Our Blog

Summer is usually a time when many people across the intermountain region see their power bills skyrocket, especially in places like Nevada and Southern Utah, where temperatures can easily top 110 degrees on any given day. If you’re tired of wondering how much you are going to have to spend on power bills to cool your home, or you’re afraid of opening that bill when it arrives each month, now is the time to switch to solar energy. Predictable Energy Costs One of the greatest benefits of switching to solar energy is the ability to predict your energy costs from month to month. During the hottest months of the summer or the coolest winter months, your bills are going to...

In part one of this blog post we talked about all the benefits that wind energy can provide, including virtually eliminating your total energy bills. Many large corporations have decided that wind energy is a great investment and have built large-scale wind farms to generate electricity. Small businesses can also take advantage of this type of renewable energy, but there are some important things to understand for those companies that don’t have the same financial resources as Google or IKEA. If you’re thinking about wind power for your business, here are some of the drawbacks and other considerations to help you make a final decision. Potential Drawbacks of a Wind Turbine While wind power is more affordable and easier to...

One of the biggest changes that many large corporations have made in recent years is switching from fossil fuel energy consumption to renewables. Large companies often have a choice of multiple types of renewable energy—including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal options—but small companies often don’t have the resources for the latter two. If you are considering a switch to renewable energy, that leaves the choice of whether to go with solar or wind power for your business. Here are some reasons you may want to consider wind energy. Business Benefits of Renewable Energy There are a lot of environmental reasons to think about going from burning fossil fuels for your energy needs, but equally compelling are the business reasons to...

Solar energy isn’t new, but it is growing in popularity around the country and around the world for many reasons. It provides individuals and companies with the opportunity to save money on energy costs that can fluctuate from the local power company, and it allows you to reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating consumption of fossil fuels for everyday needs like lighting, air conditioning, and more. It’s also growing in popularity for businesses, which can benefit from significantly reduced energy costs and the ability to accurately predict budgets today and several years in the future with fixed energy costs. Even energy companies agree that solar renewable energy is the wave of the future, with a majority agreeing that solar was...

With solar energy more popular and affordable than ever before, you may be wondering whether it’s the right choice for you. There are a lot of solar installation companies out there, but they’re not all created equal. If you’re thinking about solar energy for your home, here are four important questions to ask before you hire a residential solar company. What Size Solar System Do I Need? What size system you need can vary widely from other homes based on your personal schedules, habits, and lifestyle, so there should never be a one-size-fits-all approach from your solar installation company. They should take time to calculate your individual energy usage, including any seasonal fluctuations, any surplus energy you want to export...

Have you noticed recently that you’re seeing a lot more solar energy panels on homes and businesses? If so, it’s not all in your head. Solar energy is a rapidly growing market for a wide variety of reasons, and both individual households as well as large businesses understand these trends and are keeping pace with the changes. If you don’t have a solar system yet, here’s why you should consider it. The Booming U.S. Solar Energy Industry In the first quarter of 2020, the U.S. installed 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity—the largest first quarter on record. Added to the existing 77.8 GW capacity, there is now enough solar energy to power close to 16 million homes. While...

The solar energy market is exploding, with enough solar energy generated to power close to 16 million homes (and counting). It’s a rapidly growing and changing market, with things like tax incentives, government policies, and fluctuating costs that might seem confusing. For homeowners, business owners, or others thinking about whether solar can provide you with enough benefits to be worth the cost, here are some important trends to be aware of in 2020 and beyond. The Price to Store Solar Energy is Falling There are three different types of systems: Grid-tied solar systems Off-grid battery backup solar systems Hybrid grid-tied and battery backup systems Grid-tied systems have no battery storage, they simply send any excess energy generated during sunlight hours...

For several years solar energy usage has been on the rise, and many homeowners have decided to make the switch to this renewable energy source. In recent years, though, that trend is accelerating as the cost of energy continues to trend upward. Residential and commercial solar power can help shield you from the roller coaster ups and downs of energy costs. Utility Electricity Prices On the Rise One of the questions that you should consider before deciding whether a solar system is the best choice for your home or business is how long before the cost up front will be offset by savings. It’s impossible to determine exactly how long that will take because the price of energy from your...

As the temperature in the intermountain states starts to climb higher, your energy bills will be going in the same direction; homeowners in the U.S. spend over $11 billion a year on energy to power air conditioners. Running your AC all day (and sometimes all night) can significantly increase your monthly costs. Here are a few strategies that can help you reduce energy consumption, which will save some money on those power bills over the summer. 1: Switch to an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner If you have an older air conditioning unit, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Newer units use less energy to convert warm air into cool air to keep your home cool, which means your AC won’t...

Part one of this blog post discussed the first two things you need to determine when you’re trying to figure out how big of a solar energy system is required to meet your power needs. That includes calculating your total energy usage and determining your solar goals. Next we’ll go into two additional factors, as well as the calculation. Determine Sunlight Hours Another factor in determining your solar panels needs is how much sunlight your roof will get on an average day. More sunlight hours means you can get fewer panels because they will be able to absorb solar energy for longer. Fewer hours, or periods of shade in and around your home will require more panels to generate the...