Frequently Asked Questions-SunShare
How big of a system would I need to meet most of my energy needs?
We recommend contacting more that one PV contractor for a bid or evaluation of your energy needs. Many factors must be considered in "sizing a system to meet your needs." If you are a current customer of UniSource Energy Services (UES), with a full year of consumption history, we can give you an approximate idea of what size system you would need. We recommend sizing a system to around 80% of your annual usage, not to exceed 100% of your annual average consumption amount.
How do I know if my application for SunShare is accepted and when can I give my contractor the ok to start?
You will receive an acceptance letter from UES informing you of the amount of kW (kilowatts) that will be reserved for you.
How long do I have after my acceptance letter in the SunShare program before my system has to be installed?
You have 180 days to get the system installed. If you still wish to proceed after that time, you will need to reapply to the program. Please contact us if you are not able to install the system within 180 days.
What can I expect from my system?
Expected system output: For each kW (1000 watts of DC power generated, an estimated 130 to 150 kWh will be produced monthly (approximately $15.00 monthly). This figure will vary with weather conditions and hours of sunshine.
Will I have two meters on my home?
Yes, you will have a regular "house meter" (like you have on your house now), and a "solar meter."
What is my "Solar Meter"?
This is a special meter, located next to your house meter. It is labeled "solar meter." The only purpose of this meter is to measure power that your solar PV system produces. This is the meter you read monthly and mail or e-mail the reading to UES the first of each month. UES records the information for tracking and reporting purposes.
How does my new house meter work? How will I know how much I have sent back to the grid and how will I know how much I have taken from the grid?
Your new meter will have two displays.
Meter Displays:
001-Power you have taken from the grid.
002 or 010-Power you have sent to the grid.
Your regular UES meter reader will read this meter.
Will my meter go backwards?
The new meter that will be replacing your current meter will not have a disc and will not go backwards. It will be a state-of-the-art digital display meter.
Does UES have to change out the meter that is on my house now?
Yes, UniSource Energy Services will be replacing your existing meter with a "bi-directional meter."
Will I still have to pay an electric bill if I have "credits" in my "bank"?
Yes, there will be a monthly service charge plus applicable taxes.
Doesn't UES have to pay me for the power I produce?
UniSource Energy Services does not pay for power sent to the grid. Each month we read both displays on your bi-directional meter, subtracting the current read from last month's read on both the power you took from the grid and power you sent to the grid.
If you have used more power than your PV system provided, you will be billed for the difference in kWh's used. If your system has produced more than you used, we will credit the extra kWh's to your next monthly bill. Any remaining kWh's will be accumulated in a "bank" to be used later if you need them.
Will the kWh's in my "bank" just keep accumulating?
Banked hours will accumulate during the year until after the meter is read in January, at which time any remaining banked kWh will be set back to zero.
What is UES looking for when they come out and inspect my system?
The UES Grid Inspector is checking to ensure all of the 19 requirements specified in Attachment "A" Systems Qualifications are met, and that all applicable local codes are in compliance.
Does my system need to be inspected by anyone other than a UES representative?
Yes, a City or County inspection is required. The City or County inspector is required to sign an Electrical Inspection Form and submit it to UES before the check processing procedure will begin.
How will I know if my system is working properly?
By reading the meter daily and deducting the current read from the previous day's read. Most inverters have a digital readout display. We recommend monitoring your system periodically.
If I sell my house, can I move the system to my new house?
Your new home must be connected to the UES grid if you wish to relocate the PV System. You will be required to obtain a new electrical inspection and a new UES inspection.
If I sell my house, what do I tell the new owners?
Assignment of the contract to the new owner is allowed with written notice to UniSource Energy Services. Please provide them with a copy of the original signed contract so they are familiar with the requirements of the contract.
Can I have batteries? (Battery backup)?
UES does not provide a rebate if battery backup is present as part of the solar generation system. A stand-alone uninterruptible power supply (UPS) does not disqualify the system from a rebate.
What do I do if I want to add an additional system or increase my present system size?
Provided your inverter is large enough to safely handle the increased wattage of additional modules, and the increased DC wattage is at or above 800 watts, a new application is required.
Does installing "solar shingles" qualify for the SunShare program?
At this time "solar shingles" do not qualify for our SunShare program rebate. We are considering them for the future but currently they are not part of the program.
If the power grid supply goes out (a UES power outage), will I still have power to run my air conditioner and refrigerator?
No, when the grid goes down, your inverter is programmed to shut the system down. This insures your system will not feed back into the grid system and cause injury to any UES employees working on power lines.
What happens if my solar contractor is unable to get the panels or inverter that we listed on our application and we have to substitute with another wattage or manufacturer?
We realize that in today's solar market, what is ordered is sometimes not available. We will work with you or your contractor and accept like substitutes providing they meet all of the requirements of our system specifications.
