Solar: You’re insured of what?
Once you have had your solar installed, the workmanship, materials, and products are covered against breakdown, failure, and roof leakage for periods of up to 30 years. This is under normal conditions and the coverage is provided either through the solar contractor, product manufacturer, or third-party insurers such as Solar Insure, who bundles and extends […]
Solar: Why am I waiting?
It is true that technology and prices for solar improved every year over the last ten years. This all came to an abrupt halt in the Spring of 2022 when several factors caused the price of solar panels to suddenly rise. First, the post-COVID era of supply chain issues, rising raw material prices, and inflation […]
Solar: The last decision you will make…
Like solar panels, technology continues to improve in equipment that either consumes electricity, saves electricity, or switches you over to electricity. Typically, a solar electric system is designed based on the last 12 months of electricity consumption. In reality, we want that design to reflect the average consumption expected over the future 30-year life of […]
Solar Battery Storage: You’ll get a charge out of this…
The economics of battery storage just received triple-whammy benefits for APS customers in Arizona. The Utility is offering a $2,500 rebate for a minimum 5 kWh battery. The only requirement is that APS receive data associated with battery usage. There is an additional rebate of $1,250 available, but then you turn over control of the […]
Solar: You’ll pay me?
Yes, that’s right! Both levels of government will pay you to invest in solar. This is provided that you are a property owner and pay sufficient taxes. The Federal Residential Solar Energy Credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe equal to 26% of the cost of a […]
Solar: Google that!
Google has taken on the ambitious – Project Sunroof – to map every US rooftop and evaluate the potential for solar to provide each property’s electricity needs. Advantages: Easy enough, Google displays the solar irradiance profile for each rooftop by simply entering your address. Then with the dollar amount of your average monthly electric […]
Get paid to manage your consumption with solar…
One of the most common misconceptions, when powered by the Sun, is that you no longer need to be concerned about consumption. Now all the power is free! Nothing could be further from the truth. The most efficient use of electricity, whether you own solar or not, considers the time-of-use cost of that electricity. Utilities […]
Paying for solar with credit: Is it worth it?
Charge it! Could be a wise interim solution or the worst long-term financing strategy ever. Most solar contractors will allow a property owner paying cash for a solar electric system to use a credit card. Most often, this would be for the initial deposit. With others, every installment may be paid with a credit card. […]
Solar panels: The good, the bad, and the ugly…
The look of solar panels on a roof can be a concern. When Henry Ford introduced the automobile, the horse-and-buggy crowd hated cars, seeing them as ugly, uncomfortable, noisy, smelly and dangerous. But guess what? People bought cars because of the vast improvement and convenience that automobiles brought to their lives. And over time, vehicles […]
Solar: Attachment for life…
Attachment, especially for life, can prove to be difficult to achieve in many situations. In the case of solar electric systems, it is literally the mainstay of lasting performance. Very important that we get this part right! Solar panels are attached to a roof using a racking system. The racking system design will differ depending […]
