What happens after the excitement of installing solar panels fades? Does the system perform as promised, and is it worth the investment over time?
At Exact Solar, we’ve installed over 2,000 systems during our 20 years in business, and the results speak for themselves. Our customers are living proof that solar panels deliver reliable energy and savings for decades. But don’t just take our word for it; let’s look at one of their stories.
To give you a glimpse into life with solar power, we spoke with Steve Cickay, a homeowner who went solar five years ago. He shared insights into:
- How his solar system is holding up over time
- How close he is to paying off his investment
- What it’s really like to own a solar system
- How much clean energy his system has produced since installation
As Steve puts it:
“It’s free power that comes from the sun. It’s a win-win all around.”
Meet the Homeowner: Steve Cickay
One of the most rewarding parts of running a solar company is the opportunity to meet fascinating people. Solar power tends to attract trailblazers, mavericks, and forward-thinkers. Today’s featured homeowner, Steve Cickay, is no exception.
Steve’s journey with environmentalism and solar power began in the 1970s, shortly after graduating college. Inspired by a year-long road trip across the U.S. and backpacking adventures in Europe, he developed a deep appreciation for nature and sustainability. During this time, he discovered the work of Barry Commoner, whose ideas shaped Steve’s commitment to environmentalism.
The spark for solar ignited in 1979 when Steve closely followed President Jimmy Carter’s bold move to install solar panels on the White House. He fell in love with the idea that we could produce power from a resource that falls to earth every day for free.
Fast-forward to 2019, when Steve finally went solar with Exact Solar. His journey was far from straightforward—he purchased his home in 1985, but financial priorities like raising a family and funding his children’s education delayed his solar dreams. Only after retiring did Steve feel ready to make the investment.
Five years later, he has no regrets.
Five Years of Reliable Solar Performance
Steve told us that his system has been maintenance-free for five years. The rain and melting snow have taken care of any cleaning, so he hasn’t had to worry about washing his panels. His panels and inverters have performed as expected, so he hasn’t had to make a warranty claim or have the system serviced.
Even during the winter months, Steve’s only utility-related expense is a $10 connection fee.
He enjoys tracking the electricity generation on the Enphase app and showing his granddaughter the system’s performance.
“Enphase gives you the software where you can track your system’s best and worst months, it feels like a game to look at.”
– Steve Cickay
Steve and his wife were initially concerned about the appearance of their solar installation. To address this, Exact Solar promptly returned and installed a “dummy panel” to fill a small gap, creating a clean look they were beyond happy with.
His system is now only 2 to 3 years away from entirely paying for itself, after which Steve will enjoy free power for decades.
How Solar Systems Pay For Themselves
Installing a solar system on your home offers more than just energy savings; it can actually generate income and increase the value of your home. As soon as they are installed and begin operating, homeowners in Pennsylvania and New Jersey can take advantage of various financial incentives:
These incentives, combined with rising energy costs and lower installation expenses, make solar energy systems increasingly valuable. Historically, it took more than a decade for systems to pay for themselves, but advancements in technology and policy changes have reduced the average payback period to just 6 to 8 years!
Furthermore, systems in New Jersey typically pay off more quickly than those in Pennsylvania due to higher SREC values, which directly impact the overall return on investment.
Steve’s Solar Payback Timeline
Before going solar, Steve paid an average of $200 per month for electricity. Today, he only pays a $10 monthly connection fee. The most exciting part for Steve, however, is that his system not only offsets his energy costs but also generates money for him each year.
Here’s the breakdown of his financial benefits since his system was installed:
In the year following installation, Steve received a 26% tax credit on the cost of his system, totaling $12,000. This was three years before the Inflation Reduction Act increased the credit to 30%.
PECO, Steve’s utility provider, sends him a check for his surplus power production at the end of every year, averaging between $300 and $400. His system also generates $30 to $90 each month in SRECs, providing an additional $500 to $600 annually.
In total, over the past five years, rather than paying for power, Steve’s solar system has earned him between $4,000 and $5,000. Combined with eliminating his $200 monthly power bill, his system has saved him at least $12,000 over that period.
