Blogs

How to Compare Quotes From Solar Installers

By Alexis C. Jolly

A few good quotes can go a long way.  Personally, I’m a fan of Gautama Buddha’s, “Holding onto anger is like grasping onto a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else.  You are the one who gets burned.”  Pretty wise, huh?

What About When The Sun Isn’t Shining?

By Alexis C. Jolly

By now you know that harnessing the sun’s energy is a reliable, efficient way to power your home.  But what about on especially cloudy days or at night—situations in which there’s little to no sunlight available?  

More on PACE - Property Assessed Clean Energy

By Christian Lazzarini

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to finance a solar energy system. The City of Berkeley was the first to implement a PACE program in 2007. The preliminary installations allowed by the pilot program are currently being evaluated before Berkeley decides how to expand the Berkeley FIRST (Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology) program.

The main advantages of PACE programs are:

Are Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs the ultimate way to pay for a solar energy system?

There has been quite a bit of press lately about Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs for solar energy installations.  For those who do not have equity in their homes and therefore can not get a "secured" loan, a PACE loan is often a better way to go than an unsecured loan.  PACE loans are at around 9% interest vs up to 10% to 12%, if not higher, for unsecured loans. 

What is a micro-inverter and is it the best choice for you?

Micro-inverters are all the buzz in residential solar right now.  This post will help you understand the pros and cons of traditional inverters vs. micro-inverters. 

Thin Film Solar Panels vs. Traditional Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Panels

What are “Thin Film” solar panels?  Should I buy thin film or traditional silicon photovoltaic solar panels?  These are a few of the questions that we often hear from customers.

Thin film solar panels are manufactured via a process that looks like spray-painting paint on paper.  The materials used are less expensive than silicon, which makes for a very cost effective manufacturing process, which ultimately translates into panels that are half the cost of traditional silicon PV solar panels.

Why do YOU want to go solar?

Many of the early adopters of solar energy were out to save the earth at any cost. They lead the charge and helped form the now booming solar energy industry. However these days, people are choosing to install solar panels for a myriad of reasons; To save money, to have fixed, predictable energy costs, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and ultimately to leave an earth and civilization behind that their grandchildren’s children can enjoy.

What’s your reason?

Home Solar & LEED Certification Credits

Did you know that installing solar panels on your house or over your parking lot can help earn points towards a LEED certification? 

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a third-party certification program develop to encourge the adoption of sustainable green building practices. 

Break Down of the Cost of a Solar Energy System

What's the break down of the cost of a solar energy system?

I've had a few people ask me about the breakdown of the cost of a solar system, so I wanted to write a quick note about it.  Here's a rough break down of the costs of a solar energy systems:

- Solar Panels: 60%
- Inverter: 10%
- Installation Hardware & small parts: 10%
- Installation Cost: 20%