saddle up with solar

What Are Residential Solar Systems?

These days, solar power receives a lot of attention for being a superior energy source. While most people have heard of large corporations going green and using solar power, some are unaware they can experience the benefits of solar power in their own homes. If you dream of owning your power, cutting back on your electric bills, increasing your home's value and protecting the environment, a residential solar system is a perfect solution for you.

In the sections below, you'll learn how solar energy works, the different components of a residential solar system, the benefits of switching to solar power, what type of solar panels to get and how to get them installed. Keep reading to find out why solar energy is a smart investment and how you can take advantage of this renewable resource.

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How does solar energy work?

How Does Solar Energy WorkA solar energy system converts the sun's light and heat into electricity you can use to power your home. It's also possible to use solar energy to heat your water, so you can truly live off the grid. In general, there are three major types of solar panels — monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. These types of solar panels vary in appearance, construction, performance, cost and installation.

Usually, solar energy systems include solar panels to harness the sun's energy, using photovoltaic (PV) cell technology to produce electrical charges. An individual PV cell is a small device made up of different semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electrical energy. The PV technology process used for solar panels works through these simplified steps:The PV solar cells absorb solar radiation from sunlight.As the sun's rays interact with the PV cells, electrons start to move, generating a flow of electric current.Wires capture and guide this direct current (DC) electricity to a solar inverter, which converts it to alternating current (AC) electricity.

Once the energy has been converted into AC electricity, it flows through the home's electrical panel to be distributed appropriately. The following is a breakdown of how the energy produced by solar panels works in your house:PV cells within the solar panels absorb the sun's energy and convert it into DC electricity.The solar inverter converts this DC electricity into AC electricity, which is the type of electricity used by most home appliances.This AC electricity flows through your house, powering electronic devices.Any excess electricity generated by the solar panels gets fed to the electric grid.

Residential Solar F.A.Q.'s

Our response to some of the most asked ?'s

Go ahead and ask... we've got 3 decades of answers.

How much does a typical system cost?

We customize each system based on your home’s actual KW usage, so we do not have a typical cost.

Do you offer financing?

We partner with loan companies specializing in energy efficiencies that offer incredibly low rates upon qualification.

What do you need from me in order to get a quote?

We simply need one copy of an entire electric bill.

How long will it take to install my system?

Depending on the size and complexity, but a simple roof install will typically take one day.

What warranties are offered with my panels?

The manufacturers of the panels offer 25 yr warranty. We offer 25 yr warranty on defects of the panels as well. Your panels will also need to be added to your homeowner’s insurance and that will cover any weather damage to the panels.

Will adding a system to my homeowner’s insurance cause it to increase?

That solely depends on your insurance carrier. Some have not raised at all; some have raised $10 a month.

What happens if weather damages my roof?

We will come uninstall your panels until your roof is repaired, then we will reinstall.

What happens if my panels are damaged due to weather?

The panels we use are rated to withstand up to 100 mph winds and hail up to the size of softballs. However, the only damage we have seen to panels is grapefruit size hail. If this happens, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the uninstall and reinstall by us.

Are there any incentives to reduce the price of my system?

For 2020 the government offers a 26% tax credit upon installation. For 2021 that reduces to a 22% tax credit and there are no guarantees for any credit in 2022.

From the horses mouth

hear it from them, not us.

Hear what some of our customers have to say about saddling up with solar.

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We have had our solar system installed for almost a year and very rarely have an electric bill over $50!! Best investment ever!

Jeremy & Jami F.

"If you are considering solar, look NO further! S&H is the best! Their team is second to none! The entire process was a breeze. If you have questions or concerns, they can answer all of them!

Brandon & Mindi B - Iowa Park, TX

The process was easy and reaping the benefits was quick!

Linda B. - City View, TX

S&H was amazing! Made the entire process painless. They handled absolutely everything. Saw results on our electric bill almost immediately.

Brandon R. - Iowa Park, TX

We had S&H Solar install a rooftop system on the shop adjacent to our recently constructed home. Working with S&H Solar has truly been a great experience. The customer service has been second-to-none and their pricing was much more affordable than their competitors.

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