Category Archives: Buyer’s Guide

Articles about solar products and companies to help consumers understand more about solar equipment/companies and best compare their quotes and options.

should I wait for tesla solar roof

The Tesla roof: when will it be available and should you wait for it?

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Reading Time: 7 minutes

For those asking themselves, “should I wait for the Tesla solar roof?”, you are not alone. Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, has a well-earned reputation for creating innovative 21st-century products that combine attractive designs with exceptional performance – and generate high levels of consumer interest as a result. The latest Musk technology to make a splash is the Tesla solar roof, which he revealed to great fanfare in October 2016. Here’s everything you should consider before making your decision, including what Tesla roof rivals you should consider.

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what are solar panels made of

How are solar panels made? What parts are they made of? List of cell types and parts of a solar panel

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Solar has entered the mainstream as the world’s cheapest energy source, leaving many people wondering how solar PV can be so efficient and inexpensive while still providing “green” energy. Answering that question means understanding how solar energy work, how solar panels are made and what the parts of a solar panel are. Most panels available on the market are made of monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin film (“amorphous”) silicon. In this article, we’ll explain the different ways solar cells are made and what parts are required to manufacture a solar panel.

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three key decisions in solar shopping

The three key decisions in solar shopping

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Most property owners who are interested in solar panels are considering solar energy for the first time. Unlike more familiar products like houses, cars, or televisions, this new product category raises some basic questions about where to start. What are the key decisions that need to be made, what options are available, and what is the best way to approach these considerations?

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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, a roof replacement for your home. And as of August 2018, Tesla is producing the solar roof at their Buffalo Gigafactory, albeit slowly. Installations have begun for the top of their wait list 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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StorEdge: SolarEdge’s solar plus storage solution

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Designing a “storage-ready” solar panel system is the first step to ensuring that you’re set up for success when you decide to move forward with a solar battery for your home or business. EnergySage spoke with Lior Handelsman, VP of Marketing & Product Strategy and Founder of SolarEdge, for his perspective on storage-ready solar.

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solar tariff cost impact 2018

How the 2018 U.S. Solar Tariff Will Impact the Price You Pay

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Update: a new section was added at the bottom of this article in September 2018 to show the tariff’s impact on residential solar prices

We’ve been receiving lots of questions about the new solar tariff from shoppers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Here’s the bottom line for homeowners: this tariff will increase the cost of a typical home solar installation by $500 to $1,000. The good news is that comparison-shopping on EnergySage can save you between $1,500 and $3,000. For commercial customers, the savings could be even higher (more on that later.)

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solar providers near me

What’s the best way to find solar providers near me?

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you want a high-quality solar installation, you need to find high-quality solar providers near you. Before you move forward with your home solar project, it is important to find a local solar installation company that is easy to talk to, acts professionally, and offers premium products and installation services.

Ready to get free quotes from solar providers in your area? Try the EnergySage Solar Marketplace

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