Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a solar system cost?

The short answer is that it could cost less than your monthly electric bill thanks to $0 down solar financing! Solar loans and incentives including the ITC solar tax credit, and local programs like net metering offered by cities and power companies like Evergy, Independence Power and Light and Ameren really make going solar more affordable than simply paying an increasing electric bill that never gets paid off.

The longer answer is this. Solar is custom designed to fit your personal energy usage. Not everyone has the same electric bill. Some people have an electric bill as low as $40-$80 a month, they may also be on special rates that wouldn’t benefit them to go solar. Solar isn’t a good fit for everyone. Other people may have an electric bill over $800 a month!

They’re going to need differently sized systems. It also depends on factors like if it’s going to be a roof-mounted solar system or a ground mounted solar system. Because this is a home construction project that is custom designed and built for our customers, we recommend getting a custom quote that helps calculate your potential savings by going solar while taking advantage of the tax rebates, incentives and showing you what options for financing and net-metering are offered in your area.

How durable are solar panels?

Solar panels are designed to be outside on your roof or on a ground mounted system for decades. We have seen them sustain really heavy hail-storms without damage. In some cases the panels have outlasted shingle and metal roof that needed to get replaced after a storm while the solar system was fine. In a situation like that we will work with your roofer to take the system down, let the roofing company replace your roof, and then reinstall your system. This is typically covered under your home insurance policy.

Helio GreenTech uses the best solar panels in the market that are warrantied for 25 years! The life expectancy of a solar panel is much longer than the warrantied period and in 25 years they should still be producing about 90% of what they were produced the year they are installed!

What happens to my solar if I need my roof replaced?

Helio GreenTech inspect your home during our initial conversations when preparing a quote for your home to look for concerns that need to be addressed before solar is installed. We will not proceed with a solar installation if the appears to need to be replaced. In the event that you have a roof that needs to be replaced AFTER you have installed solar our Helio GreenTech solar installers will work with your roofing company and insurance company to remove the solar panels before your roof is replaced and reinstalled after your roof is repaired or replaced. The solar panels themselves will actually help shield that section of shingles from the sun and other destructive elements, helping to extend the life of the shingles!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FAQ’s on the 2023 IRA Inflation Reduction Act and extended Solar Tax Credits.

Illustration of a house with solar panels and a power distribution system connected to utility poles, featuring an energy company logo.

What happens when I sell my home?

Helio GreenTech installed solar homes in Kansas and Missouri have been appraised with added value due to having solar. We are happy to help work with your realtor to maximize the homes added value with solar. Because solar is a beneficial home improvement that is attractive to modern homebuyers looking for homes that have upgrades for energy efficiencies such as new windows, and energy star air conditioner units. Studies show that solar increases the value of your home, especially in the Kansas City and surrounding markets. Historically Solar homes have been shown to sell quicker and with the added equity. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home with Solar we recommend contacting the installer to get current details on the system. Helio GreenTech warranties extend to the next homeowners as well. There is also a very easy process for the new homeowner of a house with solar to switch over the monitoring of the solar system to the new homeowner, but the warranties of your solar system will automatically transfer!

What about weather? How do clouds, rain, snow, and ice affect a solar system?

Your system will be affected by weather. Our systems are designed with state of the art technology and software that helps predict your annual production. This production is backed by our production guarantee. Solar will be reduced when it’s cloudy, but still should produce some power even on cloudy days. Solar energy operates off of energy from the sun which penetrates cloud coverage. Snow and ice can also affect your production. For safety reasons we don’t recommend getting outside to wipe off your panels. Just let the sun do the work for you! The panels are black and as light hits the sleek all black panels they will get hot, and the snow and ice will slide right off to let your panels produce power again quickly. Though, when it’s sunny enough we’ve seen solar system produce a good amount of power even under a little blanket of snow.

Are solar panels really that beneficial environmentally?

Solar panels help improve the environment. Each day the sun shines 73,000 terawatts of solar energy on Earth, which is more energy in 1.5 hours than humans use in an entire year! So we know it’s a good source of energy, but what is the impact on the environment?

  • The average homeowner would need to plant over 150 trees to offset the same carbon over a 25 year period as just one solar system.

  • A pound of coal roughly creates 1 kWh, that means the average homeowner in Kansas City, MO uses about 17,000 Lbs of coal to power their home each year. A solar system over 25 years could offset about 500,000 lbs of coal over the same 25 year period!

  • If 14% of US electricity is gathered via solar, air pollution would cause $167 billion less in health and environmental damages.

  • Widespread solar adoption would eliminate air pollutants that cause many respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

  • Solar works during heat waves and droughts without water, unlike coal, gas and nuclear power which can use up and damage needed resources.

  • In short, yes, solar power really makes a big impact on the environment!

Myths of going solar and questions that homeowners wished the had asked before going solar!

  • Installing solar in Missouri and Kansas is provides solar access all year-round. Solar panels tend to perform best in cold and sunny climates because heat interferes with the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Solar technology can be leveraged in virtually any condition, including rainy and snowy days, because some sunlight still reaches the earth.

