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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moving with solar

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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cleaning solar panels

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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