Author: matty

top states for solar

The Top 5 Power-Generating Solar States (And What That Means)

March 25, 2020

What States Are Producing the Most Solar Power in the U.S.?

If someone asked you to name the top five states generating the most solar energy in the US, you’d probably name those in the Southwest – the ones that get the strongest and most consistent amount of sunlight – and for the most part, you’d be right. However, there might be one state that could surprise you, and there’s much more that goes into creating solar energy than counting the number of sunny days in the year.

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is now the right time to go solar

Should You Wait to Install a Solar Roof?

March 11, 2020

Is Now the Best Time to Install My New Solar Roof?

You have probably heard a lot about the benefits of having a solar roof, and these benefits are certainly not exaggerated. After all, solar panels on your roof can save you a tremendous amount on your energy costs. They could even eventually make your energy costs non-existent.

If you’re on board with solar, congratulations! Now it’s really only a matter of the timing. So should you get solar now, or wait for a more opportune time? Are there savings available to me in the future, or will I miss out on a good deal by not jumping on solar right away? Here’s what you need to know about getting the timing right when it comes to adding a solar roof to your home.

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buying a home with solar panels

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Home With Solar Panels

February 26, 2020

Should You Be Looking for a Home to Buy With Pre-existing Solar?

Many more homes popping up on the market these days have solar arrays already installed on their roofs, which offers potential buyers a great way to save on energy costs. However, while solar has many benefits, there are a few key drawbacks to purchasing a home with existing solar equipment.

In this article, we’ll go over a few of the more important pros and cons to buying a home that already has solar panels installed.

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is my roof big enough for solar

How Big of a Roof Do You Need to Accommodate Solar?

February 12, 2020

Gauging Roof Size When It Comes to Mounting Solar Panels

With the right provider, solar panel installation can be a fairly painless undertaking. However, it is important to make sure there’s enough space on your roof to install the appropriate number of solar panels that you will need to power your home.

If you’re a homeowner who is considering making the switch to solar power, but you’re not quite sure how to factor in the size of your roof when deciding on whether solar will work, then this article is for you. Walk through these next four steps to consider the different solar options you have based on the roof structure of your home.

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state solar incentives

Solar Savings by State: Who’s on Top?

January 22, 2020

Which States Have Led the Movement Towards Clean Energy?

Solar energy is sweeping the nation, but some states have been a little quicker to jump on the bandwagon than others. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the states on the coasts, which often have the biggest population centers with high energy requirements, and where there generally seems to be a larger movement with respect to concerns about the impact of energy use on our environment, are pushing solar energy a bit harder than the southern and midwestern states.

Residents in these other areas of the country may have lower energy needs and may also be more reliant on fossil fuels for their economies, as is typically the case. But when we really drill down, where does each state stand on solar energy savings? Read on to find out the details now.

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solar panel maintenance

Do My Solar Panels Need Servicing?

January 8, 2020

Keeping Your Residential Solar Panels in Top Shape Through Maintenance

Aside from their robust environmental value as a renewable source of clean energy, solar panels are also prized for their ability to provide consistent power with very little maintenance. However, when you’re relying on solar power for heat, electricity, and many other essential utilities, it’s natural to wonder whether your residential solar panel system needs servicing.

And if it does, how often and who is the best person to perform it? With those questions in mind, here are five factors to keep in mind when considering having regular or annual maintenance done on your residential solar panels.

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solar power in snow

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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cost of solar panels

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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are solar panels working

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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