    Learn more from the department of energy here:

    https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/busted-common-solar-myths-and-misconceptions

  • Solar panels only have an efficiency rate around 20% many homeowners wonder why solar panels aren't more efficient.

    FACT: The amount of sunlight that reaches the earth in just 1.5 hours has more power than the world consumes in an entire year. The sun produces an enormous amount of energy! With this huge energy supply, commercially available solar panels provide plenty of power to meet your home’s needs, at a cost at or below electricity provided by many power companies like Evergy.

    Source: energy.gov: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/busted-common-solar-myths-and-misconceptions

  • $0 Down financing, low interest rates, incentives and net metering through power companies like Evergy make solar much more affordable. You don't have to pay it all at once, and unlike your electric bill once you buy it never gets more expensive!

    How much does solar cost?

    This is a hard question to answer, because there are homeowners that have electric bills as low as 45-80 a month, while other homeowners have electric bills well over $800 a month.

    The average homeowner in Lee's Summit or Liberty, MO with an electric bill of $250 is looking at spending $3000 a year to Evergy... that means in just 10 years--assuming there's no increase in rates they spend $30,000 to NOT GO SOLAR...

    While the average cost of a residential solar system in Kansas City can range start from $15,000 AND you don’t have to pay for it all at the time of installation. We offer ere are several solar financing options that allow you to pay over time, plus local, state, and federal tax incentives and rebates to offset the costs. Solar panels require little ongoing maintenance—they are durable and reliable.

    Bonus Fact: If 14% of US electricity is gathered via solar, air pollution would cause $167 billion less in health and environmental damages.

  • Fact: Without a battery backup system your inverter will use a safety feature that is required for residential solar systems connected to the grid. This feature is called rapid shutdown. Rapid shutdown is an electrical safety requirement set for solar panel systems by the National Electrical Code (NEC). This helps you and others safe when there’s a power outage.

    Without this feature your solar home and all the other solar systems in the grid would feed DC power onto the grid making it difficult and dangerous for the utility companies like Evergy and Ameren to fix the power outage.

    This means if you want your home to have power during a power outage you will need some sort of backup generator or home energy storage system like battery backup. This typically adds about $6000-$12,000 to your solar system cost depending on the options you choose.

  • Globally, it is actually cheaper to produce electricity from solar energy than it is from coal. in 2020 The average price per kilowatt for fossil fuels was between $0.05 and $0.17 compared to solar at $0.03 to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. ADDITIONALLY, you will continue to pay an INCREASING cost for coal energy as oil and fuel costs rise with inflation, transportation costs, and not to mention environmental cost. While power from the sun is free once you cover the cost of your solar installation.

    As a side note, in December 2022, A ruptured pipe dumped enough oil into a northeastern Kansas creek to nearly fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. When something likes this happens not only is it expensive to contain and ecologically damaging, we simply call this a disaster, it’s the kind of damage that results in increased prices, damaged home values and harmful to the wildlife and water treatment systems in the area. On the other hand, when there’s a solar “spill” we simply call it a beautiful day.

  • Solar Is Now 33% Cheaper Than Gas Power in US, Guggenheim Study Says Published Oct 2022.

    Despite a more rapid rise for renewables and a “structural” decline for coal, the IEA says it is too soon to declare a peak in global oil use, unless there is stronger climate action. Similarly, it says demand for gas could rise 30% by 2040, unless the policy response to global warming steps up. Solar power is now the cheapest electricity source in the United States!

  • The majority of solar panels, inverters and batteries come with equipment warranties, but they vary by the manufacturer. This is why at Helio GreenTech we make sure that your installation includes the best panels in Kansas and Missouri with the tier-one equipment and backed by the best solar panel manufacturing warranties on the market.

    Most solar installers also offer a warranty that covers labor. There are two types of solar panel warranties: power performance guarantees and product warranties. Helio GreenTech uses solar panels that provide a minimum of 25 year warranties with a 25 year manufacturing warranty. 25 year labor warranty, and 25 year linear production warranty on your solar panels.

    Solar Panel Power Performance Guarantees

    Solar panels become less efficient as they age. Power performance guarantees ensure that they produce a certain percentage of their original capacity after a designated period. The exact rate varies by the solar panel manufacturer. Many manufacturers offer a guarantee that panels will produce at least 80% of their original output after 25 years.

    Solar Panel Equipment Warranties

    Product warranties cover the integrity of the panel themselves and protect against material or workmanship defects. Most major manufacturers offer solar panel equipment warranties for 10 – 12 years. Helio GreenTech uses panels produces by leading industry manufacturers that have a full 25 years or longer warranty.

    Inverter Warranties

    This is the most likely failpoint of a solar system, and the length of inverter warranties varies a lot by the product manufacturer and the type of inverter. A string inverter (or a central inverter) such as SMA, SolarEdge, and Fronius is a standalone unit. Residential systems typically only have one or two because multiple panels are connected to a single inverter. If a string inverter fails, the entire system could stop producing power. Their warranties usually last 5 – 15 years, but some manufacturers offer extended warranties for an additional cost.

