Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that you would like answered, please fill out our contact form.
Q: I'm considering a Ready-to-install (RTI) system by NES. What should I know?
A: Check out Robert Drevlow's comments and suggestions here. Robert is a retired engineer from Xcel Energy and CESA 12 so his expertise may help you decide if an RTI system is right for you.
Q: Can you help me understand my electric bill? How do I know if I'm receiving credit for my solar production?
A: Please review this page for details on Bayfield Electric and Xcel Energy bills. Feel free to contact us if you have another utility.
Q: Should I remove snow from the solar modules?
A: Snow on the modules does reduce generation. If you have the option and inclination, removing the snow will increase your generation. How much? In winter months, with short days, low sun angles and cloudy weather, we don’t expect much generation to begin with. Removing snow will increase this amount, but a 10% increase of “not much” is still fairly low. If you have solar modules on a second story roof, don’t worry about it and except reduced winter numbers. If you have a ground mount with easy access, by all means, get out there, remove the snow and enjoy the day.
Q: I have a low-pitched roof. How will this affect my solar modules?
A: On an annual basis, probably not as much as you might think. A low-pitched roof is ideal in summer when the days are long and the sun angle is high, increasing generation. In winter, you will have snow shading which reduces generation, but you don’t get much anyway. You can go to https://pvwatts.nrel.gov and estimate how various angles will affect your annual and monthly generation.
Q: How do I remove snow from the solar modules?
A: A Sno-Knife is one tool that works and is easy to use. It looks like a big plastic pizza peel with a long handle in extendable sections. The company that makes them recently stopped production, but Next Energy Solution stepped up and bought the company. Contact NES as they are now available. Another option is a battery powered blower. The Makita 18v, dual battery blower is a good example. Watch a video here of the blower in action. Another product that has been suggest is the avalanche: https://avalanche-snow.com/product/avalanche-original-500-2/. If someone has used this, please let us know how it works and we will share the information.
Q: I have an adjustable mount. When should I adjust the angles and to what degrees?
A: Here is a website that will answer your question: http://solarpaneltilt.com/. You can adjust them twice a year or four times a year, your choice. Because of the potential of spring wet and heavy snow, I often skip the spring adjustment and go from a winter angle to a summer angle the latter part of April.
Q: Are the Federal tax credits going to change?
A: You can check out all the Federal and State incentives for renewable energy at the U.S. Department of Energy's website: http://programs.dsireusa.org/.
Q: I'm considering a Ready-to-install (RTI) system by NES. What should I know?
A: Check out Robert Drevlow's comments and suggestions here. Robert is a retired engineer from Xcel Energy and CESA 12 so his expertise may help you decide if an RTI system is right for you.
Q: Can you help me understand my electric bill? How do I know if I'm receiving credit for my solar production?
A: Please review this page for details on Bayfield Electric and Xcel Energy bills. Feel free to contact us if you have another utility.
Q: Should I remove snow from the solar modules?
A: Snow on the modules does reduce generation. If you have the option and inclination, removing the snow will increase your generation. How much? In winter months, with short days, low sun angles and cloudy weather, we don’t expect much generation to begin with. Removing snow will increase this amount, but a 10% increase of “not much” is still fairly low. If you have solar modules on a second story roof, don’t worry about it and except reduced winter numbers. If you have a ground mount with easy access, by all means, get out there, remove the snow and enjoy the day.
Q: I have a low-pitched roof. How will this affect my solar modules?
A: On an annual basis, probably not as much as you might think. A low-pitched roof is ideal in summer when the days are long and the sun angle is high, increasing generation. In winter, you will have snow shading which reduces generation, but you don’t get much anyway. You can go to https://pvwatts.nrel.gov and estimate how various angles will affect your annual and monthly generation.
Q: How do I remove snow from the solar modules?
A: A Sno-Knife is one tool that works and is easy to use. It looks like a big plastic pizza peel with a long handle in extendable sections. The company that makes them recently stopped production, but Next Energy Solution stepped up and bought the company. Contact NES as they are now available. Another option is a battery powered blower. The Makita 18v, dual battery blower is a good example. Watch a video here of the blower in action. Another product that has been suggest is the avalanche: https://avalanche-snow.com/product/avalanche-original-500-2/. If someone has used this, please let us know how it works and we will share the information.
Q: I have an adjustable mount. When should I adjust the angles and to what degrees?
A: Here is a website that will answer your question: http://solarpaneltilt.com/. You can adjust them twice a year or four times a year, your choice. Because of the potential of spring wet and heavy snow, I often skip the spring adjustment and go from a winter angle to a summer angle the latter part of April.
Q: Are the Federal tax credits going to change?
A: You can check out all the Federal and State incentives for renewable energy at the U.S. Department of Energy's website: http://programs.dsireusa.org/.