FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are Federal and Statewide incentive programs to help urge homeowners and business owners to install solar energy on their properties as well as implement suggested efficiency improvements from an energy audit.
There is a Federal Tax Credit for residential and commercial property owners that install solar pv systems that cover 30% of your total costs with no maximum credit. The taxpayer may claim this credit of qualified expenditures for a system that serves the taxpayer’s property. Systems that are in service on or before December 31, 2019 will qualify for this credit.
In the state of Missouri, any taxpayer who paid a certified entity to complete a home energy audit or other efficiency improvements may take a tax deduction of $1,000 maximum per year per individual and $2,000 maximum for joint filing. A home energy audit must be performed before the implementation of any energy efficiency upgrades to be eligible for this tax deduction. Also, homeowners in Missouri are also encouraged to add solar energy systems to their homes with a 100% solar property tax exemption. Markets across the U.S. have noted solar energy adds 50% to the property’s value. Additionally, you will not pay a thing in taxes on all that added value!In addition, different statewide programs and utility company rebates may be in place at the time you are looking to install so ask us today if you qualify for any other incentives!
In addition, different statewide programs and utility company rebates may be in place at the time you are looking to install so ask us today if you qualify for any other incentive!

RECs are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that represent 1 megawatt-hour of electricity generated from an eligible renewable energy source. Select markets are participating at different levels so check in with us today about the options in your state.

A properly installed solar power system should require little maintenance. However, any dust or debris that settles on the modules is usually removed by adequate snow and rain. There are instances where tough dirt or stains, such as leaves and bird droppings, which cause part of the system to become shaded, should be removed as quickly as possible. Possible cleaning and other small repairs should also be taken into consideration when calculating operation costs. EFS Energy provides maintenance packages for yearly cleaning, full system inspection, and detailed monitoring to ensure the system is running optimally.

Our recommended panels and inverters come with 25-year warranties so you can rest easy knowing you will be benefiting from reliable solar energy well into the future. Many early solar panels are still running efficiently after 30+ years and today’s technology has a design life of up to 40 years. It is very likely that the lifespan of your panels will exceed their warranty by a significant margin.

39 states across the U.S. have solar access laws that will protect you from any restrictions your HOA or another entity may have in place. EFS Energy has experience with working with a variety of subdivisions, associations, and other groups and we are confident your system will be installed professionally and appropriately.

On average, a home in the Midwest has enough roof space to fit 20 solar pv panels equating to a 5kW-6kW system size. Our typical price point is around $4.50 per installed watt and this is before any federal or statewide incentive program applies and includes equipment, labor, engineering and electrical work, backend paperwork with your power company, permitting, and other associated costs of installing a full solar energy installation. Of course, there are many other factors that can alter this amount that may include shading, roof pitches and angles, in-house financing, restrictions with AHJ’s or historic districts, battery backup systems, or your own personal preferences for your system. We offer many solutions for homeowners to aide you in this investment process from in-house financing options to other professionally recommended efficiency solutions to further lower your monthly bills and increase your overall efficiency. To find out more about what an EFS Energy system will cost and the savings associated, get your FREE Solar Quote from one of our Energy Consultants.

Our typical price point for commercial installs ranges between $3.00 and $3.50 per installed watt. This price is before any federal or statewide incentive program applies and includes equipment, labor, engineering and electrical work, backend paperwork with your power company, permitting, O&M charges, and other associated costs of installing a full solar energy installation. Of course, there are many other factors that can alter this amount that may include shading, roof pitches and angles, restrictions with AHJ’s or historic districts, battery backup systems, or your own personal preferences for your system. To find out more about what an EFS Energy system will cost and the savings associated, get your FREE Solar Quote from one of our Energy Consultants.

Just like any other commercial investment, solar is a long term investment that will pay for itself. However, with the current incentives: 30% Federal ITC, potential rebates, depreciation, and monthly energy savings from the utility (many of which are when demand charges and peak-hours are high), the first 5 year savings average from 50-100%. One of the main factors in the energy savings over the lifetime of the system are the rate increases from the utility companies; we historically have seen an average of 7% over the past 5 years.

The amount of power your solar system generates is directly proportional to the amount of sunlight available so it will produce less energy when the weather is cloudy and no energy at nighttime. However, our estimates are based off of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s information and account for the climate based on the location of your property.

If you have a grid-tied system, it will automatically shut down until the power is restored. This is for safety precautions and allows the utility company to safely make the necessary repairs. There is a certain inverter that would allow for a backup power outlet to be accessible in case you would like power during an outage.