10 Steps

Adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and completing other basic fix-it projects makes sense for several reasons. You can cut your energy costs immediately, and you'll also be able to reduce the size of PV system you purchase. SSVEC also offers free energy audits for our members. Email energyaudit@ssvec.com for more information.

As energy experts, we can answer basic questions, provide resource materials, and evaluate proposals. Check with your neighbors, Better Business Bureau, Registrar of Contractors, and read reviews. Do lots of research! Get at least three proposals to compare costs.

Most solar systems are designed to provide you with a portion of the electricity needed but won't provide 100 percent of your needs. At night and on cloudy days, and possibly at other high-energy use times, you'll need more power than your PV system can produce. That means you'll still be connected to your cooperative's power lines. Because these systems are grid-connected, energy can flow both ways. Understand what you’ll pay for electricity pulled from the grid and what you get paid from SSVEC for any “extras” sent back to the grid. As you begin to explore solar systems, be sure to contact sunwatts@ssvec.com and visit the rest of our website to learn about rate structures, interconnection, essential safety precautions and any other connection-related details.

Our team at SSVEC can help you review your past energy use, and help you determine how the projects you've undertaken to improve energy efficiency may help lower your future energy use. One pertinent bit of information that will be useful is looking at how your energy use fluctuates throughout the day. Having that information will help you determine-with expert assistance-the size and type of system best suited to your situation. You can view your usage in SmartHub. Also check out our free solar assessment tool, SSVEC - Solar Assessment.

SSVEC does not sell, install, or maintain PV systems, so you will either purchase or lease a system from a contractor who is not a part of the Cooperative. If you purchase a solar system, you will be the owner, and you'll be responsible for the purchase price, as well as ongoing maintenance and repair costs. If leasing is the option you prefer, you will pay less initially, but you'll likely have higher ongoing costs. In either case, it pays to spend time figuring out the expenses you'll be responsible for during the life of the system. These may include installation (in addition to the price of the system), insurance, taxes and possibly others, too. If you are leasing, ask contractors about the length of the term, if the contract is transferrable to a new homeowner should you sell your home, potential for price increases, as well as the same questions you'd ask if you were to purchase a PV system. In the 'credit' column of your price comparisons, look at any incentives, rebates and tax credits offered for either a purchase or a lease.

Any financial incentives available will help reduce your investment costs. SSVEC does not currently offer any rebates or incentives specific to solar. Be sure to research state and federal tax incentives and talk to your tax professional to make sure you are eligible.

If you purchase a PV system, you’ll need to meet the requirements of SSVEC’s interconnection agreement. Local and/or state officials are responsible for conducting safety inspections, but it’s your responsibility to notify them in advance about your installation. After the interconnection requirements are met, and the safety and integrity of your system are approved, our team at SSVEC will take care of the connection to the grid. And, as the owner of the system, you’ll be responsible for maintenance and system repairs. If you lease a system, your responsibilities will depend on the agreement you sign. Be sure you know and understand what your responsibilities are.

Most solar systems are grid-connected. Because of the two-way flow of electricity, excess energy your PV system collects during the daytime flows into SSVEC's lines. This shoulders you with the responsibility for the safety of SSVEC's line staff, others who may come in contact with a downed power line, and SSVEC’s equipment. Improper connection and maintenance of your system may endanger people and the reliability of the grid.

Again, check with your neighbors, Better Business Bureau, Registrar of Contractors, and read reviews. Do lots of research! Get at least three proposals to compare costs. Read through the contract before you sign.

Keep files on your pre-purchase research and pre-installation data provided by SSVEC, as well as all bids, contracts, inspection reports, maintenance records, and all other details you may need to refer to in the future. In addition, you'll want to know about system performance, so set up a system to track and compare your actual system performance with predictions provided by the contractor/installer.