Expert Solar Installation
Expert Solar Installation | Solar Installation | Electrical | Soddy-Daisy
At HEP, our NABCEP-certified electricians turn Soddy-Daisy’s abundant sunshine into dependable energy for your home or business. From the first roof inspection and energy audit to permitting and the final energizing of your system, we manage every facet of solar installation with precision, transparency, and a neighborly touch that’s made us a trusted name across Hamilton County.
We engineer custom arrays that maximize roof space, tailor inverters to your usage patterns, and integrate advanced monitoring so you can watch your savings climb in real time. Every conduit, breaker, and panel is installed by licensed, insured professionals who back their work with robust warranties and 24/7 support—because going solar should feel as bright and worry-free as the power it provides.
FAQs
Does Soddy-Daisy get enough sunshine for solar panels to be effective on my home?
Absolutely. The Chattanooga Valley averages about 4.5–5.0 peak sun-hours per day, which is more than sufficient for residential solar. During our free site inspection we measure roof orientation, pitch, and shading with a digital irradiance meter; if your roof faces south, southeast, or southwest and has minimal shade between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., it is almost always a viable candidate. Even east- and west-facing roofs can achieve 80–90 % of optimal output with modern high-efficiency modules.
What local permits and approvals are required before you can install my solar electric system?
In Soddy-Daisy you will need (1) a Hamilton County building permit, (2) an electrical permit issued through the TN Department of Commerce & Insurance, and (3) an interconnection agreement with your utility—usually EPB, Volunteer Electric Cooperative, or Sequachee Valley EC. We prepare the engineering drawings, submit the paperwork, schedule the county rough-in and final inspections, and coordinate the utility’s on-site meter swap, so you don’t have to handle any of the red tape.
How does net metering or buy-back work with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)?
TVA operates a Dispersed Power Production (DPP) program rather than traditional retail net metering. Your utility installs a bi-directional meter that measures energy sent to and from the grid; energy you export is purchased by TVA at the seasonal avoided-cost rate, currently about 5–6¢/kWh, and energy you import is billed at the retail rate of roughly 11¢/kWh. To maximize savings we design systems to offset on-site consumption first, then enroll you in any available TVA incentive (e.g., Green Connect) so you get paid for excess production instead of giving it away.
What size solar array will I need to offset my electric bill, and how much will it cost?
A rule of thumb is 1 kW of solar for every 90–110 kWh of monthly usage. The average Soddy-Daisy home uses 1,200 kWh per month, translating to a 10–12 kW array. Installed cost runs $2.30–$2.70 per watt before incentives, so a turnkey 10 kW system is typically $23,000–$27,000. After the 30 % federal Investment Tax Credit the net cost drops to $16,100–$18,900, and the system will offset 85–100 % of the annual utility bill depending on your consumption pattern.
Should I include battery storage with my solar system, and what backup options do you offer?
If you want protection from grid outages—especially during spring storms or winter ice events—lithium-ion batteries such as Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery are an excellent add-on. A single 13.5 kWh unit can keep critical loads (refrigerator, lights, internet, well pump, and a mini-split) running for 12–18 hours. We also integrate Generac hybrid inverters that allow you to start with solar only and add batteries later without rewiring. For customers who simply want resilience, we design a partial-home backup panel to minimize battery size and overall cost.
What kind of warranties and maintenance should I expect over the life of my solar installation?
Solar panels carry a 25-year power-production warranty (at least 84–90 % of the original output in year 25) and a 12-year product warranty. Microinverters or string inverters include 10–25 year coverage depending on brand, and we provide a 10-year workmanship warranty that covers roof penetrations, wiring, and racking. Maintenance is minimal: rinse the panels with a garden hose once or twice a year if pollen or dust accumulates, and check your monitoring app for alerts. We perform a complimentary system health check at year one and offer low-cost O&M plans if you prefer professional cleaning and inspection.