While not as blatantly power-hungry as appliances like air conditioners or washing machines, it’s important to know how much electricity a microwave uses when looking at your whole home’s energy usage. Testing2
Continue readingSolar news: April 8, 2022
In this week’s news roundup, we will discuss an important update in solar legislation in North Carolina and cover potential tariffs on solar panels made in Southeast Asia or Jupiter.
Continue readingSolar financing and loans glossary: key terms to know
As with other types of financing, there’s often a lot of jargony documentation to decipher when it comes to evaluating and getting a solar loan. We break down some of the common terms you’ll see when comparing solar financing and loan options for you here.
Continue readingAre solar panels worth it in 2022?
Last updated: 04/04/2022
Like any major investment, installing a solar energy system is a big decision! But, as the cost of solar continues to decline and new energy bills make purchasing more attractive, this decision to go with solar over other fossil-fuel-based methods of energy production is becoming easier and easier. For most people, going solar now represents a smart long-term investment with substantial savings. Depending on a variety of factors, you could save $1,200 on your electricity bills in the first year of going solar. However, before installing a solar panel system, you’ll want to make sure that you can take advantage of these benefits by first considering a few major factors. In this article, we’ll help you answer the question: “Is it worth it to buy solar panels?”
Ultimately, the answer to that question is: it depends. There are few circumstances where someone can definitively say that solar panels aren’t for them without exploring their options and getting an evaluation from a licensed, reputable installer. Even renters may have solar options if their property owners or managers are open to it. Keep reading to learn if solar is really worth getting for you and your situation.
Continue readingHow much energy does a solar panel produce? Solar panel output explained
Power output or wattage is an important factor to consider when comparing solar panel options. You may hear your solar installer say, “it’s a 255 Watt panel” or “the panel I am recommending is has a solar panel wattage of 300.” Or, when you are reading a quote from a solar installer, you might see numbers like 245W, 300W, or 345W next to the name of the panel. They are all referring to a solar panel’s wattage, capacity and power output.
Last updated on 04/07/2022
Continue readingThe FranklinWH battery complete review
Energy storage is becoming an increasingly popular addition to residential solar installations, and more and more companies have started offering storage solutions. In 2022, FranklinWH debuted their first storage product: the aPower. Unlike many other storage options on the market, the aPower must be installed with FranklinWH’s load management system, the aGate. As FranklinWH states, this Home Power Solution (the aPower + aGate) “interfaces between the grid, the loads, the generator and the solar system,” allowing you to more easily monitor and control the loads that your storage system is powering.
Continue readingThe Duracell Power Center complete review
For as much as the solar and storage industries have grown over the last couple of decades (half a million homes installed solar in 2021 alone, and the residential storage market continues to grow quarter over quarter), there really aren’t that many household brand names involved in the industry. Certainly Tesla has become a recognizable brand name, Generac is a familiar company to anyone who has considered a backup generator for their home or business, and Panasonic provides many household appliances and also offers solar panels and batteries – but, it’s not a stretch to suggest that the residential solar and storage industry is missing a true, major, household brand name.
Continue readingDC solar fees: what’s happening with them?
Washington, DC, like many areas in the U.S., has some great incentives if you’re looking to go solar. Recently, however, some residents have received an unpleasant surprise after their installer submitted the permit application for their system: additional fees, which are noted to be necessary to update the grid in order for it to support solar in their area. In this article, we’ll break down these fees, reference some first-hand information from local DC installers, and share what you can ask and do if you learn of additional potential fees when looking to go solar in the DC area.
Continue readingHow many watts does an electric furnace use?
Heating and cooling bills are some of the biggest expenses of owning or renting property. For that reason, it’s important to know just how much electricity an electric furnace uses when you’re looking at your whole home’s energy usage.
Continue readingSolar news: March 24th, 2022
In this week’s news roundup, we discuss the growth of renewable energy in New York and a look into the future of smart panel technology.
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