Learning Center

Your Complete Solar Learning Center

Your
Complete Solar Learning Center

How Solar Works

Here’s How a Solar Energy System Works

  1. Sunlight is captured via the solar panels and is converted to DC electricity.
  2. The energy flows through the wires to the inverter where the DC electricity is converted to AC electricity.
  3. Your home will then use the solar energy first for any electrical needs.
  4. Any excess energy your home produces and it doesn’t use will flow back into the utility grid, spinning your meter backwards and creating a energy credit you’re your utility company.

Everyday, as the sun shines, solar panels convert the suns rays into a clean power source for your building. This energy travels through a system consisting of wires and inverters that make this process smooth and efficient. The inverter is the central computer system, which converts the direct current (DC) created by the panels into alternating current (AC), which is the type of power your home can use. This AC current goes to your main electrical panel and gets distributed to your building for use. You use what your produce first and any excess goes back to your utility creating energy credits (per kwh) for you to use when you are not producing enough power.

Solar Energy System — Fishkill, NY — SolarPlus

Is My Site Good for Solar?

There are many variables to determine whether your site can benefit from solar. Most sites have the capabilities of producing their own energy in some way. Please contact us to discuss your site and set up an appointment for one of our experienced solar consultants to talk to you about your options. The following things are the key to a successful solar site:

  • Orientation (true south is ideal)
  • Pitch (for roofs) or tilt (for ground)
  • Average annual sunlight hours (8 hrs average per day annually is ideal)
  • Shade (None is ideal)
  • Space available
  • Your actual energy usage

How much energy will my system produce?

The amount of energy a solar system will produce depends on these factors and how close to ideal your site actually is. We aim to use the smallest possible system to produce the most possible power given your site conditions and energy goals. The more power you can produce out of the system the larger your savings is.

Shading and Obstacles

The key to getting the most power out of your solar electric system is placing it in an area where you get the most possible direct sunlight. Trees and other nearby obstacles (large AC units, air vents, etc.) can create shade on the panels, which prohibit it from functioning at its peak capacity. We will ask you the following questions to get an idea of your property and its solar potential.

  1. Do you have a south facing or open area to place a solar electric system?
  2. If not, do you have an east or west area? If so, if it is your roof what is the pitch?
  3. Are there any nearby trees or obstacles that create shading in this area?

Excessive shade that is produced by tall, large and full evergreen trees or even tall deciduous trees will prohibit your system from producing optimally. Often times, tree trimming or removal of the questionable tree will resolve the situation and allow for your system to function to its fullest capacity.


Available roof space, along with your budget, determines how large of a system you can install. The larger the system, the more power it can produce.


If your rooftop is not the best for installing system, or perhaps you prefer to not have it on your roof at all, we at SolarPlus will design and engineer an ideal ground mounted system that may be more suitable for your property needs and energy goals.


Shading is one of the items our expert solar consultants will analyze while at your site. They will determine if there are any possible issues and make suggestions based on your property and your energy needs to come up with a solution that is right for you.


Call us today at (877) 523-5223 for your free on-site evaluation or contact us.

Solar FAQs

  • How can solar power benefit you?

    Becoming your own energy producer can be very beneficial to you. You can finally take control of your utility bill and stop being held hostage to the electric company’s rising rates. You will gain your energy independence. Use what your produce, own your energy and stabilize the cost for 25 plus years. Other benefits:


    • Help alleviate heavy demand variations due to those spikes in electricity.
    • Increase the value of your propert
    • Help to raise buying potential compared to other properties in the area for sale without stabilized energy improvements.
  • Why do you need a copy of my utility bill?

    We require a copy of your utility bill to determine your annual usage. Once we have that and the price you are paying for your current electric from the utility, we can design a system and run the analysis on cost and savings to help you determine what system is best for you. We want to make sure we are designing a system that covers as much of your energy as possible. Once you choose to move forward with SolarPlus, we will need to submit a full copy of your energy bill to the state in as part of their eligibility process for the grants they are giving towards the purchase of a solar electric system.

