Solar Industry News
What to Expect During Your Solar Panel Installation
Installing solar panels is a significant step towards energy independence and environmental sustainability. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to expect during the installation process: Initial Consultation and Site Assessment Before the installation begins, a detailed consultation with a solar provider is essential. During this phase, an expert will ...
Which States Save The Most With Solar?
People who are interested in going solar frequently ask this question, and it seems like the answer should be simple. But while photovoltaic (PV) solar power is gaining in popularity across many states, a variety of factors determine just how much solar installation costs in any given location. Those ...
Storm-Ready: How Energy Storage Protects Your Home During Hurricane Season
Prepare for Hurricane Season with Reliable Energy Storage Hurricane season in Orlando, Florida, brings with it the potential for severe weather, power outages, and disruption to daily life. As we face more unpredictable weather patterns, particularly with the influence of La Niña, ensuring a reliable energy source during these ...
Sunshine Savings: Why Going Solar This Summer Makes Sense in Orlando, Florida
Embrace the Sunshine State’s Best Asset: Solar Power! Summer in Orlando, Florida, is synonymous with endless sunshine, outdoor adventures, and the occasional sweltering heatwave. As temperatures soar, so do energy bills, with air conditioning units working overtime to keep homes cool. But what if there was a way to ...
Getting The Most Value Out of Your Solar System
Generating power from the sun may be without cost, but the technology behind this process is not. The reality is that a solar system is a significant investment. Like purchasing a home, it has an upfront cost but pays off in the long term. A solar installation is a ...
How to Avoid Solar Scammers
A growing number of people are eager to learn more about solar energy and find out what kind of savings it can provide. Unfortunately, many con artists understand this well and have designed schemes that can turn the dreams of residential solar power into a nightmare for some homeowners. ...
Tips for Helping Friends and Family Go Solar
Embarking on the solar journey is an exhilarating step towards sustainability and energy independence. But why trek alone when you can bring friends and family along for the ride? Convincing loved ones to embrace solar energy can be a game-changer for them and the planet. Here’s how to light ...
Warning Signs to Watch for When Researching Solar Companies
Venturing into the world of solar energy is exciting, and full of the promise of clean, cost-effective power. But, like any great adventure, it comes with its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to choosing the right solar company. Let's liven up the quest with some essential tips ...
The Truth Behind Free Solar Ads: Uncovering Misleading Claims
Solar energy is a remarkable solution for individuals looking to save on electricity bills while contributing to a cleaner environment. However, like any rapidly growing industry, the solar sector is not immune to misleading advertising. Some of the common misleading claims you might have come across are ads offering ...
What Should You Know When Choosing A Solar Installer?
Making the switch to photovoltaic (PV) solar power is a big change—an investment both financially and for the future. More people are doing it because they recognize solar power’s unique ability to save money in the long term and lessen their household’s impact on the environment. Do you know ...
Riding The Solar Wave: Global Trends in 2023
The dawn of solar energy is here, painting a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable picture for our world. The year 2023 is witnessing an array of exciting trends in the solar industry, making solar technology more accessible and appealing to various segments of society. Here’s a roundup of the ...
Exploring the Benefits of Solar Energy Storage with SolarStratos
One of the world's most innovative and sustainable energy companies, headquartered in California's Silicon Valley, has joined the Mission SolarStratos expedition as the exclusive solar cell provider for its aircraft. Within the next two years, SolarStratos is expected to be the first solar-powered plane to soar above the Earth's ...
Supercharge Your Savings: The Power of Solar Battery Storage
The solar revolution doesn't stop at harnessing sunlight; it extends to storing this power for later use. With solar battery storage, you're not just generating clean energy; you're managing it smartly to maximize your savings. Here’s how solar battery storage can be a game-changer for your financial and environmental ...
Shining a Light on Solar Panel Recycling: Turning Waste into Opportunity
A concern for many homeowners and environmentally conscious citizens is the daunting task of recycling solar panels as they come to the end of their usable life. The solar industry is working on what could have become an undeniable problem, working on solutions that keep solar panels out of ...
Embracing Solar Energy: Transforming Homes and Saving the Planet
At a time when homeowners are increasingly drawn to the allure of affordable and dependable renewable energy solutions, the prospect of generating one's own power has never been more appealing. The realm of alternative clean energy holds a wealth of advantages for those wanting to reduce utility costs, secure ...
