Most consumers know that an investment in solar power will last 25-30 years. For this reason, the return on investment is important to consider if you are planning to sell your home within a few years of installing solar. Another important consideration is solar panel efficiency. Like any other home improvement, you can expect some [...]
Continue reading about Solar Panel Efficiency: How Does it Measure Up Over Time?
Recently, I read an article on cleanenergyauthority.com that described the recent upswing of interest in residential solar power as a “gold rush.” To be fair, the article was commenting on a report published by Photon Consulting, titled “End of the Gold Rush: Crash of U.S. SREC Markets?” There, the commentators opined that, as the solar [...]
For years, people have discussed the concept of “grid parity,” which is the point at which generating solar energy does not cost any more money than burning coal or gas for electricity. In one corner of the world, it appears that grid parity is here. Solar power is cost competitive with coal in Australia. The [...]
Continue reading about Solar Power is Cost Competitive with Coal in Australia
One of the biggest questions people have when they are considering solar power is, how do clouds affect solar panels? For a definitive answer, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) recently published a study after extensive research on the effect of cloud cover on solar power installations. NREL is a national laboratory that is part [...]
Looking for easy to install, affordable residential solar panels? You might want to consider solar panel kits. Solar kits include everything you need for a renewable energy installation on your home. Whether you are looking for a DIY home improvement project, or simply trying to avoid the hassle of contracting with a solar power company [...]
Solar cell phones have been gradually hitting the market over the past year. But the most popular phone, Apple’s iPhone may soon take solar cell phones mainstream. Many have been wondering, is a solar iPhone in the works, after discovering that Apple won a patent related to use of solar power in mobile devices. Although [...]
We all know that fast food isn’t good for us. Yet, as a working mom of 4, I have to admit that about once a week, I let one of these outlets make dinner for us. Perhaps I can cut down on the guilt by looking at the fact that many of these outlets are [...]
Continue reading about Solar Powered Restaurants: Fast Food, Green Energy
Over the past few years, we’ve been posting about solar powered parking structures. These include parking garages or park-and-ride facilities that use solar panels to either power the lighting and other electricity needs and/or re-charge electric vehicles (EVs) that are stationed there. With more consumers considering EVs, there is a need for people using parking [...]
For residential property owners considering solar power, there are many questions that you’ll want to have answered. Beyond cost and efficiency, some of the most pressing inquiries have to do with the effects from installing rooftop solar panels. In other words, how will things change for you and your property after putting in a solar [...]
Continue reading about What Effects From Installing Rooftop Solar Panels?
For people who want to switch to solar power, but are worried about the cost and appearance of solar panels, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) may be the answer! Expense aside, many homeowners do not want to impact the aesthetics of their property and – perhaps even worse – some homeowners associations prohibit solar panels because [...]
Continue reading about Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Solar Shingles
