Author Archives: Kerry Thoubboron

About Kerry Thoubboron

Kerry is a Content & Email Marketing Specialist at EnergySage. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Environmental Analysis and Policy. Outside of work, you can find Kerry snowboarding, watching The Office, or having passionate debates about which New England state is best (spoiler: it's Vermont).

Solar rebates 101

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

There are many different types of solar incentives out there – tax credits, performance-based incentives, and solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) to name a few. Solar rebates are some of the most common solar incentives, and some of the easiest to understand. While not available in every solar market, those who can take advantage of rebates can significantly lower the upfront cost of going solar. 

In this article, we’ll give an overview of solar rebate incentives, provide sources for finding solar rebates in your area, and discuss how to apply for rebates for which you’re eligible.

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Which SDG&E rate schedule is best? Understanding peak hours

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

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.

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Energy-saving tips for renters

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

For homeowners, making energy upgrades is as simple as having an energy audit, choosing which upgrades to make, and implementing those changes. But for renters, it’s a bit more complicated – because you don’t own the property you live in, you often don’t have the ability to make certain energy upgrades, such as installing rooftop solar panels, adding insulation, replacing windows, and more. However, as a renter, there are steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on utility bills. Here are just a few options:

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Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART): Massachusetts’ SREC II replacement program

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Massachusetts has always been one of the best states for solar. Not only does the Bay State have the high electricity rates that lead to a short payback period for your solar investment – it also has a history of having strong solar incentives for property owners looking to own a solar panel system.

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Q&A with Sungage Financial

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

When making the switch to solar, many EnergySage shoppers end up financing their installation with a loan from Sungage Financial. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Sungage currently provides financing solutions through their partner installer network in 18 states and Washington D.C. EnergySage conducted a Q&A with Mike Gilroy, Sungage CEO, to learn more about their company, what customers should consider when choosing a solar loan, and how they differ from other specialized solar lenders.

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Mission Solar: the complete review

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Mission Solar is a U.S. based solar panel manufacturer headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Though newer to the market than other panel manufacturers, Mission Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular option with shoppers on the EnergySage Marketplace. Because they assemble solar panel modules in the U.S., Mission Solar modules are exempt from Trump’s solar tariff.

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The best EnergySage videos of 2019

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Finding the right solar solution can be difficult, and there are a lot of questions to address before putting panels on your roof. To help you save time in your solar research, EnergySage created quick videos to answer the most important solar questions in under three minutes.

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SRECs in Maryland: prices, projections, and program status

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you’re considering installing solar in Maryland, one incentive you should be aware of is solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). Maryland is one of the few states that offers this performance-based incentive to people generating solar electricity. Property owners in Maryland who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds of dollars each year by selling the SRECs their system generates.

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