Q: What is a solar electric system?
A: A solar electric system consists of three main parts: the photovoltaic modules, which produce DC electricity during the day, an inverter that transforms the DC electricity to AC electricity and battery storage to store the solar electricity.

Q: Does solar electricity make sense for homes and applications that do not have access to utility power?
A: Most definitely. If electricity is needed beyond the reach of the power company and the cost to extend the grid to your property is in the tens of thousands of dollars, photovoltaic power is the best alternative. Instead of paying the utility company to extend their power lines, it makes more sense economically to go solar electric in addition to not having to pay monthly electric bills.

Q: Will I be able to use my solar electric system during periods of cloudy, rainy weather?
A: While there is a reduction of power produced from your PV system during overcast weather, watts are still produced from your system. If you experience extended periods of cloudy weather, a back-up propane or other liquid fuel generator can be used to recharge the battery bank.

Q: How long do photovoltaic modules last?
A: Most PV modules have warranties of 20 or more years. While a small decrease in output power over time is normal for PV modules (less than 1 percent per year), solar electric modules will produce power for decades. No material is lost from the solar cells or modules and there are no moving parts other than those energetic electrons.

Q: As a home or small business connected to the grid, does solar electricity make sense for me?
A: With net metering now available in Hawaii (please see our Net Metering Section for more information) and the substantial state and federal tax credit incentives available for solar applications 10 kW or less, grid-connected solar electric systems are an attractive investment for small businesses and a way to offset the high and rising cost of utility power. A residential 10 kW or less grid-connected system would also qualify for net metering and a maximum $1750 state tax credit.

Q: How much would a net metered grid-connected PV system cost?
A: ProVision Technologies offers pre-designed, packaged systems ranging in price from about $10,000 to $90,000. For a precise quotation, please contact your PVT representative.

Q: Under net metering, what happens when we generate more power than we're using?
A: Surplus electricity is fed back into the utility grid for others to use. Your electric meter spins backwards to credit you for all the kilowatt-hours sent into the electric grid. You are billed for the difference between the power supplied to you and the surplus power generated by your grid-connected PV system.

Q: What happens if utility power goes off?
A: PVT's standard 1-10 kW grid-connected systems come with a back-up battery bank, which will provide power to a number of circuits in the house that you designate as critical loads. Grid-connected systems without batteries can be installed as well, reducing the system cost by a thousand dollars or more. However, without a back-up battery bank, no power will be available from the solar electric system in the event of a utility outage even during daylight hours.