Solar panels on low-income housing provide a win-win for residents and other people in the local economy. Here in the Central Oregon region in which I live, $900,000 in federal stimulus funds is helping fund solar power systems for several low-income housing apartment complexes. The Energy Trust of Oregon is also committing funds toward the [...]
So, after considering whether to go with a real or fake Christmas tree, its time to head to the tree lot. Did you know that in San Diego, the lights and chainsaws used at the Purdy Farms Christmas Tree lots are solar powered? Stellar Solar has provided a mobile solar station that includes giant photovoltaic [...]
Going with solar panels? Great! Before long, you’ll be saying goodbye to your high electricity bills and enjoying free solar power, as well as the security of knowing that your utility rates will not rise. But before your switch to solar, you’ll need to learn how to choose a solar panel installer. Consider these tips [...]
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For homeowners considering installing solar panels, there are 5 things you should know about residential solar. As more and more people decide to switch to renewable energy options like solar power, keep these considerations in mind: 1. You may be eligible for group solar discounts. Before you enter into a contract to install home solar [...]
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Despite the failure of Solyndra and the relatively small sector of people who still deny global climate change, demand for solar power continues to grow. Solar is inexpensive, clean renewable energy, and is poised to overtake dirty sources of power, like coal in the next few decades (if not earlier). Solar power is superior to [...]
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If you are thinking about installing a solar panel system on your home, you may be wondering whether solar electricity or solar hot water is the way to go. There are probably several factors that you are thinking about: Cost Efficiency Appearance Return on investment Energy savings Tax rebates and incentives Comparing solar electricity (photovoltaic, [...]
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Ever wonder why there is such a big difference in solar panel installations between two of the sunniest states in the U.S. – California and Florida? Property owners in California account for over 50% of the country’s solar power, while Floridians generate only 1%. Meanwhile, the State of New Jersey is the second highest in [...]
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I have long been blogging about electric vehicles (EVs) and their promise to get us off of fossil fuels for commuting and more. If you own or are considering an EV, why not tap into solar power for its fuel? Owners of electric vehicles stand to save $60,000 in fuel costs, not to mention significant [...]
For people wondering about the relative costs between renewable energy and grid-based (usually coal or gas) electricity, the biggest question is, can solar power be as cheap as coal? Granted, installing solar panels requires an upfront investment, but the decision of whether or not to go solar often depends on how quickly you can recoup [...]
Ever wondered how much solar power you can tap from your roof? Rooftop solar panels are gaining in popularity, but not all property owners realize the impact of site-specific conditions on the efficiency of solar cells. Scientists from the University of Gothenburg have created a tool that calculates the maximum magnitude of solar incidence, meaning [...]
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