Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We’ve answered some of the most common ones below to help you better understand our services, process, and what to expect.
Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity your home can use. Any extra power can often be sent back to the grid or stored in a battery, depending on your system setup.
For many homeowners, solar can be worth it because it helps lower long-term electricity costs and gives more control over rising utility rates. The value depends on your roof, energy usage, location, and available incentives.
The cost of solar depends on the size of your system, your home’s energy needs, the equipment selected, and whether you choose to purchase, finance, or go with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Some homeowners may qualify for solar options with little or no upfront cost, such as certain financing programs or PPAs. The best option depends on your goals, eligibility, and property.
The actual installation is often completed quickly, but the full process includes design, permitting, utility approvals, and scheduling. Total timing can vary based on your location and project details.
Solar can help reduce your electric bill by generating power for your home and reducing the amount of electricity you need to buy from the utility.
Yes. Solar panels still produce electricity in winter and in cloudy weather, though output may be lower than on bright sunny days.
Most standard solar systems shut off during a power outage unless they are paired with battery storage or specific backup equipment. A battery system can help keep essential items running when the grid goes down.
Solar panels are built for long-term performance and commonly last 25 years or more, with warranties that support their expected lifespan.
When installed properly by an experienced team, solar panels should not damage your roof. In fact, roof condition is an important part of the evaluation before installation begins.
If your roof needs work, it is often best to handle that before installing solar. Earthlight can help evaluate your roof and our in-house roofing team can help you install a new roof before going solar.
Not every homeowner needs a battery, but it can be a smart addition if you want backup power, more energy control, or protection during outages.
Available incentives vary by state, utility, and program timing. A good solar consultation should help clarify what programs may apply to your home.
A good home for solar usually has enough roof space, decent sun exposure, and a roof in solid condition. Shade, roof angle, and electricity usage also matter.
Commercial solar is a solar energy system designed for businesses, organizations, and commercial properties. It helps offset electricity use by generating power on-site and can be customized based on the size and needs of the property.
Commercial solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity that your building can use. This can help reduce the amount of power you need to purchase from the utility and lower long-term operating costs.
A wide range of properties can benefit from commercial solar, including office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, farms, nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and multifamily properties.
Yes. Commercial solar can be installed on rooftops, ground-mounted systems, and solar carports, depending on the property layout and available space.
Yes, incentives are available for commercial solar systems, the incentives are dependent on the project location, utility, and current programs. These can play an important role in the overall value of a commercial solar project.
Yes. Battery storage can be paired with commercial solar to provide additional energy control, backup support, and opportunities to better manage building demand.
Every project is different, but a well-planned installation is designed to minimize disruption as much as possible while keeping the work safe and organized.
Earthlight manages commercial solar projects with a start-to-finish approach, helping clients through planning, design, permitting, installation, and support.
The first step is reviewing your property, energy usage, and goals. From there, the right system type and project approach can be recommended.
The best way to understand potential savings is to look at your current electric usage, utility costs, roof conditions, and available solar options. A personalized review can show what solar could look like for your home.
Savings with solar panels depend on your electricity usage, local utility rates, system size, and the type of solar program you choose. For many homeowners, solar can reduce long-term energy costs and help protect against rising electricity prices.
Depending on your eligibility and goals, there may be solar options available that do not require a large upfront investment. With PPA and lease programs we tailor each system to meet your needs. A consultation can help determine which path best fits your home and budget.
Battery storage allows your home to store excess electricity for later use. It can provide backup power during outages and help you use stored energy when it is most valuable.
A battery stores extra energy your solar system produces during the day so you can use it later, such as at night or during a power outage. This gives homeowners more control over how and when they use their energy.
Not always. Battery storage can often be installed with or without solar, depending on your home and energy goals. Pairing a battery with solar, however, can help you get the most value and flexibility from your system.
That depends on the size of the battery and what you choose to back up. Many homeowners use battery storage to keep essentials running, such as lights, refrigeration, internet, medical devices, or other key circuits.
Most home batteries are built for long-term performance and are designed to last for years with regular use. Battery lifespan can vary depending on the manufacturer, usage patterns, and system setup.
In some cases, yes. Battery storage can help homeowners use stored power instead of pulling electricity from the grid during more expensive times, depending on local utility rates and system design.
In many cases, yes. Battery storage can often be added to an existing solar setup, but compatibility depends on your current equipment and how your system was originally designed.
Most battery systems are designed to respond automatically when the grid goes down, helping keep backed-up circuits powered without needing manual setup in the moment.
