Solar Energy Articles

Components: The Solar Panel is Only the Beginning

Fri, 20 May 2011 06:18:41 GMT

There's a lot to know when it comes to building and installing a solar power system. The components that go into a system are like the parts on a car in that they all work together for the same ultimate goal, but the quality of each component can make a big difference in performance.

Guide to Choosing the Right Solar Installer

Thu, 19 May 2011 06:42:18 GMT

A solar power system is one of the biggest investments a homeowner will make, so it's important to make sure that everything is installed properly and built to last. Components vary quite a bit in terms of electrical output, form factor and weight, but most panels will come with a 20-25 year warranty, making solar a long term investment, dependent on a strong foundation of a quality install.

Why Professional Solar Installation Matters

Wed, 18 May 2011 06:53:32 GMT

The age of the internet has also ushered in a new wave of DIY thinking. Where in the past, information was a precious resource, today you can learn how to do just about anything with a couple strategic Google searches. Just because you can learn how to do something, however, doesn't mean you should, and when it comes to installing a solar power system, or anything heavy you plan on putting on your roof, it's a good idea to always use the services of a professional installer.

What to Expect From a Solar Site Installation Visit

Fri, 13 May 2011 23:45:22 GMT

As you get a little closer to pulling the trigger on a solar power system, one of the final steps before actually purchasing a product is to have a professional installer come out to your home and do a site visit. The purpose of this visit is to make sure your roof is appropriate for solar power, determine what kind and size of system you will need and then put together a quote that will show you the pricing and details of your new system. While a good installer will walk you through this process, being a good consumer means having some solid information going into your site visit, so here’s a look at what you need to know before the installer arrives.

About Solar Shingles

Thu, 12 May 2011 05:56:23 GMT

Green energy is a growing trend that helps the environment and can save you a lot of money over time. Nearly every neighborhood in America will have at least one or two homes with solar panels on the roof, but some homeowners will resist adopting solar power simply because of the look of the panels. Furthermore, although your homeowners insurance will cover your solar panels, installing anything onto your roof can often void your roof's warranty, discouraging some would-be solar converts. This is where solar shingles come into play, and this new spin on a well-established technology makes a lot of sense for any homeowner considering the switch to solar.

Does Going Solar Make Sense For Your Home?

Tue, 03 May 2011 05:50:03 GMT

Solar power is a great way to save money and use completely green energy, but to be perfectly honest, it's not right for everyone. Solar power equipment and installation is costly. Certain areas and home situations will not be ideal for generating power, and certain cities and states don't provide the same incentives, making it a tougher decision. To clear up some of the questions and confusion, here are 5 questions to ask yourself to find out if solar power is right for you and your home.

Solar Power Frequently Asked Questions

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:16:57 GMT

Solar power is one of the cleanest ways to power your home, charge your electric vehicle, or earn additional income through the sale of surplus power and SRECs. While there's plenty of information out there about solar, many people just starting out with their research will have some basic questions about how it all works. To that end, here's a look at 10 frequently asked questions about solar power and answers in plain English to help you get started with clean, green power.

Top 10 Solar Friendly States

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:08:41 GMT

There are plenty of reasons to choose solar power, but one of the most popular ones is the money that you can save (and potentially earn) by switching to solar. Between net metering, SRECs and the slough of federal and state programs and incentives, solar is becoming more and more affordable each year, and in many cases it can actually be a source of income. The amount of savings, however, varies greatly depending on your location for two primary reasons: the amount of sunny days you'll typically get in your area, and the incentive programs that your state offers. Although there are financial benefits to solar in every state, here's a look at the top ten states for solar power, in alphabetical order.

Things to Know Before Going Solar

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:55:28 GMT

Solar energy is a fast growing trend that's become a big business for manufacturers, installers and utilities. The reason for this boom in the last decade is unknown, but it's safe to say that the usual suspects of government subsidies, financial benefits and green energy generation are the culprits. Here are five important things one should know before getting too much further into the process of purchasing and installing solar panels.

The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Solar Lease

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:53:53 GMT

Solar Power is a great way to "go green" by reducing your carbon footprint and your dependence on oil, gas and coal. That's enough of a motivation to switch for some people, but what really gets most Americans interested in Solar Power is the potential to save money and avoid constantly rising energy costs. Purchasing a solar power system can be costly, but leasing is a great alternative for many homeowners. Here's a look at the top 5 reasons why leasing solar may be right for you.

Top 5 Misconceptions about Solar Power

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 05:29:07 GMT

Solar power has been around for decades, but it's still something of a mystery to most people when you get down to the specifics. Most of us understand on a basic level how solar power works, but like it or not, there's a lot of poor and even incorrect information out there about solar power that may steer would-be-solar-enthusiasts away from the technology. Here's a look at the top 5 misconceptions about solar power systems that will hopefully clear things up.

