Jenn Wolff, Author at Florida Solar LLC

How to Confidently Add Solar Electric to Your Home

Jenn Wolff on July 7, 2022

Solar energy systems continue to rise in popularity, and it’s easy to see why once you understand how they work and their benefits.

These systems work by converting the power of the sun into usable electrical power for your appliances and electronics. You’re probably familiar with the solar panels that people install on their roofs. Within these panels are photovoltaic cells – also knowns as PVs – that absorb the sun’s radiation and convert it to usable electricity for your home.

As you consider whether to add a solar energy system to your home, there are two major factors to consider: the benefits of your investment, and who you choose to partner with.

We’ll address both of those issues in this article.

What are the Benefits of Switching to Solar Electric?

Going solar is popular, and that popularity is reflected in the record-setting growth of residential solar installations. Here are a few great reasons your neighbors and fellow Floridians are investing in solar energy systems for their homes:

Save money off your electric bill. The more you use solar power, the less you have to pay your electric company. Through net metering, your electricity provider will apply the excess energy your solar panels create as credits off your bill. Learn about the factors that affect how much you can save.
It’s clean. Solar power is green energy, which means it’s renewable and plentiful and does not pollute the environment. As we move away from fossil fuels, we emit fewer pollutants into the air.
It’s renewable and sustainable. The sun is a reliable source of power. A solar energy system replenishes itself naturally and will not run out.
It Increases your home’s value. Homes with solar panels sell for about four percent (4%) more in Florida than those without panels.
Keep the electricity flowing. A solar energy system will power the battery backups in your home so that you can keep the power on when there’s a blackout.

If you’re worried about the reliability of solar panels on your roof, we can assure you that the panels we install are durable. They can withstand the wet, stormy weather – including hurricanes — we frequently experience here in Florida. With proper maintenance, you can expect them to perform at a high level for up to 40-50 years.

There’s also an immediate financial incentive to adding solar power to your home this year: You can save up to 26% off your solar project costs on your 2022 tax return if you install your system this year.

How to Find a Reliable Solar Energy System Installer

When looking for a company to install your system, here are a few tips to follow:

Look at the customer ratings and testimonials. You judge a company by the quality of service they provide. Customer reviews will tell you what it’s like to work with a business and whether they are honest in their prices and processes. You’ll often see company ratings when you look them up on Google. Also, pay attention to reviews from the Better Business Bureau.
Ask questions. It’s your money, and you want to make sure you’re spending it wisely. Ask each candidate about their process and timeline for designing and installing a system, what kind of warranties they offer, who the main contact will be to straighten out any issues, and how responsive they are.
Make sure they are licensed and insured. Ask each candidate to show you proof that they are licensed for general electrical contracting and wiring. You’ll also want to see their general liability insurance.
Get price and service quotes from different providers. This will help you make apples-to-apples comparisons between the companies so you have a clear idea of the value you can expect from each one.

Florida Solar is a family-owned business led by Bill Park. Bill has been designing and installing residential and commercial solar systems since 1984. When you work with Bill, you are working with an industry veteran.

The quality of our work reveals itself in the performance of the systems we install, so we invite you to read what our customers say about us.

Learn More About Florida Solar

For over 40 years, Florida Solar has installed residential and commercial solar panels and pool systems. If you are interested in adding a solar energy system to your home, contact us for a free quote or call us at 727-300-1515.

Want to learn more about the benefits of solar and working with Florida Solar? Contact us and we’ll answer your questions.

Converting Your Pool to a Salt Water System: How it Works and the Benefits

Jenn Wolff on June 15, 2022

You already know that Florida Solar installs the best pool heating systems. These solar-powered systems can save you hundreds of dollars a year over electric, gas, and high-efficiency heat pumps.

But did you know that we can also convert your chlorine pool to a saltwater pool? What are the benefits to this switch? Read on to learn the benefits and why you can rely on Florida Solar as your source and partner.

