YOUR
SUNPOWER
SOLAR SYSTEM
GUIDE
®
WELCOME TO SUNPOWER
Congratulations on leasing a new SunPower® solar system.
With over 100,000 solar systems powering homes worldwide, more homeowners are
choosing SunPower. Whenever the sun is shining, you will know you are doing your part to
improve the environment.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions about your system. We are excited to
welcome you to the SunPower family as you are making a change that benefits you and
the environment for decades to come.
Ken Fong
General Manager, North America
SunPower Corporation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 Getting Started
03 How Your System Works
05 Your Solar Panels
06 Your Inverter
09 SunPower Monitoring System
10 Electrical Utilities
11 Performance Guarantee
13 Lease Payments
14 Roles & Responsibilities
15 End of the Lease Term & Early Buy-out
16 Selling Your Home
17 General Safety Precautions
18 Frequently Asked Questions
01
GETTING STARTED
Your SunPower® Solar system is a new
and important element of your home. The
system integrates seamlessly with your
home’s electrical system to provide clean
and renewable solar power.
You can expect many benefits from your
system, including:
· Savings On Your Electricity Bill:
Your home will consume the energy
that comes from your solar system to
reduce the energy you take from the
utility grid.
· Worry-free Operation:
With no moving parts, your SunPower
system is durable and virtually
maintenance free.
· Clean Power Generation:
Your SunPower system produces clean,
emission-free solar electricity that
helps to reduce air pollution.
YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR SYSTEM GUIDE
OUR COMMITMENT:
SunPower is committed to ensuring that
your SunPower system is fully operational.
For answers to questions about system use
and operation, please read the information
in this guide and keep it in a safe place
for your future reference.
CONTACTING SUNPOWER:
SunPower is here for you. If you have
questions about the operation of your
system please check the FAQ section
of our website, we likely have
an answer ready:
http://us.sunpowercorp.com/support/
knowledge-base/
If you have questions about
maintenance, call us at 1-800-786-7693
(1-800-SUNPOWER) or email us at
customercare@sunpowercorp.com.
Please include your name, address,
telephone number and your lease number
in your email.
02
1
2
3
4
03
HOW YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR
SYSTEM WORKS
®
1. SUNPOWER® SOLAR PANELS
From sunrise to sunset, the SunPower solar system is converting sunlight into electricity.
The system turns on automatically in the morning and turns off automatically at night.
Solar cells within the panels produce direct current (DC) electricity that flows to
an inverter.
2. THE SUNPOWER® INVERTER
The inverter converts the DC electricity being produced by your panels into alternating
current (AC), which is required for household use. The converted solar electricity is
delivered directly to your home’s main electrical service panel.
3. YOUR ELECTRIC METER
The electric meter measures the net electricity usage, showing the difference between
your home consumption and your SunPower system’s energy production. Depending on
the time of the day, the meter will show the electricity that your SunPower system sends to
the grid.
4. THE SUNPOWER® MONITORING SYSTEM
The SunPower Monitoring System provides you with detailed visibility on the amount of
energy your system is producing, in addition to historical data. You can monitor your
solar energy information online at sunpowermonitor.com or on-the-go with our free
monitoring application, available for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch® and Android®
mobile devices.
© 2012 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved. SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER Logo are registered trademarks
of SunPower Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone, iPod, iPad and iTunes are registered trademarks of
Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a registered trademark of Google, Inc, registered in the
U.S. and other countries. All other respective trademarks remain a respectable licensed product of it’s original creator.
YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR SYSTEM GUIDE
04
HOW SUNPOWER SOLAR PANELS WORK
®
CONVERTING SUNLIGHT INTO ELECTRICITY
SunPower solar panel’s unique design and Maxeon® technology are designed and built for
higher efficiency, allowing them to convert the maximum amount of available sunlight into
electricity. Though they are effectively maintenance free, SunPower recommends you take
certain precautions to keep the system operating at its optimal level.
SHADING
· SunPower panels should be shade free: trees, plants, or other obstructions – including
rooftop antennas or satellite dishes, should be removed if possible.
· If necessary, safely trim any vegetation that might shade the panels during
daylight hours.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND CLEANING
· Our solar panels do not generally require cleaning to meet your system’s annual energy
expectations. Seasonal rains are usually enough to adequately clear any soil or dust
that might accumulate. When your SunPower Partner designed your system, they took
into account the typical soil accumulation for your area.
