If you’re a business owner, the concept of “solar panels for businesses” might seem like a risky move in a complex and confusing market. You may have heard about major Fortune 500 companies going solar, but thought that it might not be feasible for your organization. Maybe you’re considering installing commercial solar panels at some point in the distant future, when your organization can afford to make a major investment in something that seems like an environmental “good” rather than a strategic financial decision.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Cost Benefit
Phantom loads: what you need to know
There are two primary ways to reduce your electricity bills: 1) by generating your own electricity with solar energy and 2) by reducing the amount of electricity you use every month. These two methods of reducing bills go hand-in-hand: if you use less electricity every month, then a smaller (and less expensive) solar energy system will be able to meet your needs.
Continue reading5 not-so-obvious reasons to go solar, and why talking to your financial advisor is a smart move
Like many Americans, you’ve probably thought about installing solar panels on your home or business at some point in the past few years. Maybe you’ve even started looking into prices or talking to neighbors who have already made the switch. Whatever your reasons are for considering a solar energy system, now is a great time to take action as prices continue to come down and electricity rates continue to go up.
Continue readingHow to make money with SolarCity Ambassador and other rewards programs
Solar adoption is skyrocketing in the United States. Partly responsible for this surging uptake is one of the oldest industry drivers: word of mouth marketing. The SolarCity Ambassador Program, EnergySage Rewards Program, and others are a big part of this growth.
Continue readingHow 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?”
Q&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 readingIs solar energy worth it in New York in 2019?
Are you considering a solar energy system for your home or business in New York, but want to know more about the costs and benefits before making a decision? In this article we look at the reasons why going solar is a good idea in New York, and also examine the various incentives and financing options that may be available to you if you are a New York resident.
Looking for quality solar installers in your area? See our updated ranking for the best solar companies in the state of New York
Continue reading VDER: NY’s replacement to net metering
Solar energy has many benefits – from financial savings to its positive impact on the environment. However, if there’s any downside to solar energy, it’s that you will only produce electricity during the day. Historically, the primary solution to this obstacle has been a policy known as net metering. With net metering, you can send excess solar electricity to the grid for credits, and use built-up credits when you need them.
Continue readingUnderstanding electricity load
If you pay an electric bill, then you have an electrical load. Understanding how to calculate electrical load helps to explain your monthly electric bill and provides actionable information that can help you reduce how much you spend on electricity each month. And in the age of innovative utility rate structures, such as demand charges and time-of-use rates, and increasing electrification of homes, with air source heat pumps and electric vehicles becoming more popular, knowing how to calculate your electrical load can you help you determine how much you could save from a solar or solar-plus-storage installation on your property.
Continue readingHow do demand charges work?
In the past few years, utilities across the country — from Indiana to Massachusetts to Arizona — proposed mandatory or voluntary demand charges for residential customers. With the right resources and knowledge, it is definitely possible to reduce your monthly bill on a demand charge rate. But in many situations, including often for people with solar on their roof, demand charges can lead to more expensive bills overall.
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