Use more sunlight. Keep the essentials running. Power a place beyond the grid. Start with the job; then choose the system.
Illustrative concept · A purpose-built solar canopy, separate from the home’s roof
These are system types, not size limits. Larger home, farm, shop and commercial projects are welcome.
Reduce electricity purchased while solar is producing. Export compensation depends on your provider’s tariff.
Best starting questionHow much power do you use during sunny hours?
Standard grid-connected solar alone generally shuts down when utility power fails. Ask specifically which circuits would still work. Solar production and outage backup are separate capabilities.
Store energy for later and supply agreed circuits with equipment configured for safe backup operation.
Best starting questionWhat must stay on, and for how long?
The inverter limits simultaneous power. Usable battery energy, the load, starting charge and recharge conditions affect runtime. Compatible equipment must safely separate backed-up circuits from an unavailable grid.
A place without utility service needs a plan for daily energy use, seasonal sunlight and reserve storage.
Best starting questionWhat is the plan after several cloudy days?
Review seasonal energy use, battery reserve, extended poor weather, load management and a generator option where appropriate. Off-grid sizing starts with your actual loads and site conditions.
Technical background: U.S. Department of Energy: Solar and Resilience Basics ↗
Built around your loads and site. Electrical design, connection and licensed electrical work are handled by a Texas-licensed electrical contractor.
Your roof is a major part of your home. Our preferred ground mounts keep solar-panel attachments off it, and keep future roof work separate from the array.
Plan for warranties & insurance →A rooftop array may need to be removed and reinstalled for roof replacement. Ask who handles that work, what it costs and how downtime is managed.
DOE: roof replacement & array removal ↗Roof penetrations need properly integrated flashing and sealing. Poor details can allow water intrusion. A ground mount avoids adding panel-mounting penetrations to the home’s roof.
PNNL: flashing roof penetrations ↗Review roof and workmanship warranties, contractor insurance documents and your carrier’s requirements. Mounting choice alone does not guarantee coverage or lower premiums.
See the insurance questions →Review sun exposure, access, soil and foundations, wind loads, setbacks and the electrical trench route. The array has its own structure, separate from the home’s roof.
A solar canopy may combine useful shade with generation. It needs a defined structural design, wind-uplift and foundation review, permits where required and a separate scope.
Considered after structural, roof-profile, mounting and warranty review. Some standing-seam profiles can use tested non-penetrating clamps; other metal roofs use different methods. A “tin roof” alone does not establish suitability. Final choices follow roof-specific engineering and manufacturer requirements.
More background: DOE: roof suitability and replacement planning ↗
Five things to put in writing before you compare prices. Open the details that matter to you.
Named circuits, starting surges and equipment that is excluded.
Usable battery capacity, assumed load, starting charge and recharge conditions.
Inverter, battery and array limits; compatible additions and any future electrical work.
Interconnection approval, export settings, rate and ongoing fees if applicable.
Equipment, electrical scope, site work, trenching, exclusions and payment terms.
