Frequently Asked Questions
Should I lease or purchase a system?
Statistics have shown that it is more economical to purchase a system rather than lease one. If you lease, you will be required to make payments for at least 15 years, whereas if you purchase a system your payback period will be limited to just a few years. Also, when you purchase a system, you will receive a tax refund which may total $20,000.
Does Aikyum offer monitoring for my system after installation?
Absolutely! Aikyum Solar offers daily monitoring of your system post-installation. If anything goes wrong, we’ll take care of it for you.
When is payment due?
For residential jobs we take half of the total payment when our installers arrive at your home and are ready to install. Once your solar installation is completed, everything works to your liking, and you are able to see your solar production we take the second half of the total amount due.
Do I need to be at home on the solar installation date?
We recommend that you be at home when the installers arrive at your house, so that our foreman can go over the conduit run from your electrical panel to your roof. There are also some cases where installers may need access to your attic.
Do I need to wash my solar panels or perform regular maintenance on them?
In most cases the rain will be sufficient enough to wash your solar panels. While you may see a production increase from washing your panels, it is usually not worth increasingly high labor costs.
How are solar panels mounted to the roof?
No matter what type of roof you have, solar panel feet will always be sealed, and lagged into your rafters. If you have a tile roof, then we remove the tile to lag an L foot in underneath, then we place the tile back over it. Comp Shingle roofs are similarto tile roofs with a small flashing slid underneath the shingle.
Are you licensed?
Yes! We are C-46 and C-10 licensed. License number is 986427, and you can verify it here.
Do I need city permits for solar?
Yes! You will need city permits, and HOA approval if you have one. We handle all the paperwork for you.
How long does it take to install solar?
Once we have HOA, and city approval we are able to start installing your solar! Some cities are faster to approve permits than others, however most of our installs are completed in just 3-4 weeks from the time the contract is signed.
Do you hire sub-contractors?
No, all of our installers are in house.
What will my bills look like after I install solar?
In most cases our high end solar panels will be able to completely wipe out your bill. Utility companies still charge a minimum monthly payment of $10 for tax, and delivery fees.
I received a lower quote from another solar company, will you do a price match?
Yes! Show us your proposal from a reputable solar company, and we will price match.
How many solar panels do I need to charge my electric vehicle?
It depends! If you have a south facing roof with no shading issues, and you drive roughly 10,000 miles per year, then you will need about 6 solar panels to cover your electric vehicle. This answer will vary though so please contact us for more information.
What happens during a power outage if I have solar?
The only cost effective way of installing solar for your home, is to install a grid based system. What this means is that your solar installation requires power from your utility company to function properly. The downside is that if there is a power outage, the solar can not power your home. You can partially alleviate this issue if you decide to install a battery backup.
Aikyum Solar Panel Installation Process.
Aikyum Solar works fast to install your solar system in just 4-6 weeks! In a about a month, you could start to enjoy savings, tax rebates, and eliminate your electric bill! Watch this short video for a complete explanation about the installation process.
What is TOU (Time of Use) Rate Schedule?
By switching to solar, Southern California Edison will charge you at different rates at various times of the day. See this short video for a complete explanation.
Subpanel Installation?
When the main service panel is full of breakers, it is necessary to install a subpanel to add a solar PV breaker and an electric vehicle breaker. The ideal location would be directly behind the main service panel, or on each side of the main service panel.
Inverter Location?
The inverter converts the electricity produced by the solar panels into usable energy for the homeowner. The ideal location for the inverter would be outdoor with shading, or indoors. An AC disconnect installation may be required if the inverter is not directly beside the main service panel. If the inverter and main service panel are separated by any gate or obstacle, it is required to install a small AC disconnect for easy accessible to cut the power in emergency situations.
Ideal Conduit Run?
James Gerard, an experienced residential solar power installer, explains how Aikyum Solar takes special care to run the conduit properly in this short video. With extra effort, the stucco is stubbed out to install the conduit hidden, close to the wall of the house. In addition, Aikyum Solar not only paints the conduit run to match the wall and roof color, but also consults with the homeowner to get the best results possible. Customer satisfaction is our biggest priority.