Whole Home Solar Systems

In the Inland Northwest, solar power is a smart financial choice and reduces negative impacts on our beautiful environment.

Not only has solar technology advanced, product options and availability have expanded and financial benefits have increased. As America strives for clean energy, many cities already require solar power. In 2020, California began requiring installation of solar panels on all new homes.

Harnessing the power of the sun has many benefits for home owners.

• Renewable, plentiful energy, even in the Inland Northwest
• Savings through lower monthly utility bills, or none at all
• Increase your home's resale value
• Incentives - Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit eligible (State and Federal) - Click this link http://www.dsireusa.org/
• Environmental - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other dangerous pollutants

In an Off Grid Solar System, a DC battery bank is typically used to store the power captured by the Photovoltaic Modules (Solar Panels or Solar Array) during daylight hours and released as you demand power from your system. This system is independent of the Power Grid and with the use of an Inverter, you can run the everyday household AC appliances and equipment that we all depend on.

In a Grid Tie Solar System, Photovoltaic Modules develop energy that is inverted to an AC current and sent to your home's electrical supply. The energy you develop is used to provide power for your home as well as to feed unused energy back to the grid. Depending on the size of your system, you may produce some of your energy demands or you may produce enough energy to power your home for the whole year. You still receive a monthly bill but your energy production (and reduced meter readings) will affect the amount of energy you are charged for. Typically, these accounts are zeroed at the end of a 12 month period, such as every April for most utility companies in our area. It is also typical that the utilities in our area do not purchase your produced energy that exceeds your yearly usage. You want to carefully design the system to meet your demands without overproducing since there is currently no return on your investment for producing more than you use.

Grid Tie with Battery Backup is the combination of a grid tie system with the capability of storing and providing backup power when you lose grid power.

• Solar Array - An array includes solar modules (panels) and the mounting system, typically roof mount, pole mount or ground mount. 
• Battery Bank - Deep cycle batteries are used to store the energy captured by the solar array during the day.
• Charge Controller -  Regulates the voltage flowing from the solar Array to the battery bank, preventing overcharging and allowing charging as needed
• Inverter -  Solar panels produce and batteries store DC (direct current) power. Standard electric appliances and equipment use AC (alternating current) power. An inverter inverts the DC power to AC power.

We are licensed in Idaho and Washington. Not all projects are the same, but here are the steps in a typical project:

1. The first step is to call us or stop by the store to discuss your goals and needs.
2. We conduct a site visit to determine year-round exposure using state of the art equipment, discuss mounting systems and evaluate power needs.
3. We work with solar engineers to design your solar system and determine the best components for it all to come together.
4. Some site prep and all electrical work require specialty licenses. We recommend you contact a licensed electrician early in the process to ensure you are in their schedule.
5. Once your system is delivered to our store, you have the option of picking it up or arrange for delivery to your site.
6. A licensed electrician connects the solar system to your home. 
7. We are available to help you learn how to use and maintain the system as well as provide repair and warranty services for the products we sell.