Since installing his system only five years ago, Steve has saved and earned more than $29,000! It’s safe to say that the solar system is well on its way to paying for itself.
“It’s fun; it’s nice to get the checks in the mail.”
– Steve Cickay
Steve’s Solar Energy System Specs
Steve has a 13.02 kW system, which means it can generate up to 13.02 kilowatts of power at peak sunlight hours.
Steve’s system includes 42 panels, each producing 310 watts, for a total capacity of 13,020 watts, or 13.02 kilowatts (kW). We carefully designed it to generate just a bit more energy than Cickay’s household requires, ensuring ample power for their needs.
When designing a solar energy system, there are two important considerations:
- How much power does the home use at any given time? This is measured in kilowatts (kW)
- How much energy (kilowatt-hours) does the home use over a month/year? This is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
On a homeowner’s monthly bill, electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This number represents the total energy they’ve used throughout the month.
What Are Kilowatts (kW)?
Kilowatts measure power. Power is the rate of electricity that is generated or consumed at any given moment. We can think of kilowatts as the minimum amount of power that must be present for an appliance to turn on.
Let’s take a kettle as an example. Boiling water takes a lot of energy, so a kettle takes about 2 kW to operate.
If the kettle can’t draw at least 2 kW from its power source, it won’t even turn on. There isn’t enough power.
What Are Kilowatt-hours (kWh)?
Kilowatt-hours measure energy, which is power multiplied by time (power x time). This is the amount of power generated or used in any given timeframe.
If we run the same kettle from the example above for three hours, it will use 6 kWh of energy (2 kW x 3 hours = 6 kWh).
Modern solar energy systems are very efficient. Exact Solar’s average system produces 1.3 times the kilowatt-hours yearly as the kilowatts it’s sized for. The average 10 kW system Exact Solar builds will produce 13,000 kWh of energy yearly.
Cicaky’s system is sized and designed to offset 13kW of power usage at any given time and generates between 16,000 to 17,000 kWh of energy per year that he uses in his home and sells to his power company.
Tracking Five Years of Solar Energy Production
“Five years later, it looks like I made the right decision. First of all, I have two beautiful grandchildren, and I am doing my small part to give them a greener world. But secondly, I haven’t had to pay PECO a nickel. In fact, I get refund checks from PECO every year because my solar panels produce more energy than I use.”
– Steve Cickay
Looking at his monitoring platform, we can see that Cickay’s system has produced 81.35 MWh (megawatt-hours) of energy. That’s 81,350 kWh (kilowatt-hours) over the 61 months the system has been operational.
Steve received Permission to Operate (PTO) his solar energy system on September 25, 2019. Since then, his system has produced an average of 16,003 kWh per year, which equates to approximately 1,334 kWh per month.
Using the EPA’s Gas Equivalencies Calculator, we see that Steve has generated enough energy in the last 5 years to offset:
- 6,150 gallons of gasoline (143,502 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered car).
- 60,712 pounds of coal (⅓ of an entire railcar of coal).
- 127 barrels of oil.
- 19.3 tons of trash (2.8 full garbage trucks).
These are all great benefits, but there’s one benefit that’s much harder to quantify other than having a very positive emotional impact:
Steve doesn’t have to pay for power for the next 20 to 25 years.
Your Solar Journey Starts Here
Steve Cickay chose to go solar five years ago and hasn’t paid an electric bill since. His system is expected to pay for itself in less than ten years, and will continue producing free power for at least 15 to 20 years beyond that!
Steve is not an outlier. This is the standard outcome for homeowners who invest in solar with a reputable, established company.
Solar systems, when installed and maintained properly, require very little upkeep. While occasional maintenance may be needed if critters chew on wiring or a component wears out, these issues are typically covered and easily addressed.
With the variety of federal and state incentives available, there’s never been a better time to start your solar journey. If you’re unsure if your home is a good fit for solar, we recommend reaching out to a local, reputable installer. A good installer can provide you with a free, no-pressure consultation to help you explore the benefits of solar energy. If you’re within our service area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware, we’d love to help! Exact Solar is a locally owned solar company in Bucks County, PA, with over 20 years of experience. We’d love to help you explore if solar is the right choice for your home. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation!