This is Part 2 of a two-part series that explores the economics of going completely off-grid with solar. Part 1 focuses on what it actually means to go “off-grid” and how to start thinking about calculating the costs for cutting the cord with your utility. Part 2 discusses two real-world examples of sizing an off-grid solar energy system, along with the feasibility of going through with an off-grid solution. Check out Part 1 here.
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The Tesla Powerwall is a popular battery storage option considered by many Americans looking to add energy storage in an effort to reduce their electricity bills and protect themselves from outages. This article will explain what it costs, how it works, and what else you should know if you’re considering a Powerwall for your home.
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Many Americans are seeing a jump in heating bills due to dropping temperatures and rising energy prices. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it’s actually slated to be a warmer and dryer winter than usual, with above-average temperatures predicted across most of the U.S. due to LA Niña climate conditions – but you should still be prepared for higher than normal heating and electricity bills due to the rising cost of natural gas (and other fossil fuels) across the world. In this article, we’ll explain why energy prices are increasing, where the increases are most dramatic, and how you can protect yourself from the volatility of fossil fuel energy sources (spoiler alert: going solar will help!).
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Energy management is a rapidly growing industry – and for good reason! Home electrification is a crucial step towards a clean energy future and more and more people are participating by upgrading their home setup with solar panels, battery storage systems, heat pumps, and electric vehicles (EVs)! Many of these people are looking for additional insight into their electricity usage, whether to reduce their carbon footprint, or to see savings on their electricity bills.
But energy management systems can vary significantly by product, making it difficult to compare the various options available. In this article, we’ll explain some of the top companies in the energy management industry and explain the differences between their systems.
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When thinking about installing a solar or a solar-plus-storage system at your home or business, there’s one piece of information that is of the utmost importance: how much electricity do you use, and which of your home appliances use that electricity. That’s exactly where Lumin can help: the three-year-old, Charlottesville, Virginia-based company is joining the relatively nascent field of creating smart circuits, allowing you to dynamically choose or automate what to power with your solar and storage, which is especially useful in the event of an outage.
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Choosing how you want to heat and cool your property is an important decision, especially regarding your energy bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heating and cooling make up roughly 53 percent of energy consumption in the average U.S. home, adding up to about $93 billion per year. Because these technologies make up such a large portion of energy costs, homeowners are increasingly looking to upgrade to newer, smarter, and more energy-efficient technologies like air source heat pumps (ASHPs). In this article, we’ll dive into some of the most important advantages and disadvantages of ASHPs to keep in mind as you’re evaluating what heating and cooling technologies are best for your home.
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Solar batteries and storage systems are an integral part of any solar panel system. They work by storing the excess energy generated by solar panels so it can be used later while reducing overall energy costs.
Storage systems are becoming increasingly attractive home upgrades for homeowners across the country. Whether you’re looking for self-consumption, rate arbitrage during peak hours, or back-up power in case of emergencies, storage systems can provide greater independence, resiliency, and savings–especially if you have solar panels and live in a state without net metering.
Because storage systems have become so popular, many companies are now in the market, making it more challenging to compare and decide between the different brands and products available. In this article, we’ll explain some of the most important factors for comparing solar batteries and we’ll discuss some of the best brands and products available now.
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If you are researching a solar battery there’s one major question that you likely have: how much of your house can you power with a typical solar battery, and how long can you provide power to your home? As with most things, the short answer is an ever unsatisfying: it depends! The longer answer is a complicated one, so we’re here to help.
We’ve split this article into two separate questions–how much and for how long–since both questions are important as you decide which battery to install, but the answers rely on different factors.
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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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If you’re considering purchasing a solar-plus-storage system, you’re probably contemplating the “what ifs”: what if my battery isn’t performing properly? What if my battery stops working altogether? The good news is that battery technology is highly reliable, which is why it’s sometimes difficult to find answers to these questions. In this article, we’ll cover some common questions you may have about solar batteries to help you make an informed decision about including storage with your solar system.
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