    Helio GreenTech primarily installs Enphase microinverters unless otherwise recommended by our design team and engineers to best optimize a system for an individual situation. Enphase micro-inverters are mounted on the backside of each solar panel, and systems have multiple units. If one fails, only the associated panel will be affected. Enphase microinverters such as the IQ7 and IQ8 series have warranties of 25 years.

    Labor Warranties

    Although solar panel and inverter warranties protect the equipment itself, they don't always include labor. But many solar panel installation companies offer their own warranties on labor. The length of these warranties varies by the contractor but typically ranges between 3 – 10 years. Helio GreenTech backs out systems to be free of labor defects and installation errors that result in electrical issues, leaks, or sloppy workmanship for a full 25 years.

    Solar System Monitoring

    Helio GreenTech solar system installation include monitoring on all of our system installs. Companies like SolarEdge and SMA have reporting for your solar production for a period of time that is usually 5-10 years. Enphase systems come with lifetime monitoring. As long as you provide your home with internet your system will report production of your solar systems. Some homes are also eligible for two-way monitoring that shows you on your phone or computer both your solar system production as well as your home’s energy usage.

  • Helio GreenTech installs solar systems that uses leading solar system equipment. Solar panels, our racking systems and inverters are durable components with little to no maintenance.

    What is the maintenance? washing off your panels is optional, most people in Kansas and Missouri just wait for the rain to do that work for them.

    Solar panels might seem like a new technology and customers often think of it like a smart phone or computer that needs to be upgraded and updated with software. But solar is a technology that’s been around for along time. It’s much more accurate to think of it in comparison to a window or an electrical outlet in your home. They don’t require much maintenance either!

    Solar panels don’t have any moving parts, they are designed to be outside for decades, and they aren’t much harder to take care of than your household windows or light switches.

  • Two are two types of batteries.

    1) A traditional, physical and chemical battery that stores energy.

    2) A battery “bank” that stores the energy for you in the form of $ Dollars showing up on your electric bill as credits. This type of “battery” is called net-metering. It doesn’t power your home in the event of a power-outage. Instead it helps lower the cost of solar making the entry price much more affordable and cost beneficial to homeowners with a reliable grid.

    Solar systems without traditional batteries do not have energy storage capabilities. The good news is that most areas in the Kansas City area, with power companies like Evergy, IPL, and Ameren, customers can take advantage of net metering. This means that the utility company will credit an account for excess power that they feed the grid.

    For example, on sunny days, your solar panel systems will often produce surplus renewable energy. First, the solar panels will power the home, and then any excess will go to the utility grid. At night, if the house needs to draw power from the grid, homeowners can use the solar credits to offset the cost of this power.

  • In many cases, solar panels can actually protect the roof because they can shield shingles against hail and UV damage from the sun. However, it is crucial to select a qualified solar installation company to ensure that they install the solar panels correctly. Helio GreenTech backs out installs with a 25 year warranty, we use equipment designed to be easily installed on a roof with no leaks or unnecessary roof penetrations. We use water-shedding technology with a chemical bond that adds further protection to your roof by waterproofing penetration points with a chemlink that has a 50 year bond.

    We are a member of MOSIEA and our installers are NABCEP certified. North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-certified installers, with licensed electricians. Also, it’s helpful to choose a solar company with a good reputation for workmanship and customer service. Helio GreenTech was ranked the #1 top solar panel company in KC’s Best for 2022.

  • Thankfully, most homeowners’ insurance policies cover solar systems. We recommend calling your insurance provider to let them know you have added solar to your home. Solar panels added to your home is typically considered a permanent improvement on the home, similar to a porch.

    Premiums do not usually change very much as a result of adding solar. There are a couple of companies that may offer a standalone policy or rider specifically covering your solar panels. There maybe one or two insurance companies where agents may recommend a standalone policy or rider for a few dollars a month, usually less than $5 a month. Though most insurance carriers will have it added under your main policy and will rarely affect premiums.

    It is recommended by insurance professionals to ensure that the coverage on the policy is high enough to cover the cost of the solar system. If the coverage limits are too low, it won't sufficiently cover the installation and your agent or broker may encourage you to increase your coverage.

    Helio GreenTech and our associates are not insurance, tax or financial advisors, it is important to confirm that a solar system is protected in your specific policy by examining the terms of the insurance policy or by speaking with an agent.

  • Going solar, can dramatically lower the electric bill, but solar customers will continue to have a bill that shows an amount due to the power company, or a credit owed to the power company to the customer for any excess power produced by a solar system.

    Utility bills consist of two components: a supply charge and a transmission and distribution charge.

    For electricity bills, the supply charge varies by how much power the house pulls from the grid, and it is measured in kilowatt-hours. If the solar system produces the amount of energy that the home consumes, it is possible to eliminate the supply charge of an electric bill.

    The utility company like Evergy issues transmission and distribution charges for any property that has active electrical service. It is typically a flat rate charged to every residential customer each month, regardless of how much power is consumed. Thus, homes with active electric service will at least incur the monthly transmission and distribution charge. However, the solar system can eliminate the supply charge, which is often the most expensive part of an electric bill.