As you’re evaluating your solar panel options, one of the top metrics to consider is a panel’s power rating, often referred to as its wattage. The number of watts in a solar panel indicates its overall capacity to produce power, and 100-watt solar panels are on the lower end of the spectrum. Higher wattage panels, like those over 300 watts, are capable of producing more electricity.
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AC modules: an overview
When you’re buying a turnkey solar installation, a portion of your total cost is attributed to the labor required to set up your system. Manufacturers are constantly innovating new technology to cut down the time, labor, and costs of installations. As a result, there’s one type of solar panel that’s becoming increasingly popular throughout the solar industry: the alternating current (AC) module, or AC solar panel.
Continue readingQ&A with Sol Systems
If you’re a homeowner in a state with Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), one decision to make as you’re installing a solar panel system is how to sell your SRECs. There are a number of SREC aggregators who will sell your SRECs for you. One of the most popular of those companies that solar panel system owners elect to work with today is Sol Systems. EnergySage conducted a Q&A with Sol Systems to learn more about their company, what customers should consider when choosing an SREC aggregator, and how they differ from other SREC aggregators.
Continue readingSolar for tiny houses: what you need to know
In an effort to minimize energy usage (and possession of material items), homeowners across the country are moving into tiny houses. Even though these houses are much smaller than the average home, they still need energy for lighting, heating, cooling, and other appliances. If you’re living in or planning to build a tiny house, you can cut your energy bills even further by generating your own clean, free electricity with solar panels.
Continue readingPros and cons of electric water heaters
Heating water in your house requires a lot of electricity. In fact, roughly 12 percent of an average home’s energy consumption is spent heating water. How much energy your own water heater consumes depends not only on how much hot water you use but also on the type of water heater you install. As such, when it’s time to install a new water heater in your home, it’s important to compare multiple options before making a final purchasing decision.
Continue readingSol Systems review: what you need to know
Solar energy renewable certificates (SRECs) are some of the most attractive solar incentives available in the country. Many states with renewable portfolio standards (RPS) have special “solar carve-outs” that require a certain amount of a utility’s energy production to come from solar. In these states, utility companies meet the requirement by purchasing SRECs from people producing solar energy.
If you own a solar panel system in a state with an active SREC market, you’ll want to work with a third-party SREC aggregator or broker to sell the certificates to utilities on your behalf. There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing an SREC broker; one of the more popular options solar panel system owners elect to work with is Sol Systems.
Continue readingSolar permitting & inspections: an overview
Installing solar panels requires electrical and construction work. With this type of work comes safety concerns, and as such, your local government and utility company need to ensure that your solar energy system meets specific electrical and building codes before it goes live.
Continue readingThe best EnergySage videos of 2018
Have you ever had a question about solar, but didn’t have the time to search for an answer? Throughout 2018, we created a number of short animated videos so that you can find answers to the most common questions about solar with the quick click of a button.
We’ve covered a range of topics so far – from understanding the costs included in a solar quote to how the solar tax credit works, and much more in between. Here are just some of our favorite videos from 2018.
Continue readingSolar interconnection: what you need to know
There are a number of important steps along the path to installing solar: obtaining quotes, choosing your equipment, selecting an installer, and the actual installation itself. Arguably the most important step is connecting your solar energy system to the utility grid, commonly known as solar interconnection.
Continue readingHow long does it take to install solar panels?
If you’re considering installing solar panels, one of your top questions may be how long it will take after signing a contract to finish your solar project. There are a number of factors that determine this timeline – in this article, we’ll discuss those factors, as well as the average estimated timeframes for a solar panel installation from start to finish.
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