Is Off-Grid Solar Power a Viable Option for You?

Off-grid solar power comes at a higher price than a grid-connected photovoltaic system. Additional equipment, including a bank of batteries and a charge controller, is required to operate a stand-alone system. And with photovoltaic energy as the lone source of power, a larger number of solar panels must be installed to meet your energy needs. […]

You know that if you install a solar energy system at your home or business, you’ll save money on your monthly electric bill, but what if your monthly electric bill is already less than $110? That is the national average for residential power customers, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. If your bill is […]

Boosting solar cells’ efficiency and making photovoltaic energy more cost-effective is the goal of many scientists around the world. When their work yields technological breakthroughs, these often lead to huge growth in the solar industry. Today, three particularly exciting new developments are in the works. Solar Cells That Emit More Light Solar cells made of […]

Thanks to falling prices and the federal solar tax credit, going solar has never been cheaper. This 30 percent income tax credit is available to both residential and business customers. This credit makes the cost of installing a new photovoltaic energy system truly affordable for almost everyone. How do you claim the solar investment tax […]

The adoption of solar power is getting an encouraging boost from cities and counties across the United States. Transitioning away from the utility grid and relying less on other forms of energy is the goal, and photovoltaic energy is key to making that happen. San Francisco and Santa Monica are leading the way as the […]

A rooftop solar power system can provide you with an efficient source of energy for your home, saving you money and reducing your independence on the weakening power grid. But solar power systems produce electrical current, and electricity in any form can be dangerous if you are careless. Keep your family safe and sound by […]

Switching to photovoltaic power not only saves you money, but it offers you energy independence as well. Installing a solar energy system allows you to produce your own electricity, cutting your costs significantly while reducing or eliminating your dependence on the utility grid for power. As you prepare to transition from traditional power sources to […]

Historically, commercial solar installations have relied on string inverters to convert the sun’s energy to usable electricity. String inverters are low-cost and efficient, but if the output of one of the photovoltaic panels is compromised, the performance of the entire system may be affected. In residential photovoltaic systems, micro-inverters are frequently used instead of string […]

What will happen to your grid-tied solar photovoltaic system if a power outage strikes your area? Will yours be the only house on the block with electricity? The answer is maybe. Many solar panel systems do not work if the utility grid is down, but most can be set up to do so. Let’s take […]

The Department of Energy wants to make solar power more accessible and affordable for homeowners and businesses across the United States. To that end, the agency recently announced $39 million in funding for photovoltaic projects this year. Because the DoE is a federal agency, this means tax dollars will help fund this investment. $18 Million […]