· If excessive soiling occurrs, or if you would like to try improving annual system output
beyond what is typically expected, you can clean your panels by spraying them from
the ground with a standard garden hose. Only spray the panels early in the morning or
late in the evening when the sun is very low on the horizon or not directly visible at all.
Avoid spraying the panels when the sun is at its peak and allow the panels to cool
before spraying them. Spraying cold water on a hot panel could result in panel
damage, voiding the product warranty and violating the terms of your lease agreement.
To maximize the energy improvement from cleaning, try performing it during the summer
months and in between natural rainfall cycles.
· Do not use abrasive cleaners or anything that could scratch the surface of the panels.
Many SunPower Partners offer professional panel cleaning for a fee, talk to your
SunPower Partner to see if this is a service they offer.
· It’s not necessary to go onto your roof for panel cleaning or inspection and we strongly
recommend you not do so. If you choose to go on your roof, please take all safety
precautions and do not touch or disturb the panels or wiring. It is important to remember
that only a SunPower Authorized Partner should repair or touch system components. Please
remind anyone going on your roof that they should not disturb the panels or wiring.
· Do not use mirrors or any other objects to concentrate sunlight on panels. Doing so will
void your warranty.
YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR SYSTEM GUIDE
05
HOW YOUR SUNPOWER INVERTER WORKS
®
The SunPower® solar system produces direct current (DC) electricity power that flows from
the roof panels to an inverter. The inverter converts the DC power into alternating current
(AC). Please consult your inverter instruction manual for information on the display and
other features. The manuals are available in the Support area of our website:
http://us.sunpowercorp.com/support/warranty/
STARTING UP THE INVERTER
During normal operation, the unit will remain turned on. It is not necessary to turn the unit
on and off each day.
To verify that your inverter is on, look at the front panel. During daylight hours, the green
LED on the LCD screen should be lit. If the LED light is Red or Yellow, please contact
SunPower or your SunPower installer. If no LED light is on during daytime, please follow
the steps below. (Please note that it is normal for the LEDs to be off during night time)
1. Ensure that the solar breaker in your service panel (breaker box) is firmly engaged in
the “ON” position. If the breaker is not fully engaged proceed to re-set it. If the
breaker is in the “OFF position” move it to the “ON” position.
2. Turn the switch on the base of the inverter into the ON position. If the inverter is
already on, cycle the switch OFF to ON.
Note: Your inverter will take approximately 5 minutes to connect to the grid. After this
period of time you will see a solid green LED as long as there is sunlight hitting
the panels.
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06
FRONT PANEL INVERTER DISPLAY
Depending on the type of inverter that’s been installed, you will be able to access basic
information by pressing the appropriate button, or by opening the screen near the inverter’s
lid. Some inverter units will automatically scroll through this information every 5 seconds
READING THE INVERTER DISPLAY
· Depending on the size of the system installed, you may have one or more inverters. During
daylight hours, the inverter displays system production data.
The inverter has an LCD display and three LED lights indicating the inverter status.
The screen continuously scrolls through operating data during daylight hours, displaying
readings that indicate its current energy production.
Message #1: “E-Today”– total energy produced on this day measured in kilowatt
hours (kWh).
E-today 3.86kwh
Mode MMP
Message #2: Nominal grid voltage configuration and actual line-to-neutral voltage
measurements. For most homes, the voltage will be around 120V for both L1 and L2.
Gridtype-298V
L1 120V L2 120V
Message #3: Actual instantaneous AC power output and DC input voltage.
Pac
3200W
Upv
380V
Message #4: System total energy production and total hours of operation since installation.
E-total 724.4kwh
h-total
512h
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07
INVERTER HEAT
· During the day, the inverter will become warm to the touch. This is part of the normal
system operation. The inverter has been certified to ensure the maximum temperature will
not exceed safety limits, though you should be cautious not to touch or leave any
heat-sensitive or flammable items on or near the inverter.
· Small children and pets should be kept away from the inverter.
“INVERTER-OFFLINE” OR BLANK DISPLAY
· At night, the inverter display screen is blank. This is part of normal inverter operation.
If the display is blank during daylight hours, contact your SunPower Partner to determine
if your inverter is operating properly.
MAINTENANCE
· Do not cover or limit the airflow around the inverter, as this will prevent adequate cooling.
