Cobalt Power Systems, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions

(650) 938-9574
885 Maude Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
President Mark Byington with a solar photovoltaic system
Q: Why should I install a photovoltaic system?
A: "Solar photovoltaic systems can be a great investment. They generally yield a 25 to 75 percent return on investment (ROI) per year, which means the system will pay for itself in two to four years. Modern photovoltaic systems are safe, silent, reliable and nearly maintenance-free. They provide a measure of energy independence and help the environment."
Q: Can a photovoltaic system actually pay for itself?
A: "Yes, and if you finance the system with a home equity loan, in many cases it can generate immediate positive cash flow—that is, your monthly energy cost savings can be greater than your monthly loan amount. Government-sponsored rebates and tax credits can pay for 40 to 50 percent of your installed system’s cost. When this is combined with time-of-use (TOU) metering, photovoltaic systems are extremely attractive financially."
Q: Is this the right time to install a photovoltaic system?
A: "Electricity rates have gone up an average of 6.7 percent per year for the last 30 years, and the trend is likely to continue. Unfortunately, the cost of photovoltaic modules continues to rise. Excellent rebates are currently available, but they’re disappearing rapidly."
Q: Why would I not want to install a photovoltaic system?
A: "If your electric bill is less than $50 per month, or if you plan to move in the near future, installing a photovoltaic system may not make sense for you. "
Q: Will a photovoltaic system add value to my home?
A: "According to a recent study by The Appraisal Journal, every $1 spent reducing your annual utility bills through energy efficiency adds $20 to the value of your home. In most cases, a photovoltaic system will add more value to your home than the net cost of the system, so you’re ahead even before you add in your utility bill savings."
Q: Will my property taxes go up if I install a photovoltaic system?
A: "No. By California law, installing a photovoltaic system can’t trigger a property tax increase."
Q: Will my utility meter actually run backward?
A: "Yes. If the energy you use is less than the energy your photovoltaic system produces, your meter will run backward. And if you sign up for time-of-use (TOU) metering from PG&E, the utility will pay you approximately three times as much per kilowatt hour for the electricity you produce during the day as you pay for the electricity you buy during the night."
Q: Do I need a permit to install a photovoltaic system?
A: "Yes, most cities require a building permit before work can be started. We can take care of the permit for you."
Q: What’s the expected life of a photovoltaic system?
A: "Today’s photovoltaic systems are extremely reliable. The solar panels, which are the heart of the system, are warranted by the manufacturer for 20 to 25 years."
Q: Do I need to have technical knowledge to own and operate a photovoltaic system?
A: "Not at all. We’ll take care of the technical details for you. Once installed, the system runs itself and ordinarily requires no maintenance other than washing off the solar panels with a garden hose every three to six months to prevent dust buildup. The electrical components are rugged, silent and reliable, and they cleanly tie into the existing wiring in your building. All components and installations meet or exceed national (UL and NEC) standards."
Q: What will you have to do to my roof to install a photovoltaic system?
A: "Photovoltaic systems can be installed on any type of roof—composition shingle, wood shake, tar and gravel, ceramic tile and slate. The solar panels are mounted to the roof rafters, and in the case of wood shake or tile roofs, the shake or tile must be removed in patches to mount the solar panels. We use a professional roofing company to restore the roof to perfect, weather-tight condition, and we guarantee this on every job."
Q: Does weather affect my photovoltaic system’s performance?
A: "Yes. The system will produce the most power on a bright, cool day because the photovoltaic panels produce electricity from sunlight, not from heat. But the system will produce significant power throughout the year, even on cloudy or overcast days."
Q: How can I know how much energy my photovoltaic system is producing?
A: "Every photovoltaic system we install has built-in kilowatt hour meters. These easy-to-read meters will tell you, at a glance, how much energy your photovoltaic system has produced."
Q: Are there any safety issues associated with photovoltaic systems?
A: "Not if they’re properly installed. Photovoltaic panels are passive devices that produce electricity directly from sunlight and don’t emit harmful radiation."
Q: How can I tell how much I will save on my electric bill if I install a photovoltaic system?
A: "We’ll analyze your electricity usage patterns by reviewing your utility bills from last year, and we’ll propose a system design that optimizes your financial return. We’ll present the data in a detailed spreadsheet that’ll predict how much you’ll save on your monthly electric bill once your photovoltaic system is installed. Actual savings may vary from the prediction depending on your energy usage patterns."
Q: How long does it take to install a photovoltaic system?
A: "The physical installation generally takes about a week, but it can take several more weeks for all the paperwork associated with the California Solar Initiative (for your rebate) and with the utility (for your interconnection agreement) to go through. We’ll take care of all the paperwork and guide you through the process."