Residential Solar Panels 101
Solar Panels 101 – How Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Cells Works
Solar panels create energy by absorbing photons from sunlight. The photons react with the photoelectric material in the solar modules, knocking electrons. These electrons are captured in the form of a direct electrical current, creating power for your home.
Convert Sunlight to Energy
This direct current generated by a photovoltaic (PV) module has to go through another step before it can be used to power your home. The current is run through a device called an inverter (or power converter) which converts the direct current (DC) from the solar modules to alternating current (AC), which can be used in your home and distributed to the utility grid. During this process, 14-18% of the energy produced by the panels is lost.
Distribute Energy to your home
After being converted to alternating current, power travels from the inverter to your electrical service panel (your breaker box). The power from the electrical panel is then distributed to any electrical loads in your home.
Run your Meter Backwards
When excess power is produced by the solar panels system, the power will flow into the grid through your electric meter. This will cause your meter to run backward gaining you a credit with the utility company.
Net Metering
The net metering legislation states that the utility company must credit you at retail rates (the same rate they would have charged you). Therefore, time of use customers will be credited peak rates for power fed into the grid during peak hours.
What Makes a House Suitable for Solar Panels?
There are several factors that determine how suitable a home is for solar panels:
- The number of sun hours received by your geographical location. Also known as solar isolation, this is the amount of sunlight that a geographical location receives in a typical year.
- The amount of shading received by your roof during peak production hours. Less is better. Tall structures (other homes or buildings, trees, telephone poles, etc.) can restrict the amount of sunlight that reaches an installed solar panel. The shade of those other structures create can reduce the effectiveness of your solar panels system.
- Available roof or ground area for the solar panels system. A solar panels system requires space for installation.
300+ 5-Star Reviews
Marcela Pereyra
15:35 11 May 21
Excellent service. They are very professional, and I was explained every step of the process. Sales person (mark), project manager (Tony) and customer service (Jennifer) they were all very good !
Ruth Medina
23:32 10 May 21
Daniel their rep was very informative and helpful. He did not pressure us in any way but instead educated us on our choices and let us come to a decision. Themreps that came to take measurements again were very professional and answered all questions. I am looking forward to seeing the end result. Second review to be continued!
Cathy Ferriter
19:01 07 May 21
I wanted to share the excellent experience we had with Danny Kirshblum who is a 5 star sales consultant representing Florida Solar & Air. We reached out to a number of companies looking to install high impact sliding glass doors and windows. His presentation on behalf of Florida Solar and Air led us to choosing this company. He spent a few hours with us educating us and guiding us to make the right decision. There was no pressure. Danny is honest, transparent, and knowledgeable. Looking forward to our new doors and windows.
Zzz
02:25 07 May 21
They truly did an excellent job with my roof replacement from beginning to end. From the whole estimation process, thorough explanations on what to expect, the documentation with Jay, to Jennifer in customer service checking in, to Zuly in finance and to Tony with managing the entire roofing project AND my roof was finished super fast! They are all so nice, professional and super responsive every step of the way. Extremely happy with them. Highly recommend.
Christiana Obadeyi
21:25 06 May 21
Carlos works very diligently along with Alain, very polite and professional during the installation of our windows. Once they started upon their arrival, they did not stop until the job was completed.
Edwin Moreno
17:50 06 May 21
Very profesional people the installers are fast and pay atention to detail david answer all the question I have about the job and Manuel was always supervising all the project until its completion. Very satisfied with the results...
