In this week’s news roundup, a popular solar loan company hits an exciting milestone, and the U.S. shattered its quarterly storage deployment record (yes, again!).
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Comparing storage capacities of home batteries
The home storage revolution is here, and there are plenty of options when it comes to home batteries that you can install. In this article, we’ll talk about battery capacity – what it is, why it matters (or doesn’t), and how battery models stack up against one another.
Continue readingGel batteries: what you need to know
Gel batteries are a type of lead-acid battery that, in certain cases, can be a solid choice as an energy backup system or paired with solar panels. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the differentiating factors between gel batteries and other energy storage options, and the best use-cases for this technology.
Continue readingAll about solar battery maintenance
Whatever device you’re reading this article on likely has a battery in it, meaning that you are at least a bit familiar with battery performance and, whether you realize it or not, battery maintenance. Think about all of the rules around how and when to charge your cell phone to extend the battery’s life: you’re supposed to run the battery as far down as possible before plugging your phone back in, and you shouldn’t leave your phone plugged in all the time or else the performance of the battery will degrade. While your cell phone battery–hopefully–doesn’t require any maintenance over its lifetime, the decisions you make around how and when to charge it can be considered a form of maintenance to extend its life.
Continue readingGoing off-grid with solar: what does it mean and how much will it cost? (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of a two-part series that explores the economics of going completely off-grid with solar. Part 1 focuses on what it actually means to go “off-grid” and how to start thinking about calculating the costs for cutting the cord with your utility. Part 2 discusses two real-world examples of sizing an off-grid solar energy system, along with the feasibility of going through with an off-grid solution. Check out Part 1 here.
Continue readingEnergy storage glossary: the most important terms to know
Home energy storage systems are becoming increasingly popular in the US. In fact, solar installers say that one-third of customers nationwide express interest in energy storage, while on EnergySage’s Marketplace that number is even higher, with over 70 percent of solar shoppers also interested in energy storage.
Continue readingQ&A with Electriq: the PowerPod 2
The energy storage industry is always evolving, generating new and improved battery options for homeowners each day. For an example of this, look no further than Electriq Power – this California-based energy storage company just released a new product called the PowerPod 2 that comes with some impressive upgrades to their original PowerPod product, such as lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and improved storage duration. We recently sat down with Electriq to learn more about their newest offering, and what’s coming up next:
Continue readingHow to future proof your solar installation
People who invest in solar are inherently forward-looking: solar panels last for 25 years or more, producing clean energy for decades to come. For people who are considering a new solar–or solar plus storage–installation today, it’s worth thinking about more than just what solar panels to install on your property. There are a few specific ways that you can set up your solar panel system now so that it’s future-proofed for anything else you might want or purchase over the next three decades.
Continue readingWhich SDG&E rate schedule is best? Understanding peak hours
Are you a customer of San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E)? Whether you currently have solar panels on your roof, are considering solar, or don’t have any plans to generate your own electricity, SDG&E’s time-of-use (TOU) rates will have an impact on your monthly electricity costs. In the past, all SDG&E customers had the option of switching to TOU rates or remaining on their existing rate schedule. However, this began to change in early 2019 when SDG&E began the process of moving all residential customers (with a few exceptions) to a TOU plan. When it comes to choosing the right rate plan for your property, the best option for your home depends on your electricity use habits.
Continue readingQ&A with Eguana Technologies
Thanks to resiliency and economic benefits, many homeowners throughout the country are considering installing energy storage systems. But with this increased demand comes an increase in products available in the market, making it harder to determine the best battery solution for you and your home.
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