For those asking themselves, “should I wait for the Tesla solar roof?”, you are not alone. Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, has a well-earned reputation for creating innovative 21st-century products that combine attractive designs with exceptional performance – and generate high levels of consumer interest as a result. The latest Musk technology to make a splash is the Tesla solar roof, which he revealed to great fanfare in October 2016. Here’s everything you should consider before making your decision, including what Tesla roof rivals you should consider.
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How do solar batteries compare? Tesla Powerwall vs. Sonnen eco vs. LG Chem RESU vs. Pika Energy Smart Harbor
NOTE: We’ve written an updated review of some of the current popular home battery products. Check it out here.
Home energy storage is a relatively new technology that’s steadily gained interest over the past few years, and it’s hard to know where to start when comparing all your options. Top solar batteries like those made by Tesla and Sonnen make it possible for homeowners and businesses to store their excess solar energy instead of sending it back to the grid, so that when the power goes out or electricity rates spike they can keep the lights on.
Continue readingUnderstanding your Sunrun solar lease, PPA and solar contract agreement
Sunrun is one of the largest solar installation companies in the country and has partnerships with organizations like Comcast, Major League Baseball, and Costco. The company primarily offers solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) to homeowners, although there are also cash purchase and solar loan options. Are you considering a lease or PPA offer from Sunrun? Before you sign on the dotted line, review EnergySage’s guide to evaluating your Sunrun offer.
Continue readingSolar panels on flat roofs: top 3 things you need to know
Solar is a smart energy decision for homes and businesses with flat roofs, but there are a few considerations you’ll need to keep in mind as you go through the installation process.
Continue readingStorEdge: SolarEdge’s solar plus storage solution
Designing a “storage-ready” solar panel system is the first step to ensuring that you’re set up for success when you decide to move forward with a solar battery for your home or business. EnergySage spoke with Lior Handelsman, VP of Marketing & Product Strategy and Founder of SolarEdge, for his perspective on storage-ready solar.
Continue readingAll about solar panels on metal roofs
Metal roofs are light, durable, and often made of eco-friendly recycled materials, so it’s no wonder that installing solar on metal roofs is an increasingly popular topic among homeowners. If you fall into this category, the good news is that metal is one of the best roof materials for solar panels. Ease of installation, durability, and environmental benefits are just three of the reasons to consider putting solar panels on a metal roof.
Continue readingComparing Top Solar Panels Mounts and Racking Systems: Unirac, IronRidge, Quick Mount PV & Ecofasten
Solar panel mounts like IronRidge and Unirac PV mounting apparatus are critically important but lesser known components of a solar panel system. When it comes to installing solar on your roof, there’s plenty of information available to help you compare solar panel options and inverter technologies. Some solar installers are even starting to offer different options for solar-plus-storage products that include a home battery. However, not much has been written about the various solar panel rack options available to mount the system on your roof. While these items don’t typically have a significant impact on your solar system’s performance, solar panel mounts are still an important part of the installation process. Read on to learn more about the top solar panel mounts from Unirac, IronRidge, and SnapNrack, as well as specialized products from Quick Mount PV, Ecofasten, and AllEarth Renewables.
Continue readingMass solar loan: banks, prices, and program details
For homeowners in Massachusetts, finding a low-interest loan to finance their solar power system just got a lot easier thanks to the launch of the Mass Solar Loan program. The program, jointly administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), leverages $30 million in public funds to make low-interest, fixed-term solar loans more accessible for homeowners in Massachusetts.
Continue readingSolarEdge EV charger – an integrated electric car charger & solar inverter for your home
While installing solar can save you money on your electric bill and reduce your carbon emissions, homeowners are going even further and using solar electricity to charge their electric car. Thanks to an innovative new product from SolarEdge, powering your car with solar electricity is easier than ever.
Continue readingUsing NREL’s PVWatts calculator for solar
If you’re starting to think about installing solar at your home or business, you may have come across PVWatts, a calculator developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
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