Young Girl Built Solar Water Heater With Recycled Objects

Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López, an 8-year-old girl from Altos de Chiapas, Mexico, made history by being the first child to receive the prestigious “ICN Recognition for Women,” an award usually reserved for adults. She was awarded by Nuclear Sciences Institute (ICN) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) for her solar...

10 Facts About Seattle Solar Panels

Thanks to solar panels, we are able to harness the most abundant energy source available - the sun. Photovoltaic panels, also known as solar panels, convert sunlight into electricity we can use at home. Decades ago, solar panels were still experimental technology, requiring high costs. Now, they have become more affordable for the average consumer. 

How to Calculate the Cost of a Solar Panel System

We often get asked how much it would cost to install a solar panel system. It actually varies based on whether rebates, tax credits and incentives are available to you. Incentives can lower the price by 30 percent or more. With no incentives, the cost can go as high as $15,000 for a 4kW solar system. The total cost of a solar system goes beyond the price of solar panels. A number of other components such as the racking, wiring, inverter and solar monitor are also calculated.

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Go Solar

The cost of going solar gets cheaper every year. This raises the question among homeowners—should I switch to solar now or wait to take advantage of lower installation prices? Every year that you delay in your decision to go solar is another year that you miss out on many financial returns, otherwise known as your solar opportunity cost. What you save on upfront costs could be outweighed by the financial returns you would have received within that time frame.

Should You Remove Trees for Solar Panel Performance?

Trees and solar have a similar effect on the environment when it comes to mitigating carbon—but they do not always get along. Trees cause shading and reduce the output and efficiency of solar panels. In most cases, trimming just a few branches may suffice. However, maximizing solar benefits could also mean cutting down a tree or two. Does it ever make sense to cut down carbon-absorbing trees just for solar? The answer is, surprisingly, yes. Here is some information that could help you make the right choice.

Is Your Roof a Good Match for Solar?

With solar installation becoming an affordable option for many, it comes as no surprise that it’s considered the fastest growing energy source in the world. In the last decade, solar energy has seen an average annual growth rate of 54%. As homeowners begin the process of solar shopping, one of the first questions asked should be: “How suited is my roof for solar panel installation?” The good new is, solar panels are designed to be compatible with most types of roofing.