It’s no surprise that the American solar energy industry is expanding: solar prices remain low, and there’s never been an easier time to reap the economic and environmental benefits of going solar. Solar capacity from installations in the U.S. grew 33 percent in Q3 2021 compared to Q3 2020, and we can expect continued rapid growth throughout 2022. However, the exact rate of solar growth in the U.S. will depend on a number of factors, including policy implementation and manufacturing trends. In this article, we’ll examine the state of the solar industry and explain the policies and manufacturing practices that we’re following in 2022.
Continue readingSolar news: February 25th, 2022
In this week’s news roundup, we discuss an ambitious plan by the United States military to reach net zero emissions and an important update in solar manufacturing.
Continue readingHow much do solar panels cost in 2022?
In 2022, solar panels cost about $20,000 on average. With the cost of solar panels dropping every year, there’s never been a better time to go solar. In this article, we’ll break down the cost of solar by system size, state, and panel brand, all of which can significantly impact the final number you pay.
Continue readingThe Lumin Edge: what you need to know
Energy management in an emerging industry that helps you take full advantage of your solar or solar-plus-storage system. With an energy management system, you’re able to both monitor and control your energy consumption, allowing you to maximize the energy generated by your system and lower your electric bills. Lumin was one of the initial leaders in this industry with their Smart Panel that allows you to turn the ordinary circuits on your electrical panel into smart circuits. Building on that initial success, Lumin recently launched their newest energy management product that provides unique opportunity and flexibility for those who don’t want to rewire their entire electrical panel: the Lumin Edge.
Continue readingQ&A with Northern Electric Power
The residential solar industry in the US has long been dominated by two inverter companies: Enphase and SolarEdge. However, recently, a number of inverter companies have been making headway in the US market to expand inverter technology and diversify the options available to consumers. We sat down with Northern Electric Power (NEP), an inverter company founded in the US, to learn more about their mission and their product offerings.
Continue readingHow many watts does a Peloton exercise bike use?
Peloton is all the rage, and home exercise equipment in general is more popular than ever. Their exercise bikes are more or less unique on the market in that they actually consume energy, which powers the large touchscreen on the front, where you watch and participate in classes. While not nearly as power-hungry as appliances like air conditioners or washing machines, it can be helpful to know how much electricity your Peloton uses when you’re looking at your whole home’s energy usage.
Continue readingWhere does your electricity come from?
The electric grid brings power to every corner of the U.S., but the electricity flowing through the wires doesn’t come from the same sources everywhere. Depending on where you live, the electricity that makes its way to your property comes from different mixes of generating capacity, from coal to natural gas to renewables like hydropower, solar, and wind.
Continue readingIs electric vehicle charging infrastructure expanding in the U.S.?
According to a recent Pew Research Center report, 39 percent of Americans say they’re at least somewhat likely to seriously consider buying electric the next time they purchase a vehicle. However, nearly half (46 percent) say they’re not too likely or not likely at all to do so.
While EV ownership in the United States is growing, most Americans still currently drive internal combustion engine (ICE) – aka gas powered – automobiles. In order to make driving EVs more common, EV charging infrastructure must continue to expand throughout the country. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about the expansion of EV charging in the U.S.
Continue readingDepth of discharge (DoD): What does it mean for your battery, and why is it important?
Batteries are becoming a popular add-on to solar systems thanks to the extra benefits they can offer for solar system buyers. Batteries offer backup power benefits when the grid goes down, increases the usefulness of off-grid systems, and improves solar economics if you have less than ideal net metering policies or time-of-use (TOU) rates.
With an increasing amount of companies offering storage options, more questions are arising about how to compare the batteries: which is the best, or which one is right for you? One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for battery backup for your home is the depth of discharge (DoD).
Continue readingTesla Powerwall alternatives: Generac PWRcell, LG Chem RESU, sonnen eco, Enphase IQ Battery
Now more than ever, home batteries are becoming a smart purchase either with or without a solar panel system. Batteries offer many benefits, from electricity bill savings to resiliency against grid outages and more.
One popular home battery is the Tesla Powerwall. This battery became available to the public in the mid-2010s and has seen multiple upgrades since then. But, either due to access, affordability, or personal preference, many homeowners choose to explore Tesla Powerwall alternatives. Fortunately, both established manufacturers and up-and-coming smaller players offer unique products that make them a viable Powerwall competitor. In this article, we’ll review some of today’s most popular home battery options to see how they stack up against each other, and against the highly popular Tesla Powerwall.
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