  • What happens during a power outage?

    All grid-tied systems shut down in the event of power outage to prevent any electricity from flowing back to main grid. This is dangerous for the utility workers who come to work on the lines. The inverter our SolarPlus team designs for your system has an automatic safety feature to detect this. Once the inverter detects the grid failure, it automatically shuts down power flowing to the grid. Once the grid is back up, your system will automatically turn on and continue to function as normal. If your system is designed with a battery back-up system, the flow to the grid will be cut off and the power being produced will be used to charge the batteries for whatever loads you have connected for such events.

  • What happens in winter with snow?

    We discuss annual production of a solar system and assess the performance based on this information. The SolarPlus production guarantee uses weather data dating back 30 years from you areas local weather stations. If it’s a particularly snowy winter and your panels are covered with snow, electricity will not be generated until the panels are clear. If it’s a mild winter, your system will produce during the prime daylight hours just as any other day. SolarPlus does not recommend clearing roof systems of snow. Damage to the panels may occur as well as it can be dangerous. If you choose to remove snow from your ground array, please take caution while doing so. Most ground arrays will melt and slide the snow right off due to the tilt. The majority of your production will take place spring summer and fall where the number of available daylight hours are at their highest.

  • What maintenance is required for my solar system once installed?

    With the exception of keeping your system free from shade (trimming trees if necessary), Virtually NONE! That’s the beauty of a solar electric system that has no moving parts. In the northeast, annual rainfall will wash them and snow will melt. They are made from tempered glass and highly durable. All systems come with a monitor that can be accessed online to detect any issues. You will be able to view your systems performance.

  • How popular is solar energy in the United States?

    Sadly, the United States is behind in solar energy production in comparison to some of the other leading countries globally. Its solar production only accounts for a small amount of the overall energy usage. Nonetheless, solar power usage is on the rise throughout the country thanks to the renewal of some great federal incentives as well as some other local and state financial incentives and rebate programs. Many residential and commercial energy consumers have recognized the economic and social benefits of solar power by taking advantage of such incentives.

  • Will the system interfere with the way my business is powered now?

    Our SolarPlus design team will evaluate your electrical set up and determine the best route to get you connected. Your site will run exactly the same as it always has. You will see no difference while using your electricity. The only difference will be shown on your bill. You will be paying less or nothing for the energy itself.

  • When will I need to replace my solar system?

    SolarPlus is dedicated to using reliable and proven technology. Our solar panels come with a 25 year warranty and have very little degradation over time. The life expectancy of the systems are much longer.

  • What happens at night?

    Solar panels do not generate electricity at night. You will draw the energy you need from either your local utility company.

  • What about excess energy produced? Where does it go?

    If the solar system generates excess electricity, it is sold back to the local electrical utility (know as net-metering). The energy will flow directly back into your utility grid.

  • How much of my energy bill can solar power replace?

    Many customers can save 70 -100% of their annual electricity bill. Again, this depends on how much energy you consume and how much space you have. Other factors that affect savings and solar production are:


    • Your electric utility rates
    • The amount of sunlight your site receives
    • The size of the system installed
    • The available grants, rebates and/or tax incentives you qualify for
    • Interest rates on loans (if financing)
  • How much electricity can a solar power system generate?

    Our highly trained SolarPlus consultants will visit your site and assess your site and help determine what kind of system helps you achieve your energy goals best. The amount of power you need and the space allotted for the system will determine the number of panels and how much energy will be produced. This varies by site. SolarPlus will analyze your energy usage and site to determine your solar power needs. There are many factors that contribute to the amount of energy a solar system can produce.


    • The number of solar panels
    • The wattage of the panel
    • How much direct sun exposure to the panels
    • Orientation and tilt of the panels
  • What are solar panels made from and how do they generate electricity?