Benefits of Saltwater Pools

Common table salt can safely and effectively produce all the chlorine a pool needs, whether it’s in your back yard or a commercial pool. A pool salt system has a lot of advantages over the conventional type. Here are just a few reasons why a pool salt system in the right choice for perfect pool water:

No more chlorine to buy. No chlorine means no more red eyes or damaged hair after swimming.
Easy to use. Systems like the Pool Pilot® Digital Nano+ do nearly all the work for you.
Soft, great-feeling water. Because it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, a saltwater pool leaves your skin feeling silky to the touch.

Saltwater is also gentler on your swimsuits and pool toys. The salinity in a saltwater pool is less than a tenth of that found in ocean water. Pool salt systems are also much less expensive to maintain than your chlorinated pool.

Perfect Pool Water, without the Chlorine

To find the right salt system for your pool, we assess a number of areas, including:

The size of your pool. The larger your pool, the more cleaning it requires.
How often you use your pool. Do you use your pool year-round on a daily basis – or would you like to? Do you like to host fun pool parties during birthdays? We’ll make sure your pool is always ready for every event – whether you have friends over, or you just want to relax and enjoy the water with family.

To give you crystal clear pool water, we install the Pool Pilot® Digital Nano+, which includes microprocessor controls with a digital read-out of your pool water temperature, its current salt level, purifier production level, and more.

It also tells you how much salt to add if it runs low. The Nano+ will maintain pools up to 32,000 gallons with its PPC2 patented manifold. And it’s just a simple installation away.

Maintaining Your Saltwater Pool

The great news is that pools cleaned with salt systems are easy to maintain. No more constantly shocking your pool with chlorine. They require a fraction of the maintenance of a chlorine system, and you only need to clean it a couple of times every few months.

Florida Solar can inspect your pool and let you know when the salt chlorinator cell needs to be replaced. After installation, we’ll also share our tips for keeping your filter and pump working in top condition so you can enjoy a clean pool all year long. Through our training, you’ll understand how to use pool test strips to test your water for salinity, pH balance, alkalinity, and hardness. By checking these on just a monthly basis, you’ll know your pool is always ready and safe to enjoy.

Switch to a Saltwater Pool with Florida Solar

For over 40 years, Florida Solar has been the leader in residential and commercial solar panels and pool systems. If you are interested in converting your pool to a salt system, contact us for a free quote or call us at 727-300-1515.

How Much You Save When You Install Solar Panels

Jenn Wolff on May 10, 2022

You’re interested in bringing solar power into your home. But before you commit, you want to understand the process of adding solar panels as well as your options for financing.

In this article, we’ll go over the savings you can enjoy on the cost of installation, as well as the savings you’ll see on your electricity costs.

Benefits of installing solar panels

People install solar panels for different reasons, but one of the main ones is lower electricity bills. This is especially important here in Florida, where our hot weather lasts beyond summer, and we need to run our air conditioning almost non-stop. Some of the benefits of solar panels include:

Higher property values. As we noted in our article on solar panels and home values, homes with solar panels sell for 4% more than those without.
Protection against rising electricity rates. Florida homeowners pay among the highest energy costs in the nation.
Reduction of your carbon footprint. Going green is another major factor that influences people to move to solar power. Installing panels reduces the greenhouse gases that pollute the air and lead to higher temperatures.

How much do you save when you install solar panels?

The amount you save on your electricity bill when you install a solar photovoltaic system depends on a few factors, including:

How much electricity you use. If you have high bills, expect to see a greater reward when you switch to solar.
The hours of direct sunlight your home receives.
The retail rate charged by your electricity provider for the surplus energy your solar panels generate. Learn more about net metering.

During our free consultation, Florida Solar’s experts can help determine how much you will save on your electricity bill. For more insight into the factors we look at, read our article “How to Estimate Your Savings When Switching to Solar.”

Installing solar panels onto a home

Some homeowners worry about the process of placing solar panels on the roofs. They’re concerned it will take too long and cause too much of a disturbance. A few are concerned they have an unusual house that will make installation difficult.

We’ve seen it all, and we’ve been able to put all of our customers’ minds at ease while meeting their demands.

That’s why you want to work with Florida Solar.

We let you know upfront how long the process will take from start to finish. We also take care of the entire design and installation process so that it is headache-free and doesn’t disturb your daily routine. Need to delay the install because of circumstances beyond your control? No problem. Our professional team is flexible and will work with you so that the process is fast, high quality, and stress-free.

