Frequently Asked Questions

At Solar King, we realize that there is a lot that the public doesn’t understand about solar energy and solar panels. We pride ourselves on transparency and are happy to explain the benefits of installing solar panels. If any of your questions are not answered here, please feel free to reach out to us any time—we love talking about solar panels!

Q.) Why install solar panels?

A.) Installing solar panels has both financial and environmental benefits! Financial Benefits: When you install solar panels, you save money on future electricity bills, and can protect yourself against rising electricity rates. You will begin to see a return on your investment in 6-10 years after installing your solar panels. Instead of paying a monthly electric bill, you will be able to store excess energy produced from your solar panels in a battery for later use or they can even feed into net metering as energy credits for your home. Environmental Benefits: Solar is a renewable energy source that has many environmental and health benefits. Increased installation of solar panels results in fewer air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems. Installing solar panels and making the shift to solar energy also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Q.) How does solar power work?

A.) Solar panels convert energy from sunlight into energy you can use in your home or commercial business. Solar panel technology converts the sun’s energy to grid quality electricity that will power your entire home or business including all major appliances or machinery.
Q.) Is Michigan’s weather good for solar power production?

A.) Although Michigan does not get as much sun as other locations in the country, our ambient temperatures are perfect for maximum electric production. Panels are rated and tested at 77 degrees or STC (Standard Test Conditions). Solar panels will produce more power when they are cooler than when they are overheated (such as in places like Southern California). Hotter climates limit the amount of solar power that solar panels can produce. Also keep in mind that with high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar is a smart decision even if the weather is not always in your favor.
Q.) Can I generate electricity that the utility company will buy back?

A.) Yes. It is fairly common to have your solar panels produce more energy than you can consume. A process known as net metering allows consumers to take the energy that they have captured with their solar panels and sell it back to utility companies, which ultimately helps to reduce your electric bill.
Q.) Are there any financial incentives available?

A.) Absolutely! There is an investment tax credit that allows you to deduct 26% of the costs from installing your solar panels, from your federal taxes. This credit applies to installation of solar panels for both commercial and residential systems, and there is no cap on its value. So if you install your solar panels this year, you can take advantage of this credit in next year’s taxes!
Q.) Where is the best location to install solar panels on my property?

A.) The best location for solar panels is facing south and as high as possible, with a title that is best for your latitude (leave that to us!). The point is to have as little shading as possible from trees and other buildings. East or West facing rooflines are still workable locations for solar panels, but you will lose approximately 15-20% of production. It is possible to compensate for this loss by installing more solar panels, or installing solar panels on a south-facing wall. If you have enough space on your property, some customers consider installation of ground-mounted solar panels. The bottom line is that with Solar King’s expertise, we will be able to evaluate your property to determine the best placement for your solar panels to maximize energy capture and production.
Q.) When is the best time to install solar panels?

A.) Solar panels can be installed at any time. Generally, Spring and Fall can be good times because the shingles on your roof are not too hot to walk on and will reduce any damage that could occur. Also, the end of winter starts to see longer days which leads to more sunlight—another reason to consider installing at a time where you can start taking maximum advantage of the solar energy available to you. That said, if you are replacing your roof, that is also a good time to consider the installation of solar panels. If you are concerned about recouping on your investment as soon as possible, you should considering installing solar panels in November or December, so that you can take advantage of your solar panel tax credit when filing your taxes the following year!
Q.) Is there financing available?

A.) At Solar King, we understand that you may want to install solar panels but do not have the cash on hand to pay all upfront costs. That is why we are an authorized solar panel installer for Michigan Saves—a non-profit organization that is dedicated to help make energy improvements easy and affordable for commercial and residential customers. Depending on your credit score, residential customers can borrow up to $30,000. We cannot guarantee your interest rate but we’ve recently seen rates as low as 4.99%! For residential customers, we also partner with Admirals Bank, which can provide up to a $25,000 secured loan for eligible renewable energy projects. For more information on our financing options, please visit our Financing Solar Panels page contact us at 313-820-4526.