Frequently Asked Questions
From equipment and design to financing and install timelines, get clear answers for your home, commercial, and off-grid solar questions.
Home Solar
Equipment & Design
What size system do I need?
We size your system using 12 months of kWh usage, roof space, shading, and goals (bill offset, backup, EV). Your proposal includes a production model and right-sized options.
Which panel and inverter brands do you install?
We use top-tier, warrantied equipment selected for reliability and support. Exact makes and models are listed in your proposal with datasheets.
Will solar damage my roof?
No, mounts are flashed and sealed to manufacturer specs. If your roof is near end-of-life, we'll coordinate re-roofing before install to protect warranties.
Installation & Timeline
How long does the whole process take?
A few weeks to a few months depending on permitting and utility review. The on-site installation itself is typically 1–2 days for a standard roof system.
Who handles permits and inspections?
Lunex manages design, permitting, utility paperwork, and inspections end-to-end. We'll keep you updated at each milestone.
Do I need to be home during installation?
Someone 18+ should be available for access to the electrical panel and any interior equipment locations, plus a quick walkthrough at completion.
Incentives & Financing
What financing options are available?
Cash purchase and $0-down loans with various terms. We'll show estimated payments alongside your production and savings projections.
Are there incentives or tax benefits?
Programs vary by location and utility. Your proposal outlines currently available options and eligibility. Please consult a tax professional for personal advice.
Should I lease or buy my system?
Buying typically maximizes long-term savings and home value. Leases/PPAs can reduce upfront costs and shift some responsibilities. The best choice depends on your goals.
Utility & Net Metering
How does net metering work?
Excess solar flows to the grid and earns credits per your utility's policy, which offset usage when production is lower.
What is Permission to Operate (PTO)?
PTO is the utility's final approval to energize your system after inspections. We submit the paperwork and notify you when it's granted.
Will my electric bill drop to zero?
Most customers still see small fixed charges or seasonal usage. We model an annual offset that fits your roof, budget, and utility rules.
Monitoring & Warranties
How do I monitor my system?
You'll get app and web access to real-time and historical production. We can enable alerts so our team is notified if output trends change.
What warranties are included?
Panels and inverters include manufacturer warranties, and Lunex provides a workmanship warranty. Coverage terms appear in your contract and proposal.
What maintenance is required?
Solar is low-maintenance. Rain usually keeps panels clean; occasional rinsing may help if buildup occurs. We're available for service if needed.
Commercial Solar
Feasibility & System Design
How do you determine if my facility is a good fit?
We analyze your load profile, roof/land area, shading, and interconnection options. You'll get a preliminary layout, production model, and savings scenarios.
Can my roof support solar, or should we consider carports?
A structural review confirms roof capacity and attachment method. If the roof is limited, canopy/carport or ground-mount options can unlock a larger system.
What assumptions go into your savings model?
We model weather-normalized production, tariff structures (including demand charges), and degradation. Sensitivity analysis shows outcomes under different usage and rate paths.
Financing (Cash/Lease/PPA) & Incentives
What's the difference between cash purchase, lease, and a power purchase agreement (PPA)?
A cash purchase maximizes lifetime savings and gives you full ownership of the system. A lease or PPA lets you avoid upfront costs and pay predictable monthly amounts, which can be helpful when preserving capital or keeping solar off your balance sheet.
What incentives might apply to my project?
Programs vary by location, utility, and project type. We'll outline applicable incentives in your proposal and coordinate required documentation.
Who owns the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and tax benefits?
Ownership depends on your financing structure and contracts. We'll clearly document who retains RECs and tax benefits during contracting. We recommend looping in your tax advisor early to help you capture the full value of your savings.
Interconnection & Utility Studies
Will my project require a utility impact study?
Larger systems often need screening and impact studies. We manage the process and incorporate any export limits or upgrades into the final design.
Can we export excess energy to the grid?
Export rules depend on your utility and tariff. We'll design for self-consumption or controlled export based on the most economical path for your facility.
