solar lease agreement to the new homeowners. Our service transfer specialists handle everything from educating realtors and potential buyers to working with escrow officers, title agents, home inspectors, and anyone else who might need to know about your system or solar lease agreement. When you decide to move, contact us at 833.843. 4727 or servicetransfers@Pvoton.com and we will get started on facilitating the transfer process.