What are the Various Components Affecting an Individual Solar Project’s Cost?
“How much does solar cost?” It is a question we get all the time. The short answer is that it varies. Solar arrays are tailored to fit each individual project and depend on answers to questions like: Would you like a roof mounted system, or a ground mounted system? How many solar panels do you […]
Thinking about Batteries? 5 Things to Think About as You Get Started
Decide What You Want Backed Up Home battery backup systems can keep the lights on and refrigerator running when the power goes out. With more battery capacity, such systems can also keep your air conditioning running. Decide which appliances are critical to your needs in a power outage, or plan for your whole home to […]
Why Are My Inverters And Solar PV Array Not The Same Size?
A common question in solar is “Why are you installing a 260 watt solar module on a 215 watt microinverter?” Or for central inverters, “Why is my system a 9,000 watt system on a 8,000 watt inverter?” Solar modules don’t produce their nameplate (DC) rating even with perfect sunlight that is perfectly oriented to the […]
Off-Grid + Solar
Off-Grid Solar Battery Systems March, 2014 Off-grid solar systems were the starting point for much of the solar industry years ago. Now, the majority of solar arrays are connected to the grid with a relatively small percentage of those providing battery backup. However, for certain, select customers, an off-grid system may […]
Batteries – DC Coupling
Grid-Connected Solar Plus Batteries – DC Coupling February, 2014 DC Coupling is the standard method to combine a grid-tied solar system with batteries to provide power to your house when the grid is down. In this approach, DC electricity is fed from solar panels to a charge controller and then to batteries. The batteries […]
Batteries + Solar – Secure Power Supply
The Utility is Down and the Sun is Up – You’ve Got Power (Without Batteries)! January, 2014 As previously discussed, there are now numerous options to have safe, secure power when the grid is down. In the past, this was essentially considered an “all-or-none” option – either you had the grid with no solar […]
Batteries + Solar – Options
Considering Solar and Batteries? Welcome to Your Updated Options. January, 2014 The solar market continues to develop at a wonderfully rapid pace. One of the primary reasons to consider solar has always been energy independence. For some, independence was freedom from power outages – or, even more so, complete independence from the electric grid itself. […]
Batteries + Solar – AC Coupling
Retrofit Your Existing Grid-Connected Solar System with Batteries – AC Coupling – February, 2014 AC Coupling provides a mechanism to utilize an existing grid-tied solar system and inverter (no batteries / no power when the grid is down) combined with an additional battery-based inverter to provide power to your house when the grid […]
EV Facts
What You Need to Know About EV Chargers Your Fuel Source 2014 WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Your Fuel Source 2013 Electric vehicles possess many advantages over internal combustion engine (ICE) cars: According to the DOE, electric cars […]
Considering Solar and Batteries? Welcome to Your Updated Options.
The solar market continues to develop at a wonderfully rapid pace. One of the primary reasons to consider solar has always been energy independence. For some, independence was freedom from power outages – or, even more so, complete independence from the electric grid itself. For others, independence meant creating clean power for a fixed […]
