NRG Solar+

Question

How do I know if solar is right for me?

Answer 1

Our solar consultants will help you determine if a residential solar system is right for you. If you own your home and are interested in solar, you likely are a great fit for NRG Solar+.

To qualify for residential solar panels with NRG Solar+, you must be a single-family homeowner in Massachusetts, Maryland or Illinois with a roof that is compatible with solar panels (e.g. in good condition, right materials, and right angle). If you own a townhome or are a renter, you can consider community solar.

If you want to finance your solar system, you might need to pass a credit check (not required if you pay cash upfront).

Figuring out the details of residential solar can be tricky, but we'll work with you every step of the way to find the best solar option for your home. Call 1-833-674-7657 to get started.

Answer 2

Consumers with solar panels use the same amount of electricity as they did before installing solar panels. The difference is that solar panels are producing a portion of the energy used, so not as much energy has to come from the power grid. That means lower monthly energy bills without sacrificing usage!

Answer 3

Our installation partners target a 102% offset to accommodate for consumption increases over the years. It's not always possible to achieve 102% due to factors like tree cover, roof angle and condition of the roof, so a common range for solar offset is 60-100%. That said, we will always work hard to find the most effective solution for you!

You can also choose to offset a portion of your energy usage rather than all of your usage. We'll work with you and our installation partners to help you determine the best fit.

Answer 4

If you have a battery, you can store any excess electricity for later use. We offer a battery add-on as part of the NRG Solar+ program.

Your solar system comes with an electricity plan that keeps you connected to the power grid, so if your panels produce less than you consume, you'll get the rest of your power from the power grid through your utility supplier.

Answer 5

Yes – you'll still need to have an electricity plan and connection to the grid as solar panels offset most, but not always all, of your energy usage. NRG has a special plan for solar customers that meets or beats your current price!

Answer 6

Although your solar panels operate independently of the power grid, your solar panels alone may not keep your power on in the event of a power outage. If you're not storing the extra energy your panels produce, you won't be able to rely on solar energy when the sun isn't shining. Rooftop solar plus battery storage is a resilient option that can continue to provide power to your home in the event of a grid outage. You can add battery storage as part of your NRG Solar+ system.

Answer 7

The cost of your solar system will depend on many factors, including how much of your energy usage you want covered and how much each panel can produce in your specific location. In general, the cost of residential solar has declined significantly in the past decade - by about 70% - while grid electricity prices have risen by 41%. Going solar is an investment that can help you reduce or even eliminate your monthly energy bill, and our partners also offer financing options that may make it easier to go solar. Together with our trusted solar installation partners, we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs.

Our solar calculator provides estimated costs and savings by analyzing your rooftop and current electricity bills.

Answer 8

There are many ways solar can help you save money! You can take advantage of federal and state tax incentives, which provide a tax credit of 30% of installation costs through 2032. You could also enjoy a lower monthly electricity bill and a higher home value (Zillow estimates that homes with solar panels sell for an average of 4% more on resale). What’s more, we offer financing options that help lower the upfront investment for solar panels.

Answer 9

The current residential federal tax credit is set at 30% through 2032 and applies to all home solar systems, including battery storage. In addition to the Federal ITC, many states offer additional tax incentives and rebates. Visit our solar incentives page to learn about tax incentives in Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois.

Answer 10

Maryland Massachusetts, and Illinois customers have cash and financing options available through our partners. The solar partner available in your state will work with you to find the best payment option.

Answer 11

You’ll need to buy an inverter (or a set of micro-inverters) and a two-way meter. If you want to store energy, you’ll need to buy a battery. Our install partners have great options for each of these items and will walk you through the best setup for your system.

In addition to your system, you’ll need an electricity plan to help you stay connected to the power grid and ensure you always have power. NRG Solar+ comes with an electricity plan that perfectly pairs with your solar system.

Answer 12

You may need permission from the local, state, and/or federal government. Additionally, you’ll need an electrical inspector to make sure you have the right setup, and if you live in an area with a Homeowner's Association, you'll need to check with them. NRG Solar+ and our partners will guide you through getting the right permissions and handle the majority of the permitting process.

Answer 13

Yes, it's certainly possible if your detached garage/structure is in good condition! There are some other factors to consider, so just let us know when you call or fill out our contact form and we’ll make sure we find the right solution for you and our install partners.

Answer 14

Our trusted local installation partners install the panels. The timeline varies depending on how long permitting takes, the size of your solar system, any roof repairs or tree trimming needed, and how long the utility company takes to finish interconnection. A general estimation is around 3 months.

Answer 15

Our installation partners are trusted, best-in-class experts in solar panel installation. We work with The Suntuity Group in Maryland and Massachusetts, and Sustainable Energy Systems (SES) in Maryland.

Answer 16

Solar panels require yearly maintenance, cleaning, and inspection. Occasionally, they might require repairs after heavy snow or other weather events. Most of these yearly necessities are covered by the warranty that comes with our solar panels.

Answer 17

All of our partners provide a manufacturer’s warranty, which will cover your yearly inspection and maintenance costs as well as any qualifying panel repairs for up to 25 years, depending on the product. If you run into any maintenance issues with your panels, just give us a call!

Answer 18

Solar panels don't store energy on their own. To store energy, you’ll need to connect a battery to your solar system. You can add on a battery as part of your NRG Solar+ system.

Answer 19

It depends on the type of panel and weather conditions in your area, but the average lifespan for solar panels is around 25-30 years.

Answer 20

Periods of peak sun exposure are best. Afternoon hours and sunny days with clear skies help your solar panels generate the most energy. To increase the effectiveness of your panels, you can also trim trees that might be causing shade to hit your panels.

Answer 21

Yes, they do! Solar panels use sunlight, not heat, to generate electricity, so the temperature in your neighborhood is not a problem.

Answer 22

Snow on your panels decreases efficiency, but thanks to the dark, smooth texture of panels, any snow will melt away and slide off even before the rest of your roof is clear.

Answer 23

Some types of solar panels can be recycled at the end of their lifespan, while others need to be sent to a landfill.

Answer 24

Solar energy production releases a lot less CO₂ and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere than conventional energy production does. In fact, emissions are only created in making the solar panels and not when you generate electricity at home. Furthermore, the sun is a renewable source of energy, so with solar, you don’t have to worry about depleting the earth’s resources.

Answer 25

If you don’t own your home, we are happy to share other sustainable options that NRG offers, including renewable electricity plans, carbon offsets and more.

Answer 26

NRG will provide direct points of contact to make sure you get your questions answered. If you have questions about the solar equipment or installation, we’ll provide contact information for our installation partner. If you sign up for our Rooftop Solar Standard Electricity Plan or have questions about your overall home energy use, you can contact NRG. When in doubt, you can always contact your NRG solar consultant at 1-833-674-7657.

Answer 27

It’s easy and free to get a quote. Just fill out our contact form or call 1-833-674-7657.

Our solar calculator provides estimated costs and savings by analyzing your rooftop and current electricity bills.

Answer 28

You can visit our glossary page to learn about common solar terms.

NRG Solar+

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NRG Solar+

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about solar? NRG can help!

Solar and your home

Costs and benefits of solar

Solar installation

Solar panel maintenance and operation

Environmental impacts of solar

Customer Support

About NRG About NRG

Legal Legal

Customer Care Customer Care

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