Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on system size, inverter tier, battery count, and roof complexity. Most residential systems fall between $20,000–$50,000 before incentives. The 30% federal tax credit brings the net cost down significantly. We provide exact, transparent pricing after a site assessment — never a vague range designed to get you in the door.

We model when the system has paid for itself based on your energy usage, system size, and available incentives. The timeline depends on your specific configuration and utility costs. After the investment period, the system continues producing electricity for another 15–20+ years. We provide specific numbers for your property.

Yes. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently covers 30% of system costs — including solar panels, batteries, inverters, and installation labor. Indiana and local incentives may also apply. We factor all available incentives into your proposal so you see the real, net cost.

We can connect you with financing options for both residential and commercial installations. We'll walk you through the implications of financed vs. cash purchases on your investment timeline and overall economics — because financing changes the math, and you should understand how.

We'll tell you. Not every property is a good solar candidate, and we'd rather give you an honest assessment than sell you a system that underperforms expectations. If the financial return doesn't justify the investment for your specific situation, you'll hear that from us directly.

The inspection fee — $50 for homeowners, $200 per property for landlords — ensures we send a real engineer to your property, not a salesperson. It covers the cost of a professional site assessment and demonstrates mutual seriousness about the project. The fee is credited toward your installation if you proceed.

After inspection, every quote includes three options: Standard (8 kW continuous power, suited for 100A service homes with moderate loads), Enhanced (16 kW continuous, the recommended tier for typical American households), and Premium (32 kW continuous, for large homes with multiple high-draw loads). All tiers include solar panels with Enphase IQ8+ microinverters, Victron Quattro inverter/chargers, and EG4 LifePower4 battery storage. Your inspector will mark one as recommended based on your property and goals.

Otto installs zero-export solar + battery systems. This means your solar panels generate power, your batteries store it, and your home uses it — but nothing is sent back to the utility grid. You own what you produce, you're protected from rate increases, and your batteries provide backup power during outages. There's no net metering, no selling power back, and no utility interconnection paperwork required.

Every system includes Enphase IQ8+ microinverters (one per panel), Victron Quattro inverter/chargers (the core of the battery-backed system), and EG4 LifePower4 V2 lithium batteries. The Victron inverters manage the relationship between solar production, battery storage, and household loads — seamlessly switching to battery backup when the grid goes down.

The zero-export design eliminates the complexity and uncertainty of net metering programs, utility interconnection applications, and export rate negotiations. Instead, the value of your system comes from what it does for you directly: backup power, rate protection, and ownership of your production. You're not dependent on utility policy decisions.

When the grid goes down, your Victron Quattros automatically switch to battery power — your home keeps running without interruption. During daylight hours, solar continues charging the batteries. Since the system doesn't export to the grid, there's no safety conflict with utility workers. How long backup lasts depends on your battery count and usage, but even the smallest configuration provides several hours of backup.

Most residential installations are completed in 2–4 days of on-site work, depending on system size and tier. The full timeline from signed contract to operational system — including permits, procurement, and electrical work — is typically 6–10 weeks. Otto's zero-export systems do not require utility interconnection applications, which simplifies the process. We provide a specific timeline upfront and keep you informed throughout.

Not when done properly. All roof penetrations are sealed and flashed to manufacturer specifications. A properly installed system actually protects the covered portion of your roof from direct weather exposure. We assess roof condition before installation and will not install on a roof that needs replacement first.

We recommend being available at the start and completion of installation, but you don't need to be present the entire time. We'll coordinate access to electrical panels and any other areas needed beforehand.

We handle everything: building permits, electrical permits, and final inspections. Otto's zero-export systems do not require utility interconnection applications or NIPSCO paperwork. This is part of the service — you don't need to navigate municipal bureaucracy on your own.

The Victron inverter/charger rack and battery bank are typically installed in a garage, basement, or utility room. The equipment requires a clean, temperature-controlled indoor space. We assess the best location during the site inspection and plan the layout with you before installation.

Very little. Solar panels have no moving parts, require no fuel, and no regular servicing. Rain handles most surface cleaning. We recommend an annual visual inspection — which we can walk you through — and that's essentially it.

Yes. Modern panels are engineered for snow load, hail, wind, and extreme temperature swings. They're tested to withstand conditions well beyond what Northern Indiana typically experiences. Panels actually produce more efficiently in cold temperatures. We design every system for local conditions, not best-case scenarios.

Panels carry 25-year manufacturer warranties covering both product defects and power output degradation. Enphase microinverters carry a 25-year warranty. Victron inverter/chargers and EG4 batteries have their own manufacturer warranties. We also stand behind our installation workmanship. All warranty details are documented clearly in your proposal.

Component failures are rare but not impossible. Warranty-covered issues are handled through the manufacturer at no cost to you. We assist with the warranty process and coordinate any necessary repairs. The Victron system includes monitoring that makes it easy to detect performance issues early.

If you own the system outright (no lease), it transfers with the property and adds to your home's value. Homes with solar + battery systems consistently sell at a premium. It's a selling point for buyers who value backup power, rate protection, and long-term financial benefit.

Yes. Multiple studies — including research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — show that solar homes sell for more than comparable non-solar homes. The addition of battery storage adds further value as backup power capability. The premium varies by market, but the data is consistent.

Not if they're designed thoughtfully. We plan panel placement with roof lines and visual symmetry in mind, not just maximum wattage. Modern all-black panels sit low-profile and integrate cleanly with most rooflines. We show you the proposed layout before anything is installed.

After your online ballpark quote, the next step is scheduling a site inspection ($50 for homeowners, $200 per property for landlords). An engineer visits your property and generates a precise quote with three system tiers. You review the tiers, select the one that fits, and choose your payment path — all at your own pace. There's no pressure and no expiration on the quote for 30 days.

Three paths: Cash (80% at contract signing, 20% at installation completion — no interest), Financing (monthly payments through our lending partner), or Mortgage Refinance (roll the installation cost into your mortgage through our banking partner). If one path doesn't work, we'll help you explore the others. We'll walk you through how each option affects your investment timeline and overall economics.

When your quote is delivered, a time-limited discount is available for 3 days. This isn't a pressure tactic — it reflects the reality that we can hold material pricing and crew scheduling for a limited window. After 3 days, standard pricing applies. After 30 days, the quote expires and a new inspection would be needed. The discount percentage varies by project.

If financing through our lending partner isn't approved, you still have options. We'll present the mortgage refinance path, which works differently and may be available even when traditional solar financing isn't. Cash purchase is always available as well. We'll walk you through the alternatives — the goal is to find a path that works for your financial situation, not to force a single option.

We install complete solar + battery storage systems — not just panels on a roof. We're a local company with a named owner, serving a community we live in. We don't use high-pressure sales tactics, we don't inflate production estimates, and we don't disappear after installation. Our business model is built on reputation and referrals.

We serve Northern Indiana. Our local focus means we understand the regional utility landscape, permitting requirements, weather conditions, and building practices — all of which affect system design and long-term performance.

None. A quote request starts a conversation. We'll assess your property, model the financials, and present a proposal. If it doesn't make sense for you — or if we determine solar isn't a good fit for your property — there's no pressure, no follow-up calls, no obligation whatsoever.