Avoiding Bad Solar Sellers: A Simple Guide
Solar energy is becoming popular, and many people are now switching to it to save money and help the environment. But, as in any growing industry, there are some dishonest sellers lurking. They are known as fly-by-night solar sellers. This blog will explain who these bad actors are and ...
Solar Innovations Of The Future
Transparent solar panels could replace windows in the future. Here's how: Of course, transparent solar panels sound too good to be true. But they would have the potential to shift cities from major energy users to energy providers and could usher in a new era of clean energy revolution ...
Does My Utility Bill Have Hidden Charges?
The Top 3 Solar Power Questions Homeowners Want Answered Our team at Castaways Energy frequently fields questions from homeowners interested in adopting solar power. From straightforward inquiries like “What is solar energy?” to more complex ones such as “How efficient are solar panels?” we've compiled a list of the ...
Will Solar Get Cheaper In 2023?
Maybe, but don’t wait. An analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests home solar costs 2–12% more in early 2022 than in 2021. Extreme market conditions pushed up the price of modules, inverters, labor, and permits. The good news? Solar costs are very likely to decrease in 2023, ...
Three Ways to Keep Your Utility Bills Down After Going Solar
At first glance, it seems straightforward: you install solar panels on your home, and your utility bill decreases. Typically, that's true. However, there can be circumstances where your bill may not drop as much as you expected or, in rare instances, may even increase despite utilizing solar power. Why ...
Castaways Energy Contributes Giving Clean Water & Power to Communities in Need
Orlando, FL, September 6, 2023: GivePower, an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean water and clean power in developing regions around the world, has partnered with Castaways Energy. With each solar system installed, Castaways Energy gives the gift of power and clean water to communities in need. Their ...
Understanding How to Benefit from the IRA
In 2022, the U.S. passed the largest climate and energy investment bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This law is designed to help 100 million homes save money on solar power and make homes more energy efficient. A significant solar manufacturer conducted a survey to learn how ...
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need To Power a House?
One of the first questions homeowners ask when going solar is, “How many solar panels do I need to power my home?” The goal for any solar project should be 100% electricity offset and maximum savings—not necessarily to cram as many panels on a roof as possible. So, the number ...
5 Top Maintenance Problems with Solar
Our 21st-century lives are full of household and business devices and appliances that need cleaning and maintenance. Frankly, we’ve got our hands full, and no one is excited about adding yet another system that needs care and attention. The good news is that a solar array requires minimal maintenance, ...
Solar ITC Explained
The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal solar incentive that has helped make solar energy more affordable for homeowners and businesses across the United States. The ITC is also known as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (SITC) or the Solar Tax Credit. We will explore the details of ...
Do Solar Panels Require Maintenance?
If you're considering installing a solar system for your home or business, you might be wondering if it will require maintenance. After all, solar panels are designed to last for decades, but will they still perform as well over time? The answer is yes; solar systems do need some ...
Add More Solar Energy To Your Existing System
Have you been thinking about making the switch to solar energy but are worried about having to completely replace your current energy system? Well, we've got some good news for you! It is possible to add solar panels to your existing system. Making the switch to solar energy can ...
What Affects the Cost of Solar Systems
There is no doubt that the residential solar market continues to grow rapidly. With the increased risks of blackouts due to severe weather and high demand, more homeowners are trying to take control of their own power production. But for many, the most pressing question is how much it ...
What Is The State Of The Solar Industry Now?
Of course, like most businesses throughout the nation (and the world), COVID-19 affected the solar industry. As we came out of the pandemic, the solar industry seemed to be coming back strong and very healthy. And it is still growing throughout the country. However, there are challenges facing solar ...
What Is Net Metering?
Going solar offers homeowners many great benefits. One of the best—for those who can take advantage of it—is net metering (also called net energy metering). With net metering, homeowners get credited for the extra energy their solar system produces that is sent back to the electric grid. Usually, you ...
How to Get More Value Out of Your Solar System
While generating power from the sun is without cost, the technology behind this process is not. The reality is that solar panels are an investment, much like a home, that has an upfront cost but pays off in the long term. The installation can be compared to a small ...
How Important Is Solar System Monitoring?
A solar monitoring system can keep you apprised of your PV system’s performance. It offers information about energy consumption and generation, optimizing energy usage, and whether there is damage to your solar system, among other topics. It’s important to monitor your solar setup in some way; without monitoring, it ...
Promoting A Healthier Planet
We now live in a day and age where climate change has affected all of us in some way. Whether experiencing the impact of wildfires on the West Coast, torrential hurricanes to the East, or enduring wild winter weather in the South, it’s safe to say that no one ...