Here’s how, in just a few steps, we help you go solar:

You schedule a free solar savings consultation
We design your custom solar system
We obtain all the needed permits to move forward with the work
We install your system.

Now you can enjoy solar energy that works for you and saves you money.

Solar financing – what are my options?

Adding solar to your home doesn’t have to be a big out-of-pocket expense. In fact, there are resources that can lower your cost of installation.

We partner with home improvement lenders that make it easy to afford your solar system. The financing process is quick and easy, and you don’t need to put any money down.

Another resource for lowering your cost is the Federal Solar Tax Credit. This is where you’ll receive 26% of your total project costs (including equipment, permitting, and installation) as a credit on your federal tax return.

Let’s say you owe money on your federal taxes. You can claim 26% of your project expenses and deduct that from what you owe to the IRS. Just be aware that the tax credit of 26% expires on December 31, 2022, and falls to 22% in 2023. If you want to maximize your savings, now is the time to act!

To learn more, read our article “How to Get the Solar Tax Credit for 2022.”

Go solar with Florida Solar

For over 40 years, Florida Solar has been installing residential and commercial solar panels. We also service your system, so you can rely on us for the ongoing maintenance that keeps your system performing at a high level for years to come.

Call us at 727-300-1515 or click here for a free quote. Our experts are available to come out to your home and explain the assessment and installation processes. Current Florida Solar customers compliment us on how thoroughly we explain the entire solar installation process and answer all of their questions. We look forward to providing that same high level of service to you.

What Is Net Metering?

Jenn Wolff on April 11, 2022

Net-metering is a process by which homeowners who have solar energy systems can get “credits” from their utility provider for any energy their solar panels create but isn’t used to power their home.

Homeowners can then use this credit to help pay for the energy they use through their traditional electric company. Your provider will deduct the total amount of surplus energy and subtract it as a credit from your monthly bill. This is sometimes described as “selling” the extra energy your panels produce to your utility company (like TECO and Duke Energy).

How can net metering help me?

If you already have a solar energy system installed in your home, you can get credit for the excess energy your system produces at the retail rate charged by your utility. Then you can take those credits and use them to pay for your electric bills during the winter months when you generate less solar power.

If you don’t yet have a system installed but you’re thinking about it, there’s a good reason to start now so you can get the current net-metering benefits.

New bill would lower net-metering credits for Florida homeowners

A new bill passed by the Florida Legislature and that awaits the governor’s signature will reduce the amount of solar credits for those who install solar panels after January 2024 (with decreasing percentages of the retail charge being applied in subsequent years).

However, those who install their solar energy systems by January 2024 will be grandfathered in and receive full retail rates for their surplus energy for the next 20 years.

Bring solar energy into your home

Another great reason to install solar now: the federal solar tax credit, which lets you take 26% of the cost of your system as a tax deduction as long as it’s installed by Dec. 31, 2022. The credit falls two 22% for systems installed in 2023.

Florida Solar specializes in installing solar energy systems into homes throughout the Tampa Bay area. Call Florida Solar at 727-877-3175 (or fill out the contact form) to get a complimentary quote to bring the green energy and money-saving power of solar into your home.

How to Get the Solar Tax Credit for 2022

Jenn Wolff on March 8, 2022

As spring and summer get closer, so does the prospect of high bills to cool our homes. The average monthly electric bill in Florida is over $140. However, your bill will probably be much higher than that during the summer months, when you need to run your A/C system constantly to keep your house cool.

One way to beat the heat and the high bills is by switching to a solar electric system. When you use solar energy for your home, you reduce your reliance on your power company. That means you avoid high costs, and you do something great for the environment by going green.

If you’re concerned about the expense of installing a solar photovoltaic system because of the cost, you should consider the potential tax savings.

What is the solar tax credit?

The federal solar tax creditallows you to write down what you owe in taxes based on a percentage of what you spent on a solar photovoltaic system. In 2022, the solar tax credit is 26%, but it expires on December 31, 2022.

