Resources + Additional Info

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED LARGELY ON RESIDENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOLAR AND BACK-UP POWER. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, PLEASE REACH OUT DIRECTLY! THERE ARE EVEN MORE REASONS TO GO SOLAR IF YOU’RE A BUSINESS OWNER!

Check out our ENERGY FAQs below!

SOLAR SYSTEMS

Solar panels generate their own electricity by converting the sunlight (photons) they absorb in to DC (direct current) power. This current is then inverted into AC (alternating current) power through a device(s) called inverters. AC is the type of electrical current our power grids, and we as consumers, utilize everyday. Solar systems can be installed on your home, shop, barn etc. or anywhere on your property using a ground mount. They can also be utilized in the same way for commercial businesses. The number of panels/size of system you need, is determined by your home or business’s energy consumption.

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BATTERY SYSTEMS

Battery systems are home energy solutions that allow you to store surplus energy generated by your solar panels and/or generator. This power can then be utilized while solar panels are not producing or if the power grid is unavailable. I.e. after the sun goes down, before clearing snow off panels, in case of a power outage, etc. Batteries are also a great option for if you’re looking for fully off-grid capabilities.

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GENERATORS

Back-up, whole home or standby generators, are used to power your home and are permanently installed on your property. They utilize a fuel source, like natural gas, and are tied directly into your electrical system.

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ENERGY SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS:

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

We know that generating and storing your own power saves you money and reduces your reliance on an already strained power grid, but what are the benefits long term?

The most obvious ROI for solar panels is the instant equity that your home receives! According to EcoWatch, a science-based news publication, the average boost in equity is $6,000 for every kilowatt of panels installed on your home or property. Add in batteries and/or a generator and you’re well on your way to recouping your investment!

Beyond that initial boost, there is the monthly cost savings. The money you are keeping in YOUR pocket, rather than handing it over to the power company. This monthly amount varies, especially if you’ve financed your system, but soon enough you’ll own your own power outright and that savings will be straight to your wallet!

In the U.S., the average payback on a solar system is under 10 years!

INCENTIVES

Beyond the immediate and long term ROI, are there any additional incentives for going solar?

YES!

There is both federal and state tax incentives when you go renewable in Idaho!

The state’s tax deduction, the Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction, allows taxpayers an income tax deduction of 40% of the cost of a solar system that generates electricity. This applies the year that the system is installed and an additional 20% can be deducted each year for an additional three years. The maximum deduction in any one year is $5,000. The total maximum deduction is $20,000. The state of Idaho wants YOU to go solar!

In addition to the state of Idaho, there is the federal tax incentive. After installing a solar system, you can file for a federal tax credit to recoup 30% of your total costs! There is no maximum dollar limit on these credits either!

Although, because this is a tax CREDIT, you cannot receive more than your tax burden back in any given year. BUT, if you do not receive the full 30% back the first year, it carries forward to future tax years!

FINANCING

While solar and back-up power often make great financial sense for homeowners, it is still an investment. How you choose to make that investment is an important consideration. Many customers choose to pay for their systems upfront, but for many others, that’s simply not an option. That shouldn’t keep you from going solar though! There are multiple financing options out there to fit a variety of needs and the interest rates have been dropping!

It can all be a bit confusing and having a reputable energy company to guide you through the choices is a must. Are you more interested in a longer loan term or a smaller interest rate? What about those lender fees? There’s a lot to navigate, but we can help!

BDE offers multiple financing options and we can also assist if you’d like to explore other options, such as a personal or home improvement loan with your trusted financial institution. Solar specific loans are also being increasingly offered as the solar industry continues to boom!

Whatever financing you choose, you are setting yourself up for consistent, budget-able monthly payments and you will no longer be victim to surprise power bills!

POWER GRID

Currently, your property’s electricity is provided by your power company via the power grid. With SOLAR and BACK-UP POWER, you generate and store your own electricity at your home or place of business. After utilizing the electricity you need, all excess power that has been generated is given back to your power company via the grid. Your provider then awards you credit on your monthly bill through their net metering program. The credits are based on each kilowatt of electricity your system generates for the grid.

This is beneficial to you in a few ways. Obviously there is the power you are generating at no cost from your panels as well as the bill credits you receive for the excess electricity that is provided to the grid.

But there is also the added benefit of not being reliant to the power company/power grid. We’re all aware of the rapid population growth here in Idaho and the strain that places on the grid. We’ve also all experienced the rising fees on our power bills. Solar and back-up power systems relieve both of these issues! You no longer have to worry about power outages, or rising monthly fees.

MATERIALS

Another consideration for solar, and back-up power, or any project for that matter, is the project’s components. Combining the latest technology, with the highest quality and cost effectiveness, is important to both your budget and your return on investment. You don’t want technology that is going to be obsolete in the future, and you want a system that allows for changes and/or growth down the road. You also don’t want to compromise on quality when making a long term investment! These components need to last!

That being said, we can’t forget that you need to keep your budget in mind and ensure that your system is sized correctly for YOUR energy needs. Having an energy company that works with a variety of vendors and who are experts in the options, allows you to get a system tailored to your budget and energy needs, while still ensuring quality, up-to-date technology that will LAST.

WARRANTIES

You’ve decided to make an investment. You’ve found a reputable provider who designed a system perfect for your energy and budget needs. Before you get anything installed, make sure you check into product and craftsmanship warranties!

Solar systems are designed to last a LONG time and should the need arise, you want to make sure you’re getting a company who will be there to support you for the long haul.

Customer service, beyond the install, is important for ensuring your peace of mind. Maintenance, for your system, is important for ensuring the health and efficiency of your investment for years to come.

