Electric cars and solar panels are a perfect match. There may not be a better pairing of technology than home solar panels and electric cars. Both offer a major shift away from how things have been done in the past, and together they spark a revolution in self-reliance, while leading to a better future for
Here is a cheat sheet for anyone considering a switch from a fossil fuel vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV). A fully electric EV uses no gasoline and runs on electricity. In this cheat sheet we break down the many benefits of these vehicles. Additionally, you can find EV resources and offer insights to help
When you go solar for your household energy needs, you’ll save money on electric bills and add value to your home. Want to do even more? By driving an electric vehicle (EV) you’ll power it with sustainable energy from the sun. Another benefit, the maintenance of an EV is minimal, costing much less than conventional
Our environment’s emission levels are no joke and of course we’re aware of that. Alternative solutions and new evolving technology are being created and sought out every day to help us towards the goal of an eventual carbon-neutral world. As a lot of current climate solutions are developed at a national level, one of the
One main consideration for an EV is the ease of charging your vehicle. Fueling an EV is different from fueling a gas-powered car, and change can feel scary at first. But most people adjust easily within a few weeks of purchasing their EV, and quickly come to enjoy the convenience and cost savings. Plus, no
EVX Solar, an Arizona-based solar company, recently launched a new website that provides information about their ability to deliver the best solar solutions to residential and commercial customers. It features a consumer-friendly Solar Calculator that makes it easy to calculate an approximate cost of going solar based on location, electricity bill and system type. It
The growth in the solar industry has been tremendous. But have you wondered just how much solar PV is there in the U.S.? Here are some astonishing facts for you: The U.S. installed 3.8 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity in Q3 2020 to reach 88.9 GW of total installed capacity. That is enough to power 16.4 million American homes. Residential installations increased dramatically from
In 2020, SunPower announced the newest addition to its portfolio of streamlined solar solutions, SunVault™ storage. And while storage isn’t a new concept, there are still a number of questions and misconceptions about its role in managing energy production and costs. Below are the top six inquiries we hear about storage and our candid answers. Why
While generating power from the sun is without cost, the technology behind this process is not. The reality is solar panels are an investment – much like a home – that has an upfront cost but pays off in the long term. The installation can be compared to a small construction project and each module
A solar monitoring system can keep you apprised of your PV system’s performance. It offers information about energy consumption and generation, optimizing energy usage, and should there be damage to your solar system, among other topics. It’s important to monitor your solar setup in some manner – without monitoring, it can be difficult to figure
Clean energy has been breaking records for the past few years and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. According to market insights provided by Solar Energy Industries Association in partnership with Wood Mackenzie, solar PV accounted for 43% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions through Q3 2020. Similarly, electronic vehicles (EVs) have also experienced record
Most solar panels come with a 25-to-30-year warranty, but they may realistically last 25 to 40 years or more. Panels will, however, slowly begin to degrade over time, meaning they may produce less energy. Solar panel degradation rates are constantly improving, currently the standards are between 0.1 to 0.8% loss per year. To determine
Congress recently provided a big ray of sunshine to homeowners who plan to start using solar energy. Lawmakers extended the deadline for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), one of the most important policy drivers for solar power in the United States. The ITC has enabled owners of residential, commercial and utility-scale solar projects to
Just like that, millions of Americans are suddenly working—and teaching—from home. And for many of those newly home-bound families, there's an unexpected expense awaiting in the wings— a higher energy bill . Working from home often means your heater or air conditioner—either of which can account for up to half of an electric bill—is pumping out more
In 2019, the highest number of total solar installations smashed previous records, leading experts to project another big year for the solar industry in 2020. But we all know what happened next. Despite the year’s setbacks, solar power has remained resilient inspiring a hopeful outlook for the year ahead. Below are 5 projections SunPower has identified
So, you decided to get a solar system and join the ranks of thousands of world changers. First of all, congratulations! You are helping reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses that harm the environment. Even better, becoming a freedom chaser by embracing clean energy with solar power is a great feeling. But now what? How do
CNBC’s Power The Future released a new study, based on Zillow data; how much solar adds to the resale value of a home. Whenever a study like this hits the press, it’s all the buzz in the solar industry. Of all the financial benefits gained from going solar, how much a solar energy system adds
