About Solar Facts
Our Mission
At Solar Facts and SolCore, our mission is to give people the power to change the future. We are dedicated to helping homeowners and protecting our planet. Our team is driven by a mission-oriented culture and a strong commitment to making a difference. We are determined to disrupt the traditional methods of energy production in America. Every day, our team works diligently to embody our core values and provide the highest level of service to our customers. Go solar with Sunder Energy today and take back your power!
~Where We Service~
Today we service all of California and Texas. Tomorrow we will be expanding... stay tuned. Our panels are manufactured in Texas.
Solar information
Solar Facts
Types of Home Solar Power Systems
There are three types of home solar power systems: grid-tied, hybrid, and off-grid.
- Grid-tied: The most common system type, where rooftop solar panels produce DC power that is converted into AC power with the help of an inverter. The home remains connected (or tied) to the grid, and if your solar panels don’t produce enough electricity to power your home, you can draw extra power from the grid.
- Hybrid: Includes a battery that stores excess energy produced by solar panels. When the solar panels can’t provide all of the electricity a home needs, the home can either pull extra electricity from the battery or the grid. You can also charge your battery with grid power when it would be beneficial, such as taking advantage of time of use rates.
- Off-grid: A home that is not connected to the public electric grid, so all power needs must be met through solar panels, batteries, and other sources of self-generated power.
Pros and cons of solar panel system types
Grid-tied (no battery)HybridOff-gridDraw power from the gridDraw power from the gridMust provide all electricity for a house.Can typically use net metering, if availableCan typically use net metering, if availableNo net metering availableAvoid battery expensesBattery storage is an additional expenseProbably requires a batterySolar panels stop during a blackoutCan “island” during a blackout to keep parts of house poweredUnaffected by blackouts, but needs to supply all electricity for the house.
Benefits of Solar Panels
Here are five main reasons why you should consider installing home solar panels.
- Provides clean, renewable energy: Solar energy produces no pollution, and generating electricity from the sun’s power is much better for the environment.
- Greater energy independence: When you produce your own electricity, you have more control over where your energy comes from, what you can do with it, and how much it costs. In addition, battery storage can help you avoid power outages and blackouts, which provides peace of mind during a storm.
- Savings on your electric bill: Because your solar panels can generate much of your home's electricity, you could reduce your utility bills.
- Tax incentives: The federal solar tax credit can help you with the upfront costs of the installation, and some states have similar solar incentives.
- Proven technology: Current solar panel technology will continue generating electricity for 25 years or more, and solar panels are built to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Solar Plus Storage
Solar panels are increasingly being installed with battery storage. While it represents an additional expense, battery storage provides a reassuring backup and, in some cases, increased savings. In 2023, approximately 12% of all distributed solar installations were paired with storage of some kind, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. SEIA expects that number to be 28% by 2028.
Depending on the capacity of the installed battery and the electricity demand of the house, batteries can keep at least parts of a home powered up through an outage. In 2022, the average American utility customer experienced 5 1/2 hours without power, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Another potential benefit is increased savings. In places with weakened net metering policies, battery storage can be a way to avoid even more utility electricity and increase your savings. After California shifted to NEM 3.0, a net billing policy with smaller credits for electricity sent to the grid, 60% of solar installations had batteries, up from 10% before the shift.
How do I start planning for a home solar power system?
Start by reviewing your electricity bills, and assess your needs based on your energy usage, the age and size of your roof, nearby shade trees, and more.
How much do residential solar panel systems typically cost?
The exact solar panel cost and long-term savings of your system may vary depending on several factors.
- The size of your system
- Your energy usage
- Your electricity rates
- Any incentives in your area
- The size and layout of your roof
- Preference for cash or loan financing
How long does it take to install a residential solar power system?
The actual installation will only take a few days of work on average. However, getting to that stage can take weeks, and sometimes months, depending upon the financing for your panels, as well as the permitting and regulatory requirements of your city, county, and state governments.
How much energy can your solar panels produce?
The performance of any solar energy system is dependent on your roof and location. Weather, temperature, daily sunlight, roof pitch, roof orientation, shading, and a host of other factors impact solar performance. At Palmetto, we use proprietary data and mapping software to calculate the solar potential of every square meter of your roof across every hour of the year. We know precisely where to place each panel and how much energy each panel can produce. But how many panels do you need? To maximize your savings, we’ll look at your electricity consumption and rates relative to your solar costs and potential. In many cases, the system size best suited to maximize your savings will vary across solar lease and purchase offerings. Our solar advisors can help you weigh the options to determine which is right for you.