How much does a typical residential solar system cost?

While system sizes can vary greatly, a typical residential solar system will cost between $7,000 and $15,000, depending on number and types of appliances, pumps, computers, TVs, pool and fountains a house has, and the number of hours these loads are used each day.

How long does a solar system take to pay for itself?

This depends on a number of factors including your current cost of electricity, the rate structure of your electrical service, the incentives available to you, and the cost of money on your investment. When paying cash, a typical residential system may see a simple payback in 8-10 years. If you are financing the purchase of your solar system, you may see immediate positive cash flow or you may initially see a slight negative impact on monthly cash flow when factoring the cost of the loan against the initial savings. As electrical rates increase, and with your loan payment staying fixed, you will eventually see positive cash flow, a break-even point, and then a positive rate of return. Financed systems typically either see immediate positive cash flow or will attain positive cash flow within three years.

How much space do I need for a residential solar system installation?

Typical residential solar systems range from 1 to 8 kW, depending on the solar module, each DC kilowatt requires roughly 65-75 square feet (7 sq meters) of mounting area. So, for typical residential systems, you will need from 65 to 600 square feet (or 7-60 square meters).

Do the solar modules need to mount on the roof?

No. Though the roof is the most common location for mounting solar modules, they can also be mounted on the ground or in other architecturally integrated ways such as on walls or shade structures. Ground mounted systems tend to cost more than roof mounted systems because of the need for trenching, concrete footings and (typically) a steel sub-structure. Ground mounted systems are, however, viable and common.

How long will a solar system last?

The main component of a solar system, the solar modules, are typically warranted for 25 years but have a design life of over 40. There are modules still operating today that were manufactured in the 1970's. The inverters are typically warranted for 10 years. It is not certain how long they may last beyond their warranty period. A conservative set of assumptions when considering the long term financial performance of your system is to figure the performance at 30 years with the replacement of the inverters at year 15. The inverters may represent roughly 10% of the post rebate cost of the system depending on system size, configuration and system installation cost.

What does a typical solar module warranty cover?

Solar Modules are typically warranted to produce up to 80% of their original capacity up to 25 years. Different manufactures warrant the production degradation on different schedules. When comparing solar module warranties, read the warranties to determine which has the better coverage.

What kind of maintenance does a solar system require?

Washing the solar array with water a few times a month is a good idea but not strictly critical.  Most good solar designers have factored the effect of seasonal dust on your projected system output over time. Occasional visual inspection of the array is wise in order to identify any serious soiling of the array such as significant bird droppings or other types of opaque soiling. Checking the integrity of mechanical and electrical connections, checking the electrical characteristics of the system and logging data are other good annual maintenance practices.

Should I purchase a solar maintenance contract from my Solar Contractor?

A maintenance contract with your solar contractor is a good idea to insure the continued optimal performance of your system. In addition to a thorough visual inspection of your system, a solar maintenance contractor can check mechanical connections, perform a re-torque of all electrical connections, take voltage readings of the individual PV strings in your system to confirm proper voltage and performance, and log cumulative data from your inverter(s) to keep and compare performance records for your system.

Will a solar system provide power during an electrical power outage?

Most of our grid tied solar electric systems do provide electrical power during electrical power outages. We use Outback Inverters, which have battery back up. Most other companies in Mexico use inverters that must shut down in the event of grid power loss. Backup power systems can be designed into a grid tied solar system with the addition of a battery bank and a battery powered inverter. This option adds some expense but is crucial in areas where power outages are endemic, and the expense should be weighed against the benefit of having backup power.

How much roof space is needed for a solar electric system?

Depending on which solar module is used, each DC (nameplate) kilowatt of PV will require roughly 65- 75 square feet (appx 7 sq mts) of roof space. So, a 4 kW solar system will require roughly 2800 square feet (4 x 70' = 280 square feet/28 sq mts). Each panel is 1.5 sq mts/appx 16 sq ft (1m X 1.5m)

Will my solar system need to be inspected by the building department?

No but if you are Grid tied the CFE utility will inspect your system for safety of the line workers.

Can a modern home with standard mechanical systems and appliances be powered by an off grid solar system?

Yes. Off grid solar systems can be designed to power any home with mechanical systems and appliances. Though special appliances are not required, it is typically prudent to avoid any form of electrical heat such as electrical space heating or water heating and to rely on gas for providing energy for heat. Such gas heated systems (as well as electrical heating) can also be assisted by solar thermal collectors.

