High-Efficiency Windows & Doors

By Tom Palmer

In our quest for a sustainable and energy-conscious future, we often overlook a crucial element of our homes and buildings: windows. These silent guardians offer more than just views and natural light. Energy-efficient window replacements have the potential to revolutionize our living spaces, improve our comfort, and make a significant impact on our energy consumption….

Energy-Efficient Construction

By Tom Palmer

A range of innovative building materials and techniques have emerged, enabling architects and builders to design and construct structures that minimize environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency. In this article, we will explore some of the most promising energy-efficient building materials and techniques available today, along with the manufacturers leading the charge. Insulated Concrete Forms…

Conducting an Energy Audit

By Tom Palmer

Benefits of Conducting a Home Energy Audit: A home energy audit identifies areas where your home is wasting energy and recommends improvements that can result in cost savings, improved comfort, and a reduced environmental impact. There are several companies that offer home energy audit services, with prices ranging from around $150 to $500. Energy audits…

Replace Your Bulbs With LEDs

By Tom Palmer

LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can result in lower electricity bills and reduced energy consumption. These bulbs have a much longer lifespan compared to traditional bulbs, which means they need to be replaced less frequently, reducing maintenance costs. LED bulbs do not contain harmful chemicals and have a lower carbon…

Reimagining Everyday Tools

By Tom Palmer

From transportation to home appliances, our society is increasingly recognizing the benefits of electrification. In this article, we will explore the transformative potential of electric versions of common items, such as leaf blowers, snow blowers, lawnmowers, boats, and more. By embracing these electric alternatives, we can take significant strides towards a cleaner, quieter, and more…

Process of Going Solar

By Tom Palmer

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 Financing: Set a budget for your…

Solar & Battery Incentives

By Tom Palmer

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 Act (IRA) of 2022 provides for…

Glossary of Terms

By Tom Palmer

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 in a solar panel system. Direct…

SolarEdge Systems

By Tom Palmer

SolarEdge was the first to successfully commercialize power optimizers, a device that offers module-level maximum power point tracking (MPPT), before feeding back the electricity generated into a central inverter. Their central inverters have a standard 12 year warranty, and typically fail after about 13 years. All SolarCal systems using SolarEdge include an extended, 25 year…

Enphase Systems

By Tom Palmer

The Enphase Energy System with IQ8 comes in four different configurations: – Solar Only:  IQ 8 Microinverters + IQ Combiner– Sunlight Backup: adds a System Controller. Use panels during a grid shutdown– Home Essentials Backup: has a 3.36 kWh battery– Full Energy Independence has a 10.08 kWh battery The first configuration is a standard grid-tied…

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…

Enphase Systems

The Enphase Energy System with IQ8 comes in four different configurations: – Solar Only:  IQ 8 Microinverters + IQ Combiner– Sunlight Backup: adds a System Controller. Use panels during a grid shutdown– Home Essentials Backup: has a 3.36 kWh battery– Full Energy Independence has a 10.08 kWh battery 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

SolarEdge Systems

SolarEdge was the first to successfully commercialize power optimizers, a device that offers module-level maximum power point tracking (MPPT), before feeding back the electricity generated into a central inverter. Their central inverters have a standard 12 year warranty, and typically fail after about 13 years. All SolarCal systems using…