But how do you best ensure the spread of solar power so that it proliferates quickly, and thus helps reduce our carbon emissions? A new report on the future of solar power from the MIT Energy Initiative argues that from a societal perspective, the most popular and visible solar deployment today — atop residential rooftops — may not be the most economically optimal…
There are many criteria to consider when deciding which solar panels to purchase for your solar energy system. As you explore solar panel reviews, it is important to include solar cell efficiency, solar panel ratings, durability, and manufacturer assurances in your decision. Below, EnergySage has outlined the factors to keep in mind when you are evaluating solar…
Our report focuses on grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The PV panels generate electricity whenever the sun shines. This electricity then supplies a home’s energy needs, with surplus power sold back into the grid. This year, a Deustche Bank report found New Zealand had joined a growing list of countries where residential solar power had reached “grid…
How do solar panels perform in winter? Since solar panels work with light, not heat, it doesn’t matter how cold it gets outside. In fact, solar panels perform better in cooler temperatures than very hot temperatures. Since it’s so cloudy in the winter, will my solar panels produce any electricity at all? Yes. Even when it’s cloudy outside, your solar panels will…
You’ve heard of SunPower, LG, SolarWorld, Q-Cell, and maybe even Canadian Solar, but which one is the right fit for your home? To figure that out we are going to review cost, degradation, warranty, efficiency, technology, and value. The first consideration most homeowners will review is the price of the panel. Therefore a good starting place is to remember that…
Every solar panel has a long list of specifications to help you understand a solar panel’s performance, quality, and durability. But individual panel specifications and warranties don’t provide you with a complete picture of how one brand of panel stacks up versus another, making it hard to select the best solar panels for your unique needs. EnergySage has developed…
Who are the best solar panel manufacturers, and how do you go about finding and selecting one? The answer isn t as straight forward as you might expect it to be due to the fact that the best solar panel manufacturers supply solar panels for a wide range of uses and situations. One of the first considerations to take into account is that it is better to shop locally…
USGBC s Taryn Holowka shares the advantages of using solar panels. Here in the Northeast, we ve been warming up into spring following the unexpected March storm, Stella. Summer will be here before we know it—and with the rising temperatures, we’ll see rising energy bills. Solar panels are a great way to offset energy costs, reduce the environmental impact of…
Solar power captures radiant light and heat from the sun and converts it into clean energy that can be used to power homes, businesses and machinery. This renewable energy source, first used commercially more than 100 years ago, is growing rapidly as people look for sources of energy that are sustainable and environmentally sound both in industrial nations like…
Determining the size of your solar energy system starts with a simple question: how many solar panels do I need for my home? As most people want to produce enough energy to completely eliminate their electricity bill, the first step is determining what size solar system will produce enough power to meet your household consumption levels. Ultimately, you will…
Between 2008 and 2013, China’s fledgling solar-electric panel industry dropped world prices by 80 percent, a stunning achievement in a fiercely competitive high-tech market. China had leapfrogged from nursing a tiny, rural-oriented solar program in the 1990s to become the globe’s leader in what may soon be the world’s largest renewable energy source. “They fundamentally…
One recent development in home solar electric systems is the use of micro-inverters (see photo in the Image Gallery). The idea is that you would use one small inverter for each panel rather than one larger inverter for the whole system. This can improve the overall efficiency of the system, especially if your solar panels are in partial shade. Another relatively…
Electric vehicles are getting a slight redesign. Panasonic recently came out with a new solar panel redesign to be placed on the roof of electric vehicles, the first of which will be the Toyota Prius. The panel will be a 180 watt solar module that will be tasked with recharging the Prius’ powertrain battery as well as its 12 Volt battery. The online publication…
Workers Stephen Janota, left, and Matt Bart, install Solar Service Inc. photovoltaic (PV) solar electric panels on the roof of a home in Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Bloomberg—Bloomberg via Getty Images Correction appended Monday, June 30. This past winter was one of the worst on record for the northeast, but the snow didn’t stop U.S…
Solar panels are growing in popularity, and it doesn’t look like a trend that will be going away anytime soon. The cost of solar energy has significantly decreased for a number of reasons: Installation companies are offering affordable options for homeowners, there are various incentives and rebates, and the cost of the actual panels has decreased. Adding solar…
If you’re considering solar panels for your home, Sandbar Solar makes it easy to make the switch and turn on energy savings. We install home solar panels all across the Bay Area, San Jose, Santa Cruz and Monterey County. Our dedicated teams bring years of experience to every installation. You can depend on our industry knowledge to develop a plan that perfectly…
Vertically integrated Chinese solar manufacturer JinkoSolar announced its third straight quarter of profitability along with net profitability for 2013 with a Q4 gross margin of 24.7 percent. Even some Chinese module makers are seeing good days return. The company had a great quarter with strong margin and geographical diversification - but the more interesting…
The Renogy 255 Watt 24 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel is your first step to converting your off-grid cabin or shed to solar, or simply trying to lower your electricity bill by starting an on-grid system these 255 Watt solar panels are the perfect fit for you. The versatility of this panel makes the system possibilities endless. And with a weight of less than…
For those looking for the most efficient solar panels for their PV system, the first thing you need to know is how to compare efficiency metrics for different manufacturer brands. Simply put, efficiency (expressed as a percentage) quantifies a solar panel’s ability to convert sunlight into electricity. Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration…
Solar power is arguably the cleanest, most reliable form of renewable energy available, and it can be used in several forms to help power your home or business. Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun s rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun. This electricity can then be used to supply…
Not as good an idea as you might think, researchers argue—unless the batteries get more people to use solar. By Nathan Collins (Photo: Tesla) If you’ve got solar panels on your house, you’ve probably also thought about getting a battery from Tesla to store up solar energy; that way, you can use the solar panels overnight, and maybe even disconnect from the power…
By Ben Zientara The amount of electricity a solar panel produces depends on three main things: the size of the panel, the efficiency of the solar cells inside, and the amount of sunlight the panel gets. We’ll break down what you can expect from a typical solar panel, and how that power output compares to the power you need for the gadgets and appliances you use…
10. South Korea: 2, 398 Megawatts A view shows a solar power plant of Korea South East Power Co. in Incheon, about 55 miles west of Seoul, on September 30, 2010. 9. Belgium: 3, 156 Megawatts Solar panels line the top of a train tunnel next to a motorway in Brasschaat, Belgium. The energy gathered from the panels powers the traditional and high-speed train lines…
What are the Best Solar Panels Available Today? Generally speaking, SunPower, LG and Panasonic are the best solar panels on the market in 2016 due to the efficiency, price and stellar 25 year warranty offered by each brand. SunPower is widely considered the best solar manufacturer with module efficiencies upwards of 22%. How can you determine which of these top…
