Solar 101

Just starting out in your search for solar? Look no further! We cover all the basics of what you need to know when going solar.

How passive solar home design saves you money on energy

Ben Zientara

November 8, 2019

How passive solar home design saves you money on energy

Passive solar design is a way of using surfaces in and around your home to collect energy from the sun and store it as heat for use in the house.

Is Minnesota's Value of Solar tariff the future of solar?

Catherine Lane

November 6, 2019

Is Minnesota's Value of Solar tariff the future of solar?

Minnesota’s Value of Solar tariff is being challenged by the state’s largest utility, Xcel Energy.

What is California’s Solar Consumer Protection Guide?

Catherine Lane

October 25, 2019

What is California’s Solar Consumer Protection Guide?

CA solar installers must now provide prospective customers with a consumer protection guide.

Understanding the 100-watt solar panel kit and its uses

Zeeshan Hyder

October 2, 2019

Understanding the 100-watt solar panel kit and its uses

A 100-watt solar panel is portable, easy-to-use, and has many practical applications.

Questions to ask solar companies before you get solar

Ben Zientara

September 26, 2019

Questions to ask solar companies before you get solar

Forgetting to ask these questions will surely take a toll on your solar panel installation.

What is a peak sun hour? What are peak sun hour numbers for your state?

Zeeshan Hyder

August 7, 2019

What is a peak sun hour? What are peak sun hour numbers for your state?

How are peak sun hours different from regular sunlight hours? We explain what they are and why they matter.

How to use PVWatts to figure out the ideal size for your solar system

Ben Zientara

July 15, 2019

How to use PVWatts to figure out the ideal size for your solar system

PVWatts is a useful tool that to estimate annual electricity production from solar panels on your roof. Our method can help you find your ideal system size.

Black or blue solar panels: Which is better for your home?

Jagpreet Sandhu

June 3, 2019

Black or blue solar panels: Which is better for your home?

Find out the differences between blue and black solar panels in terms of their performance, production process, durability, cost, and much more.

Snow on solar panels: will solar panels work in the winter?

Ana Almerini

June 2, 2019

Snow on solar panels: will solar panels work in the winter?

Are solar panels worth it in winters? Everything you need to know about the worth of solar panels in winter/snow.

Solar panel reliability: How reliable is solar power?

Zeeshan Hyder

May 30, 2019

Solar panel reliability: How reliable is solar power?

Critics often claim that solar power is unreliable. So, how is solar energy produced and is it a reliable source of energy? Find out here.

What is Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and why should you care?

Ben Zientara

May 29, 2019

What is Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and why should you care?

Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) is a way to help people compare the cost of two different ways of paying for energy over long periods of time.

Top 5 American solar panel manufacturers in 2023

Ben Zientara

May 10, 2019

Top 5 American solar panel manufacturers in 2023

Reviewing the top-rated U.S. solar panel manufacturers in 2023.