As long as your new system is installed by then in a single-family home that you own, you can take the credit when you file your taxes next year (please work with your certified public account to verify your savings). You’ll receive 26% of your total project costs (including equipment, permitting fees, and installation) as a credit on your federal tax return.

When you install a solar photovoltaic system, you will benefit from:

Lowers your monthly electric bills
Do your part to reduce your carbon footprint
A reliable source of clean energy

There’s no maximum amount that can be claimed on your taxes. For more information but the federal tax credit, visit Energy.gov’s “Homeowners Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics.”

Bring solar energy into your home

Florida Solar specializes in installing solar energy systems into the homes of residences throughout the Tampa Bay area. Contact Florida Solar to learn more about the solar tax credit at https://floridasolar.solar/contact/. You can also call us at 727-877-3175 for a free quote on a new solar energy system. Our experts are ready to answer your questions show you the financing options available to you.

Already Have Solar Panels? Heat Your Pool!

Jenn Wolff on February 3, 2022

Because you live in Florida, you can enjoy warm weather for most of the year. You’re glad you just have to walk a few feet to your backyard for a refreshing dip in the pool.

By using a pool heater, you can enjoy the water just the same when it’s otherwise too cold to get in. You can also heat the temperature to a level that you prefer regardless of the time of year.

There’s a way to do this in a way that’s cost-effective and better for the environment. If you have solar panels on your home, you can heat your pool for a fraction of the cost of a traditional electricity-powered pool heater.

Using solar to heat your pool

The Omni-Swim® Hybrid Solar Pool Heat Pump can be powered by the sun as well as your regular electricity service. The Omni-Swim Hybrid Solar Pool Heat Pump can heat your pool using three methods:

Direct solar thermal: Using this method, you preheat your pool or spa water with solar panels connected to the Omni-Swim system. Doing this reduces the pump’s run time, saving you money.
Solar electric: If your home is already being powered by solar electric, the Omni-Swim can warm your pool or spa water as a 100% solar-fueled pool heater.
Indirect solar thermal: The sun heats the air, then the Omni-Swim transfers the warmth of that solar-heated air to your pool or spa.

We are pleased to announce that Florida Solar is an authorized dealer for the Omni-Swim, and we are ready to bring its benefits to your home.

Heat your pool with solar power and the Omni-Swim

Whether you’re swimming or just relaxing in the water, the Omni-Swim makes it possible at a much lower price than all-electric-powered pool heaters. When you heat your pool or spa water with the Omni-Swim, you are using less water and less electricity. You also need less plumbing, a feature that makes the Omni-Swim easy to install. Fast installation means you can start enjoying water at a comfortable temperature.

Call Florida Solar to bring solar powered heat to your pool

You have solar panels to save on electricity. Bring those saving to your pool or spa so you can enjoy them all year-round without overspending on heating.

Another reason the Omni-Swim is a great choice for heating your pool: It’s built to last. Contact us online or call us at 727-877-3175 for a free quote. Our experts are ready to answer your questions and put you on the path to comfortable year-round swimming.

Why Aren’t My Solar Panels Working Right?

Jenn Wolff on January 20, 2022

If you already have solar power feeding your home, congratulations. You’ve invested in a resource that, over the long-term, will likely save on your electric bills. You’ll also be doing your part as we all try to help the environment by relying more on clean sources of energy like the sun.

However, there may be times when your panels aren’t delivering as expected. Maybe your panels are newly installed but aren’t performing as well as promised. Perhaps you’ve had the system for a while and now you’ve noticed a drop-off.

How to know your solar panels aren’t working

Many homeowners will decide they have a problem after looking at their electric bill. However, this is unreliable. For one thing, your photovoltaic system may be working fine, but a combination of weather and your energy usage will factor into how much excess energy you are given credit for by your electric company. Also keep in mind that your bill won’t tell you how much your system generated for use in your home.

Some more accurate signs of a faulty system include:

An orange or red light on your inverter
The kilowatt hours on your solar meter aren’t increasing
Cracks in the solar panels. This will negatively impact their ability to generate power.

What causes solar panels to stop working effectively?