Electric Vehicle Owners are Discovering Even More Savings
Clean energy has been breaking records for the past few years, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. According to market insights provided by the Solar Energy Industries Association in partnership with Wood Mackenzie, solar PV accounted for 43% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions through Q3 2020. Similarly, ...
How Long Will Your Solar Panels Last?
Most solar panels come with a 25- to 30-year warranty, but they may realistically last 25 to 40 years or more. Panels will, however, slowly begin to degrade over time, meaning they may produce less energy. Solar panel degradation rates are constantly improving. Currently, the standards are between 0.1 ...
8 Things Sustainable Businesses Care About
If you’ve wondered, "What is sustainability?" when it comes to business, this infographic can help. It shows eight of the most common things companies focus on when they implement sustainable business practices. Business and sustainability can coexist. Businesses are finding that by focusing on corporate responsibility, they can also ...
How Can You Save Energy While Working from Home?
Just like that, millions of Americans are suddenly working—and teaching—from home. And for many of those newly home-bound families, there's an unexpected expense awaiting in the wings—a higher energy bill. Working from home often means your heater or air conditioner—either of which can account for up to half of ...
How a Solar Battery Works During a Blackout
Flashlight batteries and cases of water are selling out, and gas tanks are being filled as worried residents try to picture their lives in the dark for what could potentially be days. But there is an alternative. Home and business owners who make their own energy from the sun ...
Do You Know What’s Going on Your Roof?
Equinox™ is the only all-in-one, complete home solar system. With a conventional solar system, it's hard to know what you're getting. And while the installer may tout that variety as a strength, it's more like a warning sign. Inconsistent product strategy and standards are no guarantee that you'll be ...
Generators vs. Solar Batteries: Which is the Better Backup?
A well-designed solar system can meet the majority of the electricity needs for a homeowner, but there are times when power needs to be pulled from the grid. While many energy providers offer the option of net metering to cover the cost of electricity used by the local power ...
The Top Advantages of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources are, by definition, constantly replenished. Fossil fuels like coal or gasoline burn up and are gone, but the sun keeps shining and the wind keeps blowing, no matter how many homes use them to make electricity. The main types of renewable energy sources include solar, wind, ...
5 Ways to Conserve Energy During Summer
Now, in the thick of summer, the nation’s first major heatwave has brought sweltering heat and back-to-back days with record highs. Homeowners from California to New York are cranking up the AC to achieve relief. Unfortunately, turning down the thermostat also results in an increase in your utility bill. ...
Fostering a Cycle of Sustainability Through Solar Panel Recycling
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shared in a recent Solar Market Insight Report that the residential market has seen substantial growth, with 2019 becoming a record year for installations. Continuous advancements within the solar industry are a big win for the environment when addressing how energy is produced and ...
Solid Copper, Stellar Results
Our Maxeon® solar cell is fundamentally different. And dramatically better. With its unique copper foundation, our solar panel cell technology offers unmatched reliability and allows us to build panels with a world record for the highest efficiency. Talk about illuminating. Performance Beyond Compare It’s easy to see why conventional ...
Why Spring is the Perfect Time for a Solar Panel Installation
Spring has officially arrived, and with it, warmer weather. This is the time of year when homeowners start flipping on air conditioners and enjoying more time outdoors before temperatures rise. While many associate spring with fresh starts and plenty of deep cleaning, it is also the perfect time to ...
Solar vs. Wind Energy: Which Alternative Energy Source is Right for Your Home?
Incredible strides in renewable energy technologies are making alternative power sources more attainable than ever for American homeowners. Solar panels are now sleek and design-conscious. Incredibly efficient, greener batteries are making it possible to store the overbalance of solar and wind energy in homes. Technology upgrades, storage improvements, and equipment capabilities ...
Is Your House a Good Candidate for Solar?
If you’ve been considering adding a solar system to your home, do you even know if it’s a real option for you? At Castaways Energy, we will help you evaluate your home to be sure that going solar will be the right decision for you. We’ll ask you a ...
Fighting Climate Change with Solar
Solar power enthusiasts understand that solar doesn't just lower their electric bill; it changes the world. The recent Wildfires in Australia have helped reinforce that point. Record heat and dry conditions in 2019 turned the country's forests and grasslands into vast swaths of combustible fuel. On December 17, the country ...
