A lot goes into the decision to invest in solar, and many of these factors are specific to your unique situation. We are here to help you navigate the decision at every stage by providing a better understanding of your electricity use, relevant policies, and accurate rates that should be central to your decision.
Don't hesitate to contact TCEC at 580-652-2418 early in your decision-making process for more information.
Avoid shady solar scams by asking TCEC first
Benefits
- Lock in a portion of your energy cost
- Protect against inflation
- Reduce carbon footprint
- No changes to your property
- Lower cost because of economy of scale
- Relationship with TCEC, rather than a third party
Overview
- One-time community solar subscription fee is $254 as of January 1, 2023.
- The subscription term is through 2041
- The community solar energy rate is $0.05 per kWh and will be adjusted as energy prices change
- Approximately a 10 year payback period
- Monthly credit will vary based on the energy production of the array
- Available to all TCEC residential members on a first-come, first-served basis
- Nothing is installed on your home
- No worries about installation, operation or maintenance
- TCEC members who rent are able to subscribe too
- Flexible sizing to fit your budget, you can buy one subscription or more
- If you move within the TCEC service area, your subscription can move with you
- If you move outside the TCEC service area, you can sell your subscription back to TCEC or transfer it to another residential member
- Simple, affordable and renewable
- TCEC’s Community Solar array has 3,840 panels that are 400 watts each. Each panel is estimated to produce 553 kWh per year. The array is projected to generate 50,473,300 kilowatt-hours of electricity and prevent 40,379 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its 25-year useful life.
- The tenKsolar panels used are low voltage and safer than any other option on the market. The internal voltage is kept below the arc threshold, and smart electronics disconnect each module if the system’s circuit is broken.
Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into a clean, green source of energy. Solar is a hot topic in the electric cooperative world, and we want to provide our members with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding this type of investment. While rooftop solar certainly works for many people, it’s not the answer for all. We want our members to fully understand the true costs, the operational reality of this form of energy, and actual energy savings. Together, we can look at the total energy picture to help you determine the best options for your home. Our experience makes considering solar a simple, powerful, and efficient process.
A lot goes into the decision to invest in solar and many of these factors are specific to your unique situation. We are here to help you navigate the decision at every stage by providing a better understanding of your electricity use, the latest information on reliable contractors, relevant policies, and accurate rates that should be central to your decision. If you're considering installing solar at your home, please review these documents for more information on the requirements and the agreement to do so.
Member-Owned Generation ------ Spanish Version
Distributed Generation Program ------ Spanish Version
Interconnection Agreement ------ Spanish Version
PV System Overview
Residential solar systems have four key features: solar panels, an inverter, a metering system, and the utility grid.
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity and can be installed on either rooftops or the ground. An inverter converts the DC electricity into useable alternating current (AC) electricity to power your home. A Metering System provided by the solar vendor tracks how much solar you produce and consume. The Utility Grid provides power to the inverter and power to the home not produced by the solar panel.
Keep in mind that solar panels will not be able to provide your home with electricity during a power outage unless you have a battery.
Steps before installing solar
- Contact TCEC at 580-652-2418 to understand how much electricity you use and other important factors that can help determine what size system makes sense for you.
- Use the Solar Savings Calculator below to approximate how much you can save with solar and how much your system will cost.
- Understand the complete financial implications of owning solar. There is an upfront cost to install a system and annual maintenance costs. Make sure the vendor you purchase from supports future maintenance.
- Get multiple quotes from solar vendors and financing providers before you make any decisions.
Maximize System Efficiency
Multiple factors impact how much electricity your PV system will produce and will determine whether solar makes sense for you. Not all solar panels are manufactured the same way and different vendors use different panels. Higher-quality solar panels are often more efficient and more costly. There are also multiple environmental factors that influence the efficiency of your solar panels. The largest factors are shade, the pitch of your roof, the angle of installation, and the general climate. Solar panels should be placed in a location that optimizes their efficiency. The vendor’s installation expert should identify the best location to install your PV system and estimate how much electricity it will produce. You can consult them to address any aesthetic concerns and tradeoffs.
Financing Options
Just like buying a car, there are multiple ways to finance a PV system. Outright ownership usually has the highest return on investment, but it involves paying for your system upfront. Solar Loans have the same basic structure, terms, and conditions as other home improvement loans and are an option if you want to own the system but need to finance the upfront cost. These financing options qualify homeowners for financial incentives like the federal investment tax credit (ITC). Some vendors may offer 3rd party financing structures such as a Solar Lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), but these options are usually more costly. It is important to understand all available options and their tradeoffs before deciding.
Solar Calculator
IF MY PV SYSTEM GENERATES POWER, WHY DO I NEED TO CONNECT TO THE UTILITY GRID?
