Tag Archives: equipment

Can you buy solar panel cars?

Solar panels produce electricity wherever and whenever the sun is shining. As electric cars continue to increase in popularity, it only makes sense that some companies have begun exploring the possibility of integrating solar panels directly into cars to provide power on the go. Imagine how much further you could drive in your electric vehicle (EV) if it was charging its battery with solar panels while you were driving! In this article, we’ll take a look at how feasible solar panel cars actually are, and if you’ll be able to buy one anytime soon.

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The Enel X Way JuiceBox home EV charger complete review

If you’ve bought an electric vehicle (EV) recently or are considering one, you’re not alone! Global EV sales doubled in 2021 from the previous year to a new record of 6.6 million, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2022 Report. Having an EV charger at your home allows you to more efficiently and quickly charge your EV at home, while managing and monitoring your charging and energy usage. (Bonus: if you have solar, you can power your car with the sun!)

Enel X Way is one of the leaders in smart EV charging stations providing residential, commercial, and utility solutions. Their smart home EV chargers are regularly top-rated by trusted sites like CNET, Car & Driver, This Old House, and Electrek as well as highly reviewed by users on Amazon. In this article, we’ll focus on the Enel X Way JuiceBox.

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Q&A with HomeGrid

Are you interested in installing a solar-plus-storage system? Do you like legos? These two questions might not sound related, but when it comes to HomeGrid’s energy storage system, they’re both quite relevant! HomeGrid is a relatively new battery company known for their stackable batteries akin to massive legos. We sat down with HomeGrid’s team to learn more about their company, the products they offer, and their advice for those shopping for storage.

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Where to install solar batteries in your home

As more and more people install solar on their homes and the price of electricity from the grid continues to spike, energy storage systems, also known as solar batteries, are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Solar batteries are a complementary technology to solar panels that help establish energy security and reduce grid dependency, while saving money in avoided electricity costs. In the U.S. there are rules, regulations and recommendations to ensure battery installations are completed in a safe and effective manner. In this article we’ll discuss where you should and shouldn’t install your battery to maximize its capacity and your safety!

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How long does it take to charge an EV?

With continuously-improving ranges, lower prices, and incentives, more and more people are making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Just this year, EV registrations in the U.S. rose by 60 percent in the first quarter of 2022. But, some drivers are still worried about range and how long it takes to charge before they go electric with their driving. So how long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

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Floating solar: what you need to know

Not every roof is suitable for solar panels – factors such as shade, obstructions, age, and available space can have property owners looking for other locations for installation. When it comes to large-scale solar projects, the most common alternatives to rooftop solar panel systems include ground mounts or solar canopies. Here’s a newer alternative that’s making quite the splash in the solar industry: floating solar.

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How to compare air source heat pump quotes

From single-zone mini-splits to ducted systems that control the temperature of various zones of an entire home, air source heat pumps offer an efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable heating and cooling solution for virtually any home in every climate. But between the industry jargon and complex technology, the process of investing in a new heating and cooling system can be intimidating and confusing for those who aren’t experts (that’s why you have us!).

With so much new information presented to you, receiving a quote for an air source heat pump system can feel daunting. How do you know if the equipment quoted is the right equipment for your goals? Does the price make sense in today’s market in your area? In this article, we explain key factors to pay attention to so you can confidently compare air source heat pump quotes.

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How many solar panels do I need for air source heat pumps?

Air source heat pumps are an incredible investment in your home’s energy efficiency, but the energy savings don’t have to stop there. Powering your heat pump system with solar panels can maximize energy bill savings while decreasing your carbon footprint. But how do you size a solar system to meet your heating and cooling needs? In this article, we break down what you need to know and discuss with your solar installer to ensure your solar system can power your heat pumps.

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The Fortress Power battery complete review

Founded in 2016, Fortress Power is a Southampton based manufacturer of lithium ion solar batteries, offering both businesses and homeowners safe, reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions. Their storage solutions support multiple applications, are easy to install, and are competitively priced, with customer satisfaction as the company’s core value. Fortress Power offers four home battery products: the eVault 18.5, the eVault Max 18.5, the eFlex 5.4 and the LPF-5K-48V. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about their various offerings.

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We read Hoymiles’ warranty so you don’t have to

Let’s face it – warranties aren’t the easiest (or most gripping) documents to read. There are often a lot of details and fine print included that can be hard to digest, leaving many to wonder: what does the warranty actually cover? Am I vulnerable? Anything I might be missing?

To make it as easy as possible, we’ve read warranty documents for the top inverter equipment manufacturers–and talked to them to confirm what is and isn’t included–and plan to point out the most important aspects of each in a series of articles. In this article, we’ll review the warranty of a microinverter company that’s been around since 2012: Hoymiles.

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