The Truth about Free Solar
You’ve probably been told a hundred times that nothing in life is free. How can going solar be any different? Not only is it an exception to this rule—you really can get solar for free—but you can save money now and eliminate your entire electricity bill in the future! (That makes us happy, too.) This is what it means when you go solar: Pay no additional out-of-pocket costs for energy (and potentially lower what you’re currently paying) Free yourself from rising electricity costs Protect yourself from PG&E power shut-offs Own your solar system within 5-8 years Does this sound too [...]
DIY Guide to Reconnecting Your Monitoring System
The days are getting longer and your solar panels are soaking up those rays. If you're like us, you probably enjoy watching how much energy your panels are producing (and how much money you're saving). But what should you do if you notice your Enphase monitoring system is no longer connected? Don’t worry! Even though you may not be able to see the energy production, your solar panels are likely still working. If you recently got a new router for your home, changed internet providers, or even simply updated your WiFi password, you’ll need to reconnect your monitoring system to [...]
Solar + Battery: If My Power Goes Out, How Long Will My Backup Last?
How many PG&E power outages have you been through so far this year? A battery backup system for your home or business could reduce that number to zero. But many of our customers have asked us, “How long will my battery last if my power goes out?” Good news: Your battery backup system could give you power for several weeks, while continuing to charge from your solar panels … even while the power is out. Let’s talk about that. The Joy of Battery Backup Systems A battery backup system, when used with your solar panels, it is not at all [...]
Cleaning Solar Panels During the California Wildfires
As fires rage through northern California and into Oregon, one of the most common questions we’re getting from our customers right now is this: Will this drastically affect my solar production and, if so, how can I go about cleaning my solar panels? With heavy air pollution and dust and ash settling at an alarming rate, we understand the need you have to keep your solar panels clean. Let’s talk about why regular cleaning is important, what you can do to keep your solar production up, and how to safely care for your solar panels during the fires. Not Surprising: [...]
Where Is The Best Place to Install My Solar Panels?
[et_pb_section bb_built="1" _builder_version="3.0.47" next_background_color="#000000"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.0.47" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.106" background_layout="light"] Can’t I Install My Solar Panels Anywhere I Want? Whether you’re trying to build a garden or planning where you want your tool shed positioned, location is extremely important. In order for the garden to flourish, it must receive the appropriate amount of sunlight and be placed in good soil in the most optimal conditions for growth. As with a tool shed, the best place is usually where it can be easily accessible, doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, and maximizes space. Position, placement, and orientation is equally important, [...]
What Size Solar System Do I Need?
It depends on how much electricity you use. Two homes the exact same size will use different amounts of electricity and therefore require different size systems. Major electrical loads within a home are air conditioners, electric heaters, pools, and other heating elements or motors. That being said, an average 2,500 sq. ft. single-family home uses about 5,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A 3 kilowatt (AC) system will generate nearly all the electricity required for such a home on an annual basis. Sometimes a PV system can be installed that is slightly over-sized to allow for the possibility of a growing family [...]
5 Methods to Remove Snow Off Solar Panels
Removing Snow is Part of Maintenance Just as you need to make sure you check on the roof every so often for debris and do a bit of cleaning, snow removal is equally important. If you want your solar panel system to function and continue to produce power throughout the winter season, making sure your panels are free of obstructions is critical. Luckily for most of California, snow isn’t as heavy here and is limited to a smaller region. However, if you happen to live in a snowy area , then the following tips may certainly be helpful. If your roof [...]
Adding Solar Panels to an Existing System
We are asked fairly often: Can I add more panels to my system down the road? How difficult is it to upgrade? There are many factors to consider in upgrading a system. Panel size, inverter capacity, and space are going to be the biggest deciders. As far as possible, stick with the same manufacturer. But since brands come and go, it isn’t unheard of to mix and match components – as long as the voltage is compatible and can be balanced it can generally work. Not the best scenario, but if options are limited as far as what’s available, it [...]
Would a Magnifying Glass On Solar Panels Generate More Energy?
Are there ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels? People who own solar often inquire how or if panel production can somehow be increased or maximized. One reader came up with this idea: “Could you put some type of magnifying glass and set it at the right distance to increase the heat of the sun and give you more energy production from the solar panels?” Possibly this subscriber had done a bit of reading on the mathematic & military genius of one Archimedes of Syracuse. While this is an interesting concept and not categorically implausible, we [...]
What is Net-Metering?
Most utilities in California currently offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your energy until you need it, virtually eliminating your electric bill. Net metering lasts for a whole year, so you can build credit in the summer for those darker winter days. It measures the difference between the electricity you buy from the utility and the electricity you generate with your solar panel system. When you are making more electricity than you are using, such as on summer days, your extra electricity automatically gets metered back (sold) to the utility grid. You receive credit for this power at the [...]
You’ve probably been told a hundred times that nothing in life is free. How can going solar be any different? Not only is it an exception to this rule—you really [...]
The days are getting longer and your solar panels are soaking up those rays. If you're like us, you probably enjoy watching how much energy your panels are producing (and [...]
How many PG&E power outages have you been through so far this year? A battery backup system for your home or business could reduce that number to zero. But many [...]
As fires rage through northern California and into Oregon, one of the most common questions we’re getting from our customers right now is this: Will this drastically affect my solar [...]
[et_pb_section bb_built="1" _builder_version="3.0.47" next_background_color="#000000"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.0.47" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.106" background_layout="light"] Can’t I Install My Solar Panels Anywhere I Want? Whether you’re trying to build a garden or planning where [...]
It depends on how much electricity you use. Two homes the exact same size will use different amounts of electricity and therefore require different size systems. Major electrical loads within [...]
Removing Snow is Part of Maintenance Just as you need to make sure you check on the roof every so often for debris and do a bit of cleaning, snow [...]
We are asked fairly often: Can I add more panels to my system down the road? How difficult is it to upgrade? There are many factors to consider in upgrading [...]
Are there ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels? People who own solar often inquire how or if panel production can somehow be increased or maximized. [...]
Most utilities in California currently offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your energy until you need it, virtually eliminating your electric bill. Net metering lasts for a [...]