What's the interconnection timeline?
Expect several weeks to a few months depending on queue and study needs. We'll share a milestone schedule and keep stakeholders aligned.
Construction & Schedule
How disruptive is export construction to operations?
We phase work to minimize impact, coordinate access and safety plans, and schedule high-impact tasks off-hours when possible. Most work is exterior and contained.
What safety standards do you follow?
Crews follow OSHA and AHJ requirements with site-specific safety plans and daily toolbox talks. All subcontractors adhere to Lunex safety policies.
How long does export construction take?
Small commercial jobs can finish in weeks; larger rooftops or canopies can run a few months. We'll provide a detailed schedule with milestones.
Monitoring, O&M & Performance
What's included in O&M after commissioning?
Monitoring, alerts, and defined response times are standard. We offer preventative maintenance visits, reporting, and performance reviews per your SLA.
Do you offer performance guarantees?
If included, guarantees specify output thresholds and remedies. We rely on conservative modeling and transparent reporting to keep performance on track.
How do we access monitoring and reports?
You'll receive role-based access for your team and automated monthly summaries. Asset-level alerts help us respond quickly to anomalies.
Off-Grid Solar
System Sizing & Load Profile
How do you size an off-grid system?
We start with a detailed load audit (daily kWh and surge loads), then size PV, battery, and inverter capacity to meet your autonomy and growth goals.
How many days of autonomy do I need?
Most sites target 2–4 days, adjusted for climate and critical loads. We model seasonal production to right-size storage without overspending.
Can I expand later?
Yes, modular designs allow additional PV or batteries. We plan for expandability in racking, combiner capacity, and inverter selection.
Batteries & Generator Backup
Do I still need a generator with batteries?
A generator adds resilience during long storms or peak seasonal loads. We configure auto-start to protect battery health and reduce fuel use.
Lithium vs. lead-acid, which is better off-grid?
Lithium (LFP) batteries provide more usable capacity, charge faster, and last longer, but they cost more upfront. Lead-acid batteries are less expensive at first but require more maintenance and have a shorter lifespan.
How do you size battery capacity?
We align storage with daily kWh, surge loads, days of autonomy, and generator strategy, balancing comfort, resilience, and budget.
Inverters, Controllers & Architecture
AC-coupled vs. DC-coupled, what's the difference?
AC-coupled systems are flexible for retrofits; DC-coupled can be more efficient for charging batteries. We'll recommend based on loads and equipment.
What inverter/charger type should I use?
We look at surge ratings, parallel/stacking capability, and generator integration. Pure sine wave inverters are standard for sensitive electronics.
Do I need MPPT charge controllers?
Charge controllers regulate the flow of power from your solar panels to your batteries. MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controllers adjust voltage and current to maximize energy harvest and work well with higher-voltage arrays. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controllers are a simpler, lower-cost option that work best for very small off-grid systems. For most modern setups, MPPT is preferred as your system size grows.
Installation, Safety & Code
Are permits required for off-grid systems?
Many areas still require electrical and building permits, even for off-grid setups. We design to meet all applicable codes and coordinate with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), such as your city or county permitting office.
Roof-mount or ground-mount, what's better off-grid?
Ground-mounts simplify maintenance and snow clearing; roof-mounts can reduce cost and trenching. Site specifics and winter access drive the choice.
What safety practices do you follow?
We adhere to electrical and structural code, use labeled disconnects, and design for safe service access. Commissioning includes system tests and owner training.
Monitoring, Maintenance & Support
Can I monitor my off-grid system remotely?
Yes, most inverters and battery systems support remote dashboards and alerts. We can enable notifications for low SOC, generator runtime, and fault events.
What spare parts should I keep on site?
We recommend critical spares like fuses, breakers, combiner lids, and a backup communication dongle, especially for remote sites or harsh climates.
What happens if something fails?
Open a ticket and we'll triage via monitoring data. If needed, a technician visits with the right parts. Warranty claims are coordinated through Lunex.