Category Archives: Solar

Cheap solar panels: why quality equipment is so important

In order to really cash in on solar power, you may be looking for the cheapest solar panels available. And sure, when you install solar on your home or business, you can save thousands on your electricity bills. But going solar isn’t automatically cheap: buying solar panels to install on your roof typically costs thousands of dollars. It’s no wonder that the cost of solar is among the most important considerations for today’s homeowners. If you’re thinking about going solar and worried about keeping the overall cost down, you’re probably wondering: how can I get the best value for solar panels, and will home solar get even cheaper?

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How to install solar panels

More than a million homes already have solar in the U.S., and many more homeowners are considering installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. If you’re in the market for a clean energy solution like solar, you probably want to know what actually happens during a solar panel installation or even how to install solar panels yourself. There are several key steps that need to happen between deciding to go solar, signing your contract, and powering your home with solar electricity – and most of this happens behind the scenes. To show you what you can expect, we’ve outlined a simple guide for how to set up a home solar power system.

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How to prepare for a virtual site visit

One of the key steps to going solar is ensuring that your home is ready for the installation. Once you’ve signed a contract with a solar installer, the next step is typically for an engineer (not a salesperson) to conduct a site visit to ensure your home’s structure and electrical wiring are compatible with your new solar panel system.

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How to access your previous electric bills in California

Many Californians are rushing to install solar before long-term savings drop significantly under California’s new solar policy, net metering (NEM) 3. With net metering, your utility company compensates you for the excess electricity your solar panel system generates and sends to the grid; NEM 3 lowers the compensation rate in California by about 75% compared to current NEM 2 rates. So, if you live in California and are thinking about going solar soon, you’ll maximize your solar savings by submitting your interconnection application before April 14, 2023 at 5PM PST (when NEM 3 goes into effect) to lock in 20 years of higher NEM 2 rates.

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Q&A with Hoymiles

When you picture a solar energy system, you probably think of the panels – and for good reason! They’re certainly the most visible component. However, inverters are also an important part of your solar energy system: they convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity used by most common household appliances. Hoymiles is one company that manufactures inverters; specifically, they make microinverters, which are installed and convert electricity at each individual solar panel. We sat down with Hoymiles to learn more about their history, product offerings, and advice for those exploring inverter options.

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Where are solar markets expanding?

With global markets that span across various industries, solar power is one of the fastest-growing energy sources. Certain countries and states, like China and California, have dominated the solar industry for years. But, between net-zero carbon emission goals and various climate policies, solar markets around the world are growing. In this article, we break down the countries, U.S. states, and solar market segments that are expanding.

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How long do solar panels last? Solar panel lifespan explained

The industry standard for the lifespan of solar panels is 25-30 years. However, a solar panel won’t die after 25-30 years – rather, its power output will decrease a significant amount below what the manufacturer projected. It’s hard to understand the upfront cost of going solar without knowing how long you can expect your rooftop panels to produce ample energy. Ultimately, your solar panels will offset your electricity use for decades and significantly reduce your energy bills – but to get a sense of when you’ll need to replace your system, it’s important to understand industry projections and degradation rates.

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Most sustainable solar companies

Solar energy is an emission-free alternative to traditional power production and undoubtedly lessens our reliance on fossil fuels – but there’s still room for improvement to make solar even sustainable. As the solar industry continues to mature, more and more companies are entering the booming market. But, just like any other company, solar companies are ultimately trying to turn a profit. So, how much do they value sustainability? And what are some solar companies doing to better the industry? In this article, we highlight a few companies that prioritize sustainability in their solar energy endeavors.

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Have a flat roof? Why it could be the perfect setup for solar

Solar is a smart energy decision for homes and businesses with many different types of roofs, including those that are flat. However, with a flat roof, you’ll need to keep a few considerations in mind as you go through the installation process. We’ll walk you through what you need to know about solar for flat roofs before you install and how your flat roof solar system could end up being even more efficient than a traditional solar system.

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Net metering vs. net billing: what to know about solar production compensation

In a perfect world, your home’s solar system would precisely meet your electricity demands – nothing more and nothing less. In reality, there will be days when your panels produce more electricity than you use (sunny summer days), and days when they won’t produce enough (shorter, cloudier days and nights). When this happens, net metering and net billing allow you to essentially use the grid as storage; excess energy produced by your panels transfers to the grid in exchange for credits. In times when your solar system isn’t able to meet your energy needs and you need to pull electricity from the grid, you can use these credits to compensate.

In this article, we explain the difference between net metering and net billing compensation structures, different types of net metering and net billing, and where these programs are being offered across the country.

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