FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How does buying a solar system compared to just staying with the electric company?
Basically, solar reduces the number of years you have to pay for electricity. Without going solar, payments to the electric
company is never-ending and will increase, on average, 6% annually. During just over 10 years, a $200 electric bill
now, will total $31,634 for 10 years of electricity. This would be the same as a homeowner taking out a $17,000 loan for
10 years at 12% interest. Electric company payments, after 10 years, would continue on at $337 per month. A solar
system during the same 10 years would have an effective cost as low as $13,000, with no more payments after 10 years.

Why should I worry about making the investment now, if 10 years is so far down the road to think about?

Unless you are you planning to work until you are 120 years old, and not worried about retirement savings, you will
need to have a retirement plan.

Would you like an extra $300 each money during retirement?

By investing in a solar system now, you can avoid the never-ending electric bills that you be receiving during your retirement age. Retiring with a paid-for solar system installed on your home would be the same as a paid-for home.

Does it make sense for me to add a second mortgage or just add the solar purchase price to my existing mortgage?

In some cases, this is the smartest thing to do. Even with interest on a 30-year mortgage, the total payments would be less,
than the total accumulated electric bill payments for 30 years. Not only would monthly payments on a loan be lower than
your current electric bill, your loan amount will not go up, in contrast to the 6% average annual electric bill increases. In
most cases, a home loan offers the best terms than other solar loan programs or programs like Hero.

What state or national rebate and tax credits are there?

State and local rebates come and go. However, the federal tax credit of 30% is available through 2016. The tax credit is a
reduction of the payment you need to send on your tax return. For example, if you owe $10,000 for the tax year and your
solar system 30% credit is $6000, then you send a payment to the IRS for $4,000. This credit is different than a
deduction. Please contact a tax professional for accurate up-to-date information.

Will a solar system improve the value of my home?

A study, conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, examined sales data for almost 23,000
homes in eight states from 2002 to 2013. About 4,000 of the homes had solar photovoltaic systems, all of them owned
(as opposed to being financed through a lease with the solar company). Researchers found that buyers were willing to
pay a premium of $15,000 for a home with the average-size solar photovoltaic system (3.6 kilowatts, or 3,600 watts),
compared with a similar home without one. Put another way, that translates to about four additional dollars per watt of
solar power.

What is your equipment quality and what brands do you offer?

We focus on brands like SunPower, Hyundai, and SolarWorld panels, SolarEdge inverters and Iron Ridge racking. These
are premium equipment brands. SolarWorld is only a small percentage lower, in performance than the top brand –
Sunpower, but offers better savings.

Does the roof or property need to be inspected first?

Most homes have the roof quality needed to install solar. A small percentage of homes, do need a roof replacement,
repair or upgrade. Because financing demands more time and is more important in the solar proposition, we save the site
assessment after financing has been pre-approved. Even if there is an issue with a roof, we have partnerships with
contractors to assist with any needed upgrades.

How many days, on average, does it take to install a solar system after financing approval?

Normally, engineering and permitting will take 1-2 weeks. After that milestone, the first progress payment is collected and
equipment is ordered. At that time we can set an installation date. On average, 30 days is a good estimate for install after
financing has been completed.

What if I do not like the look of solar panels on my roof?

There are a few things we can do to keep solar panels changing the look of the front of your house. First, we default to all
black panels that blend into the roof without aluminum edges or conduit. Secondly, we can design a system to focus on
the east, west and north sides of the home. There is also an option to use titled racking on the back of the house.

Is the environmental advantage of solar really that important?

We believe they are. Thousands of pounds of CO1, SO2, and NO2 are pumped into the air every day by electric
companies. The united nations have issued an initiative to reduce carbon output by focusing on the closing of coal-burning
plants around the world. Dozens of cola burning plants are being closed down each year in the USA for environmental
reasons. Also, thermoelectric plants use a vast amount of fresh water to generate steam for their turbines.

How do your prices compare with other companies?

First, because we default to a premium product, our prices will always be higher. However, we do offer a lower grade
system. Either way, when matching exact equipment features and installation, we will always be the lowest. If by
chance, we are not, we offer a price match guarantee.

Why should I just go with your company instead of getting multiple bids from other companies?

If you have ever requested multiple bids for home improvement companies before, you will know that all bids will never
match up exactly. Also, each contractor will contact your multiple times trying to win your business. Our product is
higher quality and installation is reliable by an A+ grade installer.

What are the warranties or protection on the equipment?

There are three levels of protection for solar. First, the equipment is covered by 25-year warranty for panels and 10 years
for inverter. Second, is installer workmanship protection with bonds and insurance for any issues with installation and
thereafter. Lastly is homeowner insurance will cover events like tree branches falling or items thrown on the roof.

How can I check the production of the system?

Every system includes both an inverter display and an online monitoring dashboard to should production in-real-time for
hour, day month and year.

What about maintenance on the solar system?

Contrary to the statements made by solar leasing companies, there is no maintenance required for solar. In fact, research
has shown that cleaning panel expense is more than the minor reduction in performance from dirt or debris. There maybe cases of larger debris landing on a panel, but the online monitoring system can identify those. Large debris should be removed by a roofer or construction professional.

Do panels need to be replaced over a few years?

These panels do not need to be replaced. They have a 25-year warranty. There is no maintenance required for solar. Dust
does not have any affect.

What protection is there in the solar system or solar panels?

3 Levels of protection of any issue related to the solar system.
1. Homeowners insurance – Most policies cover the system, if not, then a premium increase is minimal.
2. Equipment warranty – Panels are 25+ years and other equipment 10 years.
3. Installer bonds and insurance for workmanship

T: 888.777.6903 Web: solarconnectionCA.com