Author Archives: Jacob Marsh

About Jacob Marsh

Jacob is a researcher and content writer at EnergySage, where he's an expert on current issues–and new technology!–in the solar industry. With a background in environmental and geological science, Jacob brings an analytical perspective and passion for conservation to help solar shoppers make the right energy choices for their wallet and the environment. Outside of EnergySage, you can find him playing Ultimate Frisbee or learning a new, obscure board game.

Solar generators

Our guide to the best solar generators

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Solar isn’t just for rooftops – you can use portable solar products like solar generators as a backup power source if the grid goes down, or as a source of electricity for your campsite, RV, or boat. But what is a solar generator exactly? And how does it compare with typical fossil-fuel powered generators? In this article, we’ll break down the key things you need to know about solar generators so you can decide if they’re right for you!

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solar panel recycling

Solar panel recycling: what you need to know

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Solar power is one of the fastest-growing clean energy sources, but what happens to old panels? Solar panels have a lifetime of about 30 years. With the increasing number of solar panels being sold and installed in the U.S. each year, it’s only a matter of time before high volumes of panels are at the end of their useful life and have to be disposed of. Solar panel recycling is still at an early stage, but as the renewable energy market continues to expand, recycling processes will play an increasingly important role.

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Sun Number

Sun Score: what you need to know about your property’s Sun Number

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If you’ve shopped for solar before, you may have come across something known as “Sun Number” or sun score. Like EnergySage, Sun Number received funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative to innovate in the solar energy space. Read on to learn more about how a property’s Sun Number is calculated and what your sun score means for going solar.

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solar trackers overview

Solar trackers: everything you need to know

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There are many unique ways to design and install a solar energy system for your property in order to power your home with solar power. If you’re considering a ground-mounted solar panel installation, you might be considering a solar tracking system so that your panels follow the sun across the sky. In this article, we’ll explain what a solar tracker is, the different types available, and how to decide if a tracking system is right for you.

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how many watts refrigerator

How many watts does a refrigerator use?

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On average, a refrigerator uses 300 to 800 watts of electricity, depending on how old the model is. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps and about 120 volts. Your refrigerator is one of the larger electrical appliances in your home, and it’s always on! If you’re looking to cut down on your electrical bill or estimate how many solar panels you need to keep your home up and running, understanding how many watts of electricity a refrigerator uses is one important piece of the puzzle.

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solar tax credit

Everything you need to know about the federal solar tax credit

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The investment tax credit (ITC), also known as the federal solar tax credit, allows you to deduct 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The 30 percent tax credit will be available until 2033, at which point it will drop to 26 percent. The ITC applies to both residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value. The average EnergySage Marketplace shopper saves nearly $6,150 on the cost of going solar as a result of the ITC.

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residential solar panels

Expert guide to solar panels for homes

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Over the past decade, home rooftop solar use has exploded around the country as Over the past decade, rooftop solar use has exploded around the country as a very popular investment strategy. Homes and businesses across the country are transitioning away from a fossil-fueled electricity grid towards a clean energy economy, driven by a need to reduce emissions in a time of global climate change. Amidst this period of energy reform, rooftop solar panel systems are becoming more and more popular. It’s time to give residential solar the credit it deserves.

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solar panel efficiency

What are the most efficient solar panels?

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In the past years, solar technology has been making huge leaps and bounds towards higher solar cell efficiency, higher power output, and overall higher quality. Nowadays, solar panels have conversion efficiencies over 20 percent on average, compared to their previous average of less than 15 percent. It is important to know what determines solar panel efficiency before making a purchase in order to generate the most energy and ultimately save the most money on your electric bill.

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solar cells

How do photovoltaic cells work?

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You’ve probably seen solar panels on rooftops all around your neighborhood, but do you know how they actually work to generate electricity? In this article, we’ll take a look at photovoltaic solar cells, or solar cells, which are electronic devices that generate electricity when exposed to photons, or particles of light—this conversion is called the photovoltaic effect. In this article, we’ll explain how PV cells work. Specifically, we’ll examine the science of silicon solar cells, the solar cells making up the vast majority of solar panels.

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