Solar materials come with their own various warranties, many lasting 25+ years. Talk with BDE staff for specifics on the products you are considering!

And beyond the product warranties, BDE also offers craftsmanship warranties on all work performed during a BDE project. You can count on Black Diamond to be there for the long haul! Ask us about craftsmanship warranties on your project!

 

ENERGY SYSTEM FAQS:

  • Absolutely! We will work with you on determining the best fit for batteries and/or a generator, no matter who the original installer was.

  • The difference between batteries and solar: Batteries STORE power. This power is generated for the batteries by solar panels, via the sun, or a generator via a fuel source.

    In a typical system, the solar panels would produce electricity that supplies the home/property and would also charge the battery system. The stored battery power would then be available to be used when the sun goes down and the solar panels are no longer producing. This keeps you from having to purchase the costly electric available from your power company.

    Add in a generator, and during occasions that solar is not producing enough power to supply the home AND charge the batteries, the generator would then step in and supply the whatever electricity is needed. Again, preventing you from having to use the expensive power supplied by the grid!

    While batteries and/or a generator are not required, with the current net metering policies in place, the best way to cut your power bill and get the full use of your solar is with back-up power! As an added bonus, this also allows you the freedom of not being fully reliant on the grid or to have a completely off-grid system!

    There are numerous options between solar, battery back-up and generators, (including starting with solar and adding and adding on later!)

    Contact us to review the possibilities!

  • Both batteries and generators improved by leaps and bounds in recent years and have become more streamlined and space efficient. Check out some of the photos above for examples of a few current options.

    The number of batteries, or the possibility of more than one generator, will depend on your system’s size and your property’s specific energy needs.

  • BDE will asses multiple factors in determining your energy needs and the efficacy of solar for your property.

    We will review at least one year’s worth of energy usage and compares that to an analysis done of the solar potential on your property. This analysis utilizes technology that takes into account the angle of the sun in your specific location, average annual cloud cover, snowfall, the angle, size and location of your roof, shade coverage etc. This analysis will allow us to determine what sort of system you would need to fulfill all or part of your energy needs.

  • All BDE jobs undergo an engineering analysis and must be approved by a structural engineer before work begins.

    While we cannot utilize manufactured homes for rooftop solar, there are multiple other options. Shops and barns are common locations and there are always ground mount systems as well.

    If the age of your roof is an issue, before getting solar is a great time to get it replaced! We work with multiple roofing contractors and can assist you in this process as well.

  • Ground mount systems are NOT only for agricultural properties! We’ve installed ground mount systems on properties of all uses and sizes. From smaller residential lots to 100+ acre commercial properties. There are a multitude of reasons people choose ground mount systems and we are here to help you determine if this option might be the best to fit your needs!

  • Idaho law prevents HOAs from banning solar within their neighborhoods. That being said, HOAs CAN implement rules on a solar system’s location, style etc. At BDE we’ve assisted our customers in working with countless HOAs to ensure a smooth and agreeable process for everyone.

  • An install’s timeframe is largely dependent on the type of system you are getting. For example, ground mounts take longer than roof top solar. The size and location of the system, whether or not you are upgrading any electrical etc. are all important factors in the length of time BDE staff will be on your property. As a general rule of thumb though, a standard rooftop system is installed in 1-3 days.

  • Black Diamond Electric designs every system they install. While other companies may outsource their designs, BDE wants to limit the potential for mistakes. We complete the site visits and the energy analysis ourselves and it is in our customer’s best interest for the system to be designed in house, to ensure accuracy. Being hands-on every step of the way means BDE fully understands the intricacies of your property’s unique structural and electrical infrastructure as well as the specific code requirements for your area. Codes vary by city, county, state etc. and having a LOCAL master electrician design your system, ensures you are meeting all requirements the FIRST time, and that your entire process will move along without issue.

  • Most solar panels can be expected to perform at optimum levels for up to 25 years. Even after that 25 year mark though, your solar panels are still producing for you at 80-90% of their full potential, depending on the brand. As for as maintenance, when properly installed, the only maintenance should be cleaning of the panels and snow removal, if needed. Panels can accumulate pollen, dust, bird poop, etc. which can affect performance. Rain often handles the majority of these issues but that isn’t always the case. The time between needed cleanings varies based on your home’s environment but you can assess your panels needs visually. There are several local contractors who provide a thorough panel cleaning service.

  • Though not common, yes hail could potentially damage one or more panels. Luckily for you, every solar panel we install comes with a 20-30 year warranty. Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies also cover solar panel damage. Check with your insurance provider to determine your policy’s specific coverage.

  • This depends on the specifics of your home, location of roof faces, shaded areas etc. but in general, the preferred location for solar panels, in order is: 1. South facing 2. West facing 3. East facing.

  • Having a treed property does not automatically disqualify you from going solar. There are multiple factors at play, including the size of the trees and home, number of hours of shade coverage, location of shade coverage etc. Even if your home is fully shaded, there are still additional options. We can explore ground mount systems, a shop or barn location, or perhaps some of the trees have been an issue for you anyways. We have partnerships with local arborists and can help you explore options for trimming and/or removing trees.

  • Solar panels absolutely still produce in the winter and can even produce with a small layer of snow. However, if your property is in a location that receives significant snowfall, you will want to have arrangements made for snow removal in order to keep your system producing for you.

  • We CAN we install an EV charger for you! This is a great option when going solar as an EV owner. Why buy power for your EV from the grid (in 2022 24% of Idaho Power’s electricity came from coal) when you can produce the energy yourself? EV chargers integrate seamlessly with today’s solar inverters.