Solar panels use the sun’s energy to generate usable electricity. At a high level, solar cells interact with incoming light to generate an electrical current through the “photovoltaic effect”. In this article, we’ll break down exactly how solar panels produce renewable energy for your home.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Solar 101
Top myths about solar
At EnergySage, we hear a lot of solar myths. Here are some of the top ones most in need of busting.
Continue readingThe pros and cons of solar power: what are the advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
If you’re considering installing a solar panel system, you’ve probably already had your share of exposure to solar marketing, whether through spammy ads promising free solar panels or a knock at the door signaling an eager solar salesman ready to convince you why you should go solar. To make the right decision for your home, you need to be able to distinguish between the real pros and cons of solar power and the solar myths that are sometimes communicated in the media.
Continue readingSolar panel alternatives: what are your options?
For many solar shoppers, rooftop systems are the best home solar option. However, not every home has a roof that’s suitable for solar. Certain roof types, like slate and cedar tiles, are too fragile for solar panels. If trees shade your roof, you’ll have less-than-ideal solar electricity production, and some homeowners’ associations and historical associations have rules that restrict solar panel installations. Luckily, there are a variety of alternative solar options for every situation – community solar, ground-mounted solar, and solar sheds.
Continue readingSolar developers: what you need to know
In 2021, the U.S. installed more solar than ever before – with one out of every 600 U.S. homeowners installing solar each quarter! And impressively, more than half of those additions came from utility-scale projects. The companies that build these projects aren’t the same type of installers you receive quotes from on EnergySage – while they technically install projects like residential solar companies, we in the industry most often refer to them as solar developers.
In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of solar developers, the role they play in the solar industry, and highlight some of the top solar developers today.
Continue readingHow much does a 4,000 Watt (4 kW) solar system cost?
If you’re shopping for a solar energy system, one of your first questions is probably, “how much will it cost?” Prices depend on the size of your system, the type of equipment you choose, and the state that you live in, but reviewing prices for a 4 kilowatt (kW) system is a great place to start for many smaller homes. Learn more about how much a 4 kW solar system costs, how much electricity a 4 kW system will produce, and the smartest way to shop for solar.
Continue readingSolar panels for apartments: how renters can go solar
Can you go solar if you rent your property or live in an apartment? The simple answer for renters who want solar panels for their apartment or home is that it is possible! While you may be able to pitch your landlord to install a rooftop solar panel system, community solar is likely your best bet to enjoy the benefits of solar without owning your roof space.
Continue readingWhat’s the best orientation and angle for my solar panels?
Many people are under the misconception that they can’t install solar panels on their roof for a variety of reasons, whether because of the material, their location, shade, or the dimensions of their roof. There are many factors that make a roof more or less suitable for solar, but while some roof qualities make a rooftop solar system installation difficult, others have a minimal impact on solar energy production.
In this article, we’ll review the two main roof factors that impact the performance of solar panels: orientation and angle.
Continue readingSun Score: what you need to know about your property’s Sun Number
If you’ve shopped for solar before, you may have come across something known as “Sun Number”, or sun score. Like EnergySage, Sun Number received funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative to innovate in the solar energy space. Read on to learn more about how a property’s Sun Number is calculated and what your sun score means for going solar.
Continue readingSolar panel size and weight explained: how big are solar panels?
Solar panel systems are an increasingly common sight on rooftops all across the U.S., but unless you climb up onto a roof, it can be difficult to figure out how big solar panels are and how much they weigh. In this article, we’ll help you understand solar panel size, solar panel weight, and whether your roof can support a solar panel system that produces enough wattage to meet the daily energy needs of your household.
Continue reading