So, You Went Solar! Now What?

Congratulations on your new solar system! What an exciting feeling to know that you will be saving hundreds of dollars on your energy bill.

Just like any big major purchase, it is important to know how to get the best out of your system from monitoring, maintenance, and tips and tricks to make your ownership a great one!

The first step is already completed, going solar. Now, let's cover some important factors that will give you peace of mind knowing that you are utilizing your system to its full potential with great savings to come.

Monitor Your System

While solar monitoring requires little maintenance and demands little effort from the user, they are extremely helpful when trying to understand how much power the solar system generates at different times.

Solar monitoring allows individuals to track the current and historical solar production of their solar system. They allow for custom reports to be created on one platform, and many allow users to track production from anywhere, at any point from their mobile phones and online platforms.

This is also a fantastic way for users to keep track of the efficiency of their solar panels and the energy production of their solar system. Many users have been able to diagnose serious issues with their panels before they became a bigger problem by simply monitoring their energy production!

Monitoring your production will ensure that you avoid any true up bills. To understand more on his topic, you can learn more about it by clicking here.

Monitor your home solar and energy use from anywhere with the mySunPower™ monitoring app:

• Download the mySunPower app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Tap "Create Account" to get started.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
• Connect your system to your account (if your installer/dealer has not already invited you to mySunPower) by entering the SunPower Monitoring Device serial number on the back cover of this document.
• Enjoy mySunPower monitoring from anywhere. Once set up, you can also monitor your system on a web browser at https://login.mysunpower.com/.

Maintenance

Luckily, solar panels require minimal maintenance to ensure they keep working properly and producing solar energy for your home. The most common type of maintenance required for your panels is cleaning. Dirt and debris can collect on your panels, especially during storms or extended periods without rainfall. Occasional cleaning can remove this debris and ensure that your solar panels get the optimal amount of sunlight.

The best indicator that your solar panels need maintenance is a reduction in your energy output. If you suddenly notice that your solar panels aren't producing as much energy as they normally do and that your electricity bill has gone up, it's a good sign that you should schedule a service appointment.

Tax Credit Incentives for Solar

Homeowners installing solar panels in California in 2023 can receive a 30% tax credit on their purchase. This is the federal solar tax credit, which applies to all American homes. Speak with your financial advisor on how to apply for your rebate.

Tips & Tricks

6 solar panel tips and tricks to save you money and improve performance:

1. Clean your solar panels: As time goes by, dust, dirt and all sorts of debris will coat the panels, which will slowly reduce the performance.
2. Buy a battery to store energy: If you don’t have one already, battery systems are a great way to store excess energy as your panels soak up the sunlight. Learn more about battery storage by clicking here.
3. Take advantage when the sun shines: When the sun’s out, you’ve got an immediate and steady supply of free energy. You should take advantage of that while you can run your weekly wash, charge your electronics and take your daily shower all while the sun’s shining.
4. Use one appliance at a time: If you’ve got several appliances running at once, your home may need more energy than your solar panels can provide, and you might end up drawing from your local grid anyway.
5. Watch your usage via an app: In doing this, you can see any periods where energy use is particularly high and adjust your habits accordingly.
6. Upgrade your appliances: By upgrading your appliances, your solar panels won't have to work so hard. If your house is filled with old appliances, you’re likely spending a lot more energy to power them than necessary. Modern appliances are much more energy efficient, and with the Energy Star certification, they’re typically 10% to 20% more energy efficient than non-rated models.
7. Warranty: Know how your system is covered. SunPower covers 100% of repair or replacement costs, while conventional solar warranties don’t. You can learn more about the SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty here.

Stay up to Date

It is always a great idea to stay up to date in the world of solar from the latest products to informational news. Don't forget to follow the Sun Solar blog for more information on everything solar!