Frequently. Asked. Questions.

At Second Sunrise Solar, we believe in transparency, education, and empowering you to make the best energy decisions for your home or business. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions we get from residential and commercial customers nationwide.

🔆 General Solar Questions

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity using photovoltaic (PV) technology. That energy powers your home or business, helping reduce your utility bills and carbon footprint.

Most likely—solar works in a variety of climates and roof types. Our experts at Second Sunrise Solar offer free custom consultations to determine your property’s solar potential.

You can expect lower electric bills, increased property value, eligibility for tax credits, and long-term protection against rising energy costs.

Very little. Most systems are maintenance-free since there are no moving parts, but we recommend occasional panel cleaning and an annual inspection to ensure optimal performance.

Yes! While production is reduced during cloudy weather, your system still generates electricity—just not at full capacity. Panels will still produce power from the photons that are present in natural daylight. We cannot forecast the weather but our design team account for the last 10 years of average weather patterns to formulate the best solar production report for your home.

Yes—solar panels actually operate more efficiently in colder temperatures. While sunny summer days offer more daylight, cooler weather improves panel voltage output, which can enhance performance during the winter months.

Solar panels are designed to handle snow loads and winter conditions. Panels are typically installed at an angle, so snow naturally slides off as it melts or with wind. Even when snow covers part of the system, it’s often short-lived and doesn’t significantly affect annual energy output. In fact, snow can help clean your panels as it melts off, improving efficiency.

When you go solar, instead of pulling power from the grid, you are producing power right on your roof. Any of the excess power you don’t use will roll your meter backwards and be sent back to the grid and stored for you to use during the night and in low producing Fall & Winter months.

If your local utility offers Net Metering, all of your excess power produces during the day is sent to back to the grid. Another way to store your power is with a home battery system, Our solar experts can work with you to see if a battery will make sense for your situation.

In the past, homeowners have been discouraged from looking into solar because of usually having a large out of pocket expense. Most people are unaware of the huge federal, state, and utility incentives available which make solar more affordable than ever before. Through solar financing, you can install a system with $0 down. The monthly solar payment often replaces or is less than your current electric bill, making solar energy not just an environmental choice but a financially savvy one from day one. Not to mention significantly increasing the value of your house, you’ll find that solar today is really a “no-brainer” like all of your friends who have gone solar really say it is!

We’ve found that people typically go solar to either save the environment, save money, or for the predictability of knowing that their electricity costs will never go up with solar. When you get your FREE home energy analysis with us, we will look at the many factors that can determine your potential savings. We will look at your home’s annual electricity consumption, roof space, sun exposure, natural shading, and any potential future additions. Our experts will determine which solar solution will save you the most money.

🏡 Residential Solar Questions

Not unless you have battery storage or generator. For safety reasons, grid-tied systems automatically shut off during outages. To provide you with some peace of mind, we offer home generator or battery backup options if you want uninterrupted power.

Solar panels do degrade in efficiency each and every year only at rate less than 0.50% per year. That means after 25 years, your system should be operating at around 85-90% efficency than they were originally in the first year. All of our systems come with an extensive performance warranty for your peace of mind.

In most cases, your homeowners insurance will still cover your solar energy system—especially if the panels are mounted on your roof. However, it’s a good idea to notify your insurance provider after installation to ensure the system is properly included in your coverage.

Some policies may require a slight adjustment to your dwelling coverage limit to account for the added value of the solar system. Increases in premiums, if any, are usually minor. If your panels are ground-mounted or installed as a separate structure (like a solar carport), you may need to add a rider or extension to your policy. At Second Sunrise Solar, we’ll guide you through the insurance conversation and provide documentation if your insurer needs it.

Home Owner Associations today are seeing solar as a way for their residents to reduce their energy costs and some states have implemented ‘Solar Access Laws’ which prohibits HOA’s from preventing from going solar. There may be some restrictions on where certain arrays can be placed but Second Sunrise Solar will work closely with your HOA by providing technical data, manuals, and engineering sheets as a service to all our homeowners.

Yes. Studies show that solar-powered homes tend to sell faster and at a premium compared to non-solar homes. Zillow and Berkeley have both put out research reports showing that having solar on your home increases the value significantly and can help you sell it WAY faster.

All of our solar programs are completely transferable to your home’s potential buyer. You can either pay off the system when you sell your home and have the solar pay for itself or you can transfer the program to the new homeowner. Who wouldn’t want to buy a house buy a house with FREE electricity?

Absolutely. We offer flexible financing, including $0-down options, solar loans, leases, and PPAs. Our team will help you find the plan that fits your budget.

Yes! You may be eligible for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), plus additional state and local incentives depending on your location.

🏢 Commercial Solar Questions

Solar reduces overhead costs, boosts sustainability, improves energy independence, and provides significant long-term ROI. It’s also a great PR move that shows customers you care about the environment.

Absolutely. We custom-design systems to meet your specific energy demands, even for large-scale or multi-location operations.

Your business may qualify for the 30% federal ITC, MACRS accelerated depreciation, and various local incentives—our team will guide you through it all.

Yes! A commercial solar installation supports green building standards and contributes directly to your ESG performance or LEED certification efforts.

Most commercial systems see ROI within 4–7 years, depending on energy usage and available incentives.

No. Our commercial solar projects are designed and scheduled to minimize any disruption. You’ll stay focused on your business while we handle the rest.

🛠️ Installation & Support Questions

Residential installations usually take 1–3 days once permits are approved. Commercial timelines vary based on system size and structure.

Not at all. Second Sunrise Solar takes care of everything—including permitting, inspections, and utility coordination.

We include industry-leading warranties: 25 years on solar panels, 10–25 years on inverters, and our own workmanship guarantee for added peace of mind.

When we initially design your system, our goal is produce the at least 12 months of your typical energy needs should the site allow for it. A sudden high utility bill is typically do to a change in your consumption habits compared to previous year’s billing cycle. Significant changes in usage is typically due from a recently purchased EV, adding a heat pump, or other high-use items. If there is an issue with the performance of your solar system, our service team is available to diagnosis and repair quickly.

Our in-house support team is here for you. We offer system monitoring, maintenance, and service plans to keep everything running smoothly for years to come.

We pride ourselves on providing the best quality installs for our homeowners. In order to insure those installs and provide a minimum of a 10-year workmanship warranty on any roof penetrations that may cause a leak. After your site visit, if we feel the integrity of your roof is not up to our standards, we will show you how you can go solar and get a brand new roof with $0 out of pocket. (Fun Fact: Solar panels have been seen to prolong the life of roofs since they act as another layer and protect from the natural elements such as rain, snow, hail, and the sun.)

💬 Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help. Reach out to our team anytime for personalized answers or to schedule a free solar consultation.

📞 1-877-939-1-SUN

📧 [email protected]

Take Control of your Power

Switching to Solar Energy is a huge benefit to your family, and is the least expensive option for power currently available: