Introduction: Why Choose mtvSolar?

We guide you through the entire process, making getting solar EASY.
We handle the permitting, inspection, and net-metering process for you.
Our customers love us and often come back for expansion.
Your system will be wired by licensed electricians, not temporary labor.
Our equipment is top of the line quality, tested in our own R&D shop.
We use name brand equipment with full warranties.
We are fully licensed and insured.
Local customer service you can depend on!

General Solar Information & Functionality

How does solar work?

Standard grid-tied solar works by offsetting a portion of your utility bill, which results in monthly savings. During the day, your meter “spins backwards”, and at night it “spins forward”. This is called net-metering. Think of the utility as a bank account. You deposit and withdraw energy from it each day, and only get billed for what you use in excess of your solar production.

The size of your system is based on how much electricity that you use, not the size of the house. When we do an evaluation, we take into account your annual electricity consumption, the size of your roof or other location suitable for solar, and your budget.

Standard grid-tied solar systems are designed to shut down during grid outages for safety reasons. Solar power systems for the home require either batteries or the grid to function, as solar inverters do not have the capability to start surge loads on their own. For example, well pumps, refrigerators, and small air conditioners all require many times their normal operating wattage to start up (known as inrush), and if the grid or a battery were not present, the inverter would fault and stop operating. By being grid tied, your house can be running entirely on solar energy. When a large appliance turns on, that inrush power comes from the utility, or a battery during an outage. A battery backup system is required to isolate your home from the grid so that your panels can continue safely powering your home during an outage.

If you have batteries, yes. We specialize in custom battery backup systems which can keep the lights on when the grid fails. If you do not have batteries, then the utility grid is equivalent to your “battery”. Therefore, when the grid fails, the system must shut down as well.

Yes!. For grid tied systems, we will tie the solar in at the utility connection point, so as to avoid back-feeding your generator and causing damage. Certain types of solar battery systems can also utilize a generator for battery charging. Our most advanced DC coupled systems are grid/battery/generator interactive and can utilize energy from all sources simultaneously.

Absolutely!. You can start with as few as six panels, and we will size the remaining components to support the maximum size desired. The more panels that you install at any one time, the lower the price per panel.

Absolutely!. We also install on any other roof type capable of supporting the load, as well as the ground. During an evaluation we can determine if your roof is suitable for solar. For standing-seam metal roofs, there are absolutely zero penetrations.

Many states in our service area have right-to-access laws, which forbid an HOA from preventing you from getting solar. They may still have aesthetic requirements but we can always work with those. We would be happy to speak with your HOA on your behalf.

It depends on how physically close the source of the EMP is, and how much energy is induced in the electronics as to whether they would be damaged or not. EMP protectors, or surge suppressors might help, but nothing can save electronics that are not inside a faraday cage if your system is at ground zero.

Costs, Savings & ROI

How much does solar cost and can I afford it?

Every system that we install is completely custom. Contact us for a free estimate today. Our zero pressure consultants will get you the answers you need to make an informed decision. Chances are, you can afford it; mtvSolar is equipped to assist with various financing options, including zero down and low interest loans.

Absolutely!. No matter how large or small your installation, you will directly offset your electricity bill by a certain percentage. Every system pays for itself in electricity bill savings. After you break even, you make money via avoided utility costs. Typically in our service area of MD, WV, PA and VA, customers will realize a full ROI after 10-12 years. In states with SRECs, your return may be closer to 10 years or even less.

This really is an investment – the good thing is, as the price of electricity goes up – you save more – every kWh of energy you produce is one you don’t pay for. If you save 11¢ per kWh now and in a few years it winds up being 17¢ per kWh you will be saving 17¢. Since it adds value to your house, it’s an investment for your heirs as well.

  • Property Taxes: Solar installations are not taxed, and do not count towards your property’s value for tax purposes.
  • Home Insurance: It is a good idea to notify your homeowner’s insurance of the solar energy system. Your premiums may see a small annual increase, but your system will be insured should anything happen to it.
  • Home Value: Chances are, solar increases it!. We offer the Pearl Certification, which is a program to assist real estate appraisers in valuing property with solar installed. Typically, homes with solar sell for 5% more than ones without.