Flashlight batteries and cases of water are selling out, and gas tanks are being filled as worried residents try to picture their lives in the dark for what could potentially be days. But there is an alternative. Home and business owners who make their own energy from the sun and store it in a solar
When it comes to purchasing a home, one of the first things most buyers look into is the home’s energy efficiency. Rising utility rates and weather trends often make this an important factor when trying to find the right place to settle. Not only is efficiency important when a house goes on the market, it
Summer is ending, but it's always good to prepare for next year! There’s nothing greater than cranking up the air conditioner when it gets hot and sweaty outside. And there’s nothing worse than the sky-high electricity bill that follows. ACs seem to suck up dollars as efficiently as they cool the air. That is, if
SunPower® Equinox™ is the only all-in-one, complete home solar system. With conventional solar system, it's hard to know what you're getting. And while installer may tout that variety as a strength, it's more like a warning sign. Inconsistent product strategy and standards is no guarantee that you'll be happy with the end result. Designed Down
A well-designed solar system can meet the majority of the electricity needs for a homeowner, but there are times when power needs to be pulled from the grid. While many energy providers give the option of net metering to cover the cost of electricity used from the local power company, it’s not available to all
Renewable energy sources are by definition constantly replenished. Fossil fuels like coal or gasoline burn up and are gone, but the sun keeps shining and the wind keeps blowing no matter how many homes use them to make electricity. The main types of renewable energy sources include: solar, wind, geothermal, bioenergy, hydropower, and hydrogen. These
Now in the thick of summer, the nation’s first major heatwave has brought sweltering heat and back-to-back days with record highs. Homeowners from California to New York are cranking up the AC to achieve relief. Unfortunately, turning down the thermostat also results in an increase in your utility bill. And with more people working from
Making the switch to photovoltaic (PV) solar power is a big change – an investment both financially and for the future. More people are doing it because they recognize solar power’s unique ability to save money long-term and lessen their household’s impact on the environment. There are companies that provide solar equipment, like SunPower, and
Solar has come a long way since the first people used the energy of the sun to light fires. In more contemporary times solar use has traveled to space, out to sea and on to rooftops near you. Here are some of the milestones: 1883 – Charles Fritts designed the first photovoltaic cell 1905 –
Just like that, millions of Americans are suddenly working—and teaching—from home. And for many of those newly home-bound families, there's an unexpected expense awaiting in the wings— a higher energy bill . Working from home often means your heater or air conditioner—either of which can account for up to half of an electric bill—is pumping out more
Almost every region in the U.S. is prone to some sort of extreme weather event. From Nor’easter storms to California wildfires, business owners interested in going solar have probably wondered about the effects of extreme weather on solar installations. Can this renewable energy source stand up to the pressure? In an effort to set the record straight and
At SunPower by PGT Solar, we pride ourselves on making solar simple. Part of that is a streamlined installation process that gets you from contract to savings in just seven steps. What does it involve? Check out the infographic below for a quick walkthrough! This post originally appeared on the SunPower Resource Blog
Most of us think of solar energy as rows of solar panels sitting in a field collecting energy. Some of us know about (or may even have) solar panels on a portion of our roofs — keeping our energy costs down. But here are some examples of where the solar industry is going: 1. Solar
When it comes to solar energy pros and cons, we've heard it all: It's for hippies, it's too expensive or it doesn't work. Yet more solar energy systems are being installed on homes and businesses than ever. We explain some FAQs about the pros and cons of solar energy. ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY 1. SOLAR
With the expected useful life of commercial solar systems ranging from 25 to 40 years , choosing the right solution to invest in at the outset is incredibly important. But which of the many solar power companies should you consider? The answer may be easier than you think. Solar is a long-term investment. Think about
In very simple terms, figuring out “how many solar panels do I need” is a matter of dividing how much energy a solar panel can provide by how much your business uses. But you didn’t come here for “simple,” you want a real answer. Okay, let’s dig a little deeper and put some numbers into
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING AN INSTALLER More and more people are recognizing the benefits of making the switch to photovoltaic (PV) solar power. They recognize its ability to save them money and lessen their impact on the environment. But going solar is a big change and a substantial investment. How do you choose the
Anyone in the market for a new home can tell you the search process is both exciting and nerve-racking. Between location, school district, lot size, HOA fees and property taxes there’s a lot to consider. But what if that unicorn of a home finally pops up in your search results and it has solar on
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