Author Archives: Emily Walker

About Emily Walker

With over five years of experience in environmental science and clean energy, Emily is an expert in solar, battery, and energy management technology and policy. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Biology from Colby College. Emily is always looking for ways to live her life more sustainably and is currently in the process of electrifying her home.

REC Solar panels: the complete review

REC Group is Europe’s largest solar panel manufacturer, with offices in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia. The company was founded in Norway in 1996 and manufactures its solar panels in Singapore. REC is known for pioneering half-cut cell technology in 2014, which improved the performance of solar panels by cutting solar cells in half.

In 2022, REC launched their newest series of solar panels: the Alpha Pure-R. They now offer four series of high power solar modules for residential applications, including Alpha Pure-R, Alpha Pure, N-Peak 2, and Twinpeak 4. REC solar panels are growing increasingly popular – they’re now some of the most quoted and most selected panels on the EnergySage Marketplace.

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Free solar panels: are they really free in 2023?

If you’ve been shopping around for a solar panel system, you’ve probably heard at least one company advertise ‘free solar panels,’ implying that they’ll install a solar energy system on your roof for free. But, much as with anything, remember that there’s no such thing as a free lunch – and there’s no such thing as free solar panels.

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How much do solar panels save? Solar savings by state

Most solar shoppers can save between $20,000 and $97,000 on electricity over the lifetime of a solar panel system. Solar panels aren’t just good for the environment – you can benefit from serious savings which can vary based on a number of factors including your location, current energy usage trends, and the size of your solar panel system. Most importantly, solar savings are influenced by the price you pay for electricity.

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How to install solar panels

More than a million homes already have solar in the U.S., and many more homeowners are considering installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. If you’re in the market for a clean energy solution like solar, you probably want to know what actually happens during a solar panel installation or even how to install solar panels yourself. There are several key steps that need to happen between deciding to go solar, signing your contract, and powering your home with solar electricity – and most of this happens behind the scenes. To show you what you can expect, we’ve outlined a simple guide for how to set up a home solar power system.

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How much does it cost to charge a Tesla? EV vs. gas fuel comparison

If you’re considering purchasing a Tesla, you’re probably wondering how much you’ll pay to charge it. You’re likely familiar with how much it costs to fill up a tank of gas, but charging an electric vehicle (EV) battery is a whole new ballgame! In this article, we’ll explain how much you should expect to pay to charge your Tesla and how this compares to comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) – AKA gas-powered – vehicles. We’ll also walk you through some of the major factors that will impact the cost of charging your Tesla. (Spoiler alert: the best way to lower the cost is to go solar!)

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Solar as a retirement investment strategy

Establishing a secure financial future for your retirement requires that you explore a variety of options, but most homeowners don’t realize that installing a solar panel system can be one of the smartest retirement investment options available. By viewing a home solar panel system as an investment opportunity, homeowners can reduce or even eliminate their electricity bills, freeing up more than $1,000 in cash each year. With the increased availability of $0-down solar loans, homeowners that lack the cash required for an upfront purchase can still take advantage of solar as a retirement investment strategy.

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How to prepare for a virtual site visit

One of the key steps to going solar is ensuring that your home is ready for the installation. Once you’ve signed a contract with a solar installer, the next step is typically for an engineer (not a salesperson) to conduct a site visit to ensure your home’s structure and electrical wiring are compatible with your new solar panel system.

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How to access your previous electric bills in California

Many Californians are rushing to install solar before long-term savings drop significantly under California’s new solar policy, net metering (NEM) 3. With net metering, your utility company compensates you for the excess electricity your solar panel system generates and sends to the grid; NEM 3 lowers the compensation rate in California by about 75% compared to current NEM 2 rates. So, if you live in California and are thinking about going solar soon, you’ll maximize your solar savings by submitting your interconnection application before April 14, 2023 at 5PM PST (when NEM 3 goes into effect) to lock in 20 years of higher NEM 2 rates.

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EnergySage is CA homeowners’ best resource to lock in solar savings before April deadline

New California policy changes are coming that will dramatically reduce solar savings for homes and businesses in the state. We’ve previously detailed these changes (called NEM 3) and built a simple guide to help homeowners lock in the current, higher savings rate before the April 14, 2023 deadline.

Given this fast-approaching deadline, going solar now may feel daunting. Fortunately, EnergySage is here to guide you through the process and protect you with a simple shopping experience, vetted installers, and a team of free, unbiased Energy Advisors.

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How to lock in savings in CA under NEM 2

If you’re a California homeowner thinking about going solar, your window to maximize savings is short. Our Energy Advisors strongly recommend you select an installer no later than March 31st and submit your interconnection application (via your installer) by April 14, 2023. After this date, your solar savings will still be meaningful but 60% lower over the next 20 years. This change is due to NEM 3, California’s new net metering policy, approved in December 2022, which will apply to systems with interconnection applications submitted after April 14th at 5pm PST. NOTE: your installation does not have to happen by this deadline, and you can even make some changes to your system design after submitting your application.

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