Net-meter credits are kilowatt-hour (kWh) credits accumulated on your electricity bill. At the end of each billing cycle, the utility will compare how many kWh you consumed, and how many kWh you produced in excess, difference those totals, and then bill accordingly. It is possible to generate enough of a surplus in summer to zero out your bills all through winter, referred to as going “net-zero”. In our service area, only Maryland utilities will pay you for an annual excess at the wholesale rate. Other states roll-over to the next year.

SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) are paid out for every MWh of energy produced by your system. These are deposits made directly into your bank account.

Batteries & Backup Systems

Do I need batteries?

Batteries are not required!. In a grid-tied system without batteries, the power coming from your solar panels will power your house. If there is not enough solar energy coming in, the excess comes from the grid. If you produce more power than you consume, you later get back that surplus electricity at no charge. This is called net-metering.

The battery’s duration depends entirely on how much power you are drawing from the items designated to run on the battery. Your solar panels will recharge the battery as long as the sun is shining. If you’re sipping power for a refrigerator, Internet, some lights and not much more, you can likely go indefinitely if there is enough sun to recharge daily. However, if you’re running large loads like space heaters, window units, or pool pumps, you can expect the batteries to be depleted much sooner.

Typically, the battery will only run specific “critical loads” or designated items that you and your system designer agreed upon during the design phase, unless you’ve requested a “whole home” system.

All batteries that we install, whether lithium or lead, are sealed and maintenance free.

  • DEKA Lead: Our lead acid batteries are sealed GEL or AGM type that require no water or venting.
  • Tesla PowerWall: Completely Safe – Liquid thermal controls and touch safe technology maximize battery life and safety.
  • enPhase enCharge, Harris: Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries are the safest type of lithium battery available and are not known to combust.
  • SolarEdge Energy Bank: The residential energy system has a lithium-ion battery that contains an organic electrolyte that is sealed in a protective case. A built-in fire extinguisher is present.

Tesla requires homeowners to contact their Support department directly as the first step for any issues. You can reach them at support@tesla.com or by calling 877-961-7652, Option 2. If Tesla determines a service technician is needed on-site, they will coordinate with us to send someone out.

Maintenance, Weather & System Lifespan

What kind of routine maintenance do my solar panels require?

Our solar systems have no moving parts and generally do not require any regular maintenance. Rain and snow in our region do a very good job of keeping the panels clean naturally. Battery systems, while largely maintenance free, should be checked for functionality annually to ensure that the batteries are healthy and the system is ready to operate during an outage.

Generally speaking, no. Rain and snow sliding off does the job. In fact, we did an experiment and found that the gains from cleaning what appeared to be a dirty panel resulted in very little output gain. If your array is near railroad tracks or interstate highway, your panels may benefit from the occasional scrubbing due to diesel soot buildup. If you really want to clean your panels, ensure the system is powered completely OFF first. Use a garden hose, or a bucket with clean, warm water, a non-abrasive soap (like dish soap), and a soft cloth or squeegee. Avoid harsh chemicals, never step on the panels, and do not clean underneath them where the wiring is located. There is no risk of being shocked while cleaning your panels.

If your solar panels are covered in a couple inches of snow, they aren’t going to work as efficiently. It typically takes about three inches of snow to completely stop production. This does not mean that solar does not work in a snowstorm. In addition to being warmer than the ambient outdoor temperature, solar panels are slippery when wet and positioned to catch the most sunlight. Both of these factors help them resist snowfall or eliminate it quickly. Solar panels are also usually installed at a steep enough angle that helps persuade the snow to slide off. Of course, a lengthy snowstorm will eventually get the best of your panels and diminish their crucial power making ability. That said, they will attract enough sun to clear themselves off relatively quickly after the storm ends.

We do not recommend homeowners clean snow off their panels due to safety risks and the high potential for damaging the equipment. Snow melts off solar panels much faster than standard roofing, and production will resume naturally once they begin to clear. We strongly advise against using roof rakes or brushes with stiff bristles, as they can easily scratch the solar glass and lead to premature failure of the panels. Heating kits are not recommended because they consume electricity, which generally negates any energy gains you would get from melting the snow.

For safety reasons, our crews cannot perform roof work, such as replacing optimizers or removing panels, when there is snow or ice present. We will schedule or reschedule the visit once the roof is completely clear.

The solar panels we install come with a manufacturer’s warranty of 20 to 25 years. While energy output naturally degrades slightly over time, the industry standard for a panel’s useful lifespan is 25 to 30 years. After 20-25 years, top-tier panels are guaranteed to still produce between 80% and 92% of their initial day-one output.  Solar systems from the 1980s are still producing usable power today!

