At HES Solar, our San Diego solar experts understand that you are likely to want to do a great deal of research before investing in solar technology for your home or business. Read on for answers to some of the most common questions we receive!
Yes, you will still have an energy bill when you add solar to your home. However, it won’t be anything like your current energy bill. Because you are still connected to the public utility grid, you will still utilize public energy when your solar panels can’t provide you with the energy you need (such as when the sun goes down each evening). The energy you use will be charged to you at retail rates.
However, there are two huge caveats to keep in mind. First, you won’t be using nearly as much retail power as you would without solar. During the day, your solar energy system should provide you more than enough power that you need zero public grid energy. Second, during these peak hours, your panels may produce more energy than you need, and you can send this energy back to the public grid for a credit, a practice known as “net metering.” This energy you send back to the grid also appears on your bill, reducing the amount of money you owe for the energy you do use.
Photovoltaic modules (PV): Photovoltaic modules are typically monocrystalline or polycrystalline, and use light to convert energy into direct current (DC) electricity.
Inverters: Inverters come in different sizes and models, and convert the direct current (DC) energy produced by the solar modules into alternating current (AC) that is used by household components.
The size of your system depends on many factors that will be determined during your free site evaluation by one of HES Solar’s highly trained solar consultants.
We will determine size based on:
Check out our savings calculator to find out what size system you will need and how much it can save you.
Your solar power system has virtually one moving part and that is found in the inverter, so the maintenance is very low. We recommend that you clean the modules once every three months to ensure maximum performance, but usually a light rain should suffice. No other routine maintenance is required. If you suspect an issue, feel free to let us know.
Yes! California Civil Code 2473, otherwise known as the Solar Rights Act, restricts HOAs and local governments from interfering with solar installations except for health and safety issues.
HES Solar will assist you in getting your solar system approved by your local HOA
The residential-only entity HES Solar has redefined its scope and has narrowed its focus to home solar service and home battery service. The impact of 2023 California regulations to home solar projects has required this company truncation; we regret the elimination of new home energy installations from our offerings. HES Solar now concentrates on supporting existing systems with maintenance and repair services for HES Solar and non-HES Solar systems and remains available for workmanship warranty work on qualified HES Solar systems.
For commercial solar and commercial energy storage design, installation, service, and O&M offerings, please visit the HES Renewables website hesrenewables.com.
A note on the state of California residential solar: The residential solar industry has faced significant financial hurdles in the last few years as a direct result of hostile policy, most notably NEM 3.0. Our primary trade partner, SunPower, went into Chapter 11 in August, 2024, and a majority of other solar companies, large and small, have been forced to close, leave California, or restructure. We are glad to remain available as a home energy service group to support our customers and provide maintenance and repair for home systems that have been orphaned by other company closures.
We recognize your frustration with this news and never intended for our beloved 24-year-old residential solar business to curtail its offerings.