Keep a minimum of 36 inches, including top and bottom, around the inverter free. Please
refer to the inverter manual for additional information.
· Very dusty conditions may require cleaning the inverter’s air intake filter. Do not attempt to
open your inverter. Please contact your SunPower Partner or SunPower
(1.800.SUNPOWER or 1.800.786.7693) for guidance; inverters should only be
serviced by a trained SunPower technician.
POWER OUTAGES
· Your solar system does not provide backup power.
· The inverter is designed to shut down in the event of a grid outage or blackout.
This feature protects your home from power surges and the utility workers who might be
working to restore power to the area. Your SunPower system will not be able to produce
electricity during such conditions.
· When utility power resumes, the inverter will automatically re-connect to the utility grid,
and normal operation should begin within about five minutes. As the inverter synchronizes
with utility power, there will be a momentary delay before returning to normal operation.
YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR SYSTEM GUIDE
08
HOW THE SUNPOWER
MONITORING SYSTEM WORKS
®
The SunPower Monitoring System provides detailed visibility into the system’s performance,
enabling you to monitor your solar energy information anytime, anywhere. You can track
performance online at www.sunpowermonitor.com and on a wireless iPhone®, iPad®, iPod
Touch®, or Android mobile device.
REGISTER ONLINE
· Your monitoring equipment must be connected to a high-speed internet connection for
the monitoring system to display data. To view your home’s system performance, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, visit www.sunpowermonitor.com and follow the registration
instructions. Once you’ve registered simply enter your email address and password when
you visit the site.
INTUITIVE MONITORING WEBSITE
· The SunPower Monitoring System provides convenient access to your solar system’s
performance from any computer connected to the Internet. After the system is installed and
commissioned, log in to www.sunpowermonitor.com to view your energy production and
environmental savings.
You can see how much solar power you are currently producing, review historical energy
production, track the overall performance of the system and system components, as well
as create reports. You will also see how much you’ve benefitted the environment over the
lifetime of your solar system.
You can also track your energy use if you chose to include the SunPower “Consumption
Monitoring Kit” in your lease. The optional Consumption Monitoring Kit tracks your
electricity usage allowing you to gauge your energy expenses and make smart decisions
for your home and family.
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS RELATED TO YOUR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
If you have technical questions about the SunPower Monitoring System visit the
troubleshooting guide at www.sunpowermonitor.com/troubleshoot. Or please call
1-800-SUNPOWER and speak with a customer care representative.
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09
ELECTRICAL UTILITIES
Your electrical service panel uses the electricity produced by your solar system to power
your home. If your home needs more power than your solar system provides, your local
utility will supply the balance. And, if your SunPower® system generates more energy than
your home consumes, the surplus electricity travels through the meter and into the local
power grid.
NET METERING
Net Metering is the term used when your SunPower system generates more energy than
your home consumes. Your electric meter will “spin backward” and your electric bill will be
credited for the surplus electricity you’ve generated. Your local utility will calculate these net
charges, and bill you for the difference.
TIME-OF-USE RATE PLAN
Time-of-use (TOU) plans vary by utility, but the basics are the same: under a TOU plan,
a unit of electricity is priced depending on when it is purchased. Typically, the rates are
higher in the afternoon than in the evening or morning. Similarly, rates are higher in summer
than in winter. This rate structure benefits homes with solar systems because your system will
likely produce the most electricity during the times when rates are highest.
As you know, your system delivers excess electricity to the grid if you do not consume all
the electricity your system produces. While TOU metering and rates are available to many
solar customers, not all utilities offer a TOU option. Check with your local provider for TOU
availability. In some cases, the savings from your SunPower solar system will increase if you
switch to a TOU rate plan.
10
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
Our industry leading Performance Guarantee is the solar industry’s first manufacturer backed
performance guarantee for homeowners. We’ll pay you if the system does not perform
at expected levels (see your Production Guarantee document and Exhibit A of your lease
agreement for details).
11
HOW THE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE WORKS
Per the terms of your Lease agreement, SunPower Corporation Systems Group guarantees
that your system will produce a range of kilowatt hours of electric energy (kWh) in each
Guarantee Year. The total kWhs produced by the system in a given year is measured by
the hardware installed (SunPower Monitoring System) with your system. After 12 months,
you will receive a personalized statement outlining your system’s energy generation for the
previous year, including any credits applicable to your account. If the system produces
below the estimated range, SunPower will reimburse you for the calculated shortfall. When
your system produces more than the estimated range, you will use the surplus electricity at
no extra charge. Your statement will include any energy credits being carried over to the
next 12-month guarantee period.
