The California Energy Commission’s update to the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards in May 2018 included a big surprise for builders and homebuyers. Most new single-family homes and low-rise multifamily residences built in the state will be required to have solar power systems installed during construction. All 5 members of the CEC voted to approve […]

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In the last few years, prices for high-capacity lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have been coming down significantly. While this has mostly impacted the cost of laptops, phones, and other small-scale devices, homeowners are starting to enjoy the benefits as well. Since 2010, Li-ion battery prices have dropped by 80%. This reduction in price has had […]

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On the day that your home solar power system in installed, it’s probably going to work great. Your panels will most likely meet the production estimates provided by your installer for many years to come. But as with anything else, your system is going to age, and begin to decline in efficiency. Different products show […]

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You likely don’t think about which way is the ‘right way’ to face your solar panels—the direction which the flat surface of each panel should face—but solar power system installers certainly do. The energy production of a solar panel depends entirely on the amount of sun it receives. This is why solar panel systems perform […]

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Back in January of 2018, the United States imposed import taxes of up to 30% on solar energy equipment imported into the country. Many feared that the tariffs would put the brakes on the explosive growth of solar power in the US. Unfortunately, the industry did experience setbacks. The Solar Energy Industries Association estimated that […]

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