Frequently Asked
Questions
Who is Mister Green?
- Mister Green is an installation company founded in Aruba in 2016. With more than 1.500 solar installations installed to date we are the most experienced company in Aruba.
- We offer residential and commercial solar solutions, offering solar systems from 10kWp for homes to 100 kWp for businesses.
- We also install solar battery systems and car chargers.
- We do everything in-house, hire no external parties and we even have 2 certified electricians.
- We have our own testing facility where we test new technologies, before offering it to our customers.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into DC electricity, which is then converted into usable
AC electricity by a solar inverter. Any excess electricity can be fed back to the Elmar grid or stored in
batteries.
What is the difference between a standard inverter and a hybrid inverter?
A solar energy system with a hybrid inverter can be activated immediately, as you don’t have to wait for
Elmar to program the meter (which takes an average of three months after installation, saving you money
immediately, averaging around 1,000 AWG). Batteries can also be added should Elmar change its policy in
the future.
Can I use my solar system during a power outage?
Our standard solar systems are designed to shut down during a power outage to prevent backfeeding into
the grid. However, there are battery backup solutions available that allow you to use your solar system
during an outage.
When there is no sun, can my solar panel generate electricity?
Direct sunlight on the panels is not necessarily required. Solar panels generate electricity based on UV light,
so even on cloudy days, the panels can generate electricity. However, since there is no UV light at night, the
solar panels won’t produce any energy after the sun goes down.
How do solar panels need to be maintained?
The solar panels require little or no maintenance. If you want to clean the panels, it is important
that you do not use chemicals, high pressure washer and hard brushes.
How long will my system last?
Solar panels typically last up to 25 years, but your PV inverter may need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years.
Can a solar panel system withstand the Aruban weather conditions?
Solar panels are specially designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, so no problem.
How to judge whether the system needs to be added or upgraded?
Typically, if you’re consuming most of your solar energy and not enough solar energy for your daytime
needs, you may need a larger system.
Will I still get an Elmar electricity bill?
Currently, our electrical company, Elmar, reimburses the monthly cost of the electricity fed back into the grid via a solar system. They charge an additional fee of approximately 105 AWG for a 10kWp solar system per month. If a building feeds back more electricity than it consumes, these additional costs can be offset, resulting in a zero AWG Elmar bill.
We have no information indicating that Elmar plans to change this policy, but looking at the surrounding islands, we see that their policy has already changed, and the grid operators no longer reimburse the electricity fed back into the grid.
How much money can I save with a home solar system?
The amount of money you can save with a home solar system depends on a number of factors, such as your
energy consumption, the size of the solar system, and the Elmar electricity rates. On average, homeowners
can save 500 AWG per month.
Are there any incentives for installing a solar system?
No, there are no incentives in Aruba.
What size solar system do I need for my home?
The size of the solar system you need depends on your energy consumption, the size of your roof, and the
amount of sunlight your home receives. A Mister Green professional can help you determine the appropriate
size for your needs.
Elmar solar procedure
Before Elmar refunds the electricity send back to the grid, the solar system needs be inspected by Elmar &
DTI (technical department of Aruba). Mister Green will provide the necessary paperwork and handle the
filing.
This process takes on average 8 months and requires the following documents:
- 1. Valid ID copy of passport
- 2. Signed Elmar waiver
- 3. The situation drawing of the property from the “kadaster”
- 4. Notary document copy which proves ownership of property
- 5. House number; request copy from Censo
- 6. Electrical inspection card copy from DTI
- 7. Electrical drawing(s) of fuse box and electrical installation from DTI
I am building a house. What do we need to do during construction to make sure you can install solar panels later?
You don’t need to do anything special – most homes can have solar panels installed.
We just moved into a new home with solar panels, What do I need to know?
You should ensure that the system meets current safety standards and conduct solar repair services or
inspections to ensure the system is operating efficiently.
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- contact@mistergreenaruba.com
- +297 852 2204
- Caya G. F. Betico Croes 196, Oranjestad, Aruba