[See the Performance Guarantee section of your lease agreement for details]
ANNUAL ESTIMATE RANGE
The amount of energy a solar system is capable of producing varies by several factors: the
size of the system, the roof pitch, the specific geographic location of your home, and the
direction the system faces. The actual amount will vary from year to year, as the amount of
sunlight falling on the system varies with the weather.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE RATE PER KWH CALCULATION
The performance guarantee rate per kWh is based on how much you have paid in to your
lease, not on your utility rates. Depending on the type of lease you have, the performance
guarantee is calculated as follows:
LEASE TYPE
kWh RATE CALCULATION
Monthly Lease
Total (12) monthly payments in a year divided by the expected production in that year
= the rate per kWh.
Prepaid Lease
Total prepaid amount divided by the expected production over 20 years
= the rate per kWh.
Partial Prepaid Lease
The partial pre-payment amount divided by the expected production over 20 years + the 12
monthly payments in a year divided by the expected production that year = the rate per kWh.
MONITORING REQUIREMENT
By activating the SunPower Monitoring System, as long as you maintain your internet
connection, SunPower will track your system’s production. In order for your system to be
eligible for the Production Guarantee, SunPower must monitor the amount of energy your
system is generating. If your system is disconnected from the SunPower Monitoring System
for a period of more than one month during your lease, the production guarantee will be
placed on hold. When the monitoring service is restored, a new 12-month guarantee
period will begin. Refer to page 09, for details on connecting your system to monitoring.
YOUR SUNPOWER SOLAR SYSTEM GUIDE
12
LEASE PAYMENTS
Unless you have a pre-paid lease agreement you will make a monthly payment to SunPower
for the benefits of receiving clean, renewable energy from your solar system. Depending on
the schedule outlined in your lease agreement, your monthly payment will be due on the 1st
or the 15th of each month during the term of the lease. Please thoroughly review this section
of your lease contract to understand your monthly payments.
MAKING PAYMENTS
SunPower will send you a statement before the monthly payment due date.
Make your first payment after you receive your first invoice. Your first invoice may take up to
60 to 75 days to arrive and will include the period beginning from your “Lease Term Start
Date”.
Note: your billing start date is based on the “Lease Term Start Date” which is the date of
written notice from the local utility authorizing operation of the system, not the date the
system is interconnected. If SunPower has not received payment within 10 days of the due
date, a late fee will be charged.
ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
You can save $7.50 per month if you elect to send your payment electronically. If you did
not do this at the time you signed your contract, you can always add it later. Call SunPower
to set up your electronic payments. Complete Exhibit E of your lease agreement, “Optional
Authorization Agreement for Pre-Authorized Payments” to have your monthly payments sent
electronically. If you elect to send your payments electronically you will receive an email
notification one to two weeks prior to the first deduction.
QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS RELATED TO YOUR BILLING STATEMENT
For further assistance about your statement call the SunPower Solar Program administrative
team; you can find the phone number on your invoice or at http://us.sunpowercorp.com/
about/contact/
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13
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
We are excited to have you as a lease customer, and want to take a moment to highlight
some of the obligations in our contract between SunPower as lessor and you as the lessee.
LESSEE (HOMEOWNER) OBLIGATIONS
· Make timely lease payments to SunPower.
· Keep the solar panels clear of obstructions and shade.
· Do not make adjustments, modifications or unauthorized service to any part of the system.
· Provide SunPower and your Partner reasonable access to your system in the event of a
service request.
· Notify SunPower within 24 hours if you discover your system is not working properly.
· Notify SunPower within 24 hours of any loss or damage to your system.
· Notify SunPower 30 days prior to the sale of your home.
· Maintain your high-speed internet connection and the SunPower Monitoring System
connection, which may include a power-line Ethernet adapter that must remain connected
directly to an AC wall outlet. Do not plug into a power strip.
For a full list of your obligations, refer to your Lease contract.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
· System must be transmitting data to SunPower Monitoring Website.
· Maintain all the obligations of the lease agreement.
· No shadows from buildings, plants, trees, or any objects that could shade the panels.
