Solar Industry News

Understanding PG&E Avoided Cost Rates and Their Impact on Bay Area Solar Customers

October 10, 2024

If you’re a Bay Area homeowner considering solar energy, understanding PG&E’s avoided cost rates is crucial. These rates play a…

15 Ways to Conserve Energy and Reduce Your Electric Bill

December 11, 2023

In the Golden State of California, full of sunshine and warm weather, homeowners are always on the lookout for ways…

What is a Solar Array?

December 2, 2023

In the world of renewable energy, solar power shines brightly as a sustainable alternative, leading the charge towards a greener…

Golden Gate Bridge

Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Energy for California Homeowners

November 3, 2023

In today’s environmentally-conscious times, solar energy shines as a top renewable solution, providing many benefits to the environment. With rising…

PGE-Rate-Hike

PG&E Requests a 22% Rate Hike: What California Homeowners Need to Know

October 25, 2023

On October 18, 2023, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) approached state regulators with a proposal for a staggering 22% rate…

Avoid Solar Scams: 6 Red Flags When Getting Solar Quotes

October 18, 2023

The transition to solar energy isn’t just a trend; it’s a significant movement towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.…

Powerwall 3

Powerwall 3: What to Expect

October 13, 2023

Tesla’s Powerwall 3 will be available in 2024 as the newest in their energy storage system lineup, promising to elevate…

Why Battery Storage is Essential with PG&E’s Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0)

October 10, 2023

When first established, Net Energy Metering (NEM) was a game changer for California residents interested in making the switch to…

Maximize Your Energy Efficiency With a Home Energy Audit

October 8, 2023

You might wonder what value there really is in conducting a home energy audit and if it’s worth exploring for…

Tesla Powerwall Or Generator – Which One Is Better?

October 5, 2023

With an increasing number of power outages in California, homeowners want more reliable backup power. Tesla Powerwall and traditional gas-powered…

Solar Industry News

Will Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?

By Solar Technologies | November 4, 2022

During a power outage, solar panels will not keep your lights on unless they are equipped and configured to do so. To power your home when the power goes out, you will need to add a home battery. In states like California where public safety power outages are expected to continue for the next decade,…

Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles

By Solar Technologies | November 2, 2022

Electric cars are excellent for the environment and offer many benefits over traditional vehicles, but they do have some downsides. One of the biggest questions for potential electric car buyers is whether to purchase an all-electric vehicle (AEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or one that runs on gasoline. How Do Electric Cars Work?…

alternative energy source

Solar vs. Wind Energy: Which Alternative Energy Source is Right for Your Home?

By Solar Technologies | October 31, 2022

Incredible strides in alternative energy sources are making renewable power more obtainable than ever for American homeowners. Solar panels are now sleek and design-conscious. Incredibly efficient, greener batteries are making it possible to store the overbalance of solar and wind energy into homes. Technology upgrades, storage improvements and equipment capabilities all contribute to more efficient…

What Are Off-Peak Electricity Hours?

By Solar Technologies | October 27, 2022

Off-Peak Hours: Everything You Need to Know About the Cheapest Time to Use Electricity Electricity is one of the most expensive utilities in your home. That’s why utility companies like PG&E who provide services to residential customers, are implementing innovative rate structures like time-of-use (TOU) plans to encourage customers to consume energy during times when…

Moving with solar

Moving? How SunPower Helps Homeowners with Their Solar System During Life Changes

By Solar Technologies | October 25, 2022

Buying or selling a home is a big change for any family. There are several things to consider during the process, including the question of what you’ll need to do with your solar system. The great thing is that the ins and outs of buying and selling homes with solar panels aren’t that complicated. Realtors…

Commercial Solar ROI - Installation of commercial solar system

Evaluating Commercial Solar ROI, Payback, IRR, and NPV

By Solar Technologies | October 23, 2022

The amount your business can save over the 25 to 30-year lifetime of a commercial solar system depends on many factors, including how you finance it, federal and local incentives and your pre-solar utility rate. Business owners in states like California benefit since the state ranks within the top for available sunshine. How to Determine…

Solar-Panel-Output

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

By Solar Technologies | October 21, 2022

The industry standard for the productive lifetime of a solar panel is 25-30 years. While panels will continue to produce energy for years after the 25-30 year mark, its output will decrease slightly year over year. Most solar panels will offset your electricity use for decades. It’s important to research the solar products you choose…

How to Prepare Your Solar System for Winter Weather

By Solar Technologies | October 19, 2022

Whether you live in a warmer climate where cold weather is touch and go, or you are used to freezing temperatures all season long, you may wonder what you need to do to prep your solar system for the winter. The good news is that a SunPower solar system is low maintenance. However, there are…

Home Battery Complete Review: Tesla Powerwall

By Solar Technologies | October 17, 2022

With its legacy of reimagining existing products (along with the recently announced battery storage incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act), the Tesla Powerwall is in high demand with homeowners throughout California. Powerwall is an integrated battery system that stores the energy generated from your solar panels to power your home during evenings, cloudy days and…

Understanding Your PG&E Bill, Fees & Rate Schedule

By Solar Technologies | October 15, 2022

If you live in California, there’s a good chance that you’re a customer of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). PG&E is a San Francisco-based company that provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 16 million people in the northern and central regions of California, making it one of the United States’ largest utilities. Here are…