General Solar FAQs

Going solar begins with understanding your property’s potential and your electricity needs. At New England Clean Energy, our approach is designed to help you make an informed decision without unnecessary pressure.

1. Initial assessment: We review your property using available mapping and satellite tools, along with a recent electric bill, to evaluate whether solar may be a good fit.
2. Site evaluation: If the initial assessment looks promising, a solar consultant visits your property to examine factors such as roof conditions, shading, equipment placement, and your energy goals.
3. Custom system design: Using the information collected, our team develops a solar proposal tailored to your home. Depending on your needs, we may present multiple options.
4. Proposal review: Your consultant explains the proposed equipment, pricing, estimated energy production, and financial projections, giving you an opportunity to ask questions before moving forward.

Once you’ve decided to move forward, our team begins coordinating the next steps toward your installation.

This typically includes completing the required application documents, initiating permitting and utility approval processes, and arranging any applicable deposit.

We’ll explain what to expect throughout the process and provide a timeline based on your specific project. Every installation is a little different, and factors such as permitting, utility requirements, and equipment availability can affect scheduling.

Our goal is to keep you informed so you understand what’s happening and what comes next.

Solar electric systems are designed to provide energy for decades. Many modern solar panels are expected to operate for 25 years or longer, although their energy production gradually decreases with age.

Your system’s long-term performance depends on several factors, including equipment selection, installation quality, environmental conditions, and maintenance. Some components may need replacement before the solar panels themselves.

Your New England Clean Energy consultant can walk you through the equipment and applicable warranties so you understand what to expect from your investment.

Most standard grid-connected solar systems automatically shut down during a utility power outage. This safety feature helps protect utility workers and prevents electricity from being sent onto damaged power lines.

If maintaining electricity during an outage is important to you, a properly designed solar battery backup system may be a good option.

With the right equipment and configuration, battery storage can power selected circuits or household loads during an outage. Depending on the system, solar panels may also recharge the battery while the grid is unavailable.

Our team can help you evaluate whether solar alone or solar with battery storage is the better fit for your home.

Yes. Solar panels generate electricity without producing direct air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions during operation. By generating renewable electricity at your home, you can reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the utility grid.

Solar equipment does have an environmental footprint associated with manufacturing, transportation, and eventual disposal. However, solar electricity generally produces substantially fewer lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than electricity generated from fossil fuels.

Choosing solar is one way to support cleaner energy production while taking greater control of your home’s electricity needs.