Nationally and internationally, renewable energy technologies, and solar in particular, are taking off. Cities, states and countries are reaching previously unseen levels of renewable energy growth, with some even running exclusively on renewable energy. With this boom comes significant economic investment, which in turn leads to job creation. In fact, two recent studies detailed just how many solar jobs exist: nearly a quarter million in the US alone, and nearly 4.5 million globally.
Continue readingPros and cons of solar hot water
Solar hot water systems are an attractive alternative to traditional water heaters. Before upgrading to a solar hot water setup, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of the technology.
Continue readingCompare solar panel prices in Massachusetts: how to get the best deal
Its a great time for consumers considering installing solar panel systems in Massachusetts. Solar PV system prices fell over 64% during a recent 5 year span. It’s figures like this that have analysts from Deutsche Bank reporting that solar is well on its way to beating conventional generation technologies on cost.
In line with this trend, prices for solar panels in Massachusetts are also on the decline. But how can residents of the Bay State make sure that they’re not paying last year’s prices? We’ve identified three things shoppers can do to make sure they get a good deal based on some analysis of price figures from across the state (summarized in the chart below).
Continue readingAre you a solar entrepreneur?
Do you have the next big idea in solar but need money to turn your idea into reality? The US Department of Energy is accepting bids through July 16 for the first stage of the American-Made Solar Prize, which provides $3 million in cash prizes to solar entrepreneurs at different stages of business growth. If you have an idea for how to improve solar manufacturing in the US, now’s the time to apply!
Continue readingSolar equipment: should you care what’s in your quote?
If you’re like many homeowners, you’ve likely received a knock on your front door to be presented with a solar sales pitch. At the end of the pitch, you walk away with a document displaying cost numbers and information about how to proceed. However, these types of quotes often neglect to disclose details about solar equipment–panels and inverters–that will actually be installed on your home.
Continue reading4 videos for understanding the basics of solar energy
Just getting started on your solar project, and want to learn more about the technology? Here are four videos to watch to quickly learn the solar basics:
Continue readingWhich SCE rate schedule is best for solar? Understanding peak hours
Southern California Edison’s (SCE) new time-of-use (TOU) rate plans went into effect in March 2019, affecting the utility’s entire coverage area. Whether you have solar panels on your roof, are considering solar, or don’t have any plans to generate your own electricity, the time-of-use (TOU) rates will have an impact on your monthly electricity costs.
Continue readingSolar news: June 14th
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, a new exclusion passes for bifacial solar panels from the January 2018 solar tariff, and Elon Musk says that the Tesla Solar Roof is currently being installed in eight states.
Continue readingSolar 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 readingHow solar helps the grid
There are myriad benefits to solar energy. From reducing or eliminating your electric bills to increasing your property value, and from creating local jobs to protecting the environment, there are plenty of reasons to go solar. Another, lesser known benefit of installing panels on your property is that solar helps the entire electrical grid.
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