Since the industrial revolution, factories have been among the world’s biggest consumers of energy due to their mass scale and high volume of processes centralized in one location. As a result of the major energy costs associated with manufacturing, many CEOs (such as Tesla’s Elon Musk) have identified solar power as the perfect way to reduce operating costs. In this article, we’ll explain why solar panels are a pragmatic investment for factories.
Continue readingHow will the 2017 tax bill impact solar?
The tax bill that Congress passed at the end of 2017 is now officially in effect, and there are changes that impact many industries across the country. Early versions of the bill contained provisions that had the potential to harm renewable energy industries. Luckily, the financial incentives that reduce the cost of installing solar are intact. Below are some of our top takeaways from the recent tax bill.
Continue readingSharing the sun: Community solar gardens taking off around US
With strong government incentives and falling equipment costs, going solar has never made more financial sense on such a broad scale. Testament to this is the tremendous increase of the number of American homes & businesses with solar panels on their roofs in recent years. But at the same time, not everyone has a roof of their own, and even those who do might have one that is shaded or otherwise unsuitable for solar. Community-owned solar projects – sometimes called community solar gardens, or shared solar farms – promise a way for the roofless and ‘roof-impaired’ to go solar. Continue reading
Illinois SREC program: an overview
The best states to go solar aren’t always the sunniest; those who benefit the most from installing a solar PV system for their home spend a lot in electricity and live in a state with good solar incentives.
Illinois may not have the year-round sunshine of the Southwest, but it does have a great solar market because of the available financial incentives. In addition to the 26 percent federal solar tax credit for solar system owners, Illinois residents can receive additional financial benefits through the state’s solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) market.
Continue readingEnergySage’s 2017 solar year in review
2017 brought continued growth and innovation in solar, and the solar industry continued its trend of growth. Check out some of our top moments for solar this past year, plus a few things we’re excited to see in the year to come.
Continue readingTop 5 Reasons to Shop for Solar in the Winter
More and more homeowners are discovering the financial benefits of solar and installing solar energy systems on their property, but what many people don’t realize that winter is actually the best time to start shopping for solar. Here are the top five reasons why homeowners should start shopping for solar in the winter.
Continue readingSolar for nonprofit organizations: benefits, financing, and how to get started
The number of properties with rooftop solar panels is increasing day by day, and it isn’t just homeowners who are installing solar panels to offset their own electricity bill. Businesses as small as your local general store and as large as Google have installed solar on-site to decrease overhead costs and promote corporate social responsibility. Now, nonprofit organizations are starting to explore their solar options as well.
Continue readingSolar news: Boston University commits to renewables, Duke Energy acquires REC Solar, three states get 10% of electricity from solar
Boston University’s bold plan to reach 100 percent renewables in 2018, Duke Energy’s acquisition of commercial solar developer REC Solar, and solar’s increasing share of the electrical grid in three states are the headlines from this week’s Solar News Report.
Continue readingTop gifts for fans of solar power
Do you have a solar energy lover in your life? A home solar energy system isn’t an easy gift to give, but there are plenty of solar-powered gadgets and devices that utilize solar energy out there, many of which would make a neat present for fans of solar power and renewable energy. EnergySage has compiled a list of the top solar power gifts available, just in time for the holidays.
Continue readingSRECs in New Jersey: prices, projections, and program status
The New Jersey solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) program is one of the most lucrative financial incentives for solar available at the state level. New Jersey property owners who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a year by selling the SRECs the system generates.
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