Our team consists of highly qualified systems designers, installers and maintenance crews. We offer experience and knowledge about the products that we sell and the systems we install. Our team is committed to serving our customers not just through the initial purchase and installation but throughout the life of their systems. We are proud to have a team comprised of talented and competent renewable energy professionals.

Solar San Miguel's non-profit arm, Sustainable San Miguel AC, was founded to develop local, regional, and national networks of green professionals, and environmental actors. Sustainable San Miguel hosts conferences and workshops in San Miguel de Allende for the green movement community and is building ecological awareness at a local level.

Pueblo de Guerrero Photovoltaic Water Pump

Solar San Miguel donates labor and materials for renewable energy projects within the local community, motivated by our commitment to allow access to clean energy to all sectors of our population. Our two most recent projects are a solar powered community water pump and a photovoltaic display for a local park.(READ THE ARTICLE). We have distinguished ourselves as a reliable, conscientious, and involved community partner in promoting renewable energy technology.

Donated Parque Juarez Photovoltaic System

Parque Juarez Photovoltaic System

Solar San Miguel formed a joint-venture partnership with Bella Energy of Louisville Colorado ((USA) and we have also formed alliances and partnerships with REC Solar of San Obispo California to promote and develop industrial large scale mega solar parks, and we work with Green Toolbox of Vermont and TDX Power of Alaska to develop off-grid hybrid diesel-solar projects and hybrid diesel-wind projects.

Bella Energy Solar Water Treatment Plant- Superior, CO

For decades city authorities have been haggling over the cost of keeping lovely Juárez Park lit up and safe for children to play at night. The beginning of the end of that problem is at hand. The expat community has begun with the donation of a solar electrical system, which eventually will supply the park’s full demand for public lighting....

Read the Entire Article

Solar San Miguel international is now working on many large commercial solar and wind projects, and several mega solar projects that are designed to be off-grid or interconnected with the CFE utility grid. Our company has now formed strategic alliances with two of the most experienced large commercial solar engineering companies in the USA, Bella Energy of Colorado, and REC Solar of California,  to promote and develop these large commercial independent power production projects in Mexico (IPPs).

Download more information about Bella Energy.

Download more information about REC solar.

REC Solar Park, California

How Commercial Net-Metering works:

Net metering essentially allows independent power producers to interconnect with the grid so that power is always available either from the CFE or the renewable power plant, and controlled automatically. The advantage of net-metering is that an independent power producer can store power on the CFE grid when excess solar or wind power are produced, but the energy is not needed at that point in time. In these cases the excess energy is transferred to the electric utility grid, and is metered, so that the producer gets credit from the CFE against future bills.

Solar San Miguel will analyze a client company's electric loads, and then design a solar or wind (or hybrid solar-wind) plant that will produce sufficient electricity to match the average monthly loads of the client. Depending on the investment capital available, the client can be 5% independent up to 100% independent. Solar San Miguel often designs and installs systems that are expandable over time with available capitalization

Net-metering is expanded to 500 KW (.5 Mega)

Mexico's Energy Ministry has in the past two years opened the CFE Grid to commercial independent power production (IPP) interconnected with the CFE grid. This net metering policy is a very important step towards a Mexican national electric supply that is based on renewable energies, and less dependent on expensive fossil fuels. This policy also allows commercial enterprises to invest in solar technology knowing that their power supply is assured for decades at a much lower rate than the CFE.

Most recently the Federal Government of Mexico expanded commercial net-metering up to 500Kilowatts. This new energy policy allows factories and commercial enterprises of all sizes to manufacture up to 2-3 megawatts (two to three thousand kilowatts)of daily production for self -sufficiency in power. The law also allows 100% depreciation of solar equipment in the first year of operation. This is a tremendous opportunity for Mexico, the Mexican commercial sector, and for the environment of the planet.

Solar San Miguel has developed the tools for analysis of Return on Investment (ROI) for all levels of commercial solar PV and wind generation.  Call us for an analysis of your company's power requirements and potential savings.

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But in many systems, some of that energy goes to waste because of a bottleneck: the third rail, which carries current to the train, cannot handle as much energy as the train is generating during deceleration. Too much current pushes up the voltage, and when the voltage gets too high, the electricity is dissipated by running it through a piece of metal that converts it into heat.

But in Philadelphia, on the Market-Frankford line of the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority, a new company called Viridity Energy will install batteries to capture a lot of that electricity and hold it while the train is in the station. Then it can deliver the power when the train starts up again or store it for a time of day when it is needed more.

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