FAQs
Mirasol Solar is here to help! Our team can typically install a Level 2 charger in as little as 2-business days.
Yes, most residential EV chargers are water and dust resistant and designed to be installed and work outdoors.
Level 1 (regular plug) 2-5 MPH and Level 2 approximately 20 – 60 MPH. To learn more visit our How It Works section.
Up to you – hardwiring typically allows for most amperage, therefore fastest charging.
Your team at Mirasol Solar will take care of everything for you. From upgrades to permitting. To get started on your custom charger quote please contact us here.
During the virtual consultation, our engineers will need to see a picture of your main service panel, a picture of where you would like the charger, and what’s between them to get started.
Mirasol Solar handles everything from permitting to installation, so you have nothing to worry about. Our team are experts in all things solar + EV.
There might be a fee for evaluating storm damage. Additional charges may apply for repairs or replacements. Warranty claims might be rejected by the product manufacturer if damage results from an act of God.
Make sure your battery is set to “Back up Mode” instead of “Self Consumption Mode.” This ensures it remains fully charged before a grid outage. If you’re uncertain about this setting, contact our office or consult the manufacturer’s website.
You can safely reactivate the system(s) once storm dangers have subsided and after conducting a visual or physical inspection for potential damage or leaks. If you suspect any damage, have a certified service technician inspect it before resuming operation.
Solar grid-tied PV systems automatically shut off during a grid outage unless paired with a solar battery. If you have a solar grid-tied PV system, it will restart once grid power returns. However, if you’re concerned about strong winds or are evacuating, consider additional precautions. For instance, you can turn off the safety disconnect for your Solar grid-tied PV system before or during a major storm. This ensures no issues arise if windborne debris damages the panels or the roof area where they’re installed. If your Solar PV system includes batteries, it should remain operational during a grid outage, providing limited power. Monitor your battery power levels. If the battery fully discharges during an outage and there’s insufficient Solar Energy for recharging, a certified professional might need to manually recharge it. Conserve energy when battery levels are low and Solar Energy isn’t available for recharging.
Every Solar Water Heating (or Solar DHW) system has isolation valves that prevent water from traveling to and from the water heating tank and the panel on the roof. If you’re unsure about these valves, it’s advisable to turn off the water to your water heating tank. This prevents potential water loss until the storm has passed and a visual inspection can be conducted.
It’s best to ensure your solar system is isolated so no water travels to the Solar Pool Heating panels on your roof. If you’re not 100% certain how to isolate your solar system, turn OFF the circuit breaker controlling your pool pump. This ensures no water movement until it’s safe to turn it back on.
Yes. Mirasol’s professional staff are experts at repairing and fixing solar systems of all types. Go to our repair service page and fill out your details.
Typical, residential systems take from 2 to 5 days to install. Systems mounted on the ground and systems with batteries are more complex, and may take longer. Most of this time is spent outside of your house, so there is little disturbance to you. Commercial systems take several weeks to over a month to install, depending upon size and type of installation.
Energy conservation and renewable generation adds value to your home. Surveys have shown that for every $1,000.00 saved per year, $20,000.00 is added to a home’s value*. Solar energy can be one of the best home improvement investments you make.
* Newscenter resource link & Zillow resource link
There are many incentives for purchasing solar. These vary from state-to-state. Some common incentives include:
- Lower or fixed utility costs
- Better for our environment, less carbon emissions
- Little or no maintenance
- Solar equipment is more durable and last longer than traditional equipment
- Create secure and backup source for electricity supply
- Now is the time to Go Green
- Remote site with no electric service
- Sending electricity back to the grid (net metering) can generate money
- Higher resale value for your property*
- Most individual states and the federal government have incentives** and rebates to decrease the up front cost of solar energy producing systems. Please contact us for more details.
* Newscenter resource link & Zillow resource link **Please consult your tax adviser regarding your individual tax situation and income tax credit eligibility.
We have installed solar on office buildings, retail buildings, schools, and government facilities. Anywhere electricity is used can use solar electricity.
