Trusted Solar Adviser - Robert Wittstock

05/08/2026

Should I wait until I have a full year of electric bills before getting solar? ☀️

Short answer: Usually… no.

A lot of homeowners think they need 12 full months of electric usage before they can even look at solar.

In reality, we can often build a very accurate system using:

• Current usage
• Home size
• Family size
• Pool/EV usage
• Future plans
• Seasonal trends
• Software Tools

In fact, waiting can sometimes cost MORE money because utility rates continue to rise while you keep paying full retail pricing to the power company.

This comes up a lot with:

🏡 New homeowners
🚗 Families planning to buy an EV
👶 Growing families
🏊 Homes adding pools or hot tubs
❄️ People cranking the A/C during Arizona summers

A good solar design should be based on where your energy needs are GOING… not just where they’ve been.

And if your usage changes later? There are often ways to plan ahead intelligently from the beginning.

Every home is different, which is why I like running custom numbers instead of giving generic answers online.

If you want to see what solar could look like for your home — even if you don’t have a full year of bills yet — send me a message and I’ll point you in the right direction. ☀️

Trust-building educational website for Arizona homeowners considering solar with APS, featuring transparent information about costs, accountability structure, and realistic expectations

05/07/2026

What exactly is a NO-UPFRONT solar lease? ☀️🏡

I get this question almost every day from families who are tired of watching electric bills climb every summer.

Here’s the simple version:

You can get a brand-new solar system installed on your home with $0 down and lock in a fixed monthly payment for up to 25 years.

That means:
✅ No huge upfront investment
✅ No surprise rate increases
✅ Predictable monthly energy costs
✅ Option to add battery backup for outages and peak pricing
✅ Transferable if you sell your home

For growing families especially, stability matters. Kids, groceries, sports, vacations… everything seems to cost more every year. A fixed solar payment can help bring some consistency back into the monthly budget while upgrading your home at the same time.

The newer lease programs are also much more flexible than people realize:
• Buyout options available
• Premium equipment like Tesla Powerwall, Panasonic & Hyundai panels
• Performance guarantees
• Fast installation process

And yes… many homeowners qualify without putting a single dollar down.

If you’ve been curious about solar but assumed it was too expensive or complicated, send me a message. I’m happy to run numbers for your home and show you what your options look like with ZERO pressure. ☀️

Trust-building educational website for Arizona homeowners considering solar with APS, featuring transparent information about costs, accountability structure, and realistic expectations

04/09/2026

Backup heaven in Buckeye

03/24/2026

Will my solar battery run my air conditioner? ❄️🔋

That question keeps coming back, doesn't it. Not the cost. Not the panels. The AC.

Because if the grid goes down in July and your battery cannot handle the air conditioner, what is the point?

Here is your straight answer:
Yes. A Tesla Powerwall 3 will start and run your AC for a limited time. No drama. No shutdown. Just cool air.

Here is what it can do for your home:

One Powerwall 3 will run your AC unit for about 3 hours through the night.

Two Powerwall 3s will keep it running for about 6 to 8 hours while you sleep.

And if the power is out during the day, your solar panels will recharge the battery automatically — so your AC can keep running without missing a beat.

One more thing worth considering — ask your electrician about adding a soft starter to your AC unit. It helps the AC start up more gently, saves energy, and extends the life of your equipment. Small device, big difference.

You do not have to wonder if your home will stay cool when the grid goes down.

You just need the right setup for your house.

What is your specific question about running your AC on battery power?
Drop it in the comments and I will answer it directly. ⬇️

03/16/2026

Are All Solar Panels the Same?

Definitely not. Two solar systems can look identical on the roof but perform very differently over time. The key differences usually come down to degradation rate, warranty coverage, heat coefficient, and failure rates.

Understanding these factors can save homeowners thousands of dollars over the life of a system.

Degradation: How Fast Panels Lose Power

All solar panels slowly lose efficiency over time. This is called degradation.
Typical annual degradation rates:
- Premium panels: ~0.25% – 0.40%
- Mid-tier panels: ~0.50%
- Lower quality panels: ~0.70% – 1%

Example for a 10 kW system after 25 years:
- Premium (~0.25%): ~94% of original output
- Average (~0.50%): ~88%
- Lower quality (~1%): ~78%

A small difference compounds over time, meaning two systems that look the same today can produce 10–20% different lifetime energy.

Warranty: Not All 25-Year Warranties Are Equal
Most panels advertise 25-year warranties, but there are actually two different warranties.

Product Warranty: Covers manufacturing defects or panel failure.
- Premium panels: ~25 years
- Mid-tier panels: 15–25 years
- Budget panels: 10–12 years

Performance Warranty: Guarantees the panel still produces a certain percentage of power.
Typical structure:
- Year 1: ~98% output
- Year 25: ~84–92% depending on the manufacturer.

Heat Coefficient:
Solar panels are tested at 77°F in a lab.
On a Phoenix rooftop in July, they can hit 150°F or more.
This is why panel temperature coefficient and system design matter much more in hot climates like Arizona.
Panels mounted a few inches off the roof with good airflow can run noticeably cooler than flush-mounted systems, improving production.

