Solar Industry News

Understanding PG&E Avoided Cost Rates and Their Impact on Bay Area Solar Customers

By Solar Technologies | 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…

How Does PG&E Net Metering Work?

By Solar Technologies | October 3, 2024

Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) net metering program allows customers with grid-tied solar to earn credits for the excess electricity…

Home-Battery-Backup-During-Outage

Navigating PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS): What Bay Area Customers Need to Know

By Solar Technologies | September 30, 2024

Overview of PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Program PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) program is a critical initiative…

Golden Gate Bridge

Why Now Is the Perfect Time for San Francisco Area Homeowners to Invest in Solar Energy

By Solar Technologies | August 25, 2024

The Bay Area is known for its progressive, eco-conscious community and beautiful natural landscapes. Now, more than ever, San Francisco…

Battery Storage 101: Understanding How Storage Keeps Your Lights On During Outages

By Solar Technologies | August 15, 2024

In today’s world, where energy security and sustainability are paramount, understanding battery storage systems is becoming increasingly important. Whether you’re…

Unlocking the Potential of Peak-Shaving with Solar and Battery Storage

By Solar Technologies | August 5, 2024

In the golden state of California, especially for PG&E customers, managing electricity costs can be challenging. With fluctuating energy prices…

Commercial ground mounts

Solar Renewable Energy Credits in California

By Solar Technologies | July 20, 2024

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) have emerged as a powerful tool for…

Understanding the Domestic Content Bonus for Commercial Solar Projects in California

By Solar Technologies | July 18, 2024

What is the Domestic Content Adder?  In May 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS)…

Understanding the Energy Community Bonus for Commercial Solar Projects in California

By Solar Technologies | July 15, 2024

Unlock Extra Benefits for Your Commercial Solar Energy Project Are you considering a solar energy project for your business? The…

Solar Industry News

Which solar financing option is best for you?

By p15 | October 11, 2017

Thinking about financing solar power? You don’t have to be a detective to uncover which option is best for your organization—you only have to think like one. Just follow the five W’s (and sometimes H)—a line of questioning used in any basic investigation. The answers can help determine how to pay for commercial solar using…

Key indicators to help you evaluate commercial solar investment success

By p15 | October 8, 2017

Organizations making a commercial solar investment are often motivated by lower energy bills, tax incentives, or other sustainable energy goals. But what is the best way to measure a program’s success in hitting these targets? A recent article published by Solar Power World notes five key performance indicators (KPIs) that can help organizations evaluate how much value a new solar…

Solar Calculator

Your Guide to Solar Calculators

By p15 | October 5, 2017

There are numerous factors that affect the cost and production capacity of your residential or commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) system, from tax credits and rebates to weather conditions that change your system’s efficiency and output. This means your solar savings can vary greatly depending on your location, roof size, battery storage options, the size of…

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Renewable energy procurement trends: the curse and the boom

By p15 | October 2, 2017

By most accounts, signs are pointing to an explosion in corporate renewable energy procurement. A recent article published by Green Tech Media summarizes these positive trends as well as a cautionary note about what could slow renewable energy demand. Increased adoption of corporate sustainability goals is cited as one indicator pointing to an expansion of the corporate renewables market.  (There are…

Renewable Energy

7 Ways Renewable Energy Can Power Our World

By p15 | September 28, 2017

Have you been wondering what “renewable energy” really means? Renewable energy solutions are literally found in the air, deep underground and in our oceans. Here’s a look at seven renewable energy sources that can be tapped directly or indirectly to help our world go green and fight global warming. From Living Things to Electricity Bioenergy is…

Solar battery storage could increase savings for over 25% of commercial utility customers

By p15 | September 25, 2017

A new study suggests nearly 5 million commercial utility customers in the U.S. are at a financial tipping point that could make adding solar battery storage a good option. At this point in the evolution of energy storage technology, the most sensible application for installing a storage system is when customers are subject to relatively…

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…