Solar in Winter: Here’s What You Need to Know

December 11, 2019

Snow Won’t Damage Your Solar Panels

If you’ve had sturdy, reliable solar panels installed by professionals, then a little snow should not hurt the equipment. To begin, the slanted nature of a solar array’s design not only allows for maximum consumption of the sun’s rays, but it also encourages wintry weather (rain, sleet, or snow) to slide off quickly. In a way, that wet weather provides a fairly cost-free way to clean your panels after layers of dust, dirt, and grime may have built up over time.

Reports differ as to whether you should try and clean off any snow from the panels yourself, but the general consensus says you can let the panels melt the snow off with their own heat conduction. If you do insist on climbing up to your roof, make sure you use a solar panel snow rake to ensure that no scratches result from your cleaning.

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Understanding the Real Cost of Solar

November 20, 2019

Determining the Actual Cost of Residential Solar Panels

When it comes to solar energy, there’s a ton of benefits, but there is also a tradeoff to consider. Essentially, you pay a bunch of money for a solar system now, but what you’re buying is a chance to save on your electricity bills for as long as your system lasts. So when does it all become worth the investment? At the end of the day, what is the real value of solar energy?

To answer that question, you first need to know how much your solar panel system will cost. Unfortunately, there is not one single answer to this question. If you have a larger house, then of course, you will need more solar panels. You may also choose to have fewer panels, knowing that you will absorb less energy. However, most solar arrays cost between 10,000 and 50,000 dollars, with the average falling between about 17,000 and 20,000.

Now that’s not the end of the story. You get federal tax credits for going solar, and there may be state incentives as well. All the credits and rebates could drop your system’s cost down to as little as 5,000 to 12,000 dollars. Read on to learn more about how to determine the real value of your solar system, before you make the investment.

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How to Tell If Your Solar Panels Are Working

November 6, 2019

Hey Solar Panels, Are You Still On Up There?

You’ve probably heard what a great investment solar panels are. For merely the cost of installing and maintaining your solar panel system, you essentially get free energy. If you’re being tortured by high electric bills every month, solar panels could be just what you need to get some relief.

But once the solar panels have been installed “up there,” how do you actually know if they’re working, and working at their full capacity? After all, you can’t see how well they are absorbing the sun’s rays – that’s just not possible with only your eyes. Well, never fear! There are several ways you can tell if your solar panels are working and if you’re getting your money’s worth. In this guide, we take a look at how to accomplish this task.

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What Happens to My Solar Panels If I Move?

October 23, 2019

Selling Your Home and Not Sure What to Do About Your Solar Panels?

Solar panels are a great way to cut down on energy costs, but between purchasing and installing the actual equipment and getting the necessary permits, they can be a big investment. If a new job, a new baby, or simple wanderlust is taking you to another city, state, or county as you purchase a new home, what to do with that solar investment is a question you’ll have to answer.

Whether you end up selling your solar panels along with your home or taking them with you to your new home can involves several considerations. In this article, we take a look at how to make the decision about moving solar panels when you buy a new home.

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Is Solar Ever Going to Replace Fossil Fuels?

October 9, 2019

Global Warming Is Real – Can Solar Power Help Out?

With outspoken voices like that of student climate activist Greta Thunberg and former presidential candidate Jay Inslee taking center stage in the media these days, more and more evidence of the harmful environmental effects of fossil fuels is coming to light. The importance of renewable energy sources like solar has never been higher, but so many factors play into our ability to implement it.

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The Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide to Caring for Solar Panels

September 25, 2019

Do I Need to Clean or Otherwise Care for My Solar Panels?

You finally made the decision to get solar panels for your home, and you have gotten them all installed on the roof. Now you can kick back and just forget about them, right? Or can you? Do those solar panels require maintenance? Do they need to be cleaned or otherwise cared for in order to do their job?

Since you probably didn’t think about this before you decided to have solar panels installed, you will be happy to learn that in fact, your solar panels require very little maintenance. They are usually made from anodized aluminum, so they do not attract dust and do not rust. They are fixed in place, so they do not require any lubricant and are unlikely to shift in any way.

That being said, there are some situations where you may want to clean your solar panels. Here is what you need to know about caring for your solar panels.

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Should You Wait for Solar Technology to Improve Before Going Solar?

September 11, 2019

Residential Solar Power Makes Perfect Sense – Or Does It?

Residential and commercial solar power is popping up everywhere you look, and many of the stories about its rise in popularity tend to focus on evolving tech. With drastic improvements in cost and efficiency of power generation and storage capabilities on the rise month after month, it can be hard to keep up with the rising star of renewable energy that is solar power.

These days, it seems that the trend is fueled as much by a desire to adopt new green technologies as it is to save money on one’s monthly power bill. To sweeten the pot, some states even offer tax incentives that make solar power installation all the more desirable. Even in states that offer zero incentives, homeowners can reap great returns in as few as 12 years.

So given solar’s rapid evolution, how can you know when it’s the right time to make the switch to residential solar panels for your home’s energy? Read on to find out.

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Can My House Actually Support Solar Panels? Here’s How to Find Out

August 21, 2019

Is My Roof Strong Enough for Solar Power?

By now, you’ve probably heard about all the benefits that solar panels can bring to your home – with financial incentives likely topping that long list. Beyond the savings on your monthly power bill, solar panels can help you save energy, do your part to protect the environment, and put less stress on the power grid.

In many cases, today’s solar panel systems even look great, too. But can your house actually support solar panels? Is your roof the right type, and is it strong enough to hold up all that weight? Do you need to be concerned about anything else before adding solar, especially if your house is older? Here are the right questions to ask so you can find out if your home is ready for solar panels.

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5 Common Questions That Every Homeowner Has About Residential Solar Power

August 7, 2019

Solar on the Rise

Residential solar power has been on the rise for many years now, that much is clear. Just as hybrid and electric cars have caught fire in the market place, so have residential solar panels. With this new and ever-evolving technology, comes a whole host of questions, both complex and more straightforward. Because of this, many homeowners still have questions about the effectiveness and value of installing a rooftop solar array.

Further, there are also questions related to installation itself as well as long-term effectiveness of solar panels. Homeowners are interested in recouping their solar panel investments via savings on their monthly bill, and they want their homes to maintain, or increase, their value over time. In this post, we’ll address these and other common concerns so you can purchase residential solar power with confidence.

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Weighing the Drawbacks and Benefits of Solar Power

July 24, 2019

Is It Time to Buy Solar Panels for Your Home Yet?

If you’re considering installing a solar power system in your home, then you’re far from being the first. More and more people are coming to understand the dangers of climate change and the benefits of sustainable energy sources like solar power. As a result, more and more homeowners are making the choice to add residential solar panels to their home’s roof.

Naturally, before you install a solar power system in your home, you are going to want to weigh the pros and cons of committing to the effort. Here is a breakdown of some of the biggest advantages and drawbacks to using solar power to help you get started.

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