Most of our customers do not clean their panels. In most areas of the country, there will be sufficient rain to clean the panels. However, if you are in a dusty area (near a busy dirt road, a very urban area, etc…) you may see a performance boost from cleaning the panels monthly. If necessary, a hose stream is usually sufficient for cleaning. Do not walk on or over the panels to clean them. Do not use metal, hard, or abrasive methods for cleaning. Do not spray water on the panels when they are very hot.
PV panels should be installed in areas where they get significant shade-free sun every day. Even small amounts of shade can significantly reduce the output. Our designs and installations also seek to minimize the impact of any shade issues through selection of the proper equipment and good engineering.
Solar panels will last many years, (over 25). Because of this, we want the roof to be in decent condition, as it does not make sense to remove and reinstall the panels after only a few years. However, after the panels are in place, they will greatly reduce the wear on the roof by blocking ultraviolet rays, keeping most snow and ice off the roof, and keeping anything from hitting the roof. Most installations do not require a new roof prior to PV installation.
All of our PV panels are engineered to meet or exceed Florida Building Code Specifications for wind load. In short, the solar panels may help to keep the roof from blowing off during high winds.
In a Clean Power, non-battery system, power is not stored. It is either used immediately in the house, or sent backwards through the meter, creating a credit. If storage is needed, large batteries and other equipment are added to the system.
Net Metering is the regulatory ability to get credit for electricity you generate with solar energy and send backwards through your utility meter. Exact provisions vary with each state, but the effect is to allow you to generate excess power during the day, and use it at night, without needing batteries.
Batteries are only required if you want backup power when the utility is out of service. Without batteries, the system has no way to store power, and for safety reasons cannot produce power without the utility in operation.
Most systems we sell are “clean power” systems, without batteries. These systems do not generate power when the utility is out, even if it is sunny. If backup power is desired, a battery system can be added. This increases the complexity and cost. Most people find that what they want is Clean Power, and find that the very occasional outage does not bother them, so they do not purchase the battery option.
The solar panels have a 25 year power warranty from the manufacturer. This is longer than almost anything else you can buy. The rest of the system has a 5 year warranty in most areas. Inverters can have warranties up to 10 years.
We also offer a maintenance agreement or hurricane prep service to extend life and get the most out of your system.
Systems come in all sizes, and produce as much or as little power as required. Many systems produce a portion of the home’s required power, leaving room for additional conservation or generation in the future.
Each home is different, and the amount of electricity you use is very dependent upon your lifestyle, how your home was built, and your appliances. As part of our services, we work with you to reduce your electrical consumption in easy ways.
No. While the panels are made of tempered glass, they are quite strong. Installed PV panels are designed to withstand hurricane force winds, and pass severe weather tests such as hail. Solar equipment is regularly installed in areas with these types of conditions.
Our Mirasol FAFCO Systems are installed in such a way that we can easily remove them and later reinstall them at a fraction of the original cost of the system. If the roof is repaired within the first year of the system’s installation, we do the work at no cost to you.
South is best, but panels installed facing east or west still can generate a very high percentage of possible power. It is usually more effective (and more attractive) to install the panels in the same plane as the roof direction, rather than build an awkward mount to angle them.
Panels are often mounted on the roof, but can also be mounted on the ground. Ground mounts are great if the house is shaded, or if dormers or other obstructions limit available space on the roof.
A typical system requires about seven to eight square feet for each dollar of your electric bill. This figure varies depending upon your electric rates.
PV stands for Photovoltaic, which in short, is the technical term of converting the sun’s natural energy into electricity using solar panels which are made up of solar or photovoltaic cells. A solar electric system is also called a PV system.
Fill out your information on our contact page and a Mirasol representative will contact you within 24 hours.
Yes. The Mirasol FAFCO Solar professional technicians can repair and fix solar systems of all types. Go to our contact page, fill out the form and one of our representatives will contact you about solar system repair.
Typical residential systems take from one to three days to install. Systems mounted on the ground are more complex, and may take longer. Most of this time is spent outside of your house, so there is very little disturbance to you. Commercial systems take several weeks to over a month to install, depending upon size and type of installation.