Jerry Alleyne-Nagee
22:02 05 May 21
My experience with Florida Solar & Air was exceptionally rewarding. My initial interaction with the knowledgeable and amiable sales representative was highly satisfactory. His presentation on behalf of Florida Solar and Air led to my choosing this company.I am totally satisfied with the competence and high standard maintained by all of the workers including the project manager Tony and my office liaison Jennifer, both of whom displayed professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills at all times. I am very grateful also that attention was paid to the minutest detail.Thank you Florida Solar and Air.
madeleine low
17:33 29 Apr 21
I am so happy I selected this company! Their work exceeded my expectations in every way. They replaced all the windows in my house as well as installing 2 sets of French doors. Manny , the project supervisor was here every morning to consult with the installers David and Mitchel.David set to work each morning and never stopped working till the end of the day. It amazed me how much work he was able to do in 1 day. Mitchell had to break through a wall to install French door in my kitchen.They both took special care to seal off the rest of the house so that I had no mess from the construction. He also never stopped working all day and was extremely fastidious. They both left the workplaces very clean at the end of the day. My house looks great. You would be making a big mistake to use any other company!
Anthony Rodriguez
16:03 29 Apr 21
Very professional, they did the job on time and with little interruption.
Loretta Salmon
14:10 29 Apr 21
Susan Spark
20:06 27 Apr 21
Thank you Florida Solar & Air for exceptional service with windows and sliding glass door replacement for my condo unit.The installers: Carlos, Alain, Gardel and Israel were an amazing team!They were on time, organized, very professional and efficient! The work was completed in two days. Thank you guys! I love my new windows and doors and your outstanding work!It all began with Sean (sales mgr.) who helped me choose the right product and answered every question, often before I'd asked! Edgar followed up to verify measurements. Thank you!Customer service personnel: Javiera (mgr.) and Lucy called frequently,kept me updated with my order and eased my anxieties. Thank you for your patience and help!Thank you to Ramon and team mate who delivered product safely.Thank you Manny (project mgr.) who stopped by each day during install.Thank you to Mark and Tony who removed all the debris. (a lot!)This project was much easier than I'd imagined! I would definitely recommend Florida Solar & Air!
Juan Bengochea
17:46 27 Apr 21
I hired FSA to replace my roof that was over 15 years old. I was extremely impressed with every facet of the operation. This was especially the case when it came to managing and executing the installation of the new roof. From the office staff, including the customer service manager, Jennifer to the site lead, Tony, everyone was both courteous and knowledgeable. They handled not only the city required permits but also dealt directly with the HOA. I whole-heartedly recommend FSA if you are looking to replace your roof.
Christa Sperduto
01:53 27 Apr 21
We interviewed a few different companies when looking for impact windows and doors. When Anthony came out I could tell that he actually cared, he was honest and transparent and there was no pressure. He educated us on the choices that we had and answered our questions. I could tell that he was passionate about the product, not just trying to make a sale. We are awaiting our windows and we are so excited. I will review when the job is done! But, this is the company for you and ask for Anthony!
bobby friscia
01:43 27 Apr 21
I have tried several companies and either they were unresponsive or felt like you were part of a scheme. I contacted Florida solar and air, within minutes on a Sunday evening I recieved a very professional phone call and had an appointment set for Monday evening. Anthony arrived at our house and he was beyond comforting and gave us a great sense of security right from the start ensuring there were no hidden tricks. He not only explained the glass options, but also explained all the frame options as well which other companies have never done with us. He helped us through the entire process and are so excited we found this company. We cannot wait for our windows and doors to be installed in a few months!!
CamV
12:06 22 Apr 21
Florida Solar & Air did a fantastic job installing my windows and sliding door. The work done by David, the installer, was exceptional. He was very careful not to destroy my newly finished walls. The project managers Rafael and Daniel made sure everything went smoothly. I can really appreciate a extremely professional team of workers getting the job done!
Saul Rangel
06:02 15 Apr 21
I have had a great experience, with Florida Solar & Air.It’s members have cordially supported me in this endeavor to securely install hurricane doors and windows in my apartments.I want to especially thank : Mr. Kosnt Chizhikove , Mr. Álvaro Rodriguez, Miss Lucy Rynka , Mr. Manuel Ramon, Mr. Carlos Bentacourt , Mr. Greg and Mr. Bryan.The latter two form a great team as a duo and were essential in the success of the project .Also, I want to thank everyone that participated in the project, such as the staff whom collected and maintained a clean and healthy working environment. Special thanks to the accounting department.I comfortably give any person or company that requires the talent and professionalism that Florida Solar & Air provide, a positive reference for their services .Sincerely,Saul Rangel.