Besides panels that have been physically damaged, here are some factors that may cause panels to underperform:

Dirty panels. In Florida, we got a lot of rain to wash away the dirt and grime that can build up on panels. But there are those dry spells we go through now and then, especially during the winter months. In a short amount of time, things like pollen, leaves, pine needles, and sap can cover the panels and prevent them from working effectively.
Cloudy days. If the sun’s rays are being partially blocked, don’t expect your system to work at peak performance.
The angle of your panels. A professional should have installed your panels so that they receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. Poor installation may explain the lack of power.

If you suspect one or more of these to be an issue, or you think your system’s performance has fallen well below what it had been generating, please let us now.

Call Florida Solar for a free inspection of your system

Your solar energy system will never be 100% efficient. But if it’s performing well below what you were promised or should reasonably expect, it’s time for an inspection.

If you can tell that your solar panels are dirty, don’t try to clean them yourself. This is a delicate process and you may end up causing more damage.

Also, if you’re not sure your inverter if working right, contact us now at Florida Solar to discuss your repair options. We can provide you a full inspection of your system to put your mind at ease. We’ll also clean your panels and restore them to proper operating condition.

For those of you who are current Florida Solar customers, have you had your yearly checkup? Even if your system is working perfectly – and we expect it will be! – an annual inspection is the best way to ensure it stays that way.

Contact us online or call us at 727-877-3175. Our experts are available to listen to your concerns and schedule a time to inspect your system and put your mind at ease.

What Goes Into a Custom Solar System Design?

Jenn Wolff on December 8, 2021

When you’re entertaining the idea of adding solar power to your home, keep this in mind: Each system design is based on a variety of factors. Those factors typically include:

Your home’s location
The physical design of the home
Your energy usage

This is why solar-energy systems are tailored to the home and those who live there. You may have energy needs that exceed those of your neighbors. You might also be planning to add on rooms to your home, in which case a consultant will need to factor that into the design of your home’s system.

Then there are budget considerations. You’ll want to know what a system at a certain level of capability would cost to design and install. Keep in mind that this is a great time take advantage of the federal solar tax credit of 26% through 2022.

Elements of a custom solar system design

After contacting a solar energy system installer, these are the steps you can expect them to take:

Assessment. During this early stage, a certified professional will perform their due diligence to see whether a solar-powered system is right for you. This is also where they will determine how it will best be installed.
Design of the system. This includes understanding how much power you use, the pitch of your roof, and its access to sunlight. These influence elements like the number of panels you need to provide the power for your energy usage. Whether you have other power sources will determine how many batteries you need for power storage and the best place to install them.

Think of a battery hub as a generator that powers your home. The solar charge controllers relay the power from the panels to the battery bank. The inverter will then convert direct current (DC) to alternative current (AC). The size of the battery is determined by the size of your house as well as the amount of electricity that you use (which will be affected by your light and appliance usage, and whether you have a pool/hot tub). Your custom designer will know the right type of each component for you to generate adequate power.

There are other elements that need to be planned for and installed, but this gives you an overview of the major parts of the design portion of your project.

Let’s discuss your solar energy system

Contact us now at Florida Solar so that we can provide you with a long-term investment that saves money and improves your quality of life. Some of the benefits of working with Florida Solar include:

Nearly 40 years of experience installing residential and commercial solar energy systems
We can sell, install, and service your system
We partner with various lenders, so you can find the financing that works for you
A commitment to outstanding customer service

If you have any questions about solar power or would like more information about our services, email us today at sales@floridasolar.solar or call 727-300-1515. Our experts are available to discuss different types of solar energy systems, the savings you can expect, and your financing options.

Are You Maintaining Your Solar Systems?

Jenn Wolff on November 1, 2021

As with most things we own and care about, maintenance is key to a valuable asset that remains functioning in top condition for many years. You’ve invested in your solar energy system to save you money. Let’s take a look at the ways Florida Solar and its experts will help ensure your system is reliably delivering the benefits you expect.

Why solar maintenance is important

Residential and commercial solar systems require periodic inspections and routine solar maintenance to keep them operating at maximum efficiency. If wires fail, or if power surge has damaged some part of your system, you might or might not be aware of it.