Home Solar Panel Maintenance Tips
“Don’t solar panels need a lot of maintenance?” Castaways Energy gets this question from homeowners regularly, and it’s understandable, given that no one wants to worry about climbing up on a roof to care for their solar panels. Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, so the cleaner your ...
Solar Can Save the Earth
Carbon emissions have reached record highs in most countries. Global warming has caused most of the devastating climate changes that the world is encountering. The use of solar energy is an effective way of reducing these greenhouse gases. When you install solar panels on your home, you contribute to generating ...
The Use of Solar Energy Continues to Grow!
The growth in the solar industry has been tremendous. But have you wondered just how much solar PV there is in the U.S.? Here are some astonishing facts for you: The U.S. installed 3.8 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity in Q3 2020 to reach 88.9 GW of total installed capacity. That is enough to power 16.4 million American ...
Does Solar Panel Size Matter?
We put this important question—and a few related ones—to Isaac Opalinsky, SunPower's senior manager of training. Here's what he had to say about solar panel size, efficiency, and installation. Are the various solar panel sizes important for customers to consider? Size is a factor to consider in solar panels, but ...
Do solar panels use light or heat to generate electricity?
Confusion over the impact of heat and light on solar power starts with the fact that there are different types of solar power. One type of power, called solar thermal, uses the sun's light to generate heat, which can be used for things like household hot water or to generate ...
What is the Future of Solar? It starts on your roof!
Most of us think of solar energy as rows of solar panels sitting in a field, collecting energy. Some of us know about (or may even have) solar panels on a portion of our roofs, keeping our energy costs down. But here are some examples of where the solar industry ...
IBC vs. PERC: What’s the Best Type of Solar Panel
Solar manufacturers are always looking for new ways to make solar cells more efficient, so there are different types of solar panel technologies for customers to choose from, offering varying levels of efficiency and reliability. Cells known as "Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact" are becoming more common. PERC solar cells ...
Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
SEIA is leading a national coalition to extend the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a significant undertaking that will require support from across the solar industry, and we need your help to get it done. The solar investment tax credit (ITC) is one of the most successful clean energy ...
Lower Your Carbon Footprint and Save $$ with Solar
CLEAN ENERGY NEVER LOOKED BETTER Things are heating up this summer at a time when our nation's concern regarding climate change, carbon emissions, and fossil fuels has never been more prevalent. When you switch to solar, you reduce your impact on the planet while simultaneously saving on your electricity bill. ...
Estimate How Much Can You Save With Solar
We get asked, “How much do solar panels save?” every day. While yes, you will either greatly reduce or eliminate your electric bill, determining your total solar savings is influenced by several other factors, including how you finance your solar system and whether you take advantage of tax incentives such ...
Love Opening Your Mail. Go Solar & Chill With Every Utility Bill.
Summer is here! That means longer days, blooming flowers, family vacations, etc. And, yes, the dreaded moment when your utility bill arrives. Let’s be honest: The air conditioner is one of man’s greatest inventions, so why not enjoy it? When you go solar, you can afford to beat the heat ...
5 Facts About Solar that Make Sense
Five reasons to consider going solar now. This post originally appeared on the SunPower Resources Blog.
You had questions about Going Solar…We have answers
There’s been a buzz about ‘going solar’ for a number of years, but you didn’t know if it would be a good decision for your home. You’ve probably had lots of questions about it but didn’t know who to ask. You’re not alone. So, let us give you some answers ...
Learn How to Go Solar
Solar power helps homeowners save money on energy bills, so if you’re dreading those high electricity bills this summer, you may want to find out: How do I go solar? It’s certainly a common question. Photovoltaic (PV) solar power is the fastest-growing type of energy in the world. In the ...
SunPower Solar Warranty FAQs
We recently announced our new SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty. Today, we answer all of your questions about the industry's best 25-year solar warranty. Q. What’s the advantage of a single warranty on the whole system from one manufacturer? A. A working solar system is composed of many components that work ...
Common Questions About Buying a Home with Solar Energy
Anyone in the market for a new home can tell you that the search process is both exciting and nerve-racking. Between location, school district, lot size, HOA fees, and property taxes, there’s a lot to consider. But what if that unicorn of a home finally pops up in your ...
How Adding Renewable Energy Can Benefit You
Stepping into the world of renewable energy is like unlocking a superpower for your home. It’s a game-changer, a planet-saver, and, believe it or not, a wallet-friendly move. If you’ve been contemplating the leap into the renewable energy realm, here’s the nudge you’ve been waiting for. Let’s dive into ...
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