Warranties & System Expansions

What is covered under my system's warranty?
  • SolarEdge Inverters: Standard 12-year warranty, optionally extendable to 25 years.
  • SolarEdge Optimizers & EnPhase IQ Micro-inverters: Generally covered for 25 years.
  • Premium Solar Modules: Carry a 25 year limited warranty.
  • Communications Equipment: Covered for 5 years.
  • Batteries: The Tesla PowerWall carries a 10 year limited warranty. The DEKA Unigy battery carries a 10 year limited warranty. The Harris Lithium battery carries a 10 Year Warranty (5 full/5 prorated).  Other batteries carry a 10+ year warranty.
  • Workmanship: mtvSolar supplies a 5-year workmanship warranty for our systems that covers the mechanical and electrical work.

If there is ever a problem with any equipment that we install, we work directly with the manufacturer to get it replaced as soon as possible under warranty.

Manufacturer warranties cover the cost of the replacement equipment itself, but they do not cover all costs associated with the labor and travel required to perform the service. mtvSolar has a dedicated Service & Support team and charges a service fee to cover our technicians’ time, travel, and effort to diagnose and repair your system. Labor charges may apply even if the manufacturer RMAs the malfunctioning equipment.

Replacement timelines are highly dependent on the manufacturer. While companies like SolarEdge typically send replacement products within 5-7 business days, global supply constraints can sometimes push this closer to 30 days or longer. We must wait for the manufacturer to approve the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and provide shipping tracking before we can schedule your replacement installation.

Generally, no. If your inverter goes down under warranty, it will be replaced by the manufacturer. Also, inverters are continually improving. Having one sit around as a backup would result in you replacing what you have without being able to take advantage of improvements to the product.

Yes, you can expand an existing system. To provide an accurate design and proposal, our team requires a full 12 months of your most recent utility bills. A single recent bill showing your yearly total is not enough; we need the month-by-month breakdown to determine exactly how much of your consumption is currently being supplied by the grid versus your existing solar panels. This allows the designers to determine your current usage and exactly how much additional solar capacity you need, ensuring you do not overproduce beyond what is financially beneficial.

As solar technology evolves, SolarEdge offers the Re-Energize program to help homeowners upgrade their qualifying older inverters to a new SolarEdge Home Hub inverter at a reduced price. This upgrade provides a new 12-year warranty, a new cellular modem with a 5-year data plan, and readies your system for easy expansion, battery backup additions, and EV chargers.

  • Qualifications: The upgrade program is open to SolarEdge system owners whose original systems were installed and activated on the monitoring portal prior to June 30, 2022.
  • Warranties: Existing extended warranties cannot be transferred to the new inverter. However, the new Home Hub inverter comes with a standard 12-year warranty, which you have the option to extend to 25 years for an additional fee.

Unfortunately, if an equipment manufacturer (such as SatCon or SolarWorld) goes bankrupt or ceases operations, the equipment warranty becomes void. Because there is no longer a company to supply replacement parts or honor the guarantee, any repair or replacement costs for those specific components will be the responsibility of the system owner.

Yes. If your original installation company is no longer operational, we are happy to step in and assist you. To properly diagnose and resolve any issues, we first need to transfer the administrative rights of your online monitoring platform (such as SolarEdge) from your previous installer to mtvSolar. Your equipment warranty is tied directly to the manufacturer (e.g., SolarEdge, Enphase), not the installation company. As long as the manufacturer is still in business, the warranty for the parts remains valid. However, you will be responsible for the service fees associated with our technicians’ time and labor to replace the parts. (Note: If the manufacturer has also gone out of business, such as SatCon, the warranties are voided) .

Selling Your Home & Transferring Ownership

How do I transfer ownership of the solar monitoring system to the buyer?

For SolarEdge or Enphase systems, the new homeowner will need to complete an online transfer form to take over the monitoring portal and manufacturer warranties. They will need the Site ID, the previous owner’s name, and the inverter’s partial serial number. Please note that SolarEdge charges a transfer fee (typically around $129-$130) to complete this process.

You or the buyer must contact your SREC aggregator (such as SRECTrade or RECmint) to initiate the transfer. The new owner will need to submit a change of ownership form signed by both parties, and the aggregator will require a copy of the closing disclosure or deed to prove the transfer of the property.

