Where do I start?

Q: How long will it take for my solar system to pay for itself?

Most homeowners see a full return on investment in 4–7 years , depending on local utility rates, available incentives, and their energy‑use profile. We’ll model your exact payback period during our free system‑planning session.

Q: What is the difference between an off-grid, hybrid, and grid-tie solar system?

Grid‑Tie Solar Systems: Panels feed power straight to the utility grid through a grid‑tied inverter. You use the grid as your “battery,” earning credits for surplus and drawing power when solar can’t meet demand. If the grid goes down, the system shuts off for safety—no backup power. Off‑Grid Solar Systems: Panels charge a battery bank that runs everything. You’re completely independent of the utility, so you size panels and storage to meet 100 % of your needs plus a safety margin. Reliable in remote areas but costlier because you must over‑build for bad‑weather days. Hybrid Solar Systems (grid‑interactive with batteries): Combines both worlds. Panels power loads and charge batteries first; excess can go to the grid, and you can draw grid power when needed. Batteries keep critical circuits alive during outages and let you time‑shift energy to avoid high utility rates.

Welcome to Portable Sun—your one‑stop shop for solar equipment, free system planning, and free lifetime Michigan‑based support.

If you’re ready to own your power, lock in reliable savings, and earn a compelling return on investment, this guide walks you through every step—from clarifying your goals to powering up your new system.

1. Clarify Your Solar Goals

Lower electric bills and hedge against rising utility rates
Keep the lights on during outages with battery backup
Go fully off‑grid where grid power is costly or unavailable
Shrink your carbon footprint and live more sustainably

Knowing your why helps us recommend the perfect solution—whether that’s a turnkey backup kit or a full rooftop array.

2. Understand Your Energy Use

Grab a recent utility bill or list your key appliances.
Note your average daily kWh usage.
Come up with an idea of how long you want your battery to last and what you want to back up. (If applicable)

Accurate numbers ensure we size panels, inverters, and batteries correctly the first time.

3. Evaluate Your Site (We can do this for you with our free sun exposure and LIDAR roof measurement technology!)

Roof or ground space: Measure usable square footage and roof pitch. (We can do this for you too with our free LIDAR measurement technology!)
Sun exposure: Check for shade from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings.
Local requirements: Some HOAs and municipalities have rules on panel placement—we’ll help you navigate them.

4. Choose Your System Architecture

Grid‑Tied Solar System – Maximize savings by offsetting your bill and exporting excess power.
Hybrid Solar System– Enjoy bill savings and solar battery backup during outages.
Off‑Grid Solar System – Achieve total independence where utility power is impractical.

Explore our Solar Kits to compare options side‑by‑side.

5. Check Incentives & Financing

30 % Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)—available through the end of 2025.
State and utility rebates—search by ZIP to see what’s available locally.

6. Design Your System

Our Michigan‑based team will:

Model production using industry‑leading software.
Match panels, inverters, batteries, and balance‑of‑system hardware.
Provide a detailed bill of materials that includes permit-ready schematics.

7. Place Your Order

Complete Solar Kits—pre‑bundled and ready to ship.
À‑la‑carte Components—build your own with panels, inverters, batteries, racking, and more.
Price‑Match Guarantee on identical equipment.

8. Install with Confidence

DIY Friendly: Follow our schematics provided by Greenlancer and phone 9 - 8 EST phone support.
Prefer a Pro? We’ll connect you with vetted installers in your area.
Every product carries a manufacturer warranty plus lifetime Portable Sun tech support.

9. Flip the Switch & Monitor

Download the companion app to track production, savings, and battery status in real time—anywhere, anytime.

Ready to Begin?

Start with our system planning form or call (616)‑202‑1812 to speak with a solar expert today. Let’s power your future—together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my solar system to pay for itself?

Most homeowners see a full return on investment in 4–7 years, depending on local utility rates, available incentives, and their energy‑use profile. We’ll model your exact payback period during our free system‑planning session.

What is the difference between an off-grid, hybrid, and grid-tie solar system?

Grid‑Tie Solar Systems: Panels feed power straight to the utility grid through a grid‑tied inverter. You use the grid as your “battery,” earning credits for surplus and drawing power when solar can’t meet demand. If the grid goes down, the system shuts off for safety—no backup power.

Off‑Grid Solar Systems: Panels charge a battery bank that runs everything. You’re completely independent of the utility, so you size panels and storage to meet 100 % of your needs plus a safety margin. Reliable in remote areas but costlier because you must over‑build for bad‑weather days.

Hybrid Solar Systems (grid‑interactive with batteries): Combines both worlds. Panels power loads and charge batteries first; excess can go to the grid, and you can draw grid power when needed. Batteries keep critical circuits alive during outages and let you time‑shift energy to avoid high utility rates.

Can I install the system myself?

DIY installation is possible with basic electrical and construction skills. We supply clear manuals, wiring diagrams, and lifetime technical support. If you prefer professional installation, we can recommend trusted local installers.

Do you offer financing options?

Absolutely. Through our lending partners like Affirm or PayPal Pay Later you can turn your solar investment into an immediate monthly savings rather than an upfront cost.

Will solar still work during my states cloudy winters?

Yes. Modern high‑efficiency panels produce power even on overcast days, and net‑metering (or battery storage) lets you bank summer overproduction to offset winter usage. Even cloudy states average 4+ peak sun hours per day—plenty for a well‑designed system.

What kind of permits and inspections are required?

You’ll typically need an electrical permit and utility interconnection approval. Our planning service provides all necessary documents and guidance to streamline the process.

Can I start small and expand later?

Of course. Many customers begin with a core system sized to their budget and add panels or batteries over time. We’ll design with expansion in mind so scaling up is easy.

What maintenance is required?

Solar systems are largely maintenance‑free—just keep panels relatively clean and ensure inverters have proper airflow. We’ll walk you through simple best practices.

What warranties are included?

Panels typically carry 25-30 year power‑output warranties, inverters 10–12 years , and our batteries 10-15 years or 6,000 - 8,000 cycles. We only source Tier‑1 manufacturers with proven track records.

How do the 30% federal tax credit and other incentives work?

The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets you deduct 30% of qualified system costs from your federal taxes. State or utility rebates can further reduce net cost—we’ll detail every incentive you’re eligible for.

Do I need batteries?

Batteries provide backup during outages and increase energy independence but aren’t required for grid‑tied savings. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons based on your goals.

How long does the process take?

Most homeowners go from quote to energized system in 4–8 weeks.