    Solar panels are typically rectangular plates that look similar to dark glass. They consist of smaller solar “cells” that are assembled and wired to one another into a single panel. These cells work together to generate electricity in the solar panel. Although there are many different types of solar cells, most work in a similar manner. There are two layers of silicon, a positive layer and a negative layer that are pressed together in the cell. As the sun hits one of the layers of silicon, it excites the free electrons. This creates a back and forth flow to the other layer of silicon creating a natural electric current.

Call us today at (877) 523-5223 for your free on-site evaluation or contact us. A solar electric system is one of the safest financial investments a business can make.

Solar Facts vs. Solar Myths

Get the Facts about Solar Energy

With so many deceptions out in the world and on the internet (social, political, and just plain non-believers), it is hard for some people to tell fact from fiction, especially when it comes to clean energy. We at SolarPlus are devoted to educating our customers on the facts about solar. We believe it is important in the process for you to understand what you are getting, how it works and why it is the right solution you. 


Time and time again, we hear “facts” about solar that are just not correct. Most often these “facts” come from other companies just trying to sell you what they want to sell you by creating myths. These misconceptions also may be rooted in outdated technologies. Although solar energy has been around for decades, it may be new to you as a consumer. The technology has become more sophisticated over time. Below is a list of these common misconceptions and what the truth actually is and explanations as to why.

Little Girl Smiling — Fishkill, NY — SolarPlus

Solar: True or False?

Solar is affordable. TRUE.

Fact: Solar is something you can’t afford to miss out on. Solar is affordable for almost any homeowner or business that pays a utility bill. If you are already paying your utility bill, you can afford solar! There are many options for customers to go solar today. You need to own your home or business, need to have a sunny area for the system, and you need to have good credit.


Loan: Programs that will help structure your payments close to what you are already paying your utility company for that same power it will displace.


PPA: For commercial customers, a PPA can be used to set up your payments to be less than what your utility bill will be for that same power. Savings is immediate.

There is enough sun in our area. TRUE.

Fact: There is more than enough sun in the northeast for solar. Tens of thousands of systems have been operating for many years creating power day in and day out for many happy solar consumers for the past decade. We just need an area free of most shading to place the system. Germany is the solar capital of the world and they have less sunlight hours annually than we do here in the northeast. We get plenty of sun geographically!

Switching to solar is easy. TRUE.

Fact: Going solar is a simple process with a few steps. We at SolarPlus will walk you through all the necessary steps to get you up and running and saving money for years to come. We take care of everything involved so you don’t have to.

Solar is easy to maintain. TRUE.

Fact: Solar is one of the easiest things to maintain. A system is low maintenance. Rain will wash the panels, the snow melts, and there are no moving parts. While inexpensive, it may make sense to get annual check ups to ensure your system is performing optimally. With our online monitoring system included in every SolarPlus system, all you have to do is watch your meter spin backwards and your savings grow.

If I wait the cost of solar will go up. TRUE.

Fact: Waiting to go solar is actually costing you money. Also, rebates are going down all the time, so you will get less money upfront as time goes on. This will actually increase the cost of your system. The tax incentives being offered also will not last forever. There is a cost to wait! Everyday you pay your utility for your power you are losing money. The sooner you install solar the sooner you can start to save.

Going solar is not only about helping the environment, but is also a good financial investment. TRUE.

Fact: The number one reason people choose to go solar is to SAVE MONEY! Saving the environment at the same time is also a plus (a SolarPlus!)

Solar is a good investment because utility rates have risen over the last decade. TRUE.

Fact: Solar electric is one of the safest investments a homeowner or business can make. Utility rates may have gone down slightly over the past year, but rest assured, they will skyrocket again. The Department of Energy has published the history of electric prices dating back decades. The steady trend line is UP with a few lulls in between, but a new record low is always set and is always higher than the previous one.


Solar electric gives you a savings from the start. The system pays for itself through this savings and creates energy for years beyond the initial payback. Does your utility bill pay for itself? …….. We didn’t think so.

Take the next step and contact SolarPlus today at 877-523-5223 for your free on-site evaluation and estimate for your home. You can’t afford to miss out on this. Start saving today! Solar is a PLUS! 

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