Solar energy: It’s clean. It’s renewable. It’s cheap. But can it be beautiful? Solar enthusiasts know all these things to be true, but in general, solar panels aren’t known for their aesthetic appeal. As more and more solar farms are installed around the world, developers are getting creative, and making their projects more picturesque than…
You’ve probably heard by now that installing solar on your home can bring you savings in the long term. And it’s true: if you’re among the 20 percent of Americans who can install solar on your roof or property, buying your own rooftop array will help you squeeze the most savings out of your panels.…
Solar is booming in America, and there are many options for getting access to your own solar power, so it can be difficult to know which option is best for you. Today, we’re going to lay out the most common solar options and help you understand their benefits and drawbacks. The first thing to consider…
When families choose solar–whether it’s rooftop panels or community solar–they’re making a decision that will have a long-term effect on their pocketbooks and the environment. But just how long will these solar panels last? The Life Expectancy of Solar Panels Unlike cars, solar panels are still highly productive after 30 years with little-to-no-maintenance! Because we’ve…
Since the advent of solar energy, one factor in particular has fueled criticism and prevented even the most enthusiastic would-be solar customers from “going solar”: the upfront cost. Despite the fact that panels ultimately pay for themselves through electric bill savings, high initial costs have historically meant that only a few could afford to install panels…
Using renewable energy, like solar panels, can be one of the most effective ways to positively impact the environment. However, it’s important to keep more than just reducing emissions in mind when implementing renewable energy. Here are some ways that solar garden developers are able to ensure that their projects are built to protect our…
As we’ve highlighted in the past, there is plenty of misinformation out there that blurs the truth about solar energy. While it’s broadly considered one of the cleanest sources of electricity available, rumors about toxicity and local environmental contamination have caused many Americans to wonder just how solar panels are made. You don’t have to…
It can feel like a contradiction: In an era of cheap air travel and video conferences, communities from around the world are taking up the call to ‘go local’. As the harmful effects of globalization have become increasingly apparent, resistance has taken many forms. People trade their cars for ride sharing apps and public transit,…
Whether you’re looking into rooftop solar energy or a local community solar garden, it’s useful to have a rule of thumb to help you figure out how many solar panels you need to cover your energy usage. Using these simple facts, you can also get a handle on some larger questions about solar energy, like…
Solar energy is already providing many unique benefits to our energy systems, and there is ample evidence that given the right conditions, it can revolutionize the system for the better. We focus most of our attention on community solar and its benefits, but solar energy exists in many forms and it’s worth taking the time…