Solar Industry News
Can I Install Solar Panels Myself?
More Bay Area homeowners are turning to solar to reduce their electricity bills and embrace clean energy. This has also…
15 Top Energy-Saving Strategies for the New Year
With California’s sunny skies and mild climate, more homeowners are turning to clean energy solutions and other renewable energy sources…
15 Ways to Conserve Energy and Reduce Your Electric Bill
In the Golden State of California, full of sunshine and warm weather, homeowners are always on the lookout for ways…
Energy Saving Tips for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Californians
As Californians, we’re very familiar with the radiant power of the sun that graces our state nearly all year round.…
Solar Energy vs. Fossil Fuels: Comparing the Costs and Benefits
As homeowners in California, we’re fortunate to enjoy abundant sunshine for most of the year, which makes our state a…
How Much Electricity Does a Refrigerator Use?
Introduction On average, refrigerators consume between 300 and 800 watts of electricity, depending on the age of the model. Most…
What Are The Best Energy Efficient Light Bulbs For Your Home?
Introduction to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Energy efficient light bulbs are a great way to save money on energy bills…
How Many Watts of Electricity Does a TV Use?
Introduction Knowing how much electricity (measured in watts) your TV consumes is important for two main reasons: to estimate the…
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Solar Industry News
A new way to market (and realize) the benefits of sustainability
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…
How Solar Energy Can Help the Whole Power Grid
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…
Choosing the right solar design for your organization
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…
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need: Panel Size and Output Factors
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
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…
Consumption Key to Successful Innovation in Business
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
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
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…
Take Advantage of the Solar Tax Credit Before It’s Gone.
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…
Solar Technologies Recognized as a Top Solar Contractor in the Bay Area
The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors list includes San Ramon-based solar firm. Coming off the biggest year ever for U.S. solar installations, We’re proud to be named as one of the best solar contractors in the United States by Solar Power World magazine. Solar Technologies has been recognized as one of the top 25 installers in California…