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

WAITING TO GO SOLAR WILL COST YOU

WAITING TO GO SOLAR WILL COST YOU

By p15 | September 22, 2017

Solar Technologies, a Bay Area leader in solar panel technology, announced today that homeowners and business owners should take advantage of the federal solar energy tax credit while they still can. “There’s no better time than the present to invest in solar,” said Jeff Parr, owner of Solar Technologies. “Although solar energy is becoming more…

A new way to market (and realize) the benefits of sustainability

By p15 | September 18, 2017

Companies exploring how to improve brand reputation may be tempted to simply highlight the benefits of sustainability as reflected in their products (or services). But how effective is this approach to actually gaining new customers? Or helping the environment? According to a recent article published by BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), marketing sustainability should be more nuanced and…

Patio of home with a SunPower solar array

How Solar Energy Can Help the Whole Power Grid

By p15 | September 15, 2017

People who are new to how residential solar power works often ask these two questions: What happens when my solar panels generate more electricity than I use during daylight hours? How do I power my home when the sun isn’t shining? Most grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar systems today have no way of storing the electricity…

Ramar Foods International solar powered lit parking lot

Choosing the right solar design for your organization

By p15 | September 13, 2017

Introduction As you begin your solar planning process, you may have many questions about which type of commercial solar design would be most suitable for your organization. Is a commercial rooftop solar system or a ground-mounted system more effective? Or is a solar carport a better option? It’s important to carefully evaluate your organization’s property…

SunPower HELIX Roof Image

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need: Panel Size and Output Factors

By p15 | September 10, 2017

Determining how many solar panels you’ll need for your home means first knowing what your goals are. Do you want to minimize your carbon footprint?  Maximize your return on your investment? Save as much money as possible?  Most people want to save money while minimizing their environmental impact. To calculate how many solar panels you…

How Going Solar is Helping California County Save Millions

By p15 | September 7, 2017

Faced with lean budgets and skyrocketing energy prices, a small county in Northern California needed to drastically reduce its energy bills to avoid having to cut services to its residents. So, Yolo County, California, population 200,000, partnered with SunPower and switched to clean, renewable solar energy, achieving national recognition for being the first net positive county…

How Business Is Defining the Future of Clean Energy

Consumption Key to Successful Innovation in Business

By p15 | September 5, 2017

For the past century, many companies have thrived on business models that feature ever-increasing consumption as a driver of financial success. But in an open letter published by GreenBiz, corporate CEOs are advised that the next wave of successful innovation in business will need to focus on a long-term investment in sustainability. The piece warns innovation in current…

Solar Has Become America’s Fastest-Growing Non-Partisan Energy Source

By p15 | September 2, 2017

During his Senate confirmation hearing in January, Energy Secretary Rick Perry said that he was supportive of an “all of the above” approach to energy development, asserting that the country’s best interests lie in encouraging production of both traditional and renewable power sources. As Secretary Perry knows well, we’re at an important juncture in terms of…

Why You Should Revisit Your Sustainability Strategy

By p15 | August 29, 2017

An effective corporate sustainability strategy should be flexible enough to adapt to changes that impact it, making it a dynamic set of goals. If your policy is more static, you could be missing out on many potential benefits. According to a recent article published by GreenBiz, if the once innovative business practices you’ve outlined to drive sustainability…

solar tax credit

Take Advantage of the Solar Tax Credit Before It’s Gone.

By p15 | August 26, 2017

Going solar pays dividends in the long run, but many homeowners and business owners hesitate to make the switch due to the upfront cost of purchase and installation. But unless you plan to lease your solar PV system, there is no better time than the present to invest in solar. Although solar energy is becoming…