Solar
Issues that May Arise with a Solar Hot Water Heater and How to Address Them
Once you saw the savings from your solar hot water heater, you started singing its praises from the rooftop. But like any appliance, your system needs a little regular TLC to perform its very best — and to avoid problems down the line. Issues with solar hot water heaters can have some grave consequences indeed…
Solar
Do Solar Contractors Cover Damages to a Roof During Installation?
One thing’s for sure, a lot of people are catching solar fever. Experts predict that residential installations will multiply exponentially from 16.0 GW in 2016 to 121.2 GW in 2025. That’s great news for the environment, but potentially bad news for your roof—especially if your solar installer is something of a PV newbie. An inexperienced…
Solar
The Pros and Cons of Buying Out a PPA for Solar
Price of solar energy systems got you down? A power purchase agreement—otherwise known as a PPA—offers a powerful alternative to afford solar equipment. In these arrangements, homeowners allow a third party company to install a solar energy system on their property. The cost of installation and the maintenance falls to this company, rather than the…
Solar
There are dozens of reasons why installing residential solar panels is a great idea. Perhaps the most popular is it will save you money on your electricity bill. In fact, the allure of solar panels for most homeowners is that over their lifespan, they will pay for themselves. To do that, most homeowners will need…
Solar
Understanding the Quality of Different Solar Panels
Every day it seems like solar companies are releasing the most efficient solar panels to date. With so many companies making that claim, it’s difficult to wade through the noise. One useful resource to help you choose is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), who created standards for manufacturing solar panels under the ISO 9000…
Solar
Installing solar panels is a big investment, even with tax incentives to ease the financial strain. Because of the investment— and their constant exposure to the elements— solar panels need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures, from the blistering hot summers of Arizona, to the bitter cold winters of upstate New York. But how…
Solar
Best Roof Pitch for Solar Panels vs Solar Panel Tilt
There is now enough solar panel capacity to power 18 million American homes, according to the Department of Energy. As solar panel prices have gone down, demand has gone up. There’s a lot to research before installing solar panels — including the solar incentives and rebates out there. So how do you know if solar…
Solar
Questions to Ask Your Contractor About Your New Solar Panel Installation
After you have confirmed that your contractor is an expert and signed your contract, you’re finally ready to reap the bright rewards of solar energy for your home. But you probably still have plenty of questions about what comes next, and what to expect—both during the installation process after. Here’s everything you need to know. What happens…