California has a solar access law in place to help protect homeowners with solar systems
(i.e., the Solar Shade Control Act of 1979).
LESSOR (SUNPOWER) OBLIGATIONS
· Service all system components in accordance with warranty.
· Maintain insurance on the System.
· Monitor all systems connected to SunPower Monitoring.
· Provide Production Guarantee for all eligible systems.
· Upon request from lease holder at the end of lease, remove equipment from property.
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14
END OF THE LEASE TERM & EARLY BUY-OUT
After the final month of your lease, SunPower and your obligations come to an end. The
solar system remains the property of SunPower. You have three options at the end of the
20-year term:
1. Purchase the system based on Fair Market Value (FMV) as determined by
a 3rd party appraisal;
2. Extend the term of the lease; or
3. Request removal of the system, at no cost to you.
BUYING THE SYSTEM BEFORE THE END OF THE 20-YEAR LEASE TERM
There are three occasions under which you can to purchase your leased system;
1. The one-time early buyout, at year 7 (the “Early Buy-Out”);
2. Upon sale of the home; or
3. At the end of the 20-year lease term.
HOW DOES THE “EARLY BUY-OUT” OPTION (EBO) WORK?
SunPower will provide you with notice 120 days before the date of the EBO; you must
respond in writing no later than 60 days before the date of the EBO if you wish to exercise
this option. The EBO date is 6 years and 6 months from the lease date; for example, if the
lease date is 11/30/2011 then the EBO date is 5/30/2018.
REFINANCING YOUR HOME WITH A LEASED SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE ROOF
The SunPower lease does not prohibit the refinance of your home. Before refinancing, you
should notify your lender that you have a leased system on your property.
REMODELING OR UPDATING YOUR ROOF DURING THE TERM OF THE LEASE
You must provide at least 15 days prior notice to SunPower of intent to repair or improve
the premises, in order for us to remove or protect and secure the system prior to the repairs
or improvements, and reinstall the system after the repairs or improvements are complete.
The costs associated with removal and reinstallation will be at your expense.
For more information on any of these items, reference your lease agreement.
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15
SELLING YOUR HOME
If you sell your home prior to the conclusion of the 20-year term of the lease, you have one
of two options:
1. You can exercise the contingent buy-out option for the remaining value of the system
(see Exhibit B of your lease agreement for the remaining value amount), and include the
system in the sale of your home;
Or
2. The lease can be assigned/ transferred as-is to the new homeowner.
[See “Lease Disclosures”, item #4, “What happens if I sell my home?”]
If you take no action upon selling your home, you will remain responsible for the monthly
payments on the solar system, even if the new owner receives the benefits of your system.
Lease payments are due regardless of who benefits from the electricity generated by the
system.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY
Please contact our customer service team (1-800-SUNPOWER) to notify us of the
upcoming home sale at least 30 days prior to the sale, if you sell your home during the
term of the lease. The “Lease assignment” or “system purchase” documents will be provided
to you based on the transaction type.
16
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your SunPower system is fully automatic and comes with built-in safety features. Do not
attempt to work on, alter, or repair the system; doing so could expose you to dangerous
electrical currents and void manufacturer warranties.
· Do not attempt to service any portion of the system. Only a trained and certified
professional should service the system.
· It’s not necessary to go onto your roof for panel cleaning or inspection and we strongly
recommend you not do so. If you choose to go on your roof, please take all safety
precautions and do not touch or disturb the panels or wiring. It is important to remember
that only a SunPower Authorized Partner should repair or touch system components.
Please remind anyone going on your roof that they should not disturb the panels
or wiring.
· Do not step on the panels or allow objects to fall on the panels.
· Do not disassemble or remove any part of the system. This will void
manufacturer warranties.
· Small children and pets should be kept away from the inverter.
EMERGENCIES
· Should there be a fire, explosion, gas leak, system damage, or fuel spill around the
system components, dial 911 first, then shut down the system immediately by turning
your inverter off. Please check your inverter manual to learn how to turn off your specific
model inverter.
· Use your best judgment when shutting off the inverter during an emergency. If the
emergency requires you seek safety immediately, do so first and then alert emergency
personnel to the inverter’s location in your home. For assistance in restarting your system
after an emergency, please contact your SunPower Partner.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW IT WORKS
How Do I Turn On My Sunpower® System?
Your SunPower Partner will turn on the system for the first time once permission has been
given from your utility. Should you ever need to re-start it, please follow these steps.
