Author Archives: kerry

HanTiles: A new solar roof tile from a leading thin-film company

Solar technology continues to advance as time goes on, especially in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Lately, solar shingles and solar tile technologies have become an increasingly popular offering from installers, and many large companies like Tesla are tailoring their offerings to include these specialized installations.

When Tesla first announced its solar roof tiles in 2016, it was seen as a unique and revolutionary offering. But many other companies are coming out with similar products, and Chinese solar manufacturer Hanergy is the latest to take on this trend. Hanergy primarily manufactures thin-film panels, and just announced plans for a new generation of their solar tile technology, dubbed “HanTiles.”

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An overview of power optimizers

To convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) electricity for your appliances, you’ll need an inverter. There are multiple inverter options to consider when selecting solar equipment for your system. In this article, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of power optimizers, a popular module-level power electronic (MLPE) often paired with string inverters.

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BlueWave’s FlexRate loan: the complete review

(Note: As of fall 2019, BlueWave no longer offers residential solar financing.)

Solar loans are an increasingly popular option for people interested in financing their solar panel systems. The trend away from leases and towards an ownership model like solar loans is a result of two key factors: the economic benefits and incentives available to solar customers and the greater accessibility of solar loan options.

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Alternative Energy Certificates (AECs): a Massachusetts thermal energy incentive

Massachusetts homeowners experience some of the highest energy bills throughout the country; cold winters and humid summers lead to expensive heating and air conditioning costs. This has many Bay Staters looking towards clean heating technologies – such as solar hot water systems or air source heat pumps – as a way to curb these costs.

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Wholesale solar panels: can you buy them?

If you’re shopping for something wholesale, you’re probably doing so to save money. And when it comes to purchasing a solar panel system, you want to save as much money as possible.

So, can you buy wholesale solar panels? Yes and no – you won’t be able to purchase actual wholesale solar panels from a manufacturer, but you can purchase discounted panels that were bought at wholesale prices from resellers. Just because these panels will be cheaper doesn’t mean they’re the right solution for you and your home.

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Solar loan re-amortization: an overview

In recent years, solar loans have become a popular way to finance solar panel installations. While there are a number of loan options to consider, each with varying qualities, the majority of solar loan products share the trait of having fixed interest rates, monthly payments, and terms. If you’re looking for a solar loan option that allows you to adjust your monthly payment down the line, keep an eye out for re-amortization options.

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Cancelling a solar lease contract

If you were to ask your neighbor who installed solar five years ago about how they financed the system, it’s likely that they’re leasing their solar panels from a large, national solar provider like Vivint or SunRun. It was only recently that solar ownership options – either buying the system with cash upfront or financing through a loan – became the more popular option for homeowners investing in new solar panel systems.

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