There are many incentives for purchasing a solar pool heating system. These benefits vary from state to state, but some common incentives include:
- Lower or fixed utility costs
- Better for our environment, less carbon emissions
- Little or no maintenance
- Solar equipment is more durable and lasts longer than traditional water heating equipment
- Extend your swimming season with enjoyable water temperature year round
- Remote site with no electric service
- An urgency to “go green”
- Higher resale value for your property*
- If I sell my property, will a solar pool heating system increase the sale price?
- Energy conservation and renewable generation adds value to a home. Surveys have shown that for every $1,000.00 saved per year, $20,000.00 is added to a home’s value*. Solar energy can be one of the best home improvement investments you make.
- Most individual states and the federal government have incentives** and rebates to decrease the up front cost of solar energy producing systems. Please contact us for more details.
* Newscenter resource link & Zillow resource link **Please consult your tax adviser regarding your individual tax situation and income tax credit eligibility.
Yes, absolutely. We have installed solar pool heating systems in various retail buildings, hotels, schools, and other community or commercial facilities. Anywhere there is a pool, solar pool heating equipment can be used or installed.
Most of our customers do not clean their pool panels, because in most areas of the country, there is sufficient rain to clean the panels. However, if you are in a dusty area ( near a busy dirt road, in an urban area, etc.) you may see a performance gain from cleaning the panels monthly. If necessary, a hose stream is usually sufficient for cleaning. Do not walk on or over the panels to clean them. Do not use metal, hard, or abrasive methods for cleaning. Do not spray water on the panels when they are very hot.
FAFCO solar pool panels should be installed in areas where they get significant, shade-free sun every day; even small amounts of shade can significantly reduce the output. Our designs and installations also seek to minimize the impact of any shade issues through selection of the proper equipment and good engineering. We can assist you in selecting the appropriate location during our initial consultation visit.
Panels are often mounted on the roof, but can also be mounted on the ground. Ground mounts are great if the house is shaded, or if dormers or other obstructions limit available space on the roof
FAFCO Systems are the highest rated solar pool heating systems on the market. In spite of this, they are priced very competitively with less effective solar systems, and usually less expensive than heat pump installations. Gas heaters cost less to install, but are very expensive to operate.
FAFCO pool heating equipment has a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer. When installed properly, most systems, including all parts, can last up to 20 years. We also offer a maintenance agreement or hurricane prep service to extend life and get the most out of your system.
We can install our systems to operate as the primary heat source, with an existing fossil fuel heater serving as a backup. In this way, you can enjoy a warm pool regardless of the weather, and save about 80% of the cost of heating with the existing heater.
Our installation procedures are designed and engineered to meet or exceed Florida Building Code Specifications for wind load.
Our FAFCO Systems are installed in such a way that we can easily remove them and later reinstall them at a fraction of the original cost of the system. If the roof is repaired within the first year of the system’s installation, we do the work at no cost. Please contact us about our re-roofing service for more information.
In 1992, the Florida State Legislature passed a law expressly forbidding Homeowners Associations and any other organization from prohibiting solar heating systems, in order to promote the benefits of using free, renewable energy. We are almost always able to design systems that are unobtrusive and satisfy the neighborhood organizations.
No. A solar heating system for your pool is a closed system that re-circulates the water in your pool. Solar systems for domestic hot water needs are completely different and sold separately.
Since our FAFCO solar system uses your existing pump to operate, there is no significant incremental operating cost (less than $1 per month). FAFCO’s patented design produces the least amount of head pressure, so your pump will not have to work any harder or longer.
FAFCO solar panels are rated the highest of any in the market by independent testing organizations. A properly designed system will allow Florida Solar to provide a written guarantee, ensuring that your pool water will be over 80°F for 10 months of the year. During the coldest weeks of the year (usually January) the air temperature is too cool for most people to enjoy swimming, so the average customer does not miss using their pool when the sun is too low in the sky to produce a really warm pool. The solar heated pool will typically be at least 12-15 degrees warmer than an unheated pool, even in the worst conditions.
Fill out your information on our contact page and a Mirasol representative will contact you within 24 hours.