Maximize Your Solar Energy Savings

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:49:10 GMT

Energy from the sun is free and abundant but maximizing your energy efficiency is one of the most crucial parts of setting up a solar energy system. Here's 5 great ways to minimize your energy usage, and all of these apply to those with or without a solar energy system.

Researching Solar Warranties

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:13:55 GMT

Solar systems have surprisingly few components and are built and installed to handle the elements for decades. However, sooner or later, you will have some parts fail, so before you find yourself in that situation, it's important to know up front where you're covered.

Solar Leasing 101

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:37:37 GMT

If you're like most Americans, you like the idea of solar power, but much like early adopters of electric vehicles and fuel cell technology, the up front cost is often enough to keep the average consumer from seriously considering a solar power system. Here is the lowdown on solar leasing.

What is Solar Energy?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:43:54 GMT

Solar energy is radiant light and heat emitted by the sun. Every day the sun radiates, or sends out, an enormous amount of energy. Thus making solar energy an endless resource and represents a clean alternative to the fossil fuels.

Photovoltaics

Wed, 9 Mar 2011 04:10:34 GMT

Pertaining to the direct conversion of light into electricity.

Photovoltaic Cell

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 013:01:10 GMT

The smallest semiconductor element within a PV module to perform the immediate conversion of light into electrical energy (direct current voltage and current). Also called a solar cell.

Solar Glossary of Terms

Tues, 8 Mar 2011 06:43:54 GMT

Researching solar technology, but not quite sure what photovoltaic means? Let us help you through the technical terms used in the solar industry.

Solar Power Purchase Agreements

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:25:10 GMT

An SPPA is an agreement between several parties that essentially covers the interactions and responsibilities required to install, maintain and utilize a solar power system. A typical SPPA will include the host customer (the owner or lessee of the property), the solar services provider (the party coordinating the project and contracts) and the power utility. A typical arrangement will be setup so that the host will typically not pay for any of the equipment and will purchase the energy from the panels at a lower rate than their current utility's pricing. Note that for small properties or homes, a solar lease is more appropriate.

Solar Home Equity Loans

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:45:10 GMT

Learn about Solar Home Equity Loans and how Solar Home Equity Loans can help finance your solar system.

SRECs: Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 10:13:23 GMT

Learn about SRECs: Solar Renewable Energy Credits and how SRECs: Solar Renewable Energy Credits can help finance your solar system.

PACE Municipal Financing

Wed, 6 Apr 2011 22:41:11 GMT

PACE (which stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a government program that takes the cost of a solar energy system and installation and rolls that cost into your property taxes for the next 20 years. Learn how PACE can help finance your solar system.

Solar Financing

Wed, 6 Apr 2011 23:22:15 GMT

Are you looking to purchase a solar system? Here is your resource center to find solar financing companies who will help find you a solar financing solution.

Peer to Peer Lending (P2P)

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:28:38 GMT

P2P lending is essentially a loan where instead of a bank, there are a group of tens, if not hundreds of lenders all contributing small amounts to add up to the requested amount. A middleman broker (usually a web site) will allow users to request money or loan money through the site and will generally post the anticipated rate of return for the lender.

Feed-In Tariffs (FIT)

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:41:08 GMT

FIT is essentially a program whereby the government or utility running the program (the California Public Utilities Commission in California for example) guarantees the purchase of excess energy generated by the, in this case, solar panels tied into the grid. The result is people with solar energy systems, generating more power than they use, can sell back this excess power to offset their investment, or in some cases, to earn money from the solar power system.

Photovoltaic System (PV System)

Tues, 26 Apr 2011 21:05:29 GMT

Photovoltaic systems are essentially the product of tying together many cells and modules together for the purpose of generating electricity, and these systems range from simple panels you might find on a solar powered calculator to massive photovoltaic power stations with power outputs as high as 60 megawatts.

Solar Cost

Fri, 27 May 2011 23:42:12 GMT

The cost of purchasing and installing a solar power system can usually be recouped over the life of the system, but with full home solar power systems costing as much as $30,000, making the move into solar power is a big commitment that you should consider thoroughly before pulling the trigger.

California Solar Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 14:17:30 GMT

California makes a lot of sense for solar power; not simply because there's plenty of sunshine, but there's also a growing need in urban centers to utilize more green power to reduce smog and improve air quality. Additionally, California has some of the highest electricity rates in the country as well as frequent blackouts during the summer in some areas. California has recognized this need and responded with some excellent incentive and rebate programs for solar power system owners.

Solar Panel Installer Quote

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:31:42 GMT

Find the nearest qualified and highest rated solar panel installers in your area. Receive a free solar installation estimate from one of our qualified solar panel installers.