Solar
Solar Power Generation During Winter
The changing seasons have more of an effect on your energy needs than on the solar panels addressing them. While it’s reasonable to predict a lower efficiency rate from solar panels in the winter, it’s really the sun itself—and less so the weather conditions on the ground—governing how well solar paneling powers your home and…
Solar
Solar Power in Winter: Save Money and Energy
Most home improvement projects, including solar panel installation, are started and completed during the spring or fall seasons—when the weather is more comfortable and predictable. As homeowners watch their utility bills steadily rise when the winter months give way to spring, solar paneling for homes becomes especially enticing. In California, for example, electricity usage is…
Solar
What Kind of Solar Cells Are Best for Hot Climates
What’s the best spot for a solar installation in a chilly Northeastern home that’s no stranger to a fierce winter blow? Or what about on a hot desert property, that’s sun-drenched 90 percent of the year? Careful—the answer is more complicated than it seems! It’s tempting to think that solar only perform well in sunny, hot…
Solar
What Kind of Solar Hot Water Heater Is Best for My Climate?
By now, you probably know that hot water heating eats up a big part of your energy budget. In fact, the Department of Energy pegs that number at around 17 percent of a home’s energy expenses—that’s a huge chunk of your utility spending. So how can you get a unit that won’t bulk up your…
Solar
Do Certain Roof Surfaces Increase Solar Potential?
Ready to hit the button on solar? You might want to think about replacing your roof, too. A lot of homeowners find themselves contemplating a roof replacement when they go solar. After all, it only makes sense to get your roof in great shape before you slap panels over it. And that way, you won’t…
Solar
What Are the Best Solar Panels for Colder Climates?
Live in a climate with cold winters? Then you might think that solar is out of your reach—after all, it works best in the sun right? Well, not necessarily. Research shows that solar panels actually harvest energy more efficiently in chillier weather. Furthermore, when there’s snow on the ground, your solar output may even improve.…
Solar
Why You Should Add Solar Power to Your Home Before Winter
Why You Should Add Solar Power to Your Home before Winter No doubt about it, installing solar power is the best thing you can do for your home. Solar panels present an affordable way to capture the sun’s energy and generate electricity at home. They can create energy for more than 30 years, and most…