Category Archives: News

Articles about important news in the solar and energy industries.

DC solar fees

DC solar fees: what’s happening with them?

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Washington, DC, like many areas in the U.S., has some great incentives if you’re looking to go solar. Recently, however, some residents have received an unpleasant surprise after their installer submitted the permit application for their system: additional fees, which are noted to be necessary to update the grid in order for it to support solar in their area. In this article, we’ll break down these fees, reference some first-hand information from local DC installers, and share what you can ask and do if you learn of additional potential fees when looking to go solar in the DC area.

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State of solar industry

The state of the solar industry: what to know in 2022

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It’s no surprise that the American solar energy industry is expanding: solar prices remain low, and there’s never been an easier time to reap the economic and environmental benefits of going solar. Solar capacity from installations in the U.S. grew 33 percent in Q3 2021 compared to Q3 2020, and we can expect continued rapid growth throughout 2022. However, the exact rate of solar growth in the U.S. will depend on a number of factors, including policy implementation and manufacturing trends. In this article, we’ll examine the state of the solar industry and explain the policies and manufacturing practices that we’re following in 2022. 

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Texas power grid

Why the Texas electrical grid may still be in trouble

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In February 2021, Texas residents lost power after the state’s electrical grid failed as the catastrophic Winter Storm Uri moved through the state. A question remains whether or not there’s still legitimate cause for concern. Almost half of Texans (47 percent) don’t believe that the legislation passed improved the reliability of the state’s electrical grid sufficiently enough to help ensure that Texans will not again suffer as they did during the February 2021 winter storm.

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3G shutdowns

Phasing out 3G networks: what could it mean for your solar system?

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When you read about cellular networks, you likely automatically think about cell phones – but did you know that these networks also support remote monitoring capabilities of solar systems? In 2022 all major mobile carriers – including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon – are shutting down their 3G networks, impacting a number of solar system owners in the U.S. who installed 3G modems as a part of their solar panel system. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about the 3G shutdown and the steps you can take to upgrade your solar system’s cellular modem if your installation is impacted. 

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