In this week’s Solar News Roundup, learn about Xcel Energy’s commitment to 100% carbon-free electricity, as well as hope for renewable energy tax credits in a federal infrastructure bill.
Continue readingUnderstanding electricity load
If you pay an electric bill, then you have an electrical load. Understanding how to calculate electrical load helps to explain your monthly electric bill and provides actionable information that can help you reduce how much you spend on electricity each month. And in the age of innovative utility rate structures, such as demand charges and time-of-use rates, and increasing electrification of homes, with air source heat pumps and electric vehicles becoming more popular, knowing how to calculate your electrical load can you help you determine how much you could save from a solar or solar-plus-storage installation on your property.
Continue readingHalf-cut solar cells: an overview
Solar technology is improving across all facets of the typical solar installation. In this article, we’ll discuss half-cut solar cells, a variation on standard silicon solar cells that can help improve solar panel performance.
Continue readingQ&A with LG Chem
LG Chem launched their first home battery in North America – the RESU10H – in mid-2017. In a crowded energy storage system market, LG provides an already-recognizable brand with household consumer products. EnergySage conducted a Q&A with LG Chem to better understand how debuting RESU10H aligns within their current lineup of appliances, and to learn what customers can look forward to in 2019. (Interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.)
Continue readingSEIA lobby day roundup
The growth of the solar industry over the last ten years is in large part thanks to successful public policy and legislation at the federal, state and local levels. To engage with the hot topics in solar policy today, and to help guide the discussion of solar policy in the future, EnergySage joined the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on Capitol Hill to talk to members of Congress about solar in the US.
Continue readingSolar Christmas lights: power your holiday decorations with the sun
The holiday season has arrived, and it’s time to unravel your extension cords and string up those Christmas lights. They may not look like much, but they do use electricity – if you keep your string lights up for several weeks, you may end up with a surprisingly large electric bill after all those presents are unwrapped. Luckily, solar isn’t just for your rooftop: it also offers a renewable alternative to conventional holiday lights. Solar Christmas lights are a great option for energy-conscious holiday decorators.
Continue readingSolar news: November 30th, 2018
In this week’s Solar News Roundup, we take a look at the federal climate report released this Thanksgiving, as well as an intriguing patent filed by Tesla.
Continue readingWhat size solar inverter do I need?
Solar inverters are one of the most important components of a solar panel system. They’re responsible for converting direct current (DC) electricity from your solar panels to alternating current (AC) electricity to power your appliances. When it comes to designing your solar panel system, the size of your inverter will play an important role in overall electricity production. In this article, we’ll discuss what impacts solar inverter sizing.
Continue readingNew analyses provide performance insights on EnergySage
Falling prices and increased consumer interest in solar are making the EnergySage Solar Marketplace more active and competitive than ever before. As a result, many installers are looking for new ways to gain an edge against their competition.
Continue readingQ&A with Fortress Power
Early in 2018, Fortress Power released two energy storage systems in the United States – a 10 kilowatt-hour (kWh) and a 15 kWh model. Their foray into an increasingly packed residential storage system market is with a different type of chemistry – lithium ferrite phosphate – than many other options available on the market. EnergySage sat down for a Q&A with Fortress Power to learn more about the company, why customers should consider energy storage, and how Fortress Power batteries differ from other brands in the market. (Interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.)
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