 |
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||
Solar
If you are looking for a solid personal investment, a way to improve the environment, or want to claim energy independence with your own energy policy and protect yourself against rising utility rates then solar is the perfect answer.
Going solar is easy with SolTerra. We outline all the benefits for you, take care of all utility and incentive paperwork, design, install, and give you an industry best 10 year parts and labor warranty on top of all product warranties. You won't find a more comprehensive service anywhere else.
Common Questions
What is the process for installation?
 |
| Click Here to Download a PDF of The Process |
Does the Northwest get enough sun?
Yes! Seattle receives about 70% of the sun that LA receives and Portland gets about 5% more than Seattle. If you look at Germany, they installed more solar than the US has installed in its history in 2006 where they installed 55% of all installations in the world that year and then 47% the next. Germany gets less sun than anywhere in the Northwest.
Do I have an ideal solar site?
Every property is different and that is why we do a comprehensive site survey to ensure a quality installation. The perfect site is one that faces due South with the modules at a 30-35 degree pitch and no shading. This is an extremely rare site though and being off South isn't that much different. A system facing due west will typically lost about 10-12% and a system facing due east will typically lose about 12-15% with anything in between losing less.
Do you provide financing?
While we do not currently provide direct financing we do have some excellent sources that we have experience working with. Here are some of the many options we are familiar with.
 |
Umpqua Bank has a great loan program though Green Street Lending |
|
 |
Clark County PUD will finance up to $20,000 at 5% interest click here for more info |
|
 |
 |
Snohomish County PUD offers loans at 2.9% or $500 per installed KW click here for more info |
How long do solar systems last?
While solar modules have 20-25 year warranties, they are expected to last much longer. For example, Bell Labs recently pulled out their original solar modules for their 50th anniversary and they were still performing well. There have been many improvements made since the 1950s so the simple answer is that most likely your solar system will outlast you.
Should I wait for new technology?
The bottom line is that solar isn't a new technology. Edison was working with solar a century ago and modules have not changed that much in the last 50 years. What has changed are the incentives and they are now better than ever so you should take advantage of them while they are available.
Project: Hainze Residence
Location: Bellevue, WA
SolTerra Provided: 10.75KW PV System using 50 Sanyo 215 watt modules and Enphase micro-inverters with Enlighten system monitoring and Velux solar tube. View system monitoring here
Here's a few more reasons our customers choose solar:
Energy Independence: There is something very fulfilling about knowing that you are creating your own energy and watching your meter spin backwards as you send energy back to the grid.
Environmental Impact: The sun is the cheapest, least polluting fuel source we have available. Furthermore, solar provides energy at the source, rather than hundreds of miles away where it must travel a great distance which is inefficient and wasteful.
Financial Investment: Solar is a safe place to put your money and with an ROI of 5-15% it beats many other investments. Solar modules have a 20-25 year warranty and should produce energy for at least twice that long. You won't find that kind of guarantee with many other investments.
Affordability: With a 30% federal tax credit and some of the best incentives in the country, solar is now more affordable than ever here in the Northwest.
Home Value: According to the American Appraisal institute, solar will add $20 in home value for every $1 it saves in electricity costs per year. Also, the Seattle PI recently reported that green homes sell for 4.8% more than comparable homes and sell 24% faster. The Daily Journal of Commerce reports that green homes sell for 37% more per square foot.
Rising Energy Costs: Rates in the Northwest have been rising by as much as 13% per year over the last 5 years. By purchasing a solar system, you are paying for your energy up front so you don't have to worry about rate increases anymore. Rate increases actually benefit solar because the system becomes more valuable.
Low Maintenance: Solar has no moving parts and is virtually maintenance free.
