Author Archives: Kerry Thoubboron

About Kerry Thoubboron

Kerry is an expert in all things solar – she's worked in the industry for over seven years, initially as an Energy Advisor dedicated to helping people compare their solar options and make well-informed energy decisions. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Environmental Analysis and Policy.

solar shingles on home

Solar shingles: what you need to know

You don’t have to install solar panels on your roof to go solar – solar shingles are an innovative solar technology that can also help you save on your energy bills just like traditional solar panels. In this article, we’ll review the key differences between solar shingles, also called solar roof tiles, and their solar panel counterparts, as well as weigh the pros and cons of a solar shingle installation.

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How much does a Tesla cost

How much does a Tesla cost? 2023 Tesla car prices explained

Tesla’s constantly innovating and releasing new electric car tech to the market, and today boasts four commercially available car models: the Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, the Tesla Model 3, and the Tesla Model Y. In this article, we’ll break down the car prices for each of the different Tesla EV models, and explain how you should compare them.

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NEM 3

NEM 3.0: what does it mean for you?

If you look at the best solar & renewable energy markets in the U.S., they all have one thing in common: a strong net metering program. Net metering – or NEM – allows you to earn credits for any excess solar electricity you send to the grid when your solar panel system generates more than you need.

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After years of back and forth before coming to a proposed decision, on December 15, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously to approve California’s third iteration of net metering, or NEM 3.0. Under the new tariff, NEM 3.0 will significantly reduce net metering compensation rates for new California solar customers (by about 75 percent) – however, you still have through April 14, 2023, to submit a completed interconnection application and lock in NEM 2.0 rates for 20 years. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about NEM 3.0 and the steps you need to take now to guarantee the best solar savings.

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Solar array

What is a solar array?

The most important part of a solar panel system is the solar array – it holds all of the panels in your system, which is where sunlight is collected and converted into electricity. In this article, we’ll share some common questions to ask yourself before installing a solar panel system on your home, and to make sure you get the most productive array possible.

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cheapest time of day to use electricity to save money

What are off-peak electricity hours?

It’s becoming increasingly popular for utilities to offer time-of-use (TOU) plans to their residential customers. In a standard electricity plan, you pay the same rate for your electricity regardless of the time of day. However, with TOU plans, the rate you pay for electricity depends on the time energy is drawn from the grid. So, you’ll pay different amounts based on a schedule developed by your utility company of peak hours, off-peak hours, and in some cases, super off-peak or partial-peak hours. We discuss what this means for you and how it impacts your electric bill.

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advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy

What are the pros and cons of renewable energy?

Wind power, geothermal energy, solar energy, hydropower, tidal energy, hydrogen, and other renewable technologies are a widely popular source of energy throughout the world today as we move toward a zero-carbon future. Countries, corporations, and individuals are adopting clean energy for a number of great benefits, from reduced air pollution to financial savings. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy.

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solar loan re-amortization

Solar loan re-amortization: an overview

Solar loans have become a popular way to finance solar panel installations. While there are various loan options to consider, the majority of solar loan products offer fixed interest rates, monthly payments, and terms. If you’re looking for a solar loan option that allows you to adjust your monthly payment down the line, you may want to consider re-amortization options.

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