Site Model
After you schedule a solar consultation, a solar designer uses your address to begin an initial design for your solar system.
The designer will map your roof and any other buildings and/or trees that may affect solar production on your home.
LIDAR
Once the trees and buildings have been outlined, cutting edge technology called LIDAR (Light Detection and Radar - using lasers) is used to determine home height, roof pitch, and tree height and width.
3D Shading
The height, width, positional, and pitch properties are then used to determine the amount of time the sun will hit the solar panels at any time during the year.
Shading does affect solar production so you want to be sure your are receiving as much sunlight as possible all year long.
We can help you determine if there are particular trees that are affecting production and when, so that you can determine if you want to/can remove them.
3D Shading December
Even the shortest day of the year will produce wattage.
The South Carolina fall and spring months of the year produce the most wattage because as well as the position of the sun in the sky, when the air temperature is less than 80 degrees, your solar panels work at the utmost efficiency and produce the most electricity.
When you buy solar, also as for Mono-crystalline solar panels as they produce best in the Hot South Carolina climate.
Utility Usage
The Solar Consultants will ask for a copy of your utility bill so that the solar designer can enter your monthly consumption in the system.
This information will help them determine the number of solar panels it will take to reduce/remove you utility bill.
Consumption
Your annual usage (and utility provider) determine the number of solar panels necessary to offset your utility bill.
Irradiance
Once the roof and tree design is complete and consumption has been documented, the solar designer can start the "Irradiance" functionality to determine best placement for panels.
A bright yellow roof plane denotes the best option for placing panels as it receives the most sun during all seasons.
Production
The system then calculates monthly production based on shading and tilt/orientation of the panels and compares it to the electrical consumption that was entered from your utility bill.
Production
Once the panels are placed on the roof, the solar production estimate and offset of your utility bill is calculated.
Generation
See the "Benefits" of Solar to learn how your generated electricity is stored on the grid.
Environment
Solar Panels do save energy and we can show you how much your installation will save.
Electric Bill
Most importantly, you will save on your utility bill.
or call 803-317-9355