Don’t leave the integrity of your investment to chance. We highly recommend a complete annual inspection to ensure your system is in top operating condition. From the solar panels – which can lose their efficiency as dirt and debris accumulates – to the wiring and sensors, there’s an array of components that need to work at high efficiency to maximize your energy independence.

Solar pool heat system tune-up

When you work with Florida Solar, you can expect a thorough inspection of your solar pool heat system. For this service package, our technicians will:

Check for leaks
Check all controller modes
Test both solar sensors
Check motor valve
Check roof mounts for sealant
Check VRV for air in system
Check panels for flow and hot spots
Check all low voltage wire
Check binding straps for panels
Check roof lags for rust
Check and tighten all stainless clamps
Check all threaded fittings into pump and filter

Solar electric system tune-up

If your solar electric system isn’t functioning as intended, you’re missing out on savings. During this service, our certified professionals will:

Check mounting hardware
Check inverter operation
Check all wiring
Check all connections

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep that in mind as you consider the benefits of a yearly maintenance checkup. For less than you would spend on a cup of coffee each day, you’ll have the peace of mind that your system has been carefully looked at and is ready to provide high value.

Keep your solar energy system at peak performance

You may not be seeing any issues with your solar-powered system. Let’s keep it that way. If you haven’t had your solar energy or pool heat system looked at, it’s never too early for a professional inspection. Learn more about our solar maintenance packages.

Looking for a Pool Heat Pump?

Jenn Wolff on October 4, 2021

If you’ve been considering a heat pump, you’re one step closer to having a pool that you and your family and friends can enjoy year-round. But before making the move, you probably also have questions about choosing and installing your pool heat pump. We’ll provide some education in this post that should make it easier to understand what you need to know and where you need expert assistance.

Choosing the right heat pump

When looking for a heat pump for your pool, take these issues into consideration:

How you are going to heat the water. Different methods will affect your energy bill differently, and will also provide heat at different rates.
Whether you have an above-ground or in-ground pool.
Your pool size and preferred temperature. Get a heat pump that is too small and you’ll be wasting energy as it runs too hard to keep your pool warm. The higher the pump’s BTU’s, the faster it can heat the water.
How easy it is to use. The less complicated the interface, the better. You want a heat pump that can automatically do its job.

Other factors to look at include its noise level (which is rated in decibels). And there’s the coefficiency of performance (COP), which lets you know, on a scale of 3.0 to 7.0, the energy efficiency of the pump. The higher the number, the better.

While many pumps are made to be durable, you also want to make sure you work with a provider that will provide regular maintenance to keep it working at peak performance and has access to replacement parts.

Pool heat pump installation process

When installing the heat pump for your pool, you want to make sure you are:

Placing it on a sturdy concrete base that has been sized correctly
Giving enough clearance to the sides and above
Situating it for easy plumbing and access to the controls
Placing it in an area that will maximize its efficiency

You’ll also need to address two other major factors that may affect placement: the plumbing and power. As for plumbing, more straight runs are better. And with regard to power, an expert electrician will make decisions based on the power source and the need for a dedicated circuit.

Overall, this is something you want to trust to a professional who knows what they’re doing.

When to run your heat pump

Now that you have your heat pump, you want it to do its job while maximizing efficiency. You expect your pool to be at a comfortable temperature on demand. But you don’t want to overspend on your electric bill. Here are a few tips about running your heat pump:

To maximize energy efficiency, it’s best to run your heat pump during the day. This is when the air is warmer, so it will take less work for the pump to reach your desired temperature setting.
However, when you run it depends on when you want to enjoy the water. If you like to take laps in morning, then running the heat pump at night will make sense.
If you also want to use the pool during the day when the temperatures are consistently chilly in the winter months, even into the late afternoon, then you should also run the pump on a staggered basis throughout the day.

Get your free pool heat consultation

Florida Solar can provide and install a heat pump that uses the best of both worlds. And we will size your pool pump correctly.

A hybrid solution like the Omni-Swim combines direct and indirect solar thermal with solar electricity as a power source. And you’ll have a pool you can enjoy throughout the year.

Call us at 727-300-1515 or just fill in our form to schedule your free pool heat consultation.