The right battery size depends on how much energy you use, what you want to back up, and how long you want that backup to last. A custom assessment can help determine the best fit for your home.
Earthlight offers roofing services for homeowners who need a roof replacement, roofing work before going solar, or support during a solar remove and reinstall project.
Yes. If your roof needs to be replaced before solar installation, Earthlight can help evaluate the condition of your roof and handle the project before solar work begins.
Yes. Earthlight can remove existing solar panels, coordinate the roofing work, and reinstall the system once the new roof is ready.
If your roof is older or nearing the end of its lifespan, it is often best to replace it before installing solar. This helps avoid the added cost and inconvenience of removing panels later.
Yes. Earthlight offers roofing services for homeowners whether they are preparing for solar or simply need a reliable roofing solution on its own.
Yes. Earthlight offers roofing services for homeowners whether they are preparing for solar or simply need a reliable roofing solution on its own.
A roof evaluation can help determine whether your roof has the condition, age, and structure needed for solar. Factors like wear, damage, and remaining roof life all matter.
A solar remove and reinstall project means temporarily taking down an existing solar system so roofing work can be completed, then putting the system back in place once the roof is ready.
Yes. During a remove and reinstall project, the panels and related equipment are carefully handled and stored until they are ready to be reinstalled.
Working with one company can make the process smoother by improving communication, reducing delays, and keeping both the roofing and solar work aligned from start to finish.
Earthlight provides EV charger solutions for businesses, commercial properties, and organizations looking to add charging infrastructure to their site. Our team helps plan and install systems that align with your property, usage needs, and long-term goals.
Yes. Earthlight installs EV chargers for a wide range of commercial properties, including workplaces, multifamily properties, municipalities, public spaces, and other business facilities.
EV chargers can add convenience for employees, tenants, customers, and visitors while helping a property prepare for the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.
The first step is understanding your property, parking layout, electrical capacity, and how the chargers will be used. From there, Earthlight can help recommend the right path forward.
Earthlight provides energy efficiency solutions for businesses, commercial properties, municipalities, and organizations looking to improve building performance, reduce energy waste, and lower operating costs.
Energy efficiency upgrades can help reduce energy costs, improve lighting quality and comfort, support sustainability goals, and make your facility more effective for the people who use it every day.
Yes. Earthlight provides sports lighting solutions for schools, athletic facilities, parks, and other public or private recreational spaces.
Upgraded sports lighting can improve visibility, reduce maintenance needs, increase energy efficiency, and create a better experience for athletes, staff, and spectators.
Yes. Earthlight can evaluate existing sports lighting systems and help determine the best path for upgrading performance, efficiency, and reliability.
If your building has aging equipment, high utility costs, outdated lighting, or areas that are not performing as well as they should, it may be a strong candidate for efficiency improvements.
Yes. Many energy efficiency improvements are designed to reduce wasted energy and help lower ongoing operating expenses over time.
Yes. Earthlight works with clients to understand their building, goals, and usage needs in order to recommend solutions that make sense for the property.
Yes. Earthlight helps commercial clients upgrade outdated lighting systems with more efficient solutions that improve performance and reduce unnecessary energy use.
Commercial battery storage allows a business or property to store electricity for later use. It can help reduce energy costs, improve resiliency, and give a facility more control over how and when electricity is used.
A battery storage system stores electricity and releases it when your building needs it most. This can help support peak demand management, backup power planning, and overall energy strategy.
Businesses add battery storage to gain more control over energy costs, improve reliability, and support long-term energy goals. It can be especially valuable for facilities with high demand charges or critical operational needs.
Yes. In many cases, commercial battery storage can help reduce costs by lowering demand charges and allowing a property to use stored energy more strategically.
Yes. Battery storage can be paired with commercial solar to store excess solar production and use it later. This can help maximize the value of an on-site energy system and improve overall flexibility.
Many properties can benefit, including manufacturing facilities, warehouses, schools, municipalities, nonprofits, agricultural operations, multifamily properties, and other businesses with significant energy use.
Earthlight works with commercial battery storage solutions that can include ELM battery systems, depending on the project and site needs. The right equipment choice depends on your property, energy profile, and project goals.
Yes. A battery storage system can still provide value on its own, depending on the property’s energy usage and goals. Solar is not required for every commercial storage project.
The first step is understanding your building’s energy usage, goals, and operational priorities. From there, Earthlight can help evaluate whether battery storage is the right fit and what type of system makes the most sense.
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