Unless your PV system includes a battery, you need utility grid power for the inverter and for times when the sun is not powering your solar system (at night or cloudy days for instance). Most solar systems are designed to produce the amount of the home’s total energy consumption but not at the time the consumption occurs. The difference comes from the utility grid. Keep in mind that a PV system without a battery must be tied to the utility grid to work. This means that solar panels will not be able to provide your home with electricity during a power outage, unless you have a battery.
HOW LONG DOES A PV SYSTEM LAST?
A PV system is made up of different parts and each part has a different lifespan. The solar panels usually produce electricity for about 25 years with some year-over-year decline in efficiency as the panels degrade. After 25 years, the amount of electricity a solar panel generates begins to significantly decrease. Other parts of the PV system have a shorter lifespan. For example, the inverter is usually replaced every 10-15 years.
DO PV SYSTEMS AFFECT MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE?
Each policy is different so you should contact your insurance provider before installing a PV system. Most homeowner insurance plans consider rooftop solar panels as part of a home and will cover them under your original plan. Ground-mounted solar panels usually require a separate insurance policy or can be added to your existing policy. Speaking with your insurance provider about coverage limits and what is covered under your existing policy is a great first step.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A PV SYSTEM?
The average time from receiving the first quote to installation of a PV system is 2 to 6 months. It typically takes several weeks for the vendor to obtain the proper permits, design the system, and order the necessary parts. The physical installation will only take 1 to 3 days.
HOW OFTEN DO PV SYSTEMS NEED MAINTENANCE?
PV systems typically require minimal maintenance. The wiring around the solar panels is most susceptible to damage; however, most equipment manufacturers offer extended warranties to cover any equipment replacement costs. Qualified solar professionals should inspect your system every 3 to 5 years to make sure it is working efficiently. Inverters will need to be replaced periodically and solar panels, while resistant to weather, may suffer unexpected damage from wind or hail.
DO SOLAR PANELS HAVE TO BE INSTALLED ON MY ROOF?
No, solar panels can be installed on your roof or on a ground-mounted system. Ground-mounted systems are built with a frame, racking, and concrete footing. They are a great option for large properties with wide open space away from trees. Major benefits of ground-mounted systems may include more control of pitch and direction, larger size installations, and the avoidance of home roof issues such as needing to add additional support or system removal during reroofing.
WHY ARE VENDOR QUOTES SO DIFFERENT?
Each vendor will design your system differently. Generally, vendors customize a system to fit your property and meet your energy goals. There are multiple PV system equipment manufacturers that offer a wide selection of equipment and parts. Some vendors try and mix and match different parts. Getting quotes from multiple vendors usually provides the homeowner with enough perspective to see which system best fits their needs. Make sure it is a reputable dealer – buyer beware – sometimes you get what you pay for.
WHY DOES THE SOLAR VENDOR SAY I NEED A BIGGER SYSTEM THAN THE SOLAR CALCULATOR ABOVE?\
Contact your local cooperative representative, Chris Purdy - 580-652-2418, to determine if there are limitations that the solar vendor is not considering and to find the PV system size that is right for you. There are a lot of factors that go into determining the right size for a PV system. Many vendors tend to recommend larger systems because they cost more and produce more electricity. However, producing more electricity is not always good for you. The Solar Savings Calculator above recommends a system size based on generic assumptions.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO REROOF MY HOUSE?
If you plan to reroof your house in the next 5 to 10 years, it generally makes sense to do this before installing solar panels. Reroofing your house with solar requires the temporary removal and reinstallation of the solar panels and mounting hardware – a cost to the homeowner that can be several thousand dollars. Most solar vendors offer this service and will include a fee estimate, if asked. Generally, the removal and reinstallation process will take one day each but may require up to a month's advance notice depending on the availability of your solar vendor.
CAN MY HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION (HOA) PREVENT ME FROM INSTALLING SOLAR?
The HOA cannot prohibit solar panel installations outright under the most recent solar access laws. However, HOAs can place restrictions on where and how solar is installed if it doesn’t make the proposed solar system less effective or more expensive. Homeowners that live in neighborhoods with HOAs must still follow the normal home improvement procedures when installing solar. It is important to check your HOA rules before installing solar on your property to avoid additional costs.
WHAT ZONING OR PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS DO I NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE INSTALLING SOLAR?
Permitting and zoning requirements are subject to regional differences and can frequently change, so these questions are best handled by your solar vendor. Generally, you need three types of permits to install a residential solar system: an electrical permit, a structural or building permit, and a dedicated solar photovoltaic (PV) permit. The specific permits needed vary depending on the size, location, and type of PV system. There are infrequent zoning issues with residential solar, but your solar vendor should provide the latest information on any relevant city ordinances.