Your Main Service Panel

By Tom Palmer

Your main service panel (MSP) is a crucial component of your home’s electrical system as it distributes electricity to various circuits and appliances. Before adding solar panels, ensure that your MSP has enough capacity to handle the additional energy load. It is advisable to consult a licensed electrician or solar installer to evaluate your panel’s…

Evaluating Your Roof for Solar

By Tom Palmer

Determining your roof’s suitability for solar panels is a foundational step in transitioning to renewable energy. Collaborating with experienced solar professionals and adhering to local regulations will set you on the path to harnessing the full potential of solar energy, benefiting both you and the planet. Age and Lifespan Solar panels gradually lose efficiency, but…

Heat Pump Incentives

By Tom Palmer

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 recognizes the crucial role of energy efficiency measures in curbing inflation, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable practices. It offers incentives for insulation improvements, and energy efficiency measures to address both inflationary pressures and environmental concerns. By offering tax credits, grants, and promoting consumer education, the act aims to accelerate…

An Overview of Solar Inverters

By Tom Palmer

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 of inverters used in home solar…

Solar Panel Overview

By Tom Palmer

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 material to move. This movement of…

Popular EV Chargers

By Tom Palmer

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction in the automotive industry, the demand for efficient and reliable EV chargers is skyrocketing. As electric vehicles continue to gain momentum, the availability of efficient and reliable chargers is vital in supporting their widespread adoption. The relentless pursuit of innovation in the EV charging industry ensures that powering…

Could Your EV Power Your Home?

By Tom Palmer

Two-way car chargers, also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers, are an innovative technology that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw power from the electrical grid but also feed excess energy back into the grid. This bidirectional flow of electricity has the potential to revolutionize home energy storage and the overall energy landscape. How…

The Cost of Solar

By Tom Palmer

Upfront Cost and Payback Period Installation costs varies by location, but it is generally around $2.80 to $4 per watt for residential installations, and $2.20 to $3.00 per Watt for small commercial installations. Price per Watt usually goes down when adding panels, with a minimum of 8 panels. There is typically a base price for…

Manufacturers Rebates

By Tom Palmer

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 form and proof of purchase within…

Adding Insulation

By Tom Palmer

Insulation helps to keep warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. Insulation Materials When retrofitting existing walls with insulation, common materials used are cellulose, fiberglass, and Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI). Each material has pros and cons. Cellulose: Cellulose insulation is an…

Solar Canopies With Storage

One over-looked but rapidly exploitable renewable resource to assist the clean energy transition is solar parking lots. France has incentivized & requied solar canopies be integrated stationary storage batteries & Vehicle-to-Grid chargers on ALL existing parking lots with 80 or more spaces within 5 years (3 years for big…

Ground Mounted Solutions

tInstalling a ground-mounted solar system is a great way to harness the power of the sun and reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources. Ground-mounted solar systems consist of solar panels that are installed on a steel or aluminum frame that is anchored to the ground. In this article,…

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…

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…

Battery Storage Systems

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…

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…

Going Solar FAQs

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…

The Cost of Solar

Upfront Cost and Payback Period Installation costs varies by location, but it is generally around $2.80 to $4 per watt for residential installations, and $2.20 to $3.00 per Watt for small commercial installations. Price per Watt usually goes down when adding panels, with a minimum of 8 panels. There…

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…

How Many Panels Will I Need?

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…