Solar panels are incredibly reliable, and have proven to be not only great for the environment, but a superb investment as well. Their reliability comes from the fact that they are solid state electronic devices, meaning that there are no moving parts. This nearly eliminates the risk of mechanical failure and allows panels to be extremely low maintenance for long periods of time. However, nothing is perfect, and solar panels can develop defects over the course of their lifetime. We’ve put together a list of the most common problems that can occur with your solar system.
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Agrivoltaics: what is it and can it benefit your farm?
The farming industry has been hit hard by the impacts of climate change. From increasing temperatures to severe droughts, farms are facing new challenges that will likely increase with intensity as climate change progresses. Fortunately, a new solution is arising that can both benefit farmers and help reduce emissions: agrivoltaics (also known as dual-use solar).
Continue readingHow much solar power can my roof generate?
Have you ever wondered how much electricity you could produce from solar? In this article, we’ll walk through how to calculate the amount of solar power you could technically generate on your roof, as well as why our calculations aren’t all that helpful for any single homeowner.
Continue readingSolar trends to watch in 2021
Over the past year, in the face of constant and unprecedented headwinds, ranging from COVID-19 to an unfriendly presidential administration, the solar industry has proved incredibly resilient, with home solar installations growing 7 percent in 2020. But what does 2021 have in store for solar? Will this growth continue? In this article, we look at the three areas that will determine the industry’s fortunes in the coming year: business trends, technology, and government policy.
Continue readingTypes of solar panels
Most of the solar panel options currently available fit in one of three types: monocrystalline, polycrystalline (also known as multi-crystalline), and thin-film. These solar panels vary in how they’re made, appearance, performance, costs, and the installations each are best suited for. Depending on the type of installation you’re considering, one option may be more suitable than the others.
Continue reading350-watt solar panels: are they right for you?
One important metric to consider when comparing solar panel options is a panel’s power rating, referred to as wattage. 350-watt (W) solar panels are close to the average wattage of solar panels available today and are a great panel option for many types of solar projects.
Continue readingShould you buy Grape Solar panels from Costco or Home Depot?
Installing solar panels is fast becoming a home improvement project that any homeowner can take on. Now that you can buy solar panels at Costco and Home Depot, you may even be considering installing a home solar energy system yourself. One of the most popular DIY options is to purchase a solar panel kit from Grape Solar, an Oregon-based solar panel manufacturer whose products are for sale at Costco and Home Depot. But before you make a Costco solar purchase, we recommend you learn more about how Grape Solar panels compare to other solar panel brands.
Continue readingHow hot do solar panels get? Effect of temperature on solar performance
Solar panels are often exposed to high amounts of heat, especially during long, hot summer days. In this article, we will discuss the impact hot weather has on solar panels, and how those effects are mitigated by consumers and manufacturers alike.
Continue reading300-watt solar panels: are they right for you?
One important metric to consider when comparing solar panel options is a panel’s power rating, referred to as wattage. 300-watt (W) solar panels are close to the average wattage of solar panels available today and are suitable for many types of solar projects.
Continue reading250-watt solar panels: are they right for you?
One important metric to consider when comparing solar panel options is a panel’s power rating, referred to as wattage. 250-watt (W) solar panels are close to the average wattage of solar panels available today and are a great panel option for many types of solar projects.
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