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
Five Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill This Summer
With summer heat waves in full swing, homeowners and business owners who rely on conventional power sources to keep cool are likely asking: “How can I reduce my electric bill?” While it takes plenty of power to run an air conditioner, with some parts of the U.S. hitting triple digit temps, we know running heaters during those…
9 Questions to Ask a Potential Commercial Solar Installation Company
When you start researching solar for your business and interviewing commercial solar panel installation companies, you might not be sure where to start. What questions should you be asking? Who should you ask? How do you know if the answers you get are accurate, complete and unbiased? In other words, as with many new endeavors,…
Solar Technology Efficiency: More Breakthroughs are Coming
When Bell Labs unveiled the world’s first silicon solar cell in 1954, it was estimated that the company’s new invention could turn 6 percent of the sun’s energy into electricity — a concept commonly referred to as efficiency. Fast forward to 1999. After nearly half a century of solar research, the University of New South…
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need for Your Business?
In very simple terms, figuring out “how many solar panels do I need” is a matter of dividing how much energy a solar panel can provide by how much your business uses. But you didn’t come here for “simple,” you want a real answer. Okay, let’s dig a little deeper and put some numbers into…
Home Solar Financing Rates Are Heating Up
July 2017 – Solar Technologies, a SunPower Master Dealer and one of the Bay Area’s leaders in solar panel technology, announced today that they’re offering homeowners the chance to go solar at a low financing charge of just 3.99%* with zero down. “If there was ever a time for Bay Area homeowners to consider going…
3 Things to Consider if You’re Building Your Own Green Home
As the world becomes more aware of how important it is to reduce our collective carbon footprint, so do those who design and build new homes. Architects and homebuilders agree that installing solar panels can have the biggest impact when it comes to significantly reducing or eliminating a building’s carbon footprint. Here are three things to…
Understanding Solar Panel Efficiency Isn’t Rocket Science… Except When It Is
Be honest—if your kid came home beaming with pride for getting a 20% on a spelling test, you’d be questioning their understanding of math as well as language arts. 20% just doesn’t sound impressive. But what if your grade-schooler was being quizzed on a list of 500 doctoral-level vocabulary words? You may then be tempted…
Want the Best Solar Panels? Choose the Right Solar Installer
At Solar Technologies friends and family often ask us: “Where can I buy solar panels?” But what they’re really asking is: “How can I buy solar panels and get them installed on my house?” In general, consumers don’t directly buy their own solar panels. Instead, homeowners work with solar installers, such as a certified SunPower dealer, who will provide…
8 Steps to Build a Compelling Case for Energy Efficiency Programs
When it comes to convincing a business’s decision makers and stakeholders that energy efficiency can contribute to a company’s success, the burden of proof may be somewhat daunting. This article by Smart Energy Decisions provides eight helpful steps in using and leveraging utility data to convince decision makers that a sustainability investment can provide a variety…
What is Solar Energy? Common Solar Terms Defined
Solar energy doesn’t have to be confusing or complicated. If you’ve been looking at solar systems for your home, business or school, you’ve probably heard some unfamiliar industry jargon. Fear not the words. We’re here to simplify your solar experience with this A-to-Z glossary, helping you learn more about this source of clean renewable power.…