There are a lot of factors that can affect the performance of your solar panels and the economic benefits they can generate—things such as where you live and how sunny it is, how much you pay for electricity, which way your house faces—even the pitch of your roof. Variety is the spice of life, but the diversity of our architecture can affect the performance of solar panels. It’s important to understand how those differences in production performance related to the angle of your roof will affect the overall financial performance of your solar power system.
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How do SRECs work? State by state solar renewable energy credits explained
Of all the incentives for installing solar panel systems, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are some of the most potent, yet least-understood. You may have heard enigmatic terms like “SREC markets,” “solar renewable portfolio standards,” and “minimum compliance payments” thrown around in discussions about SRECS, but sifting through of all this jargon can be downright mind-numbing. However, SRECs can provide sizable streams of money to owners of solar power systems, so learning about what SRECs are, where they are available, and how they can make solar more financially-rewarding can, quite literally, pay off in a big way. In this article, we aim to answer the simple question: “how do SRECs work?”
Solar system design: how solar installers map out your PV system
The process of how solar installers design a solar energy system is often a mystery for most consumers. Because of this, we would like to give you some insight into how solar installers design a solar power system for your home or business. Solar system design takes into account two important factors – the amount of space that you have available for installing solar panels and the amount of electricity you consume annually. Other factors, like shading analysis and the efficiency of solar panels and inverters, also come into play depending on your property
Continue readingIs my roof suitable for solar panels? Is my home a good candidate?
As people begin the process of researching a potential solar PV system, one of the first questions they ask is “Is my roof even suitable for solar panels?” Solar panels are compatible with most roofing materials, but some are better for solar than others. Read on for EnergySage’s complete guide to determining whether your roof is good for solar.
Continue readingWhy consumers should get multiple quotes for solar panel systems
When shopping for airline tickets or other big-ticket items, people generally shop around. For airline tickets you might compare: How much will it cost? When are the flights? What are the baggage charges? What’s the airline’s safety record? What’s their “on-time” percentage? How much leg-room will there be? Etc. People use a comparison shopping approach because it gives them all the information needed to make the right choice. The same is true when shopping for solar power systems for your home or business. If you take the first offer that comes your way, how will you ever know if you got the right system or the best price or terms for your property?
Continue readingKey metrics for comparing solar panels: PTC solar, STC rating and temperature coefficient
So you’ve made the decision to go solar. Well done! If designed right, a solar power system is a great, long-term investment with both financial and environmental benefits.
Choosing the right solar panels is one of the most important steps in designing your solar power system. There are hundreds of options, and while all panels are designed for one purpose – to convert sunlight directly into electricity, not all panels are created equal. Different solar cell technologies and the quality of manufacturing can impact the performance of your panels. For these reasons, comparing solar panels and finding the right one to meet your specific system needs can sometimes be a complicated task; but, it doesn’t need to be.
In this article we’ll explain important metrics like PTC power rating, STC, degradation rate, efficiency and temperature coefficient.
Does my solar roof have to face south?
You don’t need optimal conditions for your solar power system to be a great investment. One of the biggest myths about the financial viability of solar is that it requires a really sunny location and a south-facing roof. While these may be ideal conditions, folks outside of Southern California with roofs that face other points on the compass, such as east to west-facing roofs, can still satisfy most of their electricity needs and reap significant financial returns when they adopt solar power systems.
Continue readingShould You Cut Down Trees to Improve Solar Panel Performance?
The environmental benefits of solar power are often quantified in terms of an equivalent number of trees planted. Ironically, maximizing those benefits may involve cutting down trees. Does it ever make sense to sacrifice a tree for the greater good? Sometimes, the answer is “yes.” It’s not always an easy decision, so here’s some information that may help you decide if that’s the right way to go.
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