Solar panels or modules are designed to absorb sunlight. They are made of a very hard, transparent glass, and have a blue or dark cast to them. These solar panels contain photovoltaic or PV cells. These cells absorb the light “photons” from the sun and turn them into volts of electricity. That is why they are called photovoltaic cells.

The electricity the cells are producing is direct current, or DC. However, you need AC or alternating current to run the electric energy needs of your home, as alternating current is what we use in the United States.  On each solar panel, there is an inverter that “inverts” or turns the DC current into AC, so you can access it for your home use.  This electricity is now run through your net meter, and you are powered up. Solar is truly energy powered by the sun.  

Yes, solar works in winter. Although northern climates receive fewer hours of sun in the winter, all you need is sun. The sun’s effect is in fact amplified on sunny days because the reflection of the snow generates even more light.

Modern solar arrays do not require batteries to operate. The majority of systems operating today are considered “Grid-interactive”.  This means as the solar array generates power it provides that power to the electrical needs in your home or facility.  In the event that excess power is being generated by the solar array, it is sold back to the utility company.  The utility company keeps a record of this power sales via net-metering.

The solar electric system size you need depends on how much electricity you use, the amount of energy you are looking to offset and the size and suitability of locations where the solar electric system will be installed. Contact Cedar Creek Energy today at (763) 432-5261 and find out how solar might be the right choice for you.

The electricity produced by your solar system is monitored by a dedicated (separate) solar meter. That meter is connected to the “grid” – which is monitored by the utility company’s electric meter (also on your home). When you’re producing more electricity than you are using, the utility’s electric meter spins “backward” because your feeding your excess energy back into the grid.

The utility credits you for every kilowatt hour you produce more power than you use. Conversely, when you need more power than your solar system is producing, such as at night or on cloudy days, you can cash in your energy credits and avoid purchasing that needed power directly.

Thanks to net metering, at the end of each month, you are credited or charged for the difference between what you produce and what you use.  At the end of each year – depending on your utility company – you may receive either a check or a credit for any extra credits still remaining on your account.

Different utilities have different net metering policies, fiscal periods and payback plans. Our solar engineers are fully versed on the varying plans and can easily explain the net metering program in your area.

Solar systems depend on sunshine. You will not have a consistent source of sun, if only because night comes every night. The net meter offers a way to automatically receive energy from the utility when you need it and to send extra energy to the grid when you have it, and you get credits for that energy.

For many reasons, some people don’t want to depend entirely on their utility company to provide them with power. If there is a power outage or blackout, your system will go down, too, because it is grid-dependent or grid-tied. However, if you purchase an energy storage system with your solar array, your system will not go down even if the grid is down. This type of system is referred to as a solar-plus-storage system. There really is no downside to it.

Even utility companies are looking at battery storage solutions because they need to be able to provide consistent power at all times to all their customers. Overall, batteries are simply another step toward sustainable, clean energy that is good for the planet.

And added bonus with solar batteries is that they back up but they do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries allow you to take another step toward sustainability and saving the planet for the future generations.

Your solar or PV modules or panels are typically warrantied for 25 years. They actually are anticipated to last at least twice as many years. The warranty that you will receive guarantees a certain output, and you will receive an estimate from us that is approximately 90 percent accurate over 25 years. Your estimate takes into account that by year 20, the solar panels will be producing sunlight energy up 80 percent or more of their initial installation quality.

After 25 years your panels are still warrantied, at 80 percent performance of initial power output.

We will come to your home or space and do a site survey. We offer a free energy audit and can provide a proposal that will take into account factors such as: how much you want to save, what your financial needs are with regard to financing, how much sunlight you have, what sort of aesthetics are possible when placing the panels, how important is it for you to have a zero-carbon footprint?  

We will evaluate your current energy system, review your utility costs, identify all the energy saving opportunities. We will then calculate the approximate energy savings projected at approximately 90 percent accurate and submit a proposal.

We will identify all of the opportunities available to you and submit a proposal.

Cedar Creek Energy offers a variety of different financing programs for residential, commercial, municipal customers and schools. We have many programs that offer zero down and create positive cash flow immediately. 

Cedar Creek Energy is a full service turn-key Minnesota residential solar installer.  We are licensed general and electrical contractors who handle every aspect of the solar installation process. We deal with permitting, utility interconnection, installation, and system commissioning.