Ownership transfers for Tesla systems must be initiated directly through the Tesla app or by calling Tesla Support. The new owner will need a copy of the completed deed, a picture of all Powerwalls, and a picture of the sticker located inside the Tesla Backup Gateway. There is no fee for this transfer.

Utility Bills, Meter Readings & SRECs

Can I monitor my system’s performance online?

Absolutely!. Provided that you have an always-on Internet connection, we set up your monitoring free as part of our service package. For locations without Internet, we have cellular options available.

Your solar monitoring portal tracks all of the electricity your system produces. However, your home actively consumes that generated power first to run your appliances and lights. The utility meter only records the excess power (over-production) that your home didn’t use, which is then sent back to the grid for a credit. Because of this, the credit on your utility bill will never match the total production numbers shown in your app.

Yes, through a process called “Aggregate Metering”. The power generated by your solar system will first offset the consumption of the meter it is directly tied to. At the end of the billing cycle, any excess power generated is then applied to the second meter.

Your digital utility meter automatically cycles through different screens.

  • SVEC Customers: Look for the screen labeled “REC” (Received). If this number increases during sunlight hours, you are producing and sending power back.
  • REC Customers: Look for “RN” (energy returned to the grid).
  • Other Utility Meters (FirstEnergy, Dominion): The display often alternates between “04” and “40.”. If the number following “40” is increasing, your system is producing.

The dial emulator is pointing to the left which means that our solar modules are pushing power back to the power company.

  • Code 01 = The “Net” kWh that you are billed for. Code 01 is really the only number used for determining how much you owe. If the value is greater than the prior month then you owe money. Likewise, if the number is smaller than the previous month you have gained credits and you only owe for the base charge.
  • Code 04 = The kWh pulled from the utility.
  • Code 40 = The kWh that has pushed back to the utility. It’s important to note that the kWh pushed back to the utility (Code 40) is not synonymous with the total power produced by our solar PV system. Some of the power produced is gobbled up immediately in the house – as soon as it is generated, before it even gets to the utility meter. The leftover solar generation (the excess) is what gets pushed back to the utility.

SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) are paid out by a broker (typically SRECTrade) for every MWh of energy produced by your system. These are deposits made directly into your bank account, based on the going market rates. Our office will initiate the setup process for you on SRECTrade.

This depends on the type of meter installed on your system.

  • Analog Production Meter: If you have an analog production meter (such as a Hialeah meter), it tracks your lifetime production starting from the day it was installed, much like a car’s odometer. You must manually read the dials and submit the number, along with a clear photograph of the meter for verification, to your SREC aggregator/broker each month.
  • Digital Revenue Grade Meter (RGM): If your system has a digital RGM integrated or attached to the inverter, it can automatically report your production data to your aggregator as long as the internet connection is active.

Yes. If you currently have an analog Hialeah meter and are tired of manually reporting, we can install a digital Energy Meter (an external RGM) that connects to your online monitoring platform and enables auto-reporting.

Yes. While many customers use SRECTrade, mtvSolar also partners with RECmint. RECmint is well-established in the Virginia market and currently pays out SREC credits more frequently than SRECTrade.

Troubleshooting Connectivity & Equipment

Why has my solar system stopped reporting data to the online monitoring portal?

Most often, this is simply a communication issue and your system is likely still producing electricity. This typically occurs if you have recently changed internet providers, installed a new router, changed your Wi-Fi password, or unplugged your internet equipment. mtvSolar provides troubleshooting guides to help you easily re-establish this connection yourself.

If remote troubleshooting fails, we can schedule a service visit for a technician to perform diagnostics on-site, or install alternative communication methods like a cellular card or ethernet bridge. Please note that a service fee will apply for these diagnostic and repair visits.

There are a few ways to confirm your system is working without internet access:

  • Check the inverter: Look at the LED lights on the front of your inverter. A solid green light indicates the system is producing power.
  • Check the utility meter: During daylight hours, watch your utility net meter. If the “Received” (REC) value or the screen displaying the number “40” is increasing, your system is actively sending power to the grid.
  • Check the production meter: If your system was installed with an analog production meter (such as a Hialeah meter), the dials will spin or the numbers will increase when the system is producing.

No, the inverter generally backlogs your production data locally for a period of time while offline. Once the system is reconnected to your internet, it prioritizes uploading this backlogged data before uploading new data. Be aware that this can be a slow process, taking about an hour of upload time for each day the system was offline, and your dashboard may display a “Data Upload in Progress” message until it catches up.

