Thinking of investing in a backup power system for your home? This side-by-side comparison of a battery backup vs. gas generator takes a look at cost, fuel supply, size, features, and maintenance. 10-year cost of ownership shows that a Tesla Powerwall is far cheaper than a gas generator of similar size. powerwall_vs_generator
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10 Interesting Facts About Offshore Wind Energy
10. Offshore Wind Resources Are Abundant: Offshore wind has the potential to deliver large amounts of clean, renewable energy to fulfill the electrical needs of cities along U.S. coastlines. 9. Offshore Wind Turbines Can Be Extremely Tall: In order to capture the abundant wind resources available offshore, offshore turbines can be over 500 ft, about…
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How To Clean Your Solar Panels
If you have a residential solar energy system, your panels are either on your roof or on a ground mount system. Either way, they're likely sparkling clean because you clean them regularly, right? OK, you clean them once a year, right? You've cleaned them once when they were new? Well, if you’re like most of us,…
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Just Released: California Solar Consumer Protection Guide.
Most solar providers are honest and fair. However, there are still some false claims you need to watch out for. California-Solar-Consumer-Protection-Guide-July-2019
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Do Humans Need Sunlight To Survive?
The sun is the source of all heat and light energy on Earth. Aside from the obvious benefits of solar energy, and aside from our obvious knowledge that the sun is the source of all food on earth, how much direct or indirect sun does the human body need to survive, if any? We know…
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Will my solar PV system work during a power outage?
There are two reasons that ordinary grid-tied solar will not work during a grid failure. The first is a technical reason and the second is a safety and regulatory issue. First and foremost is the technical reason. The electronics that control a solar system constantly adjust voltage and current to keep the panels operating efficiently…
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Home Energy Assesssment Worksheet
This emergency power planning checklist helps individuals and families assess their electrical needs as related to technology, comfort, and security in the likely event of a prolonged power outage. (more…)
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Summer Solstice: Five Things You Should Know
Friday, June 21 will be the longest day of 2019 for anyone living north of the equator. The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, or 23.5 degrees north latitude. This will occur on Friday the 21st. 1) Why do we have a summer solstice, anyway? Earth orbits around…
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