Author Archives: Luke Tarbi

how many solar panels do i need

How many solar panels do I need for my home?

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Determining the size of your solar energy system starts with a simple question: how many solar panels do I need? As most people want to produce enough energy to completely eliminate their electricity bill, the first step is determining what size solar system will produce enough power to meet your household consumption levels. Ultimately, you will be calculating how many kilowatt-hours of power you will need and finding the correct system size and number of solar panels to power your house. 

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free solar panels

“Free solar panels”: Are they really free?

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

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

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10 kw solar energy system

What will a 10,000 Watt (10 kW) solar system cost in your state in 2020?

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

10kW solar systems are among the most popular solar energy system sizes in the country, producing enough electricity to power a home with slightly above-average electricity consumption. How much does a 10kW solar system cost? How much electricity will a 10kW solar system produce? How do you know you’re getting the best deal on a system? These are some of the key questions we will answer in this article.

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tesla solar roof vs solar panels

Tesla solar roof cost vs. solar panels: worth the premium?

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

In the spring of 2017, Tesla announced pricing for their new solar roof product (the Tesla Solar Roof), a roof replacement for your home. And as of January 2019, Tesla is producing the solar roof at their Buffalo Gigafactory, albeit slowly. Installations have begun for the top of their waitlist though mass-market availability still remains unclear.

The new solution requires that you replace your existing roof with Tesla’s blend of non-solar glass tiles and solar-enabled glass tiles. It is an elegant new product, designed with great aesthetics, and due to its immense popularity, we wanted to explore the question: does installing this new roof make financial sense for your home? After initial analysis, we’ve found that for the majority of homeowners the answer is “not yet.” Unless you’re in the market for a roof replacement, Tesla’s new solar roof is simply too expensive for the average American homeowner to justify as a home energy upgrade.

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new york state solar tax credit energysage

New York State’s Solar Tax Credit : 25% savings on your solar energy costs

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

There are a number of generous incentives for solar power in New York State, and NY’s Solar Equipment Tax Credit is one of them. The Solar Tax Credit plays a major role in making solar energy installation in New York state a bright idea. But who qualifies to claim it and how much is it?

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tesla powerwall case study

Case study: Tesla Powerwall installation with Green Mountain Power in Vermont

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Reading Time: 7 minutesEnergySage’s own vice president of marketing, Luke Tarbi, just had a Tesla Powerwall 2 installed at his home in Vermont through Green Mountain Power’s new program – for just $15/month! In this case study, he shares his experience with the program.

We’d just closed on the house in Southern Vermont. Fortunately, the sellers left the house mostly furnished and stocked with supplies and a helpful “home instructions” booklet. One line of their “home instructions” stood out to us: “In the event of a power outage, there are flashlights and candles in the mudroom.”

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solar and wind renewable energy

What are examples of renewable energy resources?

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Reading Time: 3 minutesRenewable energy resources are alternative to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Options like solar energy, wind, hydropower, and geothermal are becoming more and more popular as their reduced impact on the environment and increasingly attractive economics turn heads in the energy industry.
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solar panels for rental properties

Solar panels for apartment renters: can you get in on clean energy’s financial benefits?

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Reading Time: 3 minutesThe simple answer for renters who want solar panels for their apartment or home is that it is possible. Through a number of methods, a renter can still cash in on the financial benefits of solar even if they don’t own their property.

If you’re renting and paying your own utility bills, you may think that there’s no incentive for your landlord to switch to a system powered by clean energy. But, switching to solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind power, geothermal, biomass or combined heat and power could be a win-win situation for you and your landlord. You already know you, as the tenant, would benefit by limiting future increases in your utility bills. But can you really convince your landlord that it’s in his or her best interest, too? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” All you need to do is present a compelling case. So, here’s how:

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