Solar Blog

As of June 2022, the United States' total installed solar capacity reached 130.9 GWdc — enough electricity to power 23 million homes.

Solar panels take energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. But how can something so small and regular-looking turn something as

On June 5, 2022, President Biden announced a 24-month tariff exemption for solar panels produced in Southeast Asia. This calmed the growing

“Find it here.” 

Virginia’s electricity rates are the sixth highest in the nation. That means you could be paying more for electricity than 86% of the

Net metering and net billing for solar energy are essential terms to know and understand. They are the methods used to compensate you for

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating claims that solar panel manufacturers in Southeast Asia are circumventing tariffs enacted

Over the last decade, there has been significant hype around the idea of solar roofs or solar shingles. The primary benefits are their

Reduce overhead, increase profit. That’s one of the key tenets of many successful businesses. However, as you probably can attest,

Virginia and two of its largest electric service providers are getting serious about green. And if you’re a solar owner in the state, this

If you’re looking for the best solar installers near you, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we list the top solar companies

If you own or run a farm, you’re no stranger to the plethora of inevitable expenses it takes to keep things running. And depending on your

Anything that stands between your solar panels and sunlight will impact your system’s production.

Yes, you can install solar panels on buildings with flat roofs. A solar panel roof design does not just work; it provides a long list of

Property taxes can be a significant added cost to owning property, and no one is looking to pay more taxes.

If you’ve ever driven past a building with solar panels lining the roof, chances are, they were single-sided or monofacial solar panels.

The Tesla Powerwall is one of the most popular solar batteries on the market. And rightfully so. Backed by a big-name brand, this battery

Nestled at the base of the Catoctin Mountains just outside of Frederick, MD sits Woodvale Farms—a 150-acre equestrian facility. 

As electricity costs rise, businesses must find strategies to control this expense. That’s where solar comes in. With a solar energy

In short, yes, you can install solar panels on a metal roof. There are secure installation options for both standing seam metal roofs and

A solar energy system can transform energy from the sun into electricity. With the proper setup, the electricity your solar panels generate

The one thing everyone looking to install solar wants to know is how much it will cost them.

Solar Power World, the leader in news and information for the solar industry, releases an annual list of the country’s top solar

Solar panels turn sunlight into free electricity, earning them all the glory in a solar energy system. But without inverters, that

Installing solar panels requires an upfront investment. The return on that investment and the length of the payback period is often a big

Inverters are the brains of a solar energy system. They’re charged with the critical task of converting the DC electricity produced by the

Ensuring you have the right type of solar panels is an essential step in the solar investment process. However, sorting through and

There’s no one-size-fits-all solar system, which makes nailing down the average cost of solar in New York a little tricky. Pricing will

Inverters are an essential component of a solar energy system. They convert the DC electricity generated by your solar panels into AC

Solar energy takes light from the sun and turns it into free electricity. But shade from nearby trees, roofs, or buildings can dramatically

What if you could get rid of one of your farm’s biggest monthly expenses? What if you could do this without significantly changing your

Northern Ohio is one of the cloudiest areas in the country. In any given year, locals can expect thick clouds or rain 55% of the days.

Ground-mounted solar systems are free-standing structures that support solar panels. Because they can be installed wherever conditions are

If you’re looking for covered parking ideas and you’re interested in cutting one of your biggest monthly expenses, a solar carport could be

Net metering is a method used by many utility companies to compensate you for the overproduction of electricity (kWh) generated in a given

Most of the solar energy systems we see in our community are installed on pitched roofs or as a ground mount, but what about flat roofs?