Gregory Jablonski
21:09 14 Apr 21
Crew of Manny Greg and Brian Installed my new doors today. Look absolutely fabulous.
Sandra Dickerson
13:16 12 Apr 21
Very professional, efficient and work was well done.
Erna Maxwell
16:27 09 Apr 21
Very very happy with my new windows and sliding door. I love them!! For certain I’ll be protected during hurricane season. From sales presentation to the installation everything went super smoothly. Lots of thanks to Carlos the installer, he did a fantastic job and very clean. Also Manny the project manager. He was wonderful during the process and available at all times for any questions I had. Looking for a company to replace your window a and doors, look no further than Florida Solar and air.
Vi Man
15:41 09 Apr 21
Great Job! Carlos and Manny.
Rita Torres
13:56 09 Apr 21
Job was professional and well done was was finished before schedule. I'm very satisfied and happy.
Anne Lang
14:15 03 Apr 21
A huge thank you to Solar and Air Team for their great service in replacing a window that they installed 10 years ago. They did a fantastic job at installing the original window and their warranty service 10 years later is just as fantastic.
Nanette Malmrose
18:25 31 Mar 21
My experience with this company was great. From the sales rep (Stacy) to the installer. They were all professional and courteous. The install went great and finished on time.
Chris Jos
05:16 31 Mar 21
Impact Windows and doors installations - i rarely write reviews but I had to this time because I had the opportunity to experience great work ethics through this amazing crew; Danny as my project manager along with Carlos Betancourt, Carlos Binge, Alsain and Jose. They were all so prompt, attentive, knowledgeable, and, very neat. I was so impressed how clean they left my house after each day. I truly had no mess, residue to clean after them. Thus they couldn't control the noise, they distracted me from being annoyed by it. And I call that, True Professionalism. If you need rapid, great professional work, give Florida solar and air a shot. you will thank me later.ChristineCoral Springs
María Zuluaga
17:55 30 Mar 21
Thank you for the excellent workCarlos Betancourt, Alain, and Gardel Gonzales .We Really appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication towards the work !100% recommended!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
POINT EAST ONE CONDOMINIUM corp1
16:36 26 Mar 21
Recently, I had impact window and doors installed. I cannot express how pleased I am with the professionalism before, during and after the installation. Carlos Betancourt was just "fabulous". Javiera and Lucy were so profesional and enormously patient throughout this project. Manny, the Project Manager assisted me throughout the installation and he guided each step.
Emma Vargas
19:22 23 Mar 21
Carlos and Alain did a wonderful and a very professional job. We are very happy with their work. The quality and workmanship of the impact windows and sliding glass door is excellent
Brian Calzadilla
20:27 19 Mar 21
Manny, Greg, and Lucy were extremely helpful and professional. The entire process was easy, customer friendly, professional, and fast. Would highly recommend this company.
Maurice Aguilar
18:04 16 Mar 21
Frank, the sales consultant helped us pick the best windows and door for our home. Carlos and Alain who installed the windows were extremely professional, were very efficient and left me and my family a masterpiece. Manny who was the project manager let me know what steps were going to take place to get this done and he didn’t disappoint. We’re one satisfied family!
Soraida Abreu
15:19 12 Mar 21
He is a really polite, and super nice person, it was good to work with him
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Areas We Serve
Miami-Dade:
305.428.2555
Broward:
954.828.0208
Palm Beach:
561.337.1373
Areas We Serve
Miami-Dade:
305.428.2555
Broward:
954.828.0208
Palm Beach:
561.337.1373