Frequently Asked Questions

Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house, store in a battery, or send it back to the electric grid.

When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against forever rising electricity tariffs in the future. How much you can save depends on the size of your system, the type of solution chosen, and the electricity tariffs in your area. However, no matter the specific situation, going solar is a smart investment.

The easiest way to find out how much you pay for electricity (and how much electricity you use per month) is to look at your utility electricity bill, if you are on post-paid. If you are a prepaid electricity user, you can tabulate your electricity purchases in a month and confirm total spend and total units purchased and consumed.

Unless you are fully off the grid (no previous or planned grid connection), you will still receive a bill from your power utility. However, you can dramatically reduce your bill (to fixed charges) with a hybrid solar system (panels and storage) that matches your current energy use.

When you install solar power on your property, you will still be connected to the grid. You will use the grid as backup power source in the event of persistent overcast weather whereby your solar system generates less than you need. The grid connection also allows you the ability to sell your excess PV-generated power to your local electricity company. It is possible to go off the grid with a solar energy system that includes battery storage, but this is only recommended for properties that do not have access to the grid.

Studies have shown that properties with solar energy systems sell for more than those without them. However, your property value will only increase if you own your solar power system. Solar power increases the value and desirability of your property, both in terms of saleability and letability.

The amount of power your solar energy system can generate is dependent on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce less energy when the weather is cloudy, and no energy at night. However, if you add batteries to your system, you can store the excess power produced during the day and use it at night.

Yes. Your solar system can be designed to work with or without grid power, and by design can be the primary power source during sun hours. During load shedding or power outage (during sun hours), the PV solar panels will continue to generate the required energy to power your load (fully or partially), depending on your system size.

Net metering is the system through which utilities compensate you for the electricity you send to the grid from your solar system. This compensation can come either in the form of a discount you get from the power utility on your electricity bill or in the form of income for every kWh of energy sent to the grid.

If your solar power system is connected to the grid, it will shut off when the grid goes down (power outage or load shedding). This is done as a safety measure to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair-people from being injured by the power the PV system sends to the grid.

The operation of a professionally installed solar energy system requires minimal maintenance. Solar panels are made of durable tempered glass and require little to no maintenance for the 30 to 35 years that they will generate power. In most cases, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly. All equipment used in our installations carry manufacturers’ warranties.

North-facing roofs with little to no shade are ideal for installing solar panels. However, in most cases there are workarounds if your property doesn’t have the “perfect” solar roof.

Solar energy systems can last for 30 to 35 years, and it can be costly to remove and reinstall them if you need to replace your roof. It is advised that you make sure that your roof is in good condition before installing solar panels.

The cost of installation, including design and engineering, project management and commissioning is included in the purchase price quoted by the sales agent. From time to time, MiPOWA may run campaigns that offer free installation to those that qualify. Outside of such campaigns, the quotation provided by sales agents will typically include the installation fee.

For the first six months after the installation of your solar system, MiPOWA will provide a free maintenance plan, which will include providing the assistance and support to you when something goes wrong with your solar system. Thanks to technology, we may be, in many instances, able to resolve the issue remotely or we may have to send a technician out. If the problem is determined to be major which requires the replacement of a key component/equipment, Mipowa will manage the administration of the warranty with the manufacturer.

When you purchase your solar system cash and own it outright, you have the freedom to insure it or not. We recommend that you insure your system against risks not associated to equipment failure and workmanship.