Solar Industry News

Residential Solar

Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Solar Panels and Battery Storage in Your Bay Area Home

June 19, 2024

Harnessing the power of the sun can significantly reduce your energy bills, increase your home’s value, and contribute to a…

Solar Industry

Can I Install Solar Panels Myself?

May 18, 2024

More Bay Area homeowners are turning to solar to reduce their electricity bills and embrace clean energy. This has also…

How Does the California Solar Mandate Impact Homeowners and Businesses?

May 8, 2024

California is a leader in solar energy production in the United States. The state has taken big steps to use…

Image of tile roof type

Does The Quality & Material Of My Roof Matter When Installing Solar?

March 20, 2023

If you’re interested in installing a solar panel system on your home or business, you might be wondering if your…

How to Get More Value Out of Your Solar System

October 13, 2022

While generating power from the sun is without cost, the technology behind this process is not. The reality is solar…

Do I Need a New Roof to Go Solar?

September 30, 2022

(And More Important Questions to Ask Your Solar Installer) Solar power is on the rise, and for good reason. Installing…

solar-critter-guard

Are Critter Guards Really Necessary? Consider These Four Solar Enhancements.

June 17, 2022

When it comes to installing a new solar system, most homeowners simply think about only buying the actual solar panels.…

How to Avoid Solar Scams

January 7, 2022

A growing number of people are eager to learn more about solar energy and find out what kind of savings…

5 Ways to a More Energy Efficient Home

October 25, 2021

When it comes to purchasing a home, one of the first things most buyers look into is the home’s energy…

SunVault-battery-storage

Generators vs. Solar Batteries: Which is the Better Backup?

October 12, 2021

A well-designed solar system can meet the majority of the electricity needs for a homeowner, but there are times when power needs…

Solar Industry News

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…

Solar Technologies Recognized as a Top Solar Contractor in the Bay Area

By p15 | August 23, 2017

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…