Installing solar panels requires electrical and construction work. With this type of work comes safety concerns, and as such, your local government and utility company need to ensure that your solar energy system meets specific electrical and building codes before it goes live.
Continue readingSolar news: January 11th, 2019
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, learn about a new solar-plus-storage plant in Hawaii (the largest in the world), plus news from Tesla’s new Chinese Gigafactory.
Continue readingThe best EnergySage videos of 2018
Have you ever had a question about solar, but didn’t have the time to search for an answer? Throughout 2018, we created a number of short animated videos so that you can find answers to the most common questions about solar with the quick click of a button.
We’ve covered a range of topics so far – from understanding the costs included in a solar quote to how the solar tax credit works, and much more in between. Here are just some of our favorite videos from 2018.
Continue readingCompare the top solar lease companies: Sunrun vs SolarCity, Vivint, SunPower & Clean Power Finance
Who are the top solar leasing companies in the country, and how do they differ in structure and business model? This article aims to answer these questions, examining some of the biggest solar lease providers in the US – SolarCity, Vivint Solar, Sunrun, SunPower and Clean Power Finance.
Continue readingThin film solar panels: do they make sense for residential?
In a world where new solar panels and breakthroughs in solar technology are emerging almost every month, homeowners have a lot of panel options to choose from in 2019. Among the many innovations in the panel manufacturing space, none may be more appealing and visually exciting than thin-film solar panels. In this article we’ll dig into what makes thin-film stand out from standard silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels and offer some insight on when thin-film solar is an ideal option for homeowners and the residential market.
Continue readingSolar panels for schools: how much are the costs and benefits of solar for k-12s and universities?
As solar has entered the mainstream in the past decade, corporations and institutions with massive energy bills have started to realize how much money they can save by switching to solar power. There’s already a strong case for residential rooftop solar, but you can make an even more convincing argument for solar in the commercial sector where prices are lower and overall savings can be dramatic. In this article, we’ll focus on schools and universities, explain why many educational institutions across the country are installing solar, how much solar costs for schools and detail how the process works.
Continue readingDo solar panels work in the winter? Solar snow performance explained
Memories of cold, snowy winters past can be discouraging even for the hardiest homeowner. If you’re considering going solar, you might be wondering whether solar panels and snow are a bad combination. On the contrary, EnergySage marketplace data has indicated that solar shoppers can often find the lowest quotes during winter months when competition is reduced. After all, if you look at solar as an investment, then it should be able to generate returns throughout the year as other investments do. Luckily, plenty of people have both solar panels and snow, and some of the most popular regions in the U.S. for solar have snowy winters. Don’t let winter weather discourage you from going solar!
Continue readingIs solar energy worth it in New York in 2019?
Are you considering a solar energy system for your home or business in New York, but want to know more about the costs and benefits before making a decision? In this article we look at the reasons why going solar is a good idea in New York, and also examine the various incentives and financing options that may be available to you if you are a New York resident.
Looking for quality solar installers in your area? See our updated ranking for the best solar companies in the state of New York
Continue reading Solar interconnection: what you need to know
There are a number of important steps along the path to installing solar: obtaining quotes, choosing your equipment, selecting an installer, and the actual installation itself. Arguably the most important step is connecting your solar energy system to the utility grid, commonly known as solar interconnection.
Continue readingThe best of EnergySage in 2018
2018 was a year of ups and downs for the solar industry. From the impact of the Trump Administration’s tariff on imported solar panels to the new technologies unveiled at Solar Power International, and from the emergence of home battery energy storage technologies to changes in solar programs in Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and beyond, EnergySage has been with you every step of the way.
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