If pursing a solar installation on your roof, due diligence of your roof system by a qualified consultant is recommended. General answers can be obtained from the manufacturer and contractor, however, a consultant specializing in the installation of solar power plants with a background in roofing design and specification is your best solution.

This is dependent on the manufacturer, age of the roof system, type, current condition, and scope of the solar installation. Your consultant’s relationship and experience with design specifications will play a major role in the long term success of your installation. In some cases, roof warranties have been voided due to improper due diligence by solar integrators.

As geographical presence of solar installations broadens into areas where wind events are prevalent, the need for attachment to the structure or roof will become a concern. This requires adhesives to apply thin film technology and penetrations for crystalline technology (panels) and the supports they require. Load issues, performance of roof membrane with associated solar plants, thermal concerns, servicing of roof leaks, trade damage during installation (may not be discovered immediately, remember you will be covering the majority of your roof surface), business interruption due to inexperience of more complicated roof installations.

Due diligence process and business analysis should be performed to forecast potential for additional needs. As these needs cannot always be foreseen, it is the function of a consultant to determine a system that provides the most flexible and negotiated scenario for future growth.

Provisionary planning is important for servicing of roof system and solar plant. Simply laying out an array of solar modules without planning for roof maintenance can be costly when unforeseen problem arise.

Many insurance companies have not evaluated the circumstances regarding a solar installation. If you have a PPA and have forecasted savings into your budgets and a catastrophic event occurs, will the insurance company cover you loss of business opportunity. Many insurance companies that insure business interruption will be very concerned that the current level of protection they have engineered into their analysis exists with the new installation as a piggyback to the roof.

Integrators sell you on the fact they have the knowledge and the best system available. A third party consultant specializing in solar installations provides you with the alternatives and recommendations based on your site.

Installation personnel may be direct employees and subcontract labor. In either case, many are unfamiliar with roof environments. This requires careful coordination between roof contractors and the solar installers. Making sure that these two parties provide the necessary installation and protect your current roof investment is imperative.

Depending on your choice of solar technology, it may be necessary to choose a solar plant that is better suited for you roof. Not all roofs systems are the same and require comprehensive analysis to determine how the solar plant will affect the roof and if the plant will perform optimally.

A third party consultant and installation observer documents all occurrences during the installation. It will not alleviate finger pointing but provides the client with ammunition required to resolve the issues.

This varies depending on the consulting engagement; however, Enrecon is able to provide as-built drawings, daily reports, and other documents into a comprehensive close out documentation package.

Backup documentation is very important to building your legal case. Additionally, a consultant that practices in both solar and roofing disciplines is beneficial.

Structural loads, business interruption, increased energy loads due to improper selection of system, other scheduled projects affecting the landscape of the rooftop.

Enrecon, through its parent company ART, has upgraded many roof systems without total tear-offs and have brought them back to 20 year warranties. When most solar integrators walk away from the potential of a installation, Enrecon can bridge the life expectancy gap.

Comprehensive inspection programs are available and can be tailored to meet the needs of the roof and solar installation

Structural capacity is paramount in considering a solar installation

It is extremely important to understand the structure and legal language of these agreements. These are the difference between and good and poor investment Enrecon provides consulting in the areas of Power Purchase Agreements ("PPA") and Energy Service Agreements ("ESA"). The right Power Purchase Agreement or Energy Service Agreement can save your company hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions of dollars. Simultaneously, having the wrong or poorly drafted PPA or ESA can cost your company significantly.

• It will produce electricity for you every day.
• The system helps combat Global Warming by reducing power plant pollution.
• NY, LI and CT rebates and tax credits pay for about half of the installed cost.
• You will be protected against future electric rate hikes.
• You will increase the value of your property.
• You will receive an annual return on your net investment of from 10% to 15%, which will increase if electric rates increase over the 30+ life of your solar system.

After the initial investment in a solar-energy equipment, the costs are minimal since the sun provides free “fuel.” These facilities are not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and subject to price volatility, and solar energy can help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Solar energy is also clean and renewable, which helps protect our environment.

Yes, solar systems start producing under low levels of light, but produce the most in clear sunny conditions.

Each 1,000 watts (1 Kilowatt) of solar modules occupies about 100 square feet. So a 5,000 watt (5 Kilowatt) system needs an area of 20 feet by 25 feet (500 sqare feet) and a commercial 50 KW system needs an area of about 5,000 sqare feet.

What do we mean by photovoltaics? The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric technologies work. First used in about 1890, the word has two parts: photo, a stem derived from the Greek phos, which means light, and volt, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity. So, photovoltaics could literally be translated as light-electricity. And that's just what photovoltaic materials and devices do; they convert light energy to electricity, as Edmond Becquerel and others discovered in the 18th Century.

When certain semiconducting materials, such as certain kinds of silicon, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect refers to the emission, or ejection, of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is the basic physical process in which a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) cell converts sunlight to electricity. Sunlight is made up of photons, or particles of solar energy. Photons contain various amounts of energy, corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a PV cell, they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. Only the absorbed photons generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell (which is actually a semiconductor).

A PV system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV panels; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system and when alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a framework.

A PV system that is designed, installed, and maintained well will operate for more than 20 years. The basic PV module (interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is by having it installed and maintained properly.

A 10% efficient PV system in most areas of the United States will generate about 180 kilowatt-hours per square meter. A PV system rated at 1 kilowatt will produce about 1800 kilowatt-hours a year. Most PV panels are warranted to last 20 years or more (perhaps as many as 30 years) and to degrade (lose efficiency) at a rate of less than 1% per year. Under these conditions, a PV system could generate close to 36,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity over 20 years and close to 54,000 kilowatt- hours over 30 years. This means that a PV system generates more than $10,000 worth of electricity over 30 years.

For a growing number of users, PV is the clear choice. You should definitely consider using a PV system if it operates better and costs less than the alternatives. The cost of energy produced by PV systems continues to drop. However, kilowatt-hour for kilowatt-hour, and depending on where you live, PV energy still usually costs more than energy from your local utility. Also, the initial cost of PV equipment is higher than that of an engine generator. But there are many applications for which a PV system is the most cost-effective long-term option, such as for power in remote areas.

You could install a photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric system yourself. But to avoid complications or injury, you will probably want to hire a reputable professional contractor with experience in installing solar systems. PV systems have few moving parts, so they require little maintenance. The components are designed to meet strict dependability and durability standards so they can stand up to the elements. However, they are fairly sophisticated electric systems, so installation usually requires the knowledge and experience of a licensed electrical equipment contractor.

PV systems can be blended into virtually every conceivable structure for commercial buildings. You will find PV being used outdoors for security lighting as well as in structures that serve as covers for parking lots and bus shelters, generating power at the same time. Indoors, PV systems are used to offset and operate all kinds of electrical systems, including lights, cooling systems, and appliances.