Installing Solar Yourself

By Tom Palmer

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 savings. Customization and Control: Self-installation allows…

Ground Mounted Solutions

By Tom Palmer

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, we will discuss when it would…

Efficiency 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…

Convert to an Induction Stove

By Tom Palmer

A new study found that roughly one in eight cases of childhood asthma in the US are the result of air pollution given off by gas stoves. This puts emissions from gas cooking at the same asthma risk level as breathing in secondhand smoke. Asthma affects roughly six million US children each year and nearly…

Popular EV Choices

By Tom Palmer

Overview Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. From luxury to affordability, today’s EVs represent the diverse options available in the electric automobile market. While the upfront cost of electric vehicles will likely be higher, it is much cheaper to power your car via…

Heat Pump Water Heaters

By Tom Palmer

A heat pump hot water heater, also known as a hybrid hot water heater, is a type of water heater that uses a heat pump to heat the water. Unlike conventional electric or gas water heaters, which generate heat by burning fossil fuels or using an electric heating element, heat pump water heaters extract heat…

Going Off The Grid

By Tom Palmer

There are several additional concerns and complications involved in an off-grid solar installation compared with a grid-tied installation: Energy storage: Off-grid solar installations typically require energy storage in the form of a battery system to store excess solar energy for use when the sun is not shining. This adds to the cost of the installation…

Commercial Installation Concerns

By Tom Palmer

There are several additional concerns and complications involved in a commercial solar installation compared with a home installation: Larger scale: Commercial solar installations are typically much larger in scale than home installations. This means that more solar panels and other equipment will be needed, and the installation process may be more complex. Building codes and…

Solar Canopies With Storage

By Tom Palmer

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 parking lots with hundreds of spaces)….

Evaluating Your Roof for Solar

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…

Your Main Service Panel

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…