Author Archives: Jacob Marsh

About Jacob Marsh

Jacob is a researcher and content writer at EnergySage, where he focuses primarily 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.

The solar tax credit: an energy tax credit for going solar

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

The investment tax credit (ITC), also known as the federal solar tax credit, allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The ITC applies to both residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value. The average EnergySage Solar Marketplace shopper saves nearly $9,000 on the cost of going solar as a result of the ITC.

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Battery certifications and testing: what you need to know

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Like other electronic products, home batteries go through rigorous testing before installation and use at your home or business. These tests are critical to determining the quality and performance of batteries under particular environmental stresses, as well as confirming they meet mandated government safety requirements. In this article, we’ll review the most common testing and certifications for home batteries on the market today.

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The Span Smart Panel complete review

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Just about every home has an electrical panel–it’s the metal box in your basement that you have to fiddle with every time you overload a surge protector or your lights aren’t working for some weird reason. Span is a company looking to modernize this ancient but essential technology with their Smart Panel: an industry-changing energy management product

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How much solar power can my roof generate?

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

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.

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Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels: what you need to know

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

When you evaluate solar panels for your photovoltaic (PV) system, you will encounter two main categories of panel options: monocrystalline solar panels (mono) and polycrystalline solar panels (poly). Both types of panels produce energy from the sun, but there are some key differences to be aware of.

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Adding a battery to your solar energy system as a retrofit

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

The market for home energy storage options like the Tesla Powerwall has taken off in recent years, and costs are falling quickly. Many homeowners and businesses are thinking about adding a battery backup to their solar panel system.

The benefits of a home battery can be significant, especially if you have solar: you can use more solar energy onsite, or save it to use as backup power in the event that the grid goes down. If you are on time-of-use (TOU) rates for your electricity or pay monthly demand charges, you can even save money by using power from your battery when rates are high.

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How to lower your electric bill

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Electricity prices are constantly rising, and finding ways to lower your electric bill can save you an impressive amount of money in the long run. In this article, we’ll talk about a few ways you can lower your bill through behavior changes, energy-efficient products, and larger home upgrades.

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The Blue Planet Energy Blue Ion HI complete review

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Blue Planet Energy is a US-based battery manufacturer on a mission to eliminate the use of carbon-based fuels while powering the world with reliable, affordable, clean energy. Their Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) batteries boast safety and are backed by leading warranties, making them compelling products for anyone looking to install a battery system. Their newest product, the Blue Ion HI, is a powerful, safe, and sleek battery system built in the USA that pairs well with solar panel systems.

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Mast Landing Brewing Company saves money and protects the environment with community solar

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Homeowners, renters, and business owners alike can all look to community solar as a way to save energy and protect the environment. For Ian Dorsey, President & CEO of Mast Landing Brewing Company, community solar was the perfect solution to a long-term desire for his company: to reap the environmental and financial benefits from solar without an upfront financial investment that a small craft brewery can’t afford.

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Solar panel maintenance

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Worried about solar panels and hail? Fret not! Solar panel systems are incredibly durable and require little to no maintenance over their productive lifetime, which can span 25 years or more. In the event that something does go wrong, your solar PV system components have very long warranties that would cover replacement and repair costs. If you lease your solar panel system, repairs and maintenance are the leasing company’s responsibility, not yours.

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