What Do You Do If Your Solar Power Contractor Goes Out of Business?
A few years ago, residential solar power experienced a huge boom, thanks to the economic recovery as well as numerous federal and state subsidies that reduced costs for homeowners. Manufacturers and installation companies sprang up overnight to take advantage of the rapidly growing industry. However, increased competition and improved manufacturing efficiency resulted in shrinking costs […]
What Happens During a Home Solar Panel Installation?
Many homeowners express hesitance about having a solar power system installed on their home, simply because they’re unsure as to what the process involves. Will their home be disrupted by installers for days or weeks, with panels and construction materials cluttering up the yard? Will it take months to bring their system online? To help […]
California’s Solar Power Requirement for New Homes – What to Expect
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 […]
How Big of a Home Battery Do I Need for My Solar Power System?
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 […]
Solar Panel Degradation – How Well Will Your Solar Power System Work in 20 Years?
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 […]