Solar Industry News

What’s the Best Orientation and Angle to Install My Solar Panels?

September 20, 2022

If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your roof, you might be surprised at how many variables can affect…

sunpower learder

Honored with SunPower 2017 “Commercial Regional Dealer of the Year” Award

March 25, 2018

  Solar Technologies, a Santa Cruz based solar installer, has received the SunPower “Commercial Regional Dealer of the Year” award…

Solar Industry News

hybrid-solar-system

What is a Hybrid Solar System?

By Solar Technologies | November 30, 2022

Introduction Solar offers a host of benefits beyond helping you reduce your carbon footprint, such as reducing the amount you pay for utilities. Installing panels on your roof puts you one step closer to being in control of the electricity that powers your home. One of the biggest decisions homeowners have to make is whether…

A Beginners Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home: Are they Worth It?

By Solar Technologies | November 18, 2022

Installing solar panels on your home provides the rare opportunity to pay less for your electricity while helping to preserve the environment. The motivation to save money and power your home with clean, reliable energy has already motivated more than 2 million homeowners to add solar energy systems to their rooftop. However, the economics of…

Charge Your Electric Vehicle From Home

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Charge My Electric Vehicle?

By Solar Technologies | November 14, 2022

Introduction One of the main benefits of purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) is that it allows you to forgo buying gas in favor of using electricity, which can save money. Why not go a step further and tap into clean, renewable energy like solar power that you can produce from your own home? Solar is…

Home-Battery-Backup-During-Outage

Preparing for an Outage with SunVault Home Battery Backup

By Solar Technologies | November 10, 2022

While you may not be able to predict when an outage will occur, it’s important to be prepared when they do with home battery backup. Here are some helpful tips for using your SunVault home battery to keep your lights on even when the grid goes down. Using Your SunVault™ System Generally, SunVault Storage requires…

The History and Evolution of Our Electric Grid

By Solar Technologies | November 7, 2022

Introduction When you plug in your phone or charge an electric vehicle (EV), your are accessing electricity from the grid. The grid is the network of wires and electrical systems that transport energy from the production source to your home. Today, the United States uses 16 times more energy than was used in 1950. Modernizing…

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…