Batteries are expensive, and most would-be purchasers start by looking at cost, but the question about cost is not always as simple as running a price-check online. You can design a solar system to include a battery from the start,…
How do we get solar energy? The primary barrier to having more distributed on-site renewable energy is the lack of knowledge regarding how to proceed. Organizations with an interest in renewable energy usually begin their climate action plans with the…
Best practice is to wait for snow to melt in warmer weather. It’s tempting to take action when your solar array is covered by snow and ice. If you consider an insurance agent’s advice to reduce risk of injury or…
There are two easy ways. First, you can get a plug-in energy monitor such as the Kill-a-Watt or TrickleStar. These devices plug into a wall socket and then you plug the appliance cord into the monitor. You can see how…
Once installed, your solar system will operate for decades. If your roofing deck or shingles are halfway or more through their expected service life, it is a good idea to replace them before installing a solar system. Ordinary three-tab asphalt…
At any given point, PV panels range from what’s standard at the time to what’s considered premium because of its performance characteristics. A few years ago, 250 watts per panel was considered standard and 280 watts commanded a premium. Currently…
Come to a Going Solar presentation and talk with a SIREN volunteer about your interest and aims. We will share what we know about opportunities to participate in renewable energy efforts of various sorts. Networking is a big part of…
Some big-box retailers and online solar design firms now sell DIY solar panel kits, including inverters or microinverters. To avoid buying low-quality products, it is wise to do your research up front. The Solar Design Tool compares solar panel specifications…
A full explanation is here but to boil it down, they measure different things. The kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power - 1,000 watts. It measures the rate at which electrical energy is generated or consumed. Solar panel manufacturers…
First you can try to reduce your electrical use. The biggest and cheapest source of renewable energy is the energy you don’t use. The more energy you save, the less you need to generate. Major users of power are electric resistance heaters…