Changing internet providers, routers, or Wi-Fi passwords will break your system’s communication connection.

  • For SolarEdge systems on Wi-Fi: Use the mySolarEdge app on your phone to configure the new network settings.
  • For Zigbee devices: If your system uses a Zigbee device (a small white box with an antenna located near your router), you will need to plug it into the new router, power cycle it, and hold the red reset/configuration button until the lights go solid to re-pair the connection.

To reset your inverter:

  1. Turn off the small red toggle switch located between the upper and lower cabinets.
  2. Wait 30 seconds, then turn off the DC disconnect (the large black knob).
  3. Turn off the AC disconnect (the grey box near your utility meter).
  4. Wait about 5 to 15 minutes to allow the system to fully power down.
  5. Turn everything back on in reverse order (AC disconnect, then DC disconnect, then the red toggle switch).
  6. Set a timer for 30 minutes to allow the system to reconnect to the internet and verify the indicator lights.

The LEDs give you a quick visual status of your system:

  • Green (or yellowish): A solid green light indicates your inverter is actively producing power. If it is blinking, the inverter is connected but not currently producing.
  • Blue: A solid blue light indicates the system is successfully communicating with the internet and the monitoring portal. If it is off or blinking, the communication is down.
  • Red: A red light indicates a fault or an error in the system (or the grid is down).

No. Grid-tied inverters have a built-in safety precaution that shuts down production when the utility grid is down. This prevents your system from sending power back to the grid and potentially harming utility workers. A steady red light during a blackout simply indicates this safety shutdown has occurred.

If your Enphase Envoy connects to your router via Ethernet bridges, first make sure neither bridge is plugged into a power strip or extension cord. Check the LED lights on both bridges. If the top and bottom lights are green but the middle light is off, they need to be re-paired (this means the two bridges have lost communication with each other).

  • Unplug the bridge connected to the Envoy and temporarily plug it into an outlet right next to the router’s bridge.
  • Once they pair, all three lights will turn solid green, and you can move the bridge back to the Envoy. Note: Always plug bridges directly into wall outlets, as surge protectors and power strips prevent them from staying paired.

“-Web” means the Envoy has lost its internet connection. If you use Ethernet bridges, ensure they are paired. Once the connection is physically restored, press and hold the Gateway menu button on the Envoy until “Get New IP Address” appears on the screen. Within two minutes, a new IP address should appear, and the screen will change to “+Web” to confirm you are back online.

  • June 2022: Many older solar systems were installed with 3G cellular connection kits. Major cell carriers officially stopped supporting and decommissioned the 3G network on June 1, 2022, which caused these inverters to lose communication. To restore monitoring, you will need to upgrade to a 4G cell kit or switch to a hardwired/Wi-Fi connection.
  • April 2024: T-Mobile officially retired its legacy 2G GSM network on April 2, 2024, to make way for 4G/5G services. This impacted all inverters relying on 2G cellular modems. If your system had a non-expired 12-year cellular plan, SolarEdge is offering a free 5-year 4G modem replacement, though a service fee for our technician’s installation labor will still apply.

SRECTrade relies on your online portal to automatically read your production data. If your system loses its internet connection, SRECTrade will temporarily stop receiving data. Furthermore, SRECTrade occasionally sends automated check-in emails during months with naturally low production, such as January, when snow or freezing temperatures temporarily impact solar generation. Once connectivity is restored or the weather clears, reporting will resume.

Commercial Applications

What are demand charges?

Demand charges are adders that utility companies charge commercial customers to ensure that they can deliver the maximum power ever needed by the client. Demand charges are based on the highest 15-minute average usage recorded within a given month. If the facility tends to use a lot of power over short periods, the demand charges will comprise a larger part of the bill. If the facility uses power at a more consistent rate throughout the month, the demand charges will generally be a smaller part of the bill.

The good news is that mtvSolar can help you slash demand charges in three ways:

  1. Install a solar PV array which will lower overall power usage, including demand charge during the day.
  2. Install battery storage to store power and release it as needed during periods of peak load, therefore reducing demand charges from the utility. This implementation is called “peak load shaving”.
  3. Analyze power usage to help further reduce demand charges by changing how equipment is turned on, or adding controls to reduce surge loads.

For commercial demand charge mitigation, we implement custom C&I solutions.

Learn more: https://www.mtvSolarStorage.com