As is the case with comparing solar panels and inverters, when comparing solar batteries, there are a number of different technical specifications that differentiate one battery from another: power ratings, usable energy capacity, warranties throughput or cycles, start-up power, and the efficiency of the battery. Unlike solar panels and inverters, though, the stated efficiency of each battery is not necessarily directly comparable to the efficiency of other batteries. Here’s why:
Continue readingSolar news: October 30th, 2020
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, an economic analysis of a 100 percent renewables plan, and a look back at a record-setting 2019 for the renewable industry.
Continue readingTypes of thin-film solar panels
Have you ever come across “flexible solar panels,” or “stick-on solar panels”? Both fit under the wider umbrella of thin-film solar panels, which is a type of solar panel technology known for being lightweight. Compared to traditional solar panel cells, thin-film solar panels are made up of electricity-producing layers that are hundreds of times thinner than typical silicon cells.
Continue readingSolar pool heaters: what you need to know
While pool owners are fortunate to have a place to cool down during hot, sticky weather, it’s not without its pain points; in an effort to keep pools comfortable and open for as long as possible, pool owners may spend a good amount of money towards heating the water to swimmable temperatures. If you have a pool and pay a lot to keep it warm, you should consider renewable energy options for heating. While you can rely on warm weather to passively heat your pool, solar pool heaters are a good option to consider if you want to save money while extending pool season.
Continue readingSolar panel wiring explained: istalling solar panels in series vs. parallel
As you compare your solar energy options, you may hear your solar installer discuss wiring your solar panels in series or in parallel. How you wire your panels can impact the performance of your system, but the question is, which option is best for your home? And how much does it really matter?
Continue readingTypes of solar companies
Just like with any industry, there are a lot of players in the solar business. As someone considering your options, it can be helpful to understand the different solar companies that may play a part in your installation.
Continue readingSolar news: October 16th, 2020
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, the IEA’s World Energy Outlook report paints a positive picture for solar around the world, and New York commits to 70 percent renewables by 2030.
Continue readingHighlights from the eleventh EnergySage Solar Marketplace Intel Report
Last week, EnergySage released our eleventh Solar Marketplace Intel Report. The free, publicly available report provides insight into the state of the solar market nationwide and at the state level through July of 2020. In this report, we take a look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the solar industry, check in on how solar pricing compares on EnergySage to data from the rest of the market, and introduce a few brand new analyses of energy storage data, from cost to brand preference. A few key takeaways from the report are outlined below, and we look forward to your analysis and feedback on the report.
Continue readingShould you cut down trees to go solar?
When we talk about the environmental benefits of solar power, we often compare the overall carbon offset of a solar panel system to the environmental impact of planting trees. Ironically, maximizing the benefits of solar power may mean cutting down a tree or two prior to installation. It’s a difficult truth, but unfortunately, solar power and trees don’t really get along. Branches and leaves can block sunlight from hitting your roof, which means your solar panels aren’t generating as much clean electricity as they could otherwise be in a sunny area.
Continue readingWhy utilities want you to have a battery
Although utilities and the solar industry haven’t always had the most positive relationship across the country, there’s one distributed technology that utilities have been very quick to embrace: energy storage. When installed at a home or business, energy storage systems provide myriad benefits to both the owner of the system, as well as to the electricity grid as a whole. As a result, many utilities throughout the country are now actively encouraging the adoption of energy storage systems. Here are just a few of the reasons that utilities want you to have a battery.
Continue reading