A solar system, also known as a photovoltaic or PV system, turns sunlight into electrical energy. Solar panels are composed of PV cells that contain semiconductor materials. When sunlight hits a solar panel, the energy excites electrons in the PV cells. These electrons are captured in direct current, which gets converted to alternating current in an inverter. The inverter can be attached to a single PV module or to the end of a series of modules.

Solar panels work best in areas with lots of direct sunlight—which we have plenty of here in Texas. As a whole, our state ranks #7 for peak sunlight hours, pulling in 5 to 6 hours of optimal solar power generation a day. Some areas even top worldwide charts, with El Paso being one of the top ten sunniest cities on earth— 3,763 average hours of sunlight annually.

Manufacturers tend to place a warranty on solar for 20 to 25 years, though they usually last much longer. Solar panels lose approximately 0.5% efficiency per year, so a 25-year-old panel can still produce 88% of the electricity that it did when it was new.

Solar panels last for a very long time, but other components may need replacing or maintenance much earlier. While solar panels slowly lose efficiency, inverters tend to stop working completely, and most have a warranty for between 10 and 15 years.

Most likely, yes, if you're willing to spend the money on a system to meet your needs. The only limitation to the amount of power you can generate is your roof space. A single solar panel generates approximately 1 kWh per day and requires around 4 x 2.5 feet of roof space, which can give you a good estimate of how much power you can generate for your home.

It's a good idea to work out your average daily usage before planning your solar system installation. You can use your monthly bill over the past 12 months to get an average monthly usage, and then divide this number by 30 to get your daily usage. The average Texas home uses around 1,200-1,500 kWh per month, so a 6 kW system is generally sufficient for most households.

No. Texas recently passed legislation stating that HOAs and POAs are not allowed to restrict solar devices outright, as long as the installation is:

• Installed no higher than the roofline
• Conforms to the slope of the roof and has a top edge that runs parallel to the roofline
• Has solar panel frames that are neutral in color, namely silver, bronze or black
• Is no taller than the fence line if the panels are installed on the ground or pole-mounted

Solar panels require sunlight to work. They won't work during the night and will be less effective on cloudy days. Typically, the system will generate under 70% of its ordinary capacity during overcast days, and this will diminish the darker it gets.

However, the long summer Texas days compensate for this temporary lack of efficiency, and you will see an increase in energy production in summer when compared to winter. Estimates put 90% of Texas rooftops as viable for efficient solar use year-round.

Home solar systems are also designed to stop supplying power when the power grid goes out. The reason for this is to prevent utility workers from being shocked while working on repairs to the grid. This means that if you don't have a battery backup system, you'll continue to lose power when the grid goes out.

There will be times when your solar system produces more energy than you use, resulting in a net gain of power. If your home ties into the grid, this power can go back to the grid and be used by someone else. To compensate you for your contribution, many utility providers offer net-metering.

When you supply power to the energy grid, you receive credits from your energy provider. The value of these credits can range from wholesale power prices to retail prices, depending on your provider. You can then use these credits to purchase electricity on the days when your system isn't working as effectively.

While most states require that utility providers offer net metering, Texas doesn't, and several providers will not offer this service. You can get in touch with your local energy provider to find out if they offer net metering or not.

Yes. As an industry standard, homes with solar power sell for more than similar homes without. However, Texas does offer a 100% property tax exemption under its tax code. ​​

Texas has more hail storms than any other state in the nation, so we can understand how this is a concern for you. Fortunately, solar panels are designed to be incredibly durable and resist the elements for decades. They have a tempered glass sheet that can resist hail damage and many other adverse weather conditions. You're more likely to get damage on your roof than on your solar panels. If the roof is damaged, you can use your homeowner's insurance to remove and reinstall the panels once the roof has been repaired.

The actual installation of the solar panels can be completed within a couple of days. However, the process from start to finish usually takes significantly longer.  Each home is different and needs to be evaluated in order to make sure that it's suitable for a solar installation. Some roofs may need reinforcing to handle the weight of the panels, while other homes don't have the correct orientation for efficient solar energy production.

Additionally, a design has to be drawn up that identifies the placement and type of solar panels that will be used. You also need to secure an electrical permit from the city—some areas of Texas are more solar power-friendly than others. The entire process, from design to obtaining permits, up to installation, can take anywhere from 30 to 120 days.