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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Solar Cost?
This depends on the existing conditions of the site. If the existing roof has at least 15 years of functional life left, the pricing for solar starts around $6.00/Watt on residential. Commercial pricing depends more on structural review, but will generally begin below $6/Watt.
On average, how long does it take to recoup my costs?
On a residential install the average payback is the sixth or seventh year. On a commercial application owners will generally have paid off their investment and making profit by the third year without financing. With financing commercial solar systems can pay off their investment instantly, and can continue to not owe anything under the cumulative cash flow. We work with various banking institutions to set up loans with a 6.5% rate.
How much energy can Solar produce?
This Depends greatly on the size of the system, how much available land there is to use and how much the client wants to offset. One way to estimate is looking at how much space you can dedicate to solar. On average 100 sq. ft. is required to install 1,000 watts of solar. Here's a link to a great solar calulator. We get asked this question a lot, but it has many variables. For a specific site, contact us and we'll be happy to give you a free quote. To learn more about the incentives for solar in Oregon refer to our "Solar Incentives" page.
How long of a warranty does the system have?
The solar panels have a 25 year power warranty. The inverters will generally need to be replaced before the panels do. For our installations we usually use inverters with a 20 year warranty.
Can solar really produce that much electricity in the northwest, especially in Oregon?
Yes, for example Germany receives 20% of its electricity from solar and is on the same latitude as Vancouver, B.C. The northwest is capable of producing even more solar electricity than Germany. To give you an idea, the city of Astoria produces the least amount of sunlight in all of Oregon, yet it still produces more than any region in Germany. Also the new thin film technology can absorb a wider band of the color spectrum. Allowing the panels to produce a greater amount of electricity on cloudy days over traditional panels.
Why shouldn't I just go with wind?
Wind is a great renewable energy, but the main advantage of solar is no moving parts. This greatly decreases points of failure. Wind is generally better suited in rural areas, where noise isn't such an issue. Plus in urban areas solar can better utilize unused roof space. Solar also performs at its peak when electricity is in the greatest demand. This helps guarantee stable electricity and optimal payback.
How much will it cost to maintain?
Solar PV systems have no moving parts and, as such, need little maintenance. The primary maintenance will be ensuring that the PV panels stay clean for maximum efficiency. We can install a remote monitoring systems that will notify Duro-Last and us if any problems arise. With panel warranties of 25 years and inverter warranties of up to 20 years these systems are designed for an extended life. Your solar energy system will be producing renewable, carbon neutral energy for a long time.
Still have Questions?! That's fine, check out our blog, or email us and try to stump us.
Call us at (541) 436-0800 or Fax Competitive Solar: (541) 387-3866
