Many people wonder if their home is a good fit for a solar energy system. The good news is that most homes, with the help of Vivint Solar technicians, can have solar panels successfully installed.

A residential solar system can be installed on almost any type of roof. The best roofs for solar installations are composite, not too steep with easy access and have unobstructed space for the solar panels. Roofs that face south or southwest and are not shaded will produce the most energy.

If you're worried about your homeowners association, you'll be happy to know that most states don't allow HOA's to stop you from installing a home solar power system. They may, however, ask you to change the design or location or for aesthetic reason as long as the changes don't significantly decrease your energy production.

Also, most homeowner's insurance policies are sufficient to cover electric utility requirements. You may be asked, however, by your utility company to sign an interconnection agreement.

In other good news, while your property value will increase when you install a solar energy system, legislation prevents your property taxes from increasing. You also don't need to worry if you think there's a chance you'll move before the end of your PPA. Transferring the system to the new homeowner is very simple. A majority of the time, the PPA itself can be transferred to the new homeowners. And remember, homes with solar systems typically have high resale values because of their lower electricity costs.

At Vivint Solar we are with you from the beginning to the end.

A residential solar system can be installed on almost any type of roof. The best roofs for solar installations are composite, not too steep with easy access and have unobstructed space for the solar panels. Roofs that face south or southwest and are not shaded will produce the most energy.

Vivint Solar will assess your roof to make sure it receives enough sunlight to be a good investment for you. Then the Vivint Solar team will custom design a system just for you and your solar goals and needs. And that's not all. We will also take care of obtaining any necessary required permits and inspections. As a part of our comprehensive service, we will ensure that everything is up to code.

Our goal is to get your system up and running as quickly as possible. The length of installation depends on the complexity of the roof and number of panels. The average home installation takes about one day. The design proposal given to you by Vivint Solar will include the estimated installation time.

Solar photovoltaic panels require little maintenance.

There is no need to wash or dust photovoltaic panels, but it is important to keep them clear of shade and debris. Anything above and beyond this is covered by your full service agreement.

Your full service agreement includes a full parts and labor promise for the life of your agreement. Should your system malfunction or break, we will send a repair crew to your home to fix it—for free. Minimal shade and occasional cleaning and inspection are the most important parts of your system's maintenance. The Vivint Solar service team monitors your system output to ensure it is performing properly and will help you if it's not. Most importantly, maintenance and warranty repairs are included in our service as a part of your PPA. Should your roof ever need repairs, the solar panels can be removed and reinstalled for a reasonable fee.

While your solar energy system will produce the most energy when receiving sunlight, it doesn't have to be completely sunny for your system to produce energy.

UV rays also produce electricity. Even in fog or on a cloudy day, your system will produce 25 to 30 percent of what it would on a sunny day. That being said, shade will reduce the efficiency of your panels and it is best not to shade your array.

You also don't need to worry about your system being unproductive in the winter. Although solar panels won't produce power when covered with snow, the snow on the panels should melt quickly because they are installed where your house receives the most sun allowing them to produce electricity again.

Solar panels are also designed to withstand lightning and hail up to .75 inches traveling at 120 miles per hour. And remember, should any damage occur, all maintenance and repairs will be taken care of through your Vivint Solar insurance. In the event of a black out your system is designed to turn off automatically as a safety precaution so utility company technicians can repair electrical lines.

As you stay connected to the grid you will use energy from your utility company when your solar energy system isn't producing power.

This means that you'll use solar energy during the day when electricity is typically more expensive from your utility, and use electricity from your utility at night when rates are usually cheaper. Not only will your two bills (your Vivint Solar power bill and normal utility bill) be less expensive because of this combination, but it also protects you from unpredictable rate hikes from your utility. Additional savings depend on how much electricity you use and the efficiency of your appliances. Many homes generate excess electricity in the summer which offsets energy use in the winter.