Frequently Asked Questions

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 A rooftop solar panel system is a collection of components that all work together to convert the solar power into usable energy for your home. Solar energy can be quite powerful, both in providing energy and reducing your energy bill. Solar Energy is provided through a combination of: 

1. Your Solar Panels Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to direct current (DC). Even in shady or cloudy conditions, you can still expect your panels to produce energy, although not as much as direct sunlight. This energy then needs to be converted to home-friendly alternating current (AC). 

2. Microinverters We install microinverters behind each panel which take the DC electricity produced by your solar panels and converts it into AC electricity. This usable energy is then ported down to your main electric service panel. Microinverters are superior to regular inverters in that each panel has its own unit, meaning that an issue with one panel will not impact any other panel in your system. 

3. Main Electric Service Panel Solar electricity from your inverter flows to the electrical panel, and then into to your home where it powers your lights and appliances. At times when your panels generate more solar energy than you are currently using, that excess power transfers to PG&E, earning credits on your bill and making your power meter run in reverse! 

4. Monitoring System Your Enphase microinverters continuously track your system's energy production and sends the information wirelessly to your Enlighten smartphone application. You will be able to monitor each panel and see precisely how much energy each panel is producing each day and over time. You will be able to watch your own energy production system from anywhere in the world! 

Yes, you will easily be able to monitor your own system from your smartphone. Our Enphase microinverters pair with the free Enlighten smartphone application which allows you to track each individual panel in your system. You can view how much energy each is producing in a day, or even look over the whole year and see how your system has performed. 

If you also have one of our FranklinWH aPower batteries, you will able to use the FranklinWH smartphone application to easily view your battery's status and change its settings.

Solar panels systems and our home battery backup units are a perfect match. Together they can save you even more on your energy bill. Solar is a thorn in the side of PG&E, which is why they make the cost of energy cheaper early in the day, when solar works best, while making rates more expensive during the evening and at night, when everyone is home using power. When you have both solar panels and home batteries, the excess power from your solar will charge the battery during the day, then at night, you can use that stored energy for free, no longer depending on PG&E and their high rates.

When it comes to reliable home energy solutions, the FranklinWH aPower stands out as the superior choice. Unlike the Tesla PowerWall 2.0, our FranklinWH aPower batteries boast an impressive capacity of 13.6kWh. Plus, our aPower batteries come with a remarkable 12-year warranty, giving you peace of mind and long-term reliability.

What sets FranklinWH aPower apart is its cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate technology, making the batteries fire-proof for enhanced safety, a luxury not be taken for granted. In terms of service, with FranklinWH, you have direct access to both the installer and the designer/manufacturer through phone and in-person visits. Our customer-focused approach ensures that your queries are resolved promptly, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

On the other hand, the Tesla PowerWall 2.0 offers a slightly lower capacity of 13.5kWh and comes with a 10-year warranty. Utilizing lithium-ion technology, it lacks the advanced safety features provided by FranklinWH's lithium iron phosphate batteries. Moreover, Tesla's service options have been widely criticized for their inefficiency and frustrating customer experiences. With a cumbersome ticket-based system through their app, customers often face delays and challenges in getting their issues resolved promptly.

In summary, we offer FranklinWH aPower for superior capacity, extended warranty, advanced safety features, and exceptional customer service.

Fear no more! Our FranklinWH batteries sense the power outage and automatically transition into backup mode. The batteries are wired to an essential load panel, in which you select the rooms and appliances that are critical to your family. In the case of a prolonged power outage, your solar system can refill the power in your battery. Some people with these systems don't even notice when the power has gone out until they see the rest of their neighborhood dark!

In December 2022, through the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. extended the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar through 2032. The solar ITC is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. If your solar energy system generates electricity for a home in the United States, you qualify and will save on your taxes for 30% the amount of your system's cost.

OSullivan Green Solar is a local company that prioritizes quality equipment, service, and communication. We are a family company, with several OSullivan's on board contributing to a company authentically dedicated to its values. We always aim for five star service and installation in every project. Don't just take our word for it though, check us out on Yelp and see what our customers have to say!

Most homes are good candidates for solar, as long as they have a sunny location for the panels and enough roof space for the installation. We will review your roof and make sure it is a good fit before any action is taken.

Every home is different. We will evaluate your roof size and shape in addition to your power needs to determine which size system is the best for you.

We analyze your PG&E bills to see how much energy you typically utilize over the year. We also check your local climate and conduct shading analysis in our evaluation. We will go over this with you in detail as we are drawing up your contract and ensure you have a system that meets your power, budget, and aesthetic needs.

No, not with our expert installers, although we have heard of competitors who have done just that. With us, it actually the opposite. All our home solar systems are roof-mounted and our methodology ensures that any holes that are made are completely watertight and will not leak or have any other unforeseen issues. In fact, your solar panels actually protect the underlying roof, protecting it from the normal weathering it would experience, keeping your roof in good shape over a longer period of time.

The average installation time for our customers is around 3 days, but can often be slightly longer or shorter depending upon the system size.

Once the contract is signed the installation begins once we receive the "Permission to Operate" (PTO) from your utility company, which takes about 6-10 weeks on average. Throughout the process we will handle all design, permits, and anything else needed for your installation.

We understand that the beauty of your home is a prime concern when considering a rooftop solar panel system. Our panels come with different styles of "backsheets". The backsheet sits behind the photovoltaic cells and gives the panel its overall color design. There are two styles of backsheets, black and white. Check out our gallery to get an idea for these two styles, we have installed plenty of each! Panels with black backsheets look cohesive, homogenous, and overall have that sleek solid color appeal. Panels with white backsheets, which are often the most commonly seen, present that modern, high-tech appeal. These are the panels which look blue with the white framing throughout each panel.

Absolutely,  We are licensed, insured, and bonded to install residential Solar in the state of California. Our CA contractor’s license number is #1018350

NABCEP stands for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners –the authority of quality standards in the solar industry. Our team is NABCEP certified to install your renewable energy system while also taking on additional training for installation on any roof type, including stone metal roofing, which most companies will not do.

Yes! Adding a solar system to your home can increase the resale value of your home. In 2014, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shared the results of a study that demonstrated how buyers are willing to pay a premium of around $12,000-$15,000 for a home with an average-sized resident-owned solar system. People love Solar, especially in California where the benefits are substantial.

The amount you can save with solar power depends on several factors, including the size of your system and your current utility rates. On average, our customers save 50% on their utility bills after installing solar.

An invertor is a device which takes the DC ("Direct Current") electrical energy produced by the solar panels and converts it into useful and house-safe AC ("Alternating Current"). This AC power is then used by the house to power your lights, appliances, and more.

At OSullivan Green Solar, we pride ourselves in only using the best in renewable energy technology, which is why we use Enphase's microinverters. With a typical inverter, an issue with one solar panel will impact the others. With microinverters, each solar panel has its own microinverter tucked in behind it, as opposed to one or a few inverters for the whole system. Our Enphase microinverters  provide a much more secure home energy system.

In addition, our microinverters come with the ability to track each individual solar panel in the palm of your hand with the easy to use smartphone application.

Shading on your solar system lessens the maximum energy production of each panel affected by shade. Your system can produce energy with roof shading, including tree and cloud cover, but the production will be smaller than the panels in direct sunlight. Our Microinverters help maximize energy production even when shade is present. 

Solar panels require very little maintenance, but it is recommended to clean them once or twice a year to ensure maximum efficiency. We offer maintenance services to keep your system running smoothly.