Frequently Asked Solar Questions

Purchasing solar builds energy equity with a renewable power system that can replace ongoing monthly utility expenses. As electricity rates continue to rise and the price of solar has levelized after a decade of plummeting costs, going solar now can help you achieve home energy savings sooner, rather than later. Contact us today to see if solar energy works for you.

Female-owned, locally operated, and B-Corp certified, the Apollo Energy team has always worked to maximize the value of solar for our customers (and neighbors) in Colorado and Southern Wyoming. We pride ourselves on fast, efficient, and friendly customer service, offer comprehensive warranties and workmanship coverage, and pay our workers a living wage with opportunities provided for underserved communities. Learn more about us.

The amount you can save by installing solar is largely dependent on your current electricity expenses, the size and shape of your roof, and whether or not you qualify for any solar energy tax incentives or rebates. Solar energy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so we provide a free custom assessment for every interested homeowner. Quickly estimate your savings with our solar calculator.

In the United States, the best roofs for solar panels are south-facing for the maximum amount of daily, direct sunlight. Ideal roofs in the US are pitched at an angle between 30 and 45 degrees, which is typical in Colorado and Wyoming. Roof faces must also contain enough usable space for solar panels that is free of shade (from trees or neighboring buildings) and installation obstructions (like vents or chimneys). Read more about what makes a good roof for solar.

Taking out a loan or paying cash is the best way to finance a solar energy system. While solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) can also help you access solar to reduce energy expenses, owning your system is the best way to save money on your long-term electricity costs. Explore the pros and cons of buying vs leasing solar panels.

Extended through 2032, the residential solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a nationally-available incentive that can reduce the total cost of your installation by up to 30%, including parts (panels, wiring, batteries, etc.), labor, and permitting expenses. There are also several local solar incentives in Colorado and Wyoming such as sales and property tax exemptions, and occasionally available rebates, like in the City of Fort Collins. When you work with Apollo Energy, we will help you discover all of the solar incentives for which you may be eligible

Yes, manufactured and installed to live a life outdoors, solar panels can withstand heavy weather conditions like hail, gusting winds, and more. Most modern solar panels are rated to withstand winds over 140 miles per hour and are vigorously tested to improve durability against hail and other airborne objects. In the rare event that a solar panel must be replaced, you will be covered by Apollo Energy’s warranty.

After you sign a contract, the solar installation process can take anywhere between 60 to 120 days, depending on your location and the time of year. Apollo always works to meet a 90-day timeline to complete the entire process, including a detailed site audit, permitting applications, approval, installation, and final inspections. While a lot of work is done both before and after, the physical installation of a home solar system typically only takes one or two days at most. Learn more about the solar installation process.

Unless you also have a battery backup installed, then no, grid-tied solar panels will not work when the power goes out. Solar panels, just like everything else in your home, are connected to the power grid, which will shut down during local blackouts to protect workers repairing downed lines and other damages. Read more about what happens to solar panels when the power goes out.

To prepare for a blackout, installing a connected solar battery can help you pivot off of the grid and power your home independently. With electricity storage, your solar panels can produce electricity and send it to the battery in a closed loop, where it can then supply power to life-sustaining devices. As a clean-energy alternative to a gas-powered generator, you can book an assessment with us today to see if a battery makes sense for you in Colorado or Wyoming.

Net metering, also known as net energy metering (NEM), is a utility billing system that compensates solar energy producers for the electricity they send to the grid, in the form of bill credits. In areas with net metering, like Colorado and Wyoming, homeowners can then install a system that produces roughly the same amount of electricity that they consume annually to largely offset any utility electricity purchases at retail rates. Explore additional information on how net metering works.

Yes, so long as you are connected to the power grid, you will continue to receive an electric utility bill when you go solar. Of course, the expenses of these bills will be reduced significantly, as they will now display both the energy consumed by your home as well as produced by your solar panels. Discover how to read your electric bill with solar panels.

No, unless they are installed incorrectly, solar panels will not damage your roof. Apollo Energy is a licensed and insured solar company that eliminates the possibility of roof damage with an in-house team that always installs systems to meet building codes and safety standards. In fact, panels causing roof damage is one of the most common solar myths that have been debunked

With very few moving parts required, solar panel maintenance is rare in residential systems. Although panels can maintain peak operating efficiency after a professional cleaning in dry and dusty areas, solar systems can typically be left alone to operate maintenance-free. In the event of a part malfunction, it is important to confirm with your installer what repairs and replacements are covered in your solar warranty agreements.

Although you will see results in your utility bills, the best way to know whether or not your solar panels are producing electricity is with an energy monitoring system. Linked to your inverter (or inverters), Apollo empowers homeowners to monitor their solar energy system performance with monthly, daily, and even hourly tracking in real time. Understanding how your system works is one of the most important questions to ask solar companies

Once approved by the utility, and interconnected to the power grid, solar panels can begin producing power immediately. Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into usable electricity, which is then sent to a home, battery, or utility grid. Durable and efficient in a variety of conditions, solar panels work all year long, including in the winter.

If you sell your home with solar panels, the buyer will inherit the system in its current state, which will continue to produce electricity for the property. While you may be required to transfer a solar lease, purchasing a solar energy system can help you sell your home both more quickly and for a higher price, on average. As any savvy homebuyer can appreciate reduced monthly energy costs, solar adds value to homes in real estate sales.

By replacing utility power generated from natural gas or other fossil fuels, the environmental impact of an Apollo Energy system can significantly reduce local greenhouse gas emissions over its lifespan of 25 years and more. While Colorado is hard at work diversifying and improving its renewable energy portfolio, going solar allows residents to reduce their environmental impact immediately for several decades ahead. Apollo Energy has installed over 5 megawatts of solar power, offsetting roughly 150,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.