Move the solar breaker to the “ON” position, make sure that any external DC or AC
disconnects are also on the “ON” position, finally move the inverter switch into the “ON”
position. Depending on your inverter type, instead of “ON” you may have an on-line sign
such as “I” (like a roman numeral 1).
How Do I Know If My System Is Working Properly?
You can verify the energy production via your SunPower monitoring system or by reading
the energy production levels directly from the inverter screen.
Will My System Work at Night?
No. Sunlight must be present for the system to generate electricity. At night the inverter
displays a blank screen.
Will My System Work On Cloudy Days?
Yes. However, it will produce less electricity depending on the density of the cloud cover.
Will My System Work During Blackouts?
Safety requirements prohibit the system from producing electricity during blackouts since
there is a chance the SunPower system could feed electricity into the electric grid while
workers are accessing it. The system will restart automatically when power is restored.
Why Should I Limit Shading From Trees?
The entire surface of a solar panel must receive full sunlight for the panel to work at its peak
efficiency. If any portion of the panel is shaded, the entire panel’s electrical output — even
those sections still exposed to sunlight — decreases.
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18
Can I Increase the Size of My System?
Increasing the size of a leased system is not possible at this time. Please contact your
Partner for additional information.
How Long Will My Sunpower System Last?
The combined 25-year warranty on materials, workmanship and power output protects your
system for decades to come. SunPower controls the entire production process to ensure the
highest quality product reaches your rooftop and produces the most energy.
What Are Solar Cells and Solar Panels?
A solar, or photovoltaic (PV), cell is the smallest element of a system that converts sunlight
into electricity. Each cell is made of silicon, the same material found in computer chips.
Silicon in photovoltaic cells is treated so that it generates a flow of electricity whenever it is
exposed to light. A series of solar cells are wired together to form solar panels.
Does My Sunpower System Make Hot Water?
No. SunPower solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity to operate appliances,
light fixtures, televisions, and other electronic devices.
ELECTRICITY & THE LOCAL UTILITY
What is a Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)?
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of measure for electricity. It is the amount of power (kilowatts) used
over a period of time (hours).
A 100-watt light bulb that is illuminated for one hour uses 100 watt-hours of electricity, or
0.1 kilowatt hours. If it is illuminated for 30 minutes, the bulb will consume 0.05 kWh of
electricity, or half as much.
Are Solar Electric Systems Good for the Environment?
Yes. Energy created through the SunPower system produces no pollutants. By offsetting peak
electricity demand, SunPower systems reduce the need for pollution-producing power plants.
Are Solar Electric Systems Safe?
Yes. Solar cells are mostly silicon, the primary component of sand. Solar electric systems
produce no exhaust and no toxic materials. The electricity coming through the inverter is just
like the electricity coming from household wall sockets. Homeowners should use the same
care they would with any electricity. All components are approved and installed according
to the best construction practices.
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Is Solar a New Technology?
Modern solar cells were invented in the early 1950s and were used to power satellites.
In the 1970s, they were used for remote telecommunications and navigational aids. In the
1980s, they were used for roadside emergency telephones and traffic signs. Now in the
21st century, they help power your home. Currently, over 100,000 homeowners
worldwide enjoy a SunPower solar system.
SOLAR LEASE & BILLING
Can I Claim a Tax Credit for My Solar System?
No. The Federal Tax Credit is only available to the initial owner of the solar system. Under
the lease program, SunPower owns your leased system, so Federal tax credits and state/
local/utility rebates go directly to SunPower and have been considered in the price of your
solar system rent.
What Is an Interconnection Agreement?
An interconnection agreement is a contract between the homeowner and the local utility
allowing the homeowner to connect their solar electric system to the electric grid and to
receive credit for their surplus electricity.
What Is Net Metering?
Net metering is a way of measuring the difference between the electricity you buy from your
utility and the electricity your home produces. Under net metering, any surplus electricity
produced by the SunPower system is delivered back to the electric grid, effectively spinning
your meter backward.
When the system produces more electricity than your home consumes, the utility may credit
your account for the surplus electricity generated.
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SunPower Corporation
© 2013 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
SUNPOWER, the SUNPOWER Logo, MORE ENERGY. FOR LIFE,
MAXEON and OASIS are trademarks or registered trademarks of
SunPower Corporation in the US and other countries.