Solar Industry News
Understanding Off-Peak Electricity Hours in California
As homeowners in Northern California are dealing with rising PG&E utility rates, understanding Time-of-Use (TOU) plans is more important than…
Does New Construction in California Require Solar?
California leads the nation in solar energy, consistently topping the Solar Energy Industries Association’s ranking of the best states to…
What Does it Mean to “Stay Behind the Meter?”
In the realm of renewable energy, the concept of staying “behind the meter” is changing how we think about electricity…
Enphase IQ 5P Battery Review
The Enphase IQ 5P Battery is an all-in-one AC-coupled system that pairs solar energy storage with its cutting-edge technology and…
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…
Title 24 California Solar Mandates: Empowering Homeowners with Sustainable Energy Solutions
California is leading the way to a greener future by making solar energy production more common across the state and…
Introducing the Enphase IQ Battery 5P: The Future of Home Energy Storage
The Enphase IQ Battery 5P is a big step forward in solar energy, designed to meet the needs of California…
Understanding Electric Rates & How Solar Can Help California Residents Save
In the world of renewable energy, solar power has a popular clean energy option for many homeowners in California. But…
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…
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Solar Industry News
The Key Components of a Commercial Solar Panel Warranty
Warranties are like spare tires: you never think about them until you really, really need them. But in the case of a commercial solar panel warranty, it’s definitely worth your time to dig into the details of what’s covered, for how long, and how likely it is you’ll use it—before making your purchase decision. What…
So Many Solar Incentives.
With so many solar financial and environmental incentives there never has been a better time to invest in solar panels for your home or business. Financial Incentives When you switch to Solar most homeowners qualify for a 30% Tax Credit and for business owners this can go up to an impressive 70% back in Solar Tax Incentives. Less money…
Why solar industry leaders should support solar advocacy
Solar Technologies, a Bay Area leader in solar panel installations, is proud to support local advocacy to bring solar to the mainstream in California. We’re starting with Vote Solar, an Oakland-based nonprofit that works across the country advocating for solar policies and programs at the state-level. Vote Solar’s mission is to protect and expand solar…
Five Facts About Sustainable Solar Energy
Last year solar was the No. 1 source of new electricity generation ahead of natural gas and coal, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research. In 2016 alone, the U.S. increased its solar (PV) installations by 95 percent, the highest growth rate on record. While it’s exciting to see the growth…
The Basic Components of a Commercial Solar Panel Installation
How does solar energy work? What is the photovoltaic effect? What are the basic components that make up a commercial solar panel installation? It’s actually pretty simple. This video overviews the typical commercial solar panel system components and how solar panels produce electricity. It even covers potential savings to your average electric bill with solar…
How to Buy Solar Panels: FAQs About Solar Financing
Many homeowners who are interested in going solar aren’t sure whether they can afford it and may not be aware that there are several ways to finance a new home solar system. In the past, purchasing a home solar system might have required a full, upfront payment or a home equity loan. But these days…
Understanding Commercial Solar Financing Options: Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Is your organization considering going solar? Are you investigating different commercial solar financing options? A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) may be a viable choice. Here are four questions organizations often ask about solar PPAs to help decide if this financing option is right for their needs: What is a solar PPA? A PPA is…
Solar Tax Credit Extended.
There’s Still Time To Save. Originally planned to expire following 2016, the 30% federal solar tax credit was recently extended through 2019. Homeowners can claim a 30% tax credit on their investment in solar by filling out IRS form 5695 for the tax year in which the system was installed. Take advantage of this huge…
What Are Solar Panels Made Of?
Whether it’s the food we consume, the beauty products we wear or the technology we use, consumers want to know what exactly these things are made of. We seek confidence that what we’re buying is safe for ourselves, our families and the environment. Solar shoppers are no different. For consumers and those in the building…
5 Tips To Picking The Best Solar Company
With the rising costs of electricity, many home and business owners are moving toward alternative sources of energy to power their homes, businesses, and cars. Last year, the average monthly Bay Area electricity bill was $250 per home. Over the next 25 years that adds up to nearly $150,000 for electricity alone. To ensure that…