Solar Energy News

Do Solar Panels Produce Energy In Winter Months?

Do Solar Panels Produce Energy In Winter Months?

Winter means shorter days, and because of the reduced sunlight hours, many people assume that solar panels also have reduced efficiency. This is a misconception.  Even in the dreary, short days of the winter ...
Plastic Pollution: It’s Worse Than You Think.

Plastic Pollution: It’s Worse Than You Think.

Plastic pollution is a global problem. Every year, 350 million tons of plastic waste is created and disposed of. 19-23 million tons of that have leaked into and polluted nearly every aquatic ecosystem on earth, ...
Should You Buy Solar Shingles?

Should You Buy Solar Shingles?

Most solar systems use traditional rooftop solar panels. While these offer excellent energy savings, they can look clunky and noticeable on your roof. New technology has led to solar shingles, which function as ...

How To Reduce Your Swimming Pool Operating Costs

By Frank Scotti – Solarponics – June, 2023  5 MINUTE READ Being a swimming pool owner should be an enjoyable experience. You should not have to think of your pool as a money sink hole. That’s why I am sharing ...

17+ Sustainable and Green Building Construction Materials

Conserve Energy Future - Rinkesh We are traditionally used to using earth bricks, concrete, and wood in construction. They have been and continue to be used in everyday construction, meaning the continued ...

Solar Panel Scams: 7 Red Flags to Avoid

Solar panels can lower your electric bill, but certain promises are too good to be true. Here's how to tell. Summary: "The federal solar tax credit is going away soon." FALSE. The 30% federal tax credit is ...

Conserve Water Around The House And Around The Yard.

Did you know that the average U.S. household uses 156 gallons of water per day? Californians use an average of 48 gal/day of water. That's one third of the national average use. Something to be proud of. So, this ...

Are All-Electric Homes A Good Idea?

Home builders are on a mission to build all electric homes, at least here in California. New homes and buildings that are constructed in 2023 will have to have electric supply panels and circuitry to support ...

Solar Energy rate Plan NEM3: What does it mean?

As of April 15, 2023, all new applications for solar energy will fall in to the NEM3 solar energy utility rate plan. Solar users under NEM3 will get compensated for about $0.08 / kWh for excess energy sent to the ...
Washing Away A Bad Laundry Habit.

Washing Away A Bad Laundry Habit.

By Frank Scotti, Sustainable Energy Advocate – October 01, 2022 – As far back as I can remember, my mom always used liquid laundry soap, or detergent, to wash our clothes when we were kids. Like most everything, my ...
Why Are Solar Panels Always Black Or Blue?

Why Are Solar Panels Always Black Or Blue?

You may be surprised to learn that the color of solar panels is not just an aesthetic choice by the manufacturers. Solar panels are black and blue because those are the natural colors that silicon becomes during ...
Sustainable Travel Tips: Eco Flying

Sustainable Travel Tips: Eco Flying

I recently came across an article in the AAA magazine, Westways, talking about sustainable travel. It was a bit basic and abbreviated, but touched on something that I had not really been aware of, something that I ...

Energy Efficient Remodeling Ideas for Older Homes

Energy efficiency is one of the largest topics for homeowners in recent years. Buyers want a property that will have predictable bills, and homeowners want to lower the monthly charges they’ve been seeing. If ...

What Kind of Backyard Grill Is The Most Eco-Friendly?

Grilling outdoors is not only fun and tasty, it saves energy and money. But what type of outdoor grill is most eco-friendly? We took a look at propane grills, natural gas grills, charcoal burning grills and wood ...

California’s Net Energy Billing Plan, NEM 3.0, Explained.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is proposing to update the net energy metering policy for solar homeowners, commonly referred to as NEM. The proposed billing plan, NEM 3.0, is complicated and ...

California Utilities Looking To Kill Rooftop Solar.

“CPUC proposed a giveaway to investor-owned utilities that would boost utility profits at the expense of energy consumers, family-supporting jobs, and California’s clean energy future.”  Sacramento, CA— Today, the ...

Home EV Charging: Do You Need A Level 2 Charge Unit?

By Frank Scotti | September 08, 2021 Home EV Charging: Do You Need A Level 2 Charge Unit? As of 2020, nearly 1.8 million EV’s were registered in the U.S., more than three times as many as in 2016, according ...

Jokes from a solar energy nerd...

“Where do electricians get their supplies? The Ohm Depot.”

Jokes from a solar energy nerd...

“I can’t afford to pay for electricity anymore; these are some dark times.”

Jokes from a solar energy nerd...

“Why did the man eat the light bulb? He was hoping it would give him a bright idea.”

Jokes from a solar energy nerd...

“Why did the light bulb fail his math quiz? He wasn’t too bright.”

Jokes from a solar energy nerd...

“Why did the lights go out? Because they liked each other!