FAQs

The cost depends on your energy consumption. For the average residential customer, with a JPS of $15,000 - $20,000, a grid-tied solar PV system can be between 3,000 and 4,000 USD ( 465,000 – 620,000 JMD at current rates). A hybrid system (battery storage) typically costs twice as much as the grid-tied system. 

Our team will review your energy consumption patterns and make the appropriate recommendations considering the following:

• We review the facility’s historical energy consumption patterns 

• Available budget

• Available roof space or available land space to host the system

Net Billing is a billing system where a customer sells excess energy back to JPS. This energy is sold at a rate that is less than the retail rate that energy is purchased at from the utility provider. The JPS Standard Offer Contract (SOC) uses this protocol to credit the customer any excess energy that the solar system exports to the grid. The net billing rate is 0.11 USD/kWh, while the current retail rate is 0.37 USD/kWh.

A grid-tied solar PV system does not use batteries. Solar panels generate power but do not store power. 

A hybrid system (battery storage) has batteries which will store power. This power is available for use at nights and when there is a power outage.

It depends on the size of your system. Typically 1 to 2 days to fully commission the system.

Yes and No. Typically, when correctly sized, there should be a small bill to pay to the utility. The concept of diminishing return on investment takes effect whenever systems are deliberately over-sized.  There is a “sweet spot” which our professional analytical experts  are guided by and from this data, we recommend appropriate system sizes to the client to maximize their investment.

• The systems we use add a nominal load of under 3 lbs./sq ft to your roof. Roof penetrations are sealed and backed by Saddle Energy’s 1 year installation warranty. For sloping roofs everything is attached to the rafters and not to the roofing material.

There are no moving parts. The PV modules should be cleaned when dirty. The angle that they are placed allows self cleaning with regular rain showers.  No other routine maintenance is required. If you suspect a problem, please call us and we will come out and perform a thorough inspection.

A hybrid PV system is one with solar panels connected to a hybrid  inverter and to batteries (if installed). This system will first provide the energy needs of the facility, any excess energy will be used to charge the batteries and then export the rest to the grid. Hybrid systems allow for stored energy to be used at night or in the event of a power outage.