PointGuard Energy

By Tom Palmer

PointGuard Energy is a new interver + battery offering, founded in 2022. It is a subsidiary of SigEnergy. PointGuard offers an advanced home energy management system called PointGuard Home, which integrates solar energy and battery storage with additional capabilities for electric vehicle (EV) charging. This system combines five major components: a solar inverter, a battery…

A Free Energy Marketplace

By Tom Palmer

Connect directly with selected solar, roofing, electrical, heat pump and insulation installers. A typical energy marketplace sells your information as leads dozens of times, then collects a “small fee” of hundreds of dollars per successful install—often running over $1,000 for larger homes or commercial work. Many also charge on-boarding fees. You can’t choose who receives your information….

Converting to Heat Pumps

By Tom Palmer

Overview Heat pumps are an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, as they use electricity rather than fossil fuels to generate heat. Relatively easy to install and maintain, they are also a good choice for homes that do not have access to natural gas. They work by transferring heat between the…

Choosing Your Installer

By Tom Palmer

Solar energy is one of the most impactful ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and save money on energy costs. If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home, choosing the right solar installer is crucial to ensure that your investment pays off in the long run. Here are some tips on how to…

Financing Options

By Tom Palmer

The Major Solar & Energy Upgrade Lenders The three major solar and energy efficiency lenders are Sunlight Financial, Mosaic and GoodLeap (formerly named LoanPal.) Each offer a range of options and a straighforward application process. However, in order to secure a low interest rate, a upfront “Dealer Fee” is added to the project’s cost and…

How Many Panels Will I Need?

By Tom Palmer

How many panels you need will be a your energy usage measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), your solar access, and the configuration of your roof or yard. Find your energy usage by looking at your electricity bills or logging onto your utility and downloading a .csv file. Choose a range of dates that encompass a recent…

Battery Storage Systems

By Tom Palmer

As we transition towards renewable energy sources, the importance of effective storage solutions becomes increasingly evident. Battery storage systems have emerged as game-changers, allowing us to harness and utilize renewable energy more efficiently. In this article, we will explore three popular battery storage systems, their unique features, and the benefits they offer in our quest…

Replacing Old Appliances

By Tom Palmer

Replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models is a smart investment. Not only do these modern appliances help you reduce your carbon footprint by conserving energy and water, but they also lead to substantial cost savings over time. Refrigerators Older refrigerators tend to be energy hogs compared to their modern counterparts. New refrigerators are designed with…

PHEVs: An Alternative to EVs?

By Tom Palmer

As the world grapples with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the automotive industry has witnessed a paradigm shift towards sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, amid the growing popularity of EVs, it’s crucial to recognize the significant advantages of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles…

Going Solar FAQs

By Tom Palmer

As the popularity of solar energy continues to rise, so does the curiosity and interest of homeowners considering the installation of solar panels. While solar power offers a clean and sustainable energy solution, it’s natural for people to have questions before embarking on this renewable energy journey. This article aims to address some of the…

Choosing Your Installer

Solar energy is one of the most impactful ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and save money on energy costs. If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home, choosing the right solar installer is crucial to ensure that your investment pays off in the long run. Here…

Manufacturers Rebates

Manufacturers periodically offer rebates for solar panel, inverter, and battery installations. Recent rebate programs include: Enphase Energy offered a rebate of up to $1,070 for customers who purchase their Encharge energy storage system and have it installed by an Enphase installer. To claim the rebate, customers must submit a rebate…

Installing Solar Yourself

Installing solar panels yourself can be a complex and potentially dangerous process, and it’s important to understand that it may not be suitable for everyone. Benefits of Self Installing Cost Savings: By purchasing solar equipment directly, individuals can bypass the costs associated with hiring professional installers, resulting in potential…

Financing Options

The Major Solar & Energy Upgrade Lenders The three major solar and energy efficiency lenders are Sunlight Financial, Mosaic and GoodLeap (formerly named LoanPal.) Each offer a range of options and a straighforward application process. However, in order to secure a low interest rate, a upfront “Dealer Fee” is…

Glossary of Terms

A passing familiarity with these terms will help you communicate with your solar installer. Alternating Current (AC): Alternating current (AC) is a type of electric current that alternates in direction. AC electricity is the type of electricity used in homes and businesses, and it is produced by an inverter…

Solar Panel Overview

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, use energy from the sun to generate electricity. They are made up of photovoltaic cells, which use semiconductor materials such as silicon. When sunlight hits a solar panel, it is absorbed by the semiconductor material and causes the electrons in the…

Process of Going Solar

There are several steps involved in adding solar to your home or business: Assess Energy Usage and Needs: Review your past electricity bills to understand your energy consumption patterns. Identify your peak usage months and overall energy needs to determine the size of the solar system required. Budget and…

PointGuard Energy

PointGuard Energy is a new interver + battery offering, founded in 2022. It is a subsidiary of SigEnergy. PointGuard offers an advanced home energy management system called PointGuard Home, which integrates solar energy and battery storage with additional capabilities for electric vehicle (EV) charging. This system combines five major…

Solar & Battery Incentives

Solar energy and energy storage systems have emerged as powerful tools in the quest for sustainable and resilient energy solutions. Recognizing their immense value, both the federal government and various state governments have implemented incentives to encourage the adoption of solar panels and energy storage technologies The Inflation Reduction…

An Overview of Solar Inverters

Central vs Micro Inverters Inverters are an essential component of home solar energy systems. They are used to convert the direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of electricity used in homes and businesses. There are two main types…