Frequently Asked Questions

PV panels absorb energy from the sun and convert this energy into a direct current. Once collected, an inverter converts this energy into the AC current used by your appliances and other electronics.

At TENCO SOLAR, we can confidently say that you will save money if you invest in solar, but the amount you save will depend on many factors, including the size of your and the amount of sun that your property gets. Contact our team today for a solar proposal for your property that will include estimated savings customized for you.

Solar systems have no moving parts and are designed to stand up to the elements. You can expect your solar system to provide reliable service for 30 years or more when the system is professionally installed and maintained.

Yes, but not as effectively as they do on a bright, sunny day. The amount of energy produced depends on the amount of direct sunlight hitting the panels, which can vary considerably throughout any day.

The cost of solar panel installation depends on the amount of energy you use, the size of your home, available tax incentives, the type of panels selected, and how many panels will be installed. Solar panel installation can vary significantly in price, ranging from $5,000 on the low end to more than $40,000 on the high end. A TENCO SOLAR specialist can provide you with a custom quote for your home. 

The average size of a home in the California is about 2,400 square feet and the average customer uses about 718kWh of electricity per month. To cover the energy expenses for a home of this size, you need approximately 15 to 20 solar panels. However, depending on your exact energy consumption history and your home’s actual size, the number of panels can vary.

Due to government regulations, grid-tied solar systems will be shut down when the power goes out, to allow electrical workers to repair the power grid without danger from power flowing to the grid from your home or business. If you want your property to have energy during a power outage, consider a battery backup solar system, which unlike a generator, runs on the clean energy of the sun and are safe and reliable. Solar batteries work by diverting the excess solar energy your panels create to your battery so that you can power essential appliances when you need them.

While your solar panels will produce most, if not all of the electricity you need, most homes will remain connected to the power grid after installation. We wouldn’t advise anyone take their home completely off the grid unless they have a sturdy and reliable battery storage system in place.

Yes, our team will provide a site analysis to help determine the best placement and design for your solar panels. In addition, we may provide recommendations about trees that should be cut back or removed to provide additional sunlight or prevent damage to your panels.

It’s best to wash them at least once every year. This will help protect the panels from damage and will improve their efficiency. Homeowners can clean their panels themselves by blowing them off with leaf blower and rinsing them with a garden hose, but this could void the panel warranty. We recommend that homeowners invest in a professional maintenance appointment for a deep cleaning and inspection of their entire solar system once per year.

Solar panels that are not significantly damaged will continue to generate electricity. However, they will not perform as well as panels that are not compromised.

They can be, which is why we strongly recommend prompt repairs of any damaged systems. If the wiring is faulty, the insulation is insufficient, or the PV module is compromised, there is a fire risk.

It depends on what part(s) and how much of the panel is damaged. Our team can repair many problems by replacing glass or repairing wiring connections.

Solar panel installation is a job best left to the professionals at TENCO SOLAR. This process requires specific training and involves a great deal of time on the roof to get installation just right. There are many laws, regulations, and safety standards that must be carefully followed during solar panel installation as well, so it’s best to contact the installation professionals to get the job done right rather than risking injury, electrocution, or electrical system damage.

Two studies, one conducted by the US Department of Energy’s Berkeley Lab over a 15-year period, and a more recent analysis conducted by Zillow, show having a solar energy system can increase the value of your home by $10-30K when it comes time to sell your home.

Through a process called net-metering, you can send unused solar power to your local utility company, and they will give you credits on your utility bill. Our goal at TENCO SOLAR is to help property owners off-set as much of their utility bill as possible with solar energy credits.