In this week’s Solar News Roundup, the world’s largest solar plant goes live in China, while in the U.S., solar generation has grown over 20% through the coronavirus pandemic so far.
Continue readingShould you get a solar operations and maintenance (O&M) package?
For many, solar panel systems are mostly a “set it and forget it” investment, requiring very little maintenance over the 25+ years. However, if you’re looking for extra peace of mind, one upgrade to consider is a solar operations and maintenance (O&M) package. Simply put, O&M packages are essentially protection plans for your solar investment. You can think of them as a sort of “homeowner’s insurance” for your solar panels; if a tree falls on a portion of your house, a home insurance plan will likely cover a large portion of the repair costs – the same is true of solar energy system repairs under O&M plans.
Continue readingTesla Battery Day: what you need to know
It’s rare that very technical demonstrations of technology and supply chain advancements manage to jump beyond industry and into the public consciousness. But as with all things Tesla, the announcement of the company’s Battery Day was met with significant hype beyond just the storage and electric vehicle industries, and with good reason: teasers in anticipation of the event seemed to indicate that Tesla had discovered a breakthrough in energy storage manufacturing that would reduce the price of batteries to the point that they could begin to produce and commercialize a truly affordable electric vehicle.
Continue readingSolar panel testing and certifications
Like other types of electronics, solar panel modules go through rigorous testing before installation. These tests are critical to determining the quality and performance of panels under particular environmental stresses, as well as confirming they meet mandated safety requirements. In this article, we’ll review the most common testing and certifications for solar panels on the market today.
Continue readingSolar news: September 18th, 2020
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, Facebook announces a new net-zero emissions commitment, and a look back at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the solar industry so far this year.
Continue readingHow are solar companies making it easier to go solar during the COVID pandemic?
Investing in solar is a big financial decision no matter the state of the economy. As everyone around the country (and the world) grapple with the ongoing health and economic impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the question of whether it’s the right time to go solar has become harder to answer financially for many homeowners. With that in mind, a number of solar companies throughout the country introduced new programs to help make paying for solar easier for people who install solar today.
Continue readingSolar news: September 4th, 2020
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, solar and wind won big in 2019, and developers announce plans to build two large solar projects on land formerly used for fossil fuels.
Continue readingPros and cons of hybrid cars
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are becoming more popular each day, and for good reason: drivers that switch to cars like this have a number of both environmental and financial advantages to look forward to.
Continue readingMass Save rebates 2019: get an energy assessment in MA
The Mass Save energy assessment program is Massachusetts’ all-encompassing energy efficiency campaign, and is sponsored by both your electric utility and energy efficiency providers. The program is available to renters, homeowners, and businesses across Massachusetts. Here’s the complete breakdown of all the different measures that you can take to reduce your energy use and resultant utility bills through the Mass Save program in 2019.
Zero-down solar financing options: which is best for you?
Installing solar at your home or business has significant financial benefits. In many cases, you can choose a zero down solar financing option and install your system without paying any money up front, leading to instant savings. In this article, we will examine the various options for $0 down solar and the merit of each option.
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