Failure Rates: The Hidden Metric
Panels rarely fail, but when they do the replacement may involve roof access, labor, and electrical work. High-quality manufacturers often publish failure rates below 0.1%, while lower-tier panels can see significantly higher failure rates.

Even a 1–2% failure rate across a large installation can mean multiple panel replacements over time.

What This Means When Comparing Quotes

When homeowners compare solar proposals, they often only look at system size (kW) and total price. But panel quality changes the long-term economics.

For example, two 10 kW systems could produce very different lifetime energy:

- Premium panels: ~370,000 kWh over 25 years
- Lower-tier panels: ~320,000 kWh
At $0.21 per kWh, that difference can represent more than $10,000 in electricity value.

Smart Questions to ask before signing a solar contract:

1. What is the panel degradation rate?
2. What is the product warranty length?
3. What manufacturer makes the panels?
4. What is the expected output in year 25?
5. What happens if a panel fails and who pays the labor?

Bottom Line
All solar panels may look similar on the roof, but the real differences show up in how fast they degrade, how long they are protected by warranty, and how often they fail. Those details determine whether your system delivers strong performance for 25 years or slowly underperforms.

Trust-building educational website for Arizona homeowners considering solar with APS, featuring transparent information about costs, accountability structure, and realistic expectations

03/13/2026

Yes, this is my real power bill. No, it's not a mistake.

Most people pay $150 or more each month. I just paid less than a cup of coffee.

My solar panels make power during the day. Any extra power goes back to APS. They give me credit for it, which pays my bill.

A low bill means less stress. You keep your money for fun things instead of giving it to the power company.

Interested to know the numbers for your home? DM me and we can talk.

03/09/2026

Two Phoenix Homeowners Got Identical Solar Systems — One Paid $37,586, the Other Paid $52,409.

The Difference Is Simpler Than You Think.

With the federal tax credit now a thing of the past, finding the smartest way to go solar is more important than ever. The good news? You can still get the exact same top-tier system — 29 panels and 2 Tesla Powerwalls — for nearly 30% less than a straight cash purchase.

In a typical scenario, purchasing this system with cash might cost around $53,409. Even after applying a $1,000 Arizona state tax credit, you are looking at a net price of $52,409.

Now, let's look at an option that smart homeowners are using. By paying cash up front for a lease, your initial cost drops significantly to $37,386. Fast forward five years, and you can pay off the lease for just $200. Your total net price? A much more manageable $37,586.

That is a staggering 28% discount for the exact same equipment. You still get clean energy, backup power, a robust warranty, and peace of mind — but without breaking the bank. Even without the federal tax credit, a pre-paid lease makes going solar incredibly affordable and smart.

Interesred, let's chat about your solar options today! ☀️

P.S. — No monthly lease payments. Ever. You pay once, you own the savings.

03/02/2026

APS Buyback Rate — What It Really Means If You Have Solar

If you have solar on your home in APS territory, you’ve probably heard about the buyback rate.

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of solar.
Let’s keep it simple.
________________________________________
What Is the Buyback Rate?

When your solar panels make more power than your house is using, the extra power goes back to the grid.

APS gives you a credit for that extra power.

That credit amount is called the buyback rate.

It is calculated as a credit monthly on your bill and is a line item on page 3 of the bill “Renewable Energy Sold to APS This Month” The image is from my APS bill.

Important:
APS does not pay you the same price they charge you. Right now the current buyback rate is 6.1 cents/kWh
________________________________________
Simple Example

• During the day, your solar makes extra power.
• APS gives you a credit at the buyback rate (around a few cents per kWh).
• At night, you buy power back from APS at the regular rate (which is higher).

So if you sell power at the buyback rate for a lower price and buy it back later at a higher price, you can see why this matters.
________________________________________
What This Means for Homeowners

Solar works best when:

• You use your solar power while the sun is shining
• You don’t oversize your system just to send extra power back
• You understand how the buyback rate works

Solar is not about “selling power” to APS.

It’s about lowering how much power you need to buy at higher prices.
________________________________________
The Bottom Line

The buyback rate is helpful.

But it’s not where most of your savings come from.

Most savings come from using your own solar power during the day and avoiding higher APS rates later.

Once you understand the buyback rate, solar makes a lot more sense.

02/28/2026

Tesla Powerwall Rebate

Hello neighbors,

I keep getting questions about rising energy costs and how to keep the lights on during outages, especially with our intense Arizona summers.

A home battery is often part of that conversation, and if you've been on the fence, I just saw something you need to know about.

Tesla is offering a significant rebate on their new Powerwall 3, but it's a limited-time deal with a strict deadline.

Here’s the quick version:
•What is it? A $500 rebate per Powerwall 3 (up to $1,000 for two).
•The Catch? You have to order it by March 31, 2026.
This isn't a sales gimmick; it's a time-sensitive rebate directly from Tesla. With the conversation shifting from just "savings" to energy independence and security, this could be a great opportunity to add that layer of protection for your family.

If you have questions, just drop me a message — I'm happy to discuss it.

Glad to share what I know!

02/05/2024

First 3 months with solar and this customer is loving it.

They'll have plenty of credits to use during the summer.