Investing in a solar energy system can have powerful financial benefits for your home, allowing you to all but eliminate your monthly

When you’re looking to install a solar energy system, an important step is comparing solar panel brands to find the one that is best for

There’s no way around it -- a solar energy system requires a significant upfront investment, though it can save you a substantial amount of

The National Electric Code (NEC) sets the standard for electrical wiring and equipment. Solar energy systems fall under the NEC and there

From how much energy your solar system produces to how much you pay, the solar panel brand you choose can have a big impact on your

LG Solar Update - since publishing this blog, LG has stopped manufacturing solar panels. Check out the video below to learn how this is

There’s a lot of misleading information on the internet, and no topic is safe, including renewable energy. 

It’s extremely rare for solar panel systems to cause fires. However, before installing solar panels on your property you should fully

A solar energy system can be an extremely valuable asset for small, medium, and large businesses alike. Not only can solar power

Are you thinking about installing a solar energy system?

We think solar is pretty great. In addition to generating emission-free electricity fueled by the most abundant energy source on Earth (the

There’s more to a solar energy system than just solar panels. They’re the star of the show, producing emission- and cost-free electricity

A solar system will produce free electricity for your home, business, or farm for decades. In just a few years, your solar system can pay

A lot bit hinges on the type of solar panels you choose to install. High-quality panels from a reputable manufacturer can last decades and

If you’re looking for the best solar panels, efficiency can be a good metric to consider. In this blog, we’ll explain what exactly solar

To put it simply, solar can be a fantastic, eco-friendly investment for many businesses, but it isn’t for everyone. Deciding whether or not

When you’re looking for a solar installer, you’re going to want a company that provides great service, does quality work, and offers a fair

Whether for economic reasons, ecological reasons, or both, getting 100% of your electricity from your own renewable energy source can be

You’re thinking about installing a solar system. As a savvy consumer, you do your due diligence, research reputable solar installers in

All investments have some level of risk and a potential reward. Any savvy investor needs to have a thorough understanding of both before

Solar energy can be a great financial investment for many. System owners can quickly take control of an ongoing expense and save hundreds

Whether it’s to keep critical loads running during a power outage or to strategically offset demand charges for a less expensive electric

Solar panels can make up about 30% of your solar system’s cost. As a significant portion of your solar investment, it’s important to

Installing a solar system on your roof is a great way to take advantage of underused space. While roofs provide the obvious benefits of

You heard the alerts all day. Severe weather is predicted in your area for this evening. You keep an eye on the dark clouds as they creep

Coffee vs. water. Renting vs. owning. Hitting snooze vs. Getting up on time.

First things first, we want to say we’re solar energy experts, not financial experts. While we’re knowledgeable on the financial side of

One of the most important things you’ll get to see in your solar proposal is the estimated productivity of your system. This number will

Inverters are an essential component of a solar system. These complex bits of technology are what turn the raw DC power generated by your

When most people think of solar energy, they picture their panels churning out kilowatt-hour after kilowatt-hour under the summer sun on a

Installing a solar energy system at your home is an easy way to stop paying for electricity and start having a positive impact on the

One of the first questions anyone has when they’re considering installing solar panels is how much they’ll cost. But solar is not a

It’s absolutely true that solar energy can be a great financial investment. But it isn’t because of the money you make, it’s because of the

Whether it’s to save money, flex our weekend warrior skills, or savor the sweet accomplishment of building something with our own hands,

All it takes to generate electricity is a properly functioning solar system and some sunshine - so many would think that they would still

While the technology that transforms sunlight into electricity has been around for decades, it wasn’t until the 2000s that solar power

A healthy bit of skepticism is important these days. From outrageous news stories with sketchy origins to grandiose claims made by

Who couldn’t benefit from one less bill to pay? Especially one as substantial as your monthly electricity bill.

