Author Archives: Luke Richardson

How much do solar panels cost in Florida in 2019?

It often surprises people to hear that Florida, frequently referred to as “the Sunshine State,” is not the top state for solar. While California may hold the #1 spot for the U.S. solar market, Florida is undoubtedly one of the country’s leading states for home solar power. In this article, we’ll break down the top solar panel incentives in Florida and explain what a solar panel system will most likely cost.

Continue reading
latest advances in solar technology graphic

Solar panel technology: learn about the latest advances in solar energy

Solar power is in a constant state of innovation in 2019, with new advances in solar panel technology announced constantly. In the past year alone, there have been milestones in solar efficiency, solar energy storage, wearable solar tech, and solar design tech. Read on to get the complete update on all the breakthroughs you should know about in the world of new solar panel technology.

Continue reading

thin film solar panels should you install

Thin film solar panels: do they make sense for residential?

In a world where new solar panels and breakthroughs in solar technology are emerging almost every month, homeowners have a lot of panel options to choose from in 2019. Among the many innovations in the panel manufacturing space, none may be more appealing and visually exciting than thin-film solar panels. In this article we’ll dig into what makes thin-film stand out from standard silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels and offer some insight on when thin-film solar is an ideal option for homeowners and the residential market.

Continue reading
solar panels for schools

Solar panels for schools: how much are the costs and benefits of solar for k-12s and universities?

As solar has entered the mainstream in the past decade, corporations and institutions with massive energy bills have started to realize how much money they can save by switching to solar power. There’s already a strong case for residential rooftop solar, but you can make an even more convincing argument for solar in the commercial sector where prices are lower and overall savings can be dramatic. In this article, we’ll focus on schools and universities, explain why many educational institutions across the country are installing solar, how much solar costs for schools and detail how the process works.

Continue reading
kwh and mwh definitions

What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)? What is a megawatt-hour (MWh)? The difference between kWh and kw (and MWh and MW)

If you’ve been thinking about your energy costs lately, you may be looking into energy efficiency upgrades for your home such as installing solar panels, adding smart thermostats or pursuing an EnergyStar home certification. And when comparing various energy solutions and the prices for new options, you’re going to hear one metric used incessantly: kilowatt-hour (kWh). So what exactly does a kWh mean and how does it differ from a kilowatt (kW)?

Continue reading
new solar panel options

New solar panels: what’s coming to market in 2019?

In today’s fast expanding solar industry, there are already hundreds of different panel models and designs available to the modern day solar shopper. A growing number of premium technology brands (think Panasonic and LG) have entered the residential solar market, leaving homeowners across the country wondering: what’s next? What new technologies can we expect for solar panels in 2019? In this article we will discuss all of the new developments with photovoltaic (PV) panels, including new  aesthetics like clear solar panels, bi-facial (double-sided) panels, efficiency improvements and solar inverter integration.

Continue reading

do solar panels work at night

How do solar panels work at night and on cloudy days?

If you’ve been wondering “do solar panels work at night or on cloudy days?, you’re certainly not alone. While they don’t work at night, you will still be able to use excess electricity depending on your system. On cloudy days, they will still be able to work, generating 10-25% of their normal power output.If you choose to rely on solar panels for your home electricity use, it’s important to understand how solar panels can be a reliable source of power during night time when there is no available sunlight.

Continue reading
what is my carbon footprint energysage

What is my carbon footprint? Calculating CO2 impact

In an age of global climate change, people around the world are looking for ways to reduce their share of the approximately 15 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases emitted each year. In the United States, one of the top three polluters in the world, many Americans are looking into home energy solutions like energy efficient upgrades and solar installations. However, for some homeowners, the first question is “what is my carbon footprint, and what are the biggest contributing factors?” In this article we’ll answer the following questions:

  1. What lifestyle choices influence my carbon footprint?
  2. How do I calculate my own carbon footprint?
  3. What are the best ways to reduce my carbon footprint?
Continue reading
the most common solar energy uses energysage

How is solar energy used?

With so many different gadgets and technologies that could leverage solar power in the modern era, many are wondering “how is solar energy used?” Whether it’s powering renewable transportation or charging a wireless speaker, the list of examples of solar energy is endless, leaving many homeowners wondering how far they can really go when they decide to “go solar.”

Continue reading
Massachusetts solar incentives with energysage

Are Massachusetts’ solar incentives the best in the country?

When you think of Massachusetts, you may think of the historical city of Boston, its championship sports teams, or distinctive pronunciation of the letter “R”. Now, it’s time to add a new association to the list because Massachusetts solar incentives and programs are now considered some of the best in the country. In this article, we break down these incentives and explain why solar panels are such a great investment in Massachusetts in 2018.

Continue reading