DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the Jan. 24 inquiry about solar panels, I’m happy to share what we’ve learned.

As you stated, Ms. Sun Spots, Efficiency Maine and the U.S. Department of Energy websites are great places to start. We also “Googled” “solar panels” (which led us to “microinverters”), and “solar installers near me.” Energy Sage was a useful website for the list of installers and we investigated each company. If you don’t have a computer, visit your local library.

Microcrystalline panels are the most efficient — and the most expensive — with the longest productive life. Solar panels need microinverters to convert the “direct current” of sunlight to “alternating current” used by the household.

One microinverter per panel means if one panel is under-performing (such as being shaded) the other panels aren’t affected. “String” microinverters that link more than one panel in a line are governed by the least productive panel. So microcrystalline panels with a microinverter on each panel will give the best performance.

A few companies got into trouble exaggerating the potential savings. System efficiency, placement/orientation, and weather conditions all impact the effect on your electric bill, so don’t “buy” the savings aspect. Buy the technology because you support the goal of renewable energy.

We ended up using CleanTap Energy and got a “bundle” deal by installing a heat pump as well. We have twenty 400-watt microcrystalline panels with individual microinverters.

The orientation of our roof is less than ideal (more west than south) with one panel having morning shade from a chimney and lower panels this time of year have some shading from pine trees, but since installation on Sept. 6, 2024, the panels have produced 1.6 megawatts of power, equal to about $175 in CMP savings.

In October, the panels produced 100% of household needs (well pump, hot water, cooking, laundry, lights and electronics). Between the panels and the heat pump we’ve cut our winter electric bill in half.

The down side is that when it snows, we have to use a long-handled snow broom (we bought one from Eversprout designed for solar panels) to clear the panels. We have access to a website that tracks our electric usage — what comes from the panels, what comes from CMP, as well as panel performance 24/7 — which is interesting and informative.

Solar companies offer financing, but an equity loan from our local bank was much cheaper, and with bi-weekly payments the payback was eight and a half years for a system with a 25-year guarantee. There’s a tax credit equal to 30% of the installation costs which can be spread over 10 years of filing. All things considered, we think it’s a good investment for us. — Joanne, Leeds

ANSWER: What an impressive letter you have written to help our reader searching for information on solar panels. The time you made to so kindly respond to her is going to save so many hours of research and give her peace of mind as she moves forward with her project. What a generous soul you are. I learned a lot through reading your letter, and I’m sure others will too. Thank you, and I hope other owners of solar panels will weigh in, too.

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