Solar ownership is a long-term investment. Many manufacturers guarantee their solar panels up to 25 or even 30 years. And it’s very likely

If you’re investing in solar panels, you want to pick a product that is built to last for 30+ years.  You want reliable panels that you

  2019 was a big year for solar energy. The residential sector set a new installation record in the third quarter by adding over 700

It’s a snowy Saturday afternoon. You’ve caught up on all your household duties and errands. It’s finally time to sit down on your couch in

What does solar energy mean to you? Saving the environment? Saving money? Or maybe it’s independence from the electric utility. Solar

Billed as “the most aggressive action on tackling the climate crisis in American history,” the US government passed the Inflation Reduction

Roofs have an important job. They keep warmth in and keep everything else out. However, they can’t do much else - and unless you have a

No one likes to be unprepared. Whether it’s severe storms, downed trees, or even a car accident, power outages are unpredictable, and they

Update: Unfortunately, LG has decided to stop manufacturing solar panels. Watch the video below for a recap of what this means for the

The great thing about investing is that we’re using our money to make us more money. The worst part about investing is that it doesn’t

Off-grid vs. grid-tied solar. Ground mount vs. roof mount. Polycrystalline panels vs monocrystalline. 

If you’re considering a solar investment, you’re going to want to know your solar power payback period and PV system’s return on

Whether it’s a cell phone, smartwatch, or tablet, when it comes to technology, one of the most exciting things about it is that devices are

Solar power is a great way to offset your energy bills. But just how much electricity do solar panels produce, and how many panels will you

Apple, Amazon, Target, Walmart - what do these tech revolutionaries and retail giants have in common? They run on solar energy. As the top

Do solar panels or PV solar systems need maintenance, and if so, how often and how much will it cost? If you’re considering installing a

Solar energy isn’t for everyone. 

13,476 miles. That’s how much the average American drives each year, according to the US Department of Transportation. To put that in

Grid-tied solar doesn’t work when the electricity goes out. While it is frustrating, having a grid-tied system gives you many other benefits

On September 11, 2018, a hurricane with 1-minute-long gusts of wind at speeds of 150 mph raged off the coast of North Carolina. As the

Many states in the country allow you to sign up for a third-party energy supplier. While these companies introduce competition into the

In May of 2019, Maryland passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, mandating that 50% of the state’s electricity be produced by renewable energy

Each hour, 430 quintillion Joules of energy from the sun find their way to Earth. That’s more energy than the entire planet uses in one

Sunshine Inc. installs a solar system that meets 100% of their electricity needs. They’re thrilled with the initial tax savings, and

What do faith-based organizations, charter schools, health care facilities, public schools, affordable housing, and other non-profit

Depreciation on solar panels is one of the easiest ways businesses and farms looking to go solar can keep installation costs down, ROIs

Pollen, dust, sea salt, or pollution - if it’s in the air, it’ll eventually end up on your panels. And as a solar owner, you know that what

The Parrys own and operate an 80-acre poultry farm in Hartly, DE. Like so many farmers, they were facing high electricity bills that ate up

There are plenty of things that get better with age - like cheeses, cast iron skillets, high-quality leather, and 401Ks. However, this

Maybe you’ve noticed a lot of businesses in your area covering their roofs with solar panels or heard how so many fortune 500 companies are

Sunlight strikes your solar panels, science does its magic, and power is instantaneously generated in the form of kWh. Your business, farm,

The electric savings from solar energy can have a huge impact on your business or farm’s bottom line. Depending on your solar system’s

If you’re looking to install solar panels, you may have heard some buzz around the changing National Electric Code and its impacts on PV

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep the lights on when the grid goes down or you want to help offset demand charges, continued

If you have a solar system or are thinking about installing a solar system, it’s important to understand what your electric bill will look

So you’ve done the research on renewable energies and are considering installing solar. The ROI and low electricity bills sound great, but

Snow. Some of us love it and some of us hate it, but if you live in the Mid-Atlantic States, it’s often an inescapable part of the winter

For years, batteries have been a way to store excess power for solar systems.  But until recently, they only made sense for a few, mostly

Less daylight, cooler weather, more time indoors. When winter comes around, it seems like there are countless reasons to draw on extra

You want solar panels. Whether to go green, save green, or a combination of both, solar panels offer homeowners the opportunity to make a