Producing beer is a resource- and energy-intensive process. Given the number of craft breweries that have expressed an interest in sustainability, it should come as no surprise that breweries around the country are now looking for ways to produce brews in a more environmentally friendly way: by going solar.
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Solar electricity vs. fossil fuels: how do they compare?
If you’ve been following the ongoing battle between solar energy vs. fossil fuels, it might seem like the predominant resources on which the global economy depends – oil, coal and natural gas – will be completely phased out of existence in the near future. In reality, these resources still power most of the planet, while renewable resources like solar and wind only contribute some two to three percent of global energy capacity. This reality check begs the following question: how does solar really stack up against fossil fuels, and why is there so much excitement about the growth of solar?
Continue readingSolar lights for your home: what outdoor solar lighting solutions are available?
Solar power can be used in many ways. Aside from a traditional rooftop solar panel installation, you can take advantage of solar energy with solar lights that capture, store, and use the sun’s energy to light up your property.
Continue readingAlternative 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.
Continue readingDemand response programs explained
A large portion of the cost of electricity comes from a very small portion of hours out of the year. As a result, utilities, electricity grid operators and private companies alike are finding innovative solutions to these infrequent but substantial electricity costs. One product in particular that has already proven to be successful throughout the country is demand response.
Continue readingSolar heating systems explained
You already know that solar panels can generate electricity for your home, but that’s not all that solar energy can do – there are other solar technologies that make use of the sun’s thermal energy to help heat up homes and lower one’s heating bills.
Continue readingSolar tubes/sun tunnels vs. skylights: an overview
Many property owners install skylights as a way to add natural light to their home or business. However, there are other options available; if you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to add more sunlight to your property, solar tubes may be the way to go.
Continue readingDeep cycle batteries overview: what you need to know
You are probably already familiar with a range of batteries–from the AAAs in your TV remote to the larger battery under the hood of your car that you hopefully rarely think about. Just as different types of batteries are most useful for different types of applications in your home, there is one type of battery that is ideal for being paired with solar energy systems: deep cycle batteries.
Continue readingSolar roadways: what you need to know
Innovation in the solar energy industry is happening constantly. While panels are typically installed on rooftops or on large plots of land, some in the industry think that roads and highways are a suitable place for solar panels as well. Solar roadways are roads that have integrated solar cells generating power from the sun – in this article, we’ll examine how feasible solar roadways are and what their future might look like.
Continue readingBest solar battery chargers: marine, RV and car battery chargers
Among today’s many uses for solar energy, one increasingly popular way to harness sunlight is with battery chargers that can power common home products. Outside of rooftop and utility-scale photovoltaics (PV), battery chargers might be the next best use for solar energy in terms of efficiency and practicality. A small panel can easily be placed next to a window to charge a phone, and a portable charger can be an easy way to power your car’s battery through the sunroof. In this article, we’ll discuss the many ways a solar battery charger can be useful, including how solar works with cars, boats, RVs and small devices.
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