Yes. Mirasol’s professional staff can repair and fix solar systems of all types. Go to our repair service page and fill out your details.
Typical residential systems take one day to install. Additional time may be required depending on your current water heating configuration.
There are many incentives for purchasing solar. These vary from state to state. Some common incentives include:
- Lower or fixed utility costs
- Better for our environment, less carbon emissions
- Little or no maintenance
- Solar equipment is more durable and last longer than traditional water heating equipment
- Rarely run out of hot water
- Remote site with no electric service
- An urgency to “go green”
- Higher resale value for your property*
- Energy conservation and renewable generation adds value to a home. Surveys have shown that for every $1,000.00 saved per year, $20,000.00 is added to a home’s value*. Solar energy can be one of the best home improvement investments you make.
- Most individual states and the federal government have incentives** and rebates to decrease the up front cost of solar energy producing systems. Please contact us for more details.
- If I sell my property, what effect will solar water heating have on the sale price?
* Newscenter resource link & Zillow resource link **Please consult your tax adviser regarding your individual tax situation and income tax credit eligibility.
Yes, absolutely. We have installed solar water heating systems in various retail buildings, hotels, schools, and other community or commercial facilities. Anywhere there is a water heater, solar water heating can be used and installed.
Most of our customers do not clean their solar panels because in most areas of the country, there is sufficient rain to clean the panels. However, if you are in a dusty area (near a busy dirt road, in an urban area, etc.) you may see a performance gain from cleaning the panels monthly. If necessary, a hose stream is usually sufficient for cleaning. Do not walk on or over the panels to clean them. Do not use metal, hard, or abrasive methods for cleaning. Do not spray water on the panels when they are very hot.
FAFCO solar water heating panels should be installed in areas where they get significant shade-free sun every day. Even small amounts of shade can very significantly reduce the output. Our designs and installations also seek to minimize the impact of any shade issues through selection of the proper equipment and good engineering. We can assist you in selecting the appropriate location during our initial consultation visit.
Yes. Because of the proximity between the hot water tank and the solar collector, solar panels are mounted on the roof. We can assist you in selecting the appropriate location during our initial consultation visit.
FAFCO Systems are the highest rated solar water heating systems in the market. In spite of this, they are priced very competitively with less effective solar systems. Once installed, FAFCO solar hot water systems can save you over 50 percent on your hot water heating costs.
FAFCO water heating equipment has a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer. When installed properly, most systems, including all parts, can last up to 20 years. We also offer a maintenance agreement or hurricane prep service to extend life and get the most out of your system.
FAFCO water heating system works in conjunction with your existing gas or electric water heater. In some instances an additional storage tank is added but varies based on each individual situation. Since your original water heater will operate far less frequently, solar will extend its life significantly.
Our installation procedures are designed and engineered to meet or exceed Florida Building Code Specifications for wind load. In short, the solar collector panel may help to keep the roof on during high winds.
Our FAFCO Systems are installed in such a way that we can easily remove them and later reinstall them at a fraction of the original cost of the system. If the roof is repaired within the first year of the system’s installation, we do the work at no cost. Please contact us about our re-roofing service for more information.
In 1992, the Florida State Legislature passed a law expressly forbidding Homeowners Associations and any other organization from prohibiting solar heating systems or collectors, in order to promote the benefits of using free, renewable energy. We are almost always able to design systems that are unobtrusive and satisfy the neighborhood organizations.
No. A solar water heating system for your household water is a separate closed system. Water for your pool is also a closed system but is re-circulated.
Sediment or hard water can cause mineral build up on the heat exchanger. Many off-the-shelf descaling products can be used to dissolve this build up if it becomes necessary.
Yes. There are active and passive type solar water heating systems. Active systems have mechanical or moving parts that are used to move the heat where as passive systems do not require electricity to operate.
The drainback feature of FAFCO’s system ensures that water is not in the panels when the pump is not running. As long as the drainback tank is in an area that does not see freezing temperatures, the system should be fine.
Water heated by the sun in a solar water heating system can reach temperatures exceeding 212°